The bulldozer cuts into the ground among very few onlookers. To my left is the town pastor, and to my right the self-dubbed mayor of Sweet Briar, Stan Mercer.

“It would’ve been nice to have a ribbon cutting ceremony,” Stan says. His arms are crossed, causing the fabric in his sport coat to stretch. “Invite the news out, have a bar-be-cue.”

“In due time,” I tell him. “Once the apartments are up, we’ll have a massive celebration and I’ll make sure to bring those giant scissors so you can cut the ribbon.” I’m mentally shaking my head, but I get it. Mayors like to be on television. They want their people to see that they’re doing well in their community.

Except right now, Mayor Stan isn’t doing anything. Parker and Larry are. If it weren’t for these two men, the bulldozer a few yards in front of me wouldn’t be cutting into the land to prepare it for a foundation.

While Stan continues to yammer on to Larry about how we missed an opportunity by not having the news here, I meet with the construction manager. The mobile office, which is a fancy business term for trailer, is unstable and rickety. It wobbles when I step into the makeshift office.

“Hello, Mr. Robicheau.”

“Hi …”

“Brenda,” the receptionist says. She gives me a small wave, which I have a feeling is meant to be flirtatious.

“Right, hi.” Bypassing her, I walk past the imaginary wall where Greg Parsons is bent over a drafting table. “You missed it,” I tell him, sitting down in his chair. I make the mistake of glancing up and find Brenda staring at me. I offer her a quick smile and turn my attention toward Greg’s back. It’s much more entertaining than trying to ignore his assistant.

“Sorry, I’m trying to make sure that everything is set for tomorrow,” Greg says.

“You think they’ll be ready to pour concrete tomorrow?”

Greg lifts the slat of the blinds. His head moves from side to side, as if he’s trying to see around the corner. “We are working from sunup to sundown. We’ll be pouring by the end of the week.”

“That’s what I like to …” My train of thought is interrupted by a text alert.

I shake my head and slip my phone back into my pocket. “I’m going to kill him,” I mutter under my breath. Greg looks at me curiously. “I need to head back to Portland and finalize some contracts. I’ll be back in the morning, but if you need me, call.”

“Will do, boss.”

I make the mistake of looking at Brenda as I pass by. She finger waves, to go along with the widest, and almost scariest smile I have ever seen. Thing is, she’s a pretty woman, but trying too hard and that is a turn off. “See ya later,” I tell her as I step out of the trailer and out onto the job site. For a minute, I take in all that is happening.

Multiple bulldozers are breaking land, digging into the earth so we can pour the necessary concrete foundation for the apartments. By the end of the week, footings should be in place and concrete poured. I plan to be here for that.

Off to the side, trees are being taken down to make room for the parking lot, playground, and swimming pool. For every tree we’re taking down, two are being planted. We’re also planting a community garden. Not only will it give residents a chance to grow their own, but to feed their less fortunate neighbors.

In my mind, I can see this project taking shape, and it’s just the start at bringing life back to Sweet Briar.

The text alert on my phone chimes again as I get into my car. It’s that woman, Jenica, from the sex club. This time I don’t even look at what she has to say because my answer will still be no. I have never been desperate enough to seek out attention in the paid form. I don’t care if I’m new the city, I can get laid whenever I want. In fact, I can probably go back and take Brenda out, but I have a strict policy against screwing co-workers. Nothing good ever comes from hooking up with people you work with.

The traffic back to Portland is heavy and somewhat frustrating. Every time my phone chimes, all I can think about is Jenica telling me that there’s a match for me. The thought terrifies me to no end considering I filled out the application with nothing but lies. While I like a little freak in the bedroom, I’d have to say my tastes are very vanilla and that isn’t what I put on the application. No, my dumbass had to put down that I’m into fetishes, that I like sucking on toes or having mine sucked on. The last thing I want is for a woman to touch my feet.

When my phone rings, I press the hands-free button without looking at the caller identification.

“Kai here,” I say loudly due to the top of my car being down.

“Mr. Robicheau, this is Jenica. Have I caught you at a bad time?”

“No. I don’t know.”

“I know you’re busy so I’ll cut to the chase. I don’t know if you saw my texts earlier, but I wanted to let you know that we have a match for you. She would like to meet you tonight, if you’re free, for a blowjob.”

I look around, wondering who can hear her. There are other people talking animatedly in their cars. Music blares from others. “Um … is this a joke? Did Bryant put you up to this?”

“I assure you that I’m serious, Mr. Robicheau. Society X takes their clients’ needs very seriously.”

“Right. So I get a blowjob and she gets what in return? I mean, am I obligated to you … you know …” I can’t bring myself to saying the action out loud. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for eating some pussy, but I’d like to know the woman first, get a sense on whether she’s clean or not.

“The request is for a blowjob to take place in the play room. There isn’t any other indication that the client would like anything else.”

“That just doesn’t make sense,” I tell her as I move along with the traffic. “Every woman I know wants something in return.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Robicheau, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this time.”

Sighing loudly, I continue to look around to see if anyone is listening in on my conversation, not that I expect that they can hear me. “So you’re telling me that I show up at the club, drop my pants to my knees, and let some chick suck my dick?”

“Yes, that is what the client has requested.”

And because my dick has been at full attention since our encounter in Society X, he perks up. “Stupid fucker,” I mutter.

“Excuse me?”

“Sorry, not you,” I tell Jenica. “Look, I’ll try it this one time, but I really don’t think I’m the kind of guy who does this type of stuff.”

“Of course. I completely understand. I will text you the information.” She hangs up, and just like that I have an appointment at the sex club, all thanks to that fucker Bryant. I’m tempted to ask him about the rooms, to find out exactly what happens in them, but I don’t want him to think I’m interested, especially since he likes to eat “lunch” there.

By the time I reach the office I am completely frazzled. I can’t think. My semi won’t calm down. And all I can imagine in my mind is some woman on her knees, sucking my dick. Of course, when I think about that, my dick starts dancing in my pants.

Jenica sends me a text with the time that I need to arrive. I stare at my phone, tempted to tell her I’ve changed my mind, that this is something I can’t do. I need to have a stimulating conversation with someone before I stick my dick in their mouth.

What if I can’t get it up? What if when she touches me I go limp? The pressure to perform is too great. I pick up my phone and type out the words, telling Jenica thanks, but no thanks … only I can’t bring myself to press the send button.

“Fucking Bryant,” I say loud enough to fill the silence in my office. “Fuck it.” I grab my stuff and quickly head out of the office, hoping to avoid running into Parker or Bryant. I don’t want to lie to Parker as to why I’m leaving early, and if I see Bryant, I might strangle him for putting me in this position.

I rush home and head straight for the shower. I leave my hard-on alone, afraid that if I get myself off now, I won’t be able to get it up for the woman who wants to suck me off. Just the thought of getting a blowjob makes me harder.

“What the fuck am I doing?” I ask myself loudly as I stare down at my dick. “Going to go get a blowjob,” I say as I shut the water off.

After drying off, I dress as casually as possible. As luck would have it, the drive to Society X takes me ten minutes. It was my hope that I’d be late and my appointment would be canceled. But no, here I am and there’s Jenica, waiting for me.

“Follow me,” she says as she punches a code into the panel. The door opens and closes almost as soon as I step over the threshold. “As I said, you’ll be in the play room.” She adds another code and the door opens.

The room is bare, other than a chair and what looks like a thick, black curtain. “You’ll sit on the chair, with the rest of your body behind the curtain. You are not allowed to speak or look at the woman.”

“Why not?”

“Because at Society X, everything is anonymous. She won’t look at you or even speak. When you’re done, you’ll rate her, as she will rate you.”

Great!

“Okay, so I just sit there?”

“Yes. When she’s done, she will leave first. I will knock once to let you know it’s time for you come out. You have one minute to be ready.”

Jenica leaves, and I find myself standing in the middle of this room with a chair that looks intimidating as fuck. I go over to it and undo my pants, letting them drop to the ground, and sit down and make sure that I’m hidden behind the curtain.

The door opens and there’s an audible gasp. Right off, I’m self-conscious, wondering if she thinks I’m too small.

Fuck. Gripping my shaft, I move my hand up and down, praying that this fucker gets bigger for her. I jump slightly when her hands touch my knees and stop my self-pumping action.

The first lick has my dick twitching away from her in reaction, but she doesn’t hesitate. She licks the head again and again, pausing for a few seconds before wrapping those lips of hers around the tip of my cock. She takes me deep into her mouth and slowly pulls away, only to do it again and again.

Her hand grips my dick and pumps in sequence with her mouth, creating a vacuum of suction that almost has me coming, but I fight it. I think about granny panties and Bryant—that stupid fucker. When she moans, my hand instantly threads through her hair and my hips thrust.

She works my cock down the back of her throat. Right now, I want to say, “Fuck it,” toss this curtain aside, and bury my dick deep into her pussy. When she starts to massage my balls, my eyes roll back in my head and I mutter, “Fuck yes,” breaking one of the rules.