The worn swivel chairs creak in protest as I sit, sinking much lower than I expected to. I try to right the damn thing, but it continues to sink until my upper chest is level with the table. I glance at Rathyn, wondering how the thing won’t collapse under him, but of course, for him, it holds.
He glances at me but says nothing as the man with the balding head takes a seat across from us.
“I see you’re here to review and sign a…” He trails off as his eyes move across the iPad screen. After what feels like forever, he clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably in his chair. “A companion contract.”
Rathyn nods as my cheeks flame. That sounds…intimate. More intimate than being a cum bank.
“That is correct,” Rathyn says, unfazed.
The man clears his throat again, like it’s a nervous tic. “I see. And you are requesting this be a paid position?” The tone in his voice says that’s not entirely normal, and I wish the chair would sink a little lower so I could disappear underneath the table entirely.
Rathyn is, once again, unfazed, and he nods. “He needs it. The meat factory doesn’t pay well.”
“It’s a fucking hot dog stand,” I murmur, but of course, no one is listening to me.
“Not a problem. You two can read through the standard contract first.” The man slides the iPad toward me, and I stare down at it, my eyes trying to make sense of the small print. “We can discuss any changes you wish to make, and when you’re done, the liaison will review it, then we can print it for signing.”
“Sounds good,” I say at the same time as Rathyn says, “You don’t need to read it.”
I stare at him. “You’re joking, right? I’m absolutely reading this. You could be asking me to do something weird. I’m not signing my life away without knowing what I’m contractually obligated to do.”
His ears flick in annoyance. “I would not harm you. You know this.”
“Yeah, well, your version of harm and mine might be very different. I’m not signing anything until I know all the details.”
He sighs but makes a go-ahead gesture, and I glance down where I find my name right next to his.
“Rathyn of the Dark Vale?” I snort, and his ears flutter. “That’s your full name?”
“What is wrong with it?”
“Nothing.” I swallow back a little snort. “Just sounds very…archaic.”
He glances over at my name and then says, “Everest Hale.”
“Yeah. Hey, it rhymes with yours. Hale? Vale?”
Rathyn stares at me, oblivious to my fantastic humor.
“Ugh, fine. Whatever. Be quiet and let me read.” My eyes scan the terms of service and then the binding clause. It’s plainly stated that this contract is something we’re signing with mutual consent from both parties, which is kind of rich.
I mean, it’s technically true, but it doesn’t entirely feel that way. I had a choice between Rathyn and some other monster sucking my dick. He’s the lesser of two evils for sure.
The duration of the contract is negotiated once a year for as long as I’m capable of orgasming, or until one party decides to terminate the agreement in full. I wonder, for a moment, who will be the first to end this.
My gaze slides down to the duties and expectations, and my eyes widen. “Um, Rath, have you read this?”
His eyes flick over to mine. “Which part?”
“Duties and Expectations.” My stomach feels all tight, like I’ve swallowed a boulder.
His ears flutter, and for a second, I swear his face flushes. “Yes. I’ve reviewed this.”
I scoff. He knew all of this and didn’t warn me before we came in? “You want me to live with you? Not a chance in hell.” I’m not giving up my freedom for him. No fucking way. Not after it had been ripped from me after my parents died.
“We cannot live apart. Companions must be accessible at all times.”
I drop the tablet on the table with a loud clatter. “At all times? Hell no. Absolutely fucking not.”
