The night air was cool with a slight breeze. I wrapped my thin hoodie tightly around my body, closed my eyes, and tipped my head up to the night sky. With all the bars shut down for the night, it was peaceful out here, other than the occasional sound of a delivery truck rumbling by. I leaned against the building and felt my body finally starting to let go of the tension I always carried around.
Annandale was a great place to live, but I missed the small town feel of home. Only the brightest stars shone through the light pollution of the city, which made it difficult for me to sit and commune with the constellations. That probably made me sound crazy, but it was my peace. When I’d been a young boy, I would sit in our backyard and talk to the stars as if they were my friends.
“You shouldn’t be standing out here all alone.”
I jumped back, my eyes flying open. The peace I’d begun to savor vanished as I panicked, imagining someone pulling a knife on me. I doubled over, pressing a fist to my chest as I reminded myself a mugger probably wouldn’t warn me about the dangers of being alone on a dark street in the middle of the night. I tensed when I felt a hand press against my spine.
“I’m sorry I startled you.”
I looked up then, surprised to see Blake standing in front of me. “What are you doing here?”
“I forgot one of my bags,” he explained. “Sam’s waiting for me because it happens to be the bag with my work clothes, and I need my badge in the morning.”
Badge? I pressed my lips together, swearing I was not going to imagine him in uniform. The only thing that could make him more lethal to my resolve than he already was, would be him being a cop or some shit. Fuck, now I was picturing him with handcuffs dangling from his finger, threatening to pin me against the wall and frisk me.
He shook me gently. His fingers skimmed over my neck. I shivered, but this time it wasn’t from the cold. Was I really so desperate I welcomed the slightest sign of affection?
“Do you need me to call someone? You’re breathing really fast right now.”
“No, I’m fine.” And I was, physically at least. Mentally, I was spiraling out of control, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “You can’t expect me to be calm when you just scared the shit out of me.”
“Fair point,” he conceded. “But really, you shouldn’t get lost in your thoughts where someone could sneak up on you. What if I wanted to rob you?”
I let out a sardonic laugh. “Well, you’d have been disappointed because I don’t have shit worth taking.”
Even my phone was a basic flip phone. It was the cheapest option I could find, and even though Michael offered to let me stay on his plan until I got my feet under me, it had been important to make a clean break. That meant going without a lot of creature comforts.
Blake rested a hand on my shoulder. I risked a glance at him and felt that ridiculous fucking zing again. I licked my lips and told myself it was because the air was dry,notbecause I wanted to know how he tasted. Fuck. I needed to get away from here.
I stepped back, immediately mourning the loss of his touch. Blake looked confused, but he didn’t press forward. “Which way do you live?”
“I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t answer that question,” I teased. After all,hewas the one who was a stickler for safety. “What would you say if you heard me telling some random stranger the direction I’d be walking all alone in the middle of the night?”
“I could give you a ride, if you’d like,” Blake offered. It was sweet, but I wasnotputting myself in that position. No way could I be in a confined space with him and not make an ass out of myself.
“It’s fine,” I told him, hitching a thumb over my shoulder. “I just live down the street.”
Blake chuckled and nodded.
“And now you would have set yourself up to be taken advantage of if I had malicious intentions.” He brushed the back of one finger over my cheek. I held my breath when he leaned in close enough I could feel every warm exhale against my skin. “Stay safe, Danny. You’re far too sweet for your own good.”
“Th-thank you, Sir.” Yep. I was definitely rushing home so I could jerk off. That was three times tonight I’d called him Sir, and every time my dick grew harder. “H-have a good night.”
“You too, precious boy.” My eyes fluttered shut and I half expected him to kiss me. I was only mildly disappointed when the cool breeze assaulted the skin where he’d touched me. He stood in the alcove of the entrance, ushering me past him. “I won’t follow you home, but I am going to make sure you’re safe. Will you text Sam to let him know when you’re there?”
Yeah, because that wasn’t weird or anything. But I couldn’t refuse. “Yes, Sir.”
He grabbed my hand, squeezing my fingers. “Good boy. I’ll see you soon, Danny.”
The words sounded like a combination of a threat and promise. Did Iwantto see him again? Hell yes, but I knew as I walked away that he had the power to undo me.
2
Blake
If I didn’t know better,I’d think Danny was avoiding me. At Sam’s request, I’d started attending more of the play nights at Club DeSires. It was mutually beneficial, giving me time to engage in my favorite kinks without strings, while the couples I scened with knew they were interacting with someone they could trust. The lines were clear, long before a scene started, and when it was done, I escorted them to the aftercare room where the Dom could take care of his sub.
But I still wouldn’t allow Sam to pay me for my time. The discount on my membership dues was more than compensation enough and it kept me from feeling like I was selling my services.
