Page 65 of Judging Duke

“Amateur photographer, eh?”

“I dabble.” We arrived at my door first. “Well, this is me.”

“I can see that.” His eyes darkened, and he took a step closer. “About earlier…”

“It can’t happen again,” I said before he could say more.

Was that disappointment I saw on his face?

He stepped back and headed for his door.

“Goodnight, Simon.” And with that, he was gone.

I entered my room and closed the door, leaning against it.

This was why I didn’t get involved. I was no good at reading cues and got upset easily. As much as I put on a brave front, deep down I was as sensitive as the next person. I think it was why I’d gone into the industry in the first place.

I didn’t need to form attachments. I could fuck anyone and be done with it. When feelings got involved, that’s when emotions ran high.

I’d had enough of that to last a lifetime.

No. What had happened with Duke couldn’t happen again.

Famous last words. If only I’d listened.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

DUKE

Unsure of what I’d said, I knew I’d upset Simon in some way. This time it was nothing to do with Robbie and everything to do with what had happened in the afternoon.

I’d seen a more relaxed Simon in the evening. He’d let his proverbial hair down, laughing and singing with the others. He was the old Simon, but better, if that made any sense at all.

He’d always been up for a laugh when we were younger, but the night of Robbie’s accident had changed it all, especially his feelings towards me.

I tossed and turned all night, remembering how eager he’d been to take my cock. How he’d swallowed it down, rarely faltering until I’d cum in his mouth.

I really thought he’d pull away when he knew I was about to come, but he took it down, every single drop.

He’d never looked sexier to me than he had then.

His body was godlike, and given more time, I would have explored it in more detail. But today was more about gratification, about pleasuring ourselves.

He’d said we had to be sure. That we couldn’t go back once we’d crossed that line. I’d have agreed to anything this afternoon, but he was right.

It had changed everything. Not that we had much to change. Hell, we’d barely spoken for years. So, why did I feel so bad about how the night had ended?

He’d shrugged it off as if it were nothing, swearing it couldn’t happen again.

Fuck. It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. I punched the pillow, frustrated I felt the way I did. Damn stupid emotions. At least on the street, I could fuck and forget. If only things were that easy now.

A light knock on the door woke me the next morning.

“Duke, it’s Barbara. Are you still coming today? It’s almost ten.”

Shit. I’d overslept.

“Erm, yeah. Sorry, Barbara, looks like I overslept. I’ll be down in five.”

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