CHAPTER SEVEN
Thorne’s office phone lit up. Lauren, his assistant, was paging him. “Yes?”
“Your meeting started at ten.”
Thorne glanced at the clock. It was five minutes past the hour. How had he lost track of time? “Thank you, Lauren. Let them know I’ve been delayed and I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes, sir.” There was a pause. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I simply need a few minutes to conclude something I started last night. It’s…for the meeting.”
“Of course, sir.” Lauren knew he was lying. She also knew she’d reminded him of the meeting when he’d arrived that morning, but she wasn’t about to call him out on either point.
He hadn’t actually been working at all. He’d been daydreaming about Dash. He couldn’t get the man out of his mind. Thorne had jerked off in the shower, fantasizing about Dash driving his fat cock up his ass, just like he’d done every fucking day since he last saw Dash. It was only Wednesday. Would he make it to Friday with his sanity intact? He could always see if Dash was free later.
No. He shook his head and started gathering the paperwork he needed for his meeting. Once a week. That’s enough.
He’d always been eager for his Filthy Fridays as he’d come to think of them. But he’d never obsessed over a man like he was doing with Dash. The intensity of what he felt had to be unhealthy. It was sure as hell unexpected, and he hated the unexpected.
Thorne forced himself to close up his briefcase and head for the elevator, nodding at Lauren as he walked by her desk. He didn’t want to go to this meeting. The client who’d called it was a pain in the ass and always had been, the kind who micromanaged the consultation process every step of the way, despite the fact that it was his managers who would implement the changes Thorne suggested, not him. The man’s company was a large one though, and he was well connected. Thorne knew better than to risk pissing him off by being even later.
Normally he’d be appalled that he hadn’t arrived several minutes early to set up the meeting room. He was terribly critical of tardiness in others. But that morning he couldn’t summon the energy to care. Was this burnout? Midlife crisis? Dash tempting him to a life of sin? He wasn’t sure he’d mind if it was the latter. The sins Dash came up with were well worth the price of his soul.
But he held more shares than any other partner, so he had to set an example. Friday would come eventually, and he’d have his fun with Dash. Right now, he needed to focus on what was important, not on frivolous pleasures.
***
RILEY’S PHONE STARTED ringing as he walked through the door of his apartment. He’d been baking with Susan for the last six hours. He was exhausted and covered in flour despite the apron he’d worn. All he wanted was a shower. He pulled his phone from his pocket, hoping he could ignore whoever was calling. It was Marc. He’d been avoiding Marc’s calls since Friday, texting him back, saying he’d call later.
He had to talk to him eventually. Maybe if he sounded as exhausted as he felt, he could beg off before they got too deep into a conversation about Thorne. Riley knew it was a bad sign that he didn’t want to talk about Thorne. But what had happened Friday night with Thorne—the dinner as much as the intense sex—was special and private and the best fucking “date” Dash (and Riley too for that matter) had ever had. If only Thorne wasn’t a fucking client.
Riley flopped onto a kitchen chair and accepted the call. “Hey man, what’s up?”
“Wow! You actually deigned to answer. Should I be honored?”
“I’ve been busy. You know I’m working as much as I can to save for school. Between that and baking, I’m worn out.” Riley was lying. While that had been his intention, Thorne had tipped him so well, he’d hardly taken any other clients.
“Clients taking it out of you?” Marc asked, his tone lascivious as usual.
“Sucking me dry every time,” Riley returned.
“Oh, poor baby. Soooo, tell me about Thorne.”
“You already know what he’s like.” Riley winced. He hadn’t meant his comment to sound as snappy as it did.
“Uh-oh.” Riley could hear the smirk in Marc’s voice.
“What?”
“That tone. What does that mean?”
That I don’t like to think about you fucking him; that I’m…in trouble… “Nothing. What tone?”
“That one. I’m supposed to be the one who gets snippy. Dash is all cool and fun and smiling.”
Riley snorted. “You know that’s not true.”
“That’s how you are when you’re with clients. Right until you nail their asses and have them begging.”
As frustrated as he was, Riley had to laugh. “Fine, that’s my style, but this is real life. You’re not a client.”
“I wouldn’t mind being one. You’re damn good at what you do.”
“Likewise.”
“So, Thorne…”
“He’s a great tipper.” That was a safe enough comment.
“And so hot when he gets fucked,” Marc practically purred.
Act normal. “Yeah, he’s hot, okay? Just like you said.”
“What are you hiding?”
He hated how well Marc knew him. “Nothing.”
“Riley Dashwood, you like him.”
“Of course I like him. You know I can’t take clients I don’t like. I’m not as good at faking it as you.”
“Ouch!”
Riley knew Marc wasn’t the least bit hurt.
“I do pride myself on my acting skills, but you know I’m far from indiscriminate,” Marc added.
“I’d never accuse you of that. You just don’t mind fucking assholes if they’re hot. In fact, I think you like it.”
“Thorne can be an ass, trust me.”
“Yeah, but it’s kinda cute.” Fucking fuck, why did I say that?
“Cute?” Marc practically cackled. “Oh dear God, you’re worse off than I thought.”
“What do you mean?” Riley knew he couldn’t get away with feigning ignorance, but he had to try.
“You’ve fallen for him.”
Riley refused to think about how accurate Marc’s assessment was. “Hardly; I just like how he’s all bluster.”
Mark sighed. “And such a fun power bottom.”
“Did you ever get him to truly surrender?”
“No, I don’t think he’s capable of that.”
Riley was secretly thrilled. He wanted to be the only one who could get that from Thorne. “Did he ever want anything but sex?”
“Nope. It’s strictly fucking with him.”
Riley wasn’t going to reveal that he’d managed conversation and dinner. “Well, the money’s good no matter what he wants.”
Marc whistled. “His tips are out of this world.”
“He’s been very good for my tuition fund.”
“I thought he would be. But remember this is a job, not a date.”
Marc’s warning made Riley’s stomach flip-flop. “I’ve managed just fine since I started this job. It’s not like I didn’t already understand how to enjoy sex for sex’s sake.” Riley had done his share of one-nighters, club hook-ups, even back-alley blowjobs. He’d met Marc in a club in fact. “Remember how we met?”
“Mmm. I do. I saw you and knew I had to have you.”
They’d fucked like wild animals, and it had been hot as hell, but it was just sex. Riley wasn’t looking for anything more, so distancing himself from clients hadn’t been a problem. Until Thorne. But he could handle it. He only needed to work for a few more months, anyway.
“So how’s the baking life?” Marc asked.
“Great.” Riley was thankful that Marc’s ADD brain never stayed in one place for long. He was like a sparkly hummingbird, but one with a sharp beak that could hold you down and make you do his bidding. He got why Thorne had enjoyed him, but Riley was a better fit to give Thorne what he really needed.
Not that Thorne had asked Riley to “fix” him. Riley shook his head. Maybe he should be a fucking therapist. He couldn’t stop himself from wanting to help people. It was his nature, and plenty of clients were looking for a counselor or at least a confessor. With Thorne though, Riley’s instincts might just lead him to heartbreak.
***
THORNE WATCHED AS Dash rolled his shoulders, letting his jacket slide down his arms. The garment dropped to the floor. Rather than pick it up, he kept moving toward Thorne, undoing the buttons at his cuffs. “You ready to find out what I’ve got planned for you?”
Thorne had to swallow before he could speak. “I thought you were all about taking things slow, building anticipation.”
Dash unbuttoned his shirt, slowly revealing his smooth, tanned chest. “Who’s rushing? I’m just getting comfortable.”
“What do you…” Thorne paused to watch Dash remove his shirt.
“Did you forget your question?”
“What question?” Thorne didn’t want to talk anymore. He wanted to touch.
Dash unfastened his pants, revealing the gorgeous V of skin that pointed toward his cock. It begged for attention, making Thorne want to sink to his knees so he could lick, suck, and nibble.
“Thorne?”
He glanced up. “What?”
Dash had a very satisfied look on his face. “Whatever you were thinking, just do it.”
Thorne knelt in front of Dash, took hold of his hips, and yanked him forward so Thorne could bury his face against the opening of Dash’s pants, not caring that the sides of Dash’s zipper scraped his cheeks. He breathed deep, scenting sweat, the lemony soap Dash always used, and Dash. He’d know the man’s smell anywhere. It was part of him, and it made Thorne hard instantly. He wished he could bottle it, spray it all over his sheets, bathe in it. God, he was so far gone.
It’s just lust. Dash is young and hot and knows how to hit all your buttons. Focus on what you want. Thorne nibbled the skin that had mesmerized him. Dash sucked in his breath but made no move to stop him.
When Thorne pulled back, Dash slid his hands into Thorne’s hair and pulled him forward again. “More.”
Thorne rubbed his face against Dash’s cock, which was still trapped behind his pants. Then he rose high on his knees so he could suck Dash’s nipples; they were as hard as Dash’s cock was now, as hard as Thorne. He wanted to turn around and offer his ass right then, but that would be too easy. What he wanted from Dash was far more complex. He sat back on his heels. “I didn’t mean to do this. I was going to talk to you.”
Dash shook his head as if trying to clear it. “Neither did I.”
Dash sat on the couch and invited Thorne to join him. “Do you remember your question now?”
Question. Thorne had to think. “Yes. I know you’re supposed to claim your prize from last week’s wager. Could we delay that? I’ve had a hell of a week, and I have some specific needs tonight.” He’d had those needs the week before, but he’d been too much of a coward to admit it. “I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy them.”
“Watching you come like that, when you didn’t think you could, hearing you beg for it while telling me how to get what I wanted, what you wanted too, that was prize enough for me. Tell me what you need.”
“I lied to you,” he said. That wasn’t at all how he’d meant to start.
But rather than looking annoyed, Dash simply inclined his head with a wry smile. “That’s not uncommon. Most clients are less than completely forthcoming.”
Thorne squeezed his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. Why the fuck was he so nervous? He’d hired Dash, after all. He’d never had any problem telling other escorts about his needs. “Sometimes, I do need a dom, but I’m not into pain, not serious pain, anyway.”
“I can work with that.” Dash laid a hand on Thorne’s thigh, right by his crotch. It was all Thorne could do not to grab it and press Dash’s long fingers against his dick.
“You can?” The words came out strangled.
Dash teased Thorne’s inner thigh with his fingers, and Thorne spread his legs automatically, giving him better access. “Tell me more about what you need.”
Thorne started to speak, but Dash’s fingers were driving him crazy. He laid his head back and closed his eyes, enjoying the sensations his teasing created.
Abruptly, Dash stopped and pulled his hand away. “You’re not talking.”
Thorne pushed himself off the couch. “Did you really expect me to concentrate when you’re touching me like that? Would you like a drink?”
Dash smiled. “No, thank you. I never drink when I’m with a client.”
Thorne had forgotten that was a policy the service set for the safety of all their escorts. “You had wine at Bavaria Haus.”
“I wasn’t really working then.”
No, he hadn’t been. That thought sent Thorne’s pulse rate into the danger zone. What if he… No, not an option. “Would you like some water then?”
“Yes, please.”
Thorne returned with a bourbon for himself and a glass of water for Dash. “I guess you’re thrilled that I’m slowing down to talk.”
Dash studied him. “I get the sense that, rather than relaxing, you’re stalling.”
“Now you’re talking like a therapist again.”
“Believe me, I’ve had clients who were convinced I was one, but I’m just here to give you pleasure.”
Thorne’s hands were shaking so bad now, the ice in his drink rattled. He set it on the table. Never let someone see that you’re nervous. That was one of the most basic rules of negotiating, and usually Thorne was damn good at it.
You’re not negotiating. You’re explaining what you need from an employee.
Why do I feel like my whole life is at stake, then?
“I want you to force me, order me around, make me follow your commands.”
Dash sucked in his breath. The reaction was brief, but Thorne saw it before he schooled his face. “I can do that. What else do you want?”
“I want you to tell me what a…what a slut I am.” Heat rushed to Thorne’s face. He hated the thought of how fiercely he must be blushing.
“Mmm, I can most certainly do that too. How far should I go with force? Do you enjoy being restrained? I have some rope that would look beautiful wrapped around you.”
Thorne had seen it. “Wrists only.”
Dash inclined his head. “Any other requests, because I have some ideas about how to run with this.”
“I want—” Thorne’s mouth went dry. Why was this so fucking difficult?
Dash laid a hand on his thigh. “It’s not easy to ask for what you want.”
“It usually is for me.”
“Have you ever made requests like these before?”
Thorne shook his head. But he wasn’t being completely truthful. He’d occasionally asked for this sort of play from other escorts, but their opinions hadn’t mattered to him.
“Then of course it’s not easy. Asking for a business deal is a lot different than asking for something people might judge you for.”
Thorne nodded.
“Does it help to know that I won’t judge you no matter what you ask for?”
Thorne summoned the courage to look Dash in the eye. He saw nothing there but sincerity. He wasn’t mocking Thorne. He wasn’t shocked. He was entirely professional. “I want you to face-fuck me, and I don’t want you to go easy. I want to choke on your dick.” Holy fuck, he’d actually said it.
Dash nodded as if people made such requests of him every day. Maybe they did.
“Have you used a safeword before?” Dash asked.
Thorne shook his head. Marc had suggested it once, on a night when Thorne had wanted to be forced hard and fast with no prep, but Thorne had insisted he didn’t need it.
“But you are familiar with the idea?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. I won’t play around with these fantasies unless you have a safeword and promise to use it if you want to stop or just slow down.”
“I’m not looking to do anything dangerous.”
“You want to play around with power. If I’m going to force you and make it good for both of us, then I must have a way to know if your protests are the real thing or just you enjoying the game.”
“All right.” Thorne felt silly, but then the whole evening was a bit ridiculous. His cock didn’t agree though. It was still just as interested in the fantasies as ever, maybe more so with Dash looking at Thorne like a hungry predator.
“Unless you’d rather use another word, red means stop and yellow means you need to slow down or take a break.”
“That I can do. I was afraid I’d have to say something ridiculous like tapioca.”
Dash grinned. “Only if you want to.”
“Hell no.”
Dash patted his thigh. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but you won’t be nervous once you’ve got my dick down your throat. You won’t be able to think at all.”
Fuck. How did Dash know exactly when to switch from serious to playful?
He’s good at his job. Just like you. So good he makes you believe it’s not a job.
Thorne realized Dash was frowning at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing; just nerves.”
Dash’s look said he knew there was more to it than that, but he didn’t push. “Take off your robe and lie down on your back on the bed. You’re going to hold your legs up so I can toy with that delightful ass of yours. Remember the plug we used last week?”
How the hell could Thorne forget that? He’d ordered one for himself and spent a serious portion of the previous night with it up his ass. “I do.”
“I’ve got a bigger one that vibrates. Since you enjoyed last week, you’re going to wear it while I fuck your mouth. Now get up.”
He had to be talking about the plug Thorne had noticed; the one he thought looked like a torture device but also desperately wanted to try out.
“Why aren’t you moving?” Dash asked; the condescension in his voice would have served him well in a boardroom.
Thorne glared at him, not ready to give in easily. “Because you haven’t made me.”
Dash’s eyes widened for just a second before he got control of his expression. “You want this to be a fight?”
“I don’t surrender easily.” Despite knowing what he needed, Thorne had to be pushed to accept it.
“We’re starting in the bedroom. If you aren’t there in ten seconds, you won’t get to come.”
Suddenly, Thorne wanted to obey.
Dash grabbed his bag and walked away. Thorne followed, eyes glued to his ass. When they were by the bed, Dash turned and gripped Thorne’s chin tightly. He held Thorne’s gaze for several seconds, then yanked Thorne to him and kissed him hard enough to bruise. He bit Thorne’s lower lip, forcing him to open his mouth.
No, Thorne’s mind protested. He wouldn’t give in, wouldn’t let… He struggled against Dash’s hold, fighting to get away. Dash let go and shoved at his chest, and Thorne fell backward onto the bed.
Dash dropped on top of him before he could right himself. He ground their cocks together, the rough friction making Thorne gasp. He dropped his legs open, forgetting to fight. All he could think about was how much he wanted Dash, wanted to be exposed by him, taken by him.
“You want my cock up your ass, don’t you? You’re a fucking slut for it?”
Holy fucking fuck. Dash’s dirty words caught him by surprise. He grabbed the sides of Dash’s head and yanked his hair, rolling them as Dash cried out. Thorne had never wanted and not wanted something so keenly.
Thorne straddled Dash. “You think you’re man enough to take my ass?”
“Fuck, yes!” Dash bucked, unseating Thorne. They rolled again. This time Dash came out on top. Thank God Thorne’s bed was huge. As it was they’d nearly fallen off the edge. Dash grabbed Thorne’s wrists, squeezing just the right amount to send a jolt of lust through Thorne. He rubbed his cock against Dash’s, hating that Dash still had pants on. He needed flesh-to-flesh contact.
“Your cock knows what it wants,” Dash said, his tone mocking. “It’s ready to surrender to me; what about the rest of you?”
Thorne glared at Dash, refusing to answer. Dash hung over him, eyes dark with lust, lips full and red from their harsh kiss. He was so fucking gorgeous.
Dash loosened his hold on Thorne’s wrists, but didn’t let him go. “Do you need to be tied up? Or can I trust you to stay like this?”
“You want me, you’ll have to hold me down.” Thorne jerked his arms free, but Dash grabbed him and pinned him again.
Dash gathered his wrists in one hand and reached into his bag, pulling out a coil of red rope.
“You’ll stay, and you’ll love every minute of it, but this will help you remember who’s in charge.” He brushed the rope along Thorne’s cheek. Thorne hadn’t thought his cock could get any harder, but it did.
“Admit that you want this.” Dash’s voice was low and rough. Thorne wasn’t the only one who was horny as hell.
“No.” Thorne still wasn’t ready to make this easy.
“Admit it. Or things will go a lot worse for you.”
“Fuck you!”
Dash shook his head. “That’s not what I want to hear.”
Dash wound the rope around Thorne’s wrists and secured the ends to the headboard, giving Thorne enough play to reposition himself, but not enough to get away. Thorne’s heart pounded. This was crazy. He didn’t really know Dash, and here he was letting the man tie him up and do God knows what to him. His concern must have shown because Dash leaned down and ran his tongue along the outer edge of his ear. “Remember, say red if you need me to stop. This is all about pleasure. Yours. Mine. I’m here to give you what you want.”
Thorne looked into Dash’s eyes. “What I want is for you to own me. Do you think you’re up for that?”
The evil smile Dash gave him made Thorne’s heart skip a beat. “I’m going to wreck your world, then put it back together. You’re never going to forget this night.” Thorne had no doubt that was true.
Dash reached into his bag again and pulled out the fucking huge plug. “Maybe you won’t be so inclined to fight with this up your ass.”
“Don’t count on that.”
Dash leaned down until his lips were almost touching Thorne’s. “You won’t fight too hard. I know your secret, remember? You love having your ass stretched wide open.”
“Fucking bastard!”
“You’ll be calling me worse than that before the night is over.”