Robin talked until our plates were picked clean and there was nothing left but the foamy pink froth at the bottom of his glass. All of his opinions were well informed and insightful—not only did Robin have business theory backing him up, but he was able to approach his strategies from the viewpoint of someone who, for a period in his life, had done his best to outperform the game and take casinos for all they were worth. It was insight I’d never thought to ask for. Even though part of my security team contained several ex card counters, they’d never suggested any of the work-arounds Robin had suggested.

When I’d pointed that out, Robin flatly informed me it was because I wasn’t paying them enough to make it worth it. He’d made note of payment structure from the ground up in his reconstruction plans, too.

It was enough to turn the tips of my ears red from shame.

As a Sullivan, I’d been brought up to make smart decisions and maximize profit wherever possible, but Robin made me doubt that the decisions I’d made were the soundest. There was value in approaching business from a different angle, and while I knew better than to trust blindly in new methods, I had a feeling that if I listened to what he’d said, I’d see astronomical growth.

“So,” Robin said. He stretched his jaw from side to side, then scrunched his nose. “I’ve officially talked so much my jaw is sore.”

“I liked what you had to say.”

“I’m glad, because you’re going to be hearing a lot more of it over the coming months while we roll out phases of implementation.”

Changes like Robin was suggesting would need to be passed by the board, but with a little fine-tuning and a well-thought-out presentation, I was sure they’d pass. Step by step, we’d transform The Palisade from the inside, increasing profits and making bold, aggressive moves in order to dominate our market share. The fact that I wasn’t forced to go through the planning and process alone meant more to me than I could tell. As Master, Robin had controlled my accounts and made me want to achieve greater things, but as Robin, he’d taken me by the hand and guided me toward greatness.

I could only imagine what new levels of success I’d rise to, now that he was in my life.

“You look like you’re thinking about something,” Robin remarked.

I blinked back to awareness and shook my head. “Not really. At least, not anything too exciting. I was thinking how grateful I am to have you here, guiding me through this difficult time. I really didn’t expect to receive help like this. I was sure that I’d be on my own.”

“Oh.” Robin paused. Hesitation flashed in his eyes, then disappeared behind his cocky mask. When he spoke again, it was in the dark, sultry way that Master always did. The notes of his voice made my heart race. “I told you that I’d teach you how to take care of yourself, pet. I wouldn’t promise you something I couldn’t follow through on, now would I?”

Each throbbing beat of my pulse shot downward into my groin. My cock started to stiffen. It didn’t matter that we were in a public place and anyone could overhear what we were talking about—I had to obey. “No, Master. I know you wouldn’t.”

“You’re just lucky I’m so understanding. Most Masters wouldn’t be so kind, you know.” He stretched like a cat, extending his arms far over his head. I watched his slender body elongate itself. Even without his jacket and tie, he was stunning. “But, all things considered, I was impressed with you today. Not only did you listen to me, but you were bold enough and wise enough to point out flaws in my proposal and offer alternatives. I’m exhausted, like you already know, but now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t reward you for being so good today… hmm.”

The tight warmth of his hole and the touch of his soft, smooth skin came back to me all at once. My heartbeat quickened, and heat burned through my cheeks. I wanted to beg him for a reward, but I knew better than to speak without permission when Master was in the room. I would behave, I would listen, and, if I deserved it, I would be rewarded for my behavior.

“We’ve still got to pay for dinner tonight,” Robin mused. “I wonder if we go to the front to pay. The waitress hasn’t stopped by with our bill…”

My hand dug into my back pocket in a flash, searching for my wallet. I was a second away from standing up when Master reached across the table and grabbed me by the wrist, keeping me from moving. Confused, I looked across the table at him. The dark expression on his face told me that moving another inch was a bad idea.

“What are you doing, Troy?” Master asked.

It was a direct question, so I was allowed to speak. “I’m going to pay for our meal…”

“With what money?”

I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth, trying to distract myself from the rush of arousal flooding my veins. When Master was on the other end of the phone, it was easy to forget that my money was his money. When he took what he wanted, I was never there to see it in person—I got to witness it through bank statements and the pictures he sent me. Shopping trips on my dime, fancy dinners paid for by me, new electronics, underwear, suits…

But now, Master was here. The temporary high I felt knowing that I was funding his lifestyle wasn’t so temporary anymore. With him there in person, I wouldn’t be able to go spend the money in my account on a whim like I usually did, because that money now belonged to him, and he was here to supervise it.

The staff was going to think I was smuggling a footlong out in my pants, I was so hard.

I had all the money I could ever want, but I couldn’t use it. I was powerless to Master’s whims.

“You’ll come with me,” Master told me. “I want you to watch as I spend your money, Troy. Or should I say, my money? Because that’s what it is, isn’t it? Everything in your account belongs to me.”

“Yes,” I whispered, hoarse.

“And that’s why you’re going to do your best to implement the changes we’ve discussed today, right?” Master held my gaze. Chemistry sparked thick and heavy between us, crushing my lungs like I’d dived too deep underwater. God, did I want him. The feeling was even more intense now that I had him here with me in real life. “I want a fatter bottom dollar, and I want you to do it for me.”

I shivered. It was embarrassing to do it in front of him, but I couldn’t stop myself. How was it that one man was able to take me from zero to one hundred at the drop of a pin? I’d never been so turned on by someone in my life. “Yes, Master.”

“Such a good pet.” He smirked, then stood and nodded toward the front counter. “Now, come stand behind me while I pay. I want you to see me spend the money. Won’t that be a treat?”

I didn’t know what I’d done to be so lucky. Master was a dream, and Robin… Robin was something else. Intelligent, funny, informed, and interesting, I felt like I’d never get bored. And with his dominant side coming out to play every now and then, I couldn’t get enough.

No omega I’d ever been interested in could compare. Not a single one. Monty had matched me with a man able to steal not only from my casino, but from my heart as well.

I followed Master to the front of the restaurant and stood several steps back so I could watch as he paid. His credit card—one linked to my account, and authorized for use under his name—passed hands, and I watched, rapt, as the cashier rang up the order and swiped the card. At twenty-five dollars including the tip, the expense was minimal and wouldn’t even register as a blip on my account, but the act of watching as someone else spent my money and took control away from me entirely hit me hard.

Master was in control now. Without him, I was nothing.

“Come, Troy,” Master said casually. He’d already thanked the cashier and had moved on to exit the restaurant. “Your driver isn’t going to want to be kept waiting, is he? He’s been very patient this entire time. Maybe I should tip him…”

I bit the inside of my lip to keep from moaning. Master knew exactly what to say to make me feel fantastic. The more he reminded me that he wasn’t intimidated by my power or my wealth, the more I wanted him. He could spend every penny of my fortune, and I’d still covet everything he was.

In small but significant ways, he made me human.

I followed him out of the restaurant and across the parking lot to our parked car. Dinner may have been over, but I had a feeling that our night had yet to begin.