Page 5 of Axe Marks the Spot

He chuckles again. “I do spend a lot of time there, but unlike you, I hang out with people in the real world, too.”

“And you think I don’t?”

“Says the man I see only a handful of times a year.”

I could argue with him, remind Levi that I don’t work full-time for Starlight Lumber & Logging like he does, especially during the summer season when work is sparse. He also doesn’t call Starlight Haven home like I do, choosing to find work as a logger in different parts of the country during the year. He has, however, been spending more time here lately, and many consider him a local.

What’s more, I could remind him that I’m not a partier like many of the guys that drift through town for work are, but we’ve had this conversation before, every time he tries to get me to hang out with him. I don’t mind Levi, even though he can be annoying, but I’m not a man who has meaningless hookups at bars or enjoys getting hammered. I haven’t been since I was in my early twenties.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” I answer, choosing to keep things simple.

“You are, but only because the prize money is good. And you want to keep your Speed Pole Climbing Champion title five years in a row.”

The corner of my lips tips up. “Do I need more of a reason?”

“Yeah, to hang out with people who aren’t virtual.”

My jaw ticks. This is one of those moments I’m finding Levi highly annoying. This line of questioning isn’t new for him, and I know he’s baiting me to get what he wants. It’s his way of digging around in my personal life and an attempt to take a stab at my preferred line of work outside of logging, a line of work he doesn’t understand or try to.

I swallow down my annoyance and give him the same dry smile from before. “That would mean I would have to hang out with you.”

He clicks his tongue. “Yeah, and you’d have fun. Something you should try.”

“And you think I don’t have fun?”

“I mean, maybe. But I think in-person sex is better than virtual.”

I look around the tent, glad the few competitors that were here before have gone, leaving us alone. I’m positive a volunteer will come get us so they can start the competition, though—I was late getting here, and I know our event is set to begin soon.

I sit down on a nearby chair and take off my hiking boots to put on my climbing ones. “Levi, you don’t have to have sex to have fun. And need I remind you, what I do is not virtual sex.”

“So you’ve told me, but that’s hard to believe. Who plays virtual Dom to people online but doesn’t have sex with them, even the virtual kind?”

I tie the laces of my shoes before I look back up at Levi. His arms are crossed over his chest, and there are questions mixed with judgment in his blue eyes. The look reminds me why I prefer my work as a Pro Dom online to be anonymous. Levi only knows because he came across my DomInTheWoods videos on the popular app I use called Loopr and recognized my neck tattoos and voice. He agreed to keep it close to the vest, which is something I appreciate about him.

But I’m pissed he brought it up. Nobody in town knows about said persona and line of work except my friends and the owners of Starlight Lumber & Logging, Fox and Morgan.

I lower my voice despite it only being us here. “You can think what you want, Levi, but that’s not the kind of intimacy we share. Take my word for it or not, but keep your opinion to yourself.” I lace my voice with the tone I use on my clients when they’re being brats. It’s lower in my register and has a darker edge to it.

I don’t miss how the tone makes him automatically straighten.

Levi stares me down for a moment, attempting to retain whatever control he thinks he has over the conversation. But then, like a dog to his master, I see the moment he heels. His eyes soften, and his lips quirk into a smile.

“Damn, man, I won’t say anything. But fuck, I see why people pay you the big bucks.”

I stand and grab the rest of my gear from my bag. “If you want more examples, I’ll send you my price list.”

Levi, clearly still thinking I mean sex despite my declaration and warning, looks me up and down. “I don’t have a thing for men. But maybe I can make an exception for you, Daney-boy.”

It doesn’t get past me that he’s trying to regain some semblance of dominance over me. When he meets my gaze once more, I hold eye contact with him. I don’t say anything, nor do I blink.

Eventually, he shifts on his feet and sticks his hands in his pockets. “Look, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers. I only wanted to hang out with you and have some fun. I bet you can find that hottie you ran into and invite her out if you want.”

The woman’s image enters my mind again. While she’s exactly my type and obviously had a reaction to me, she ran away faster than a rabbit with a coyote on its tail. Besides that, I’ve got my hands full with work and am not looking for a relationship or a one-night stand. My Loopr account has gone viral more than once, and I’ve got a waiting list for my Pro Dom services.

“I’ll think about it.” I’m being honest, too. I will think about it, but I already know what my answer will be. I’m only throwing him a bone to ease the tension of our conversation and get out of the tent.

Levi turns and picks up his gloves and climbing belt from the folding table as I put my belt around my waist.