“So how does this work?” he asked. “I’ve never been a sugar daddy before.”
Maria slid her hand across the table, and stroked his palm.
“I give you what you need and you give me what I need,” she said. “Recurring wire transfers are best—so neither of us needs to think about it. That’s it. You message me when you want to meet—and I’m all yours.”
What must it be like for a man to have that kind of money, to escape the constant danger biting at your back, to stride confidently through the world, owning anything—anyone—you wanted?
“You make it sound easy,” he said.
“It should be easy,” she said warmly. “This is about prioritizing pleasure.”
Valerio kissed her fingertips, and smiled.
—
The food was delicious and, he noted with relief, at a manageable price. Yet the atmosphere was sophisticated enough to satisfy Maria, and she found a meal to suit her special preferences.
As he ate spaghetti ai frutti di mare, Valerio regretted stuffing himself on kebab wraps earlier.
“Is there anything you’d like to know about me?” he asked.
“I’d love to know about your boat,” she said.
Valerio considered lying—makingCalypsolarger and grander than she was. But he was proud of the little 9.5-meter Balanzone that he and Nikki had restored. He described sourcing the materials, repairing the hull and engine, bringing the decaying sailboat back to life.
To his surprise, Maria seemed genuinely interested. She asked the right questions and laughed at some of his stories.
“So much work!” she exclaimed.
A heat of pride rose to Valerio’s cheeks.
“Well, it was Nikki, too,” he conceded with a grin. “Stubborn little devil. She thinks she can save the world. You should meet her sometime. You’d like her. Once you get past her crusty exterior, she’s a sweetheart.”
Maria pouted. “Should I be jealous?”
Valerio chuckled. “She’s just a friend.”
He hadn’t intended to mention Nikki at all. But talking about her made him aware that he’d bought into this illusion, blurring reality and fantasy.
What would Nikki think if she saw him playing this charade, lying, pretending? He imagined the disapproval on her face. She was the most honest person he’d ever known. She would urge him to tell the truth.
Now that Maria was comfortable, the conversation flowing, Valerio turned his attention to the real reason he was here.
“I’d love to know more about you. May I ask something personal?”
Maria hesitated. “Alright.”
He lowered his voice. “What made you decide to become a sugar baby?”
She smiled, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s a very boring story.”
“I want to know everything about you,” he said earnestly.
Her expression didn’t change, but for the briefest moment, something flickered behind her eyes.
“I started modeling when I was twelve,” she said. “It was a great opportunity. The agency flew me out to exotic locations. And models are always invited to parties. That’s where I met my first daddy.”
He nodded, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself asking where her parents had been.
