Page 9 of Expensive

I close my eyes. He’s so close. All I would have to do is lean forward to brush my lips against his. I didn’t specify kissing in the contract. He doesn’t do it with all his scene partners just the ones he’s been working with for a long time. I figured it would be a dealbreaker for him. But I feel his breath on my lips, and it’s hard not to imagine what it would feel like.

Timber steps back. “If this is too much too soon, we can go to the beach.”

I open my eyes and stare at the window.

“Will you… hurt me?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not right now.”

I walk slowly to the edge of the room. The sky stretches out before us, the bright white of the sun reflecting off the waves like glitter. I see small dark shapes off in the distance that might be people.

The last time someone saw me having sex, I didn’t have any control. It wasn’t a choice. This time it would be. Timber’s letting me choose.

I place my hands on the window and lean my body against the cool glass.

Through the reflection in the window, I watch Timber yank off his T-shirt. It’s surreal to see the enormous dragon tattoo that spans his chest and wraps around his waist in person. In interviews, he said it was an ice dragon who invaded the breeding pits where he was held captive. She froze the guards and set everyone free. His tattoo has pale-blue scales and sharp teeth but soft, kind eyes. It embodies what I love best about him: a kindness that’s fierce when necessary.

He runs a hand up and down my back, bending his neck to kiss my shoulder. “This body, baby boy, it’s perfect.”

I close my eyes. My body is humming under his touch, my heart racing, and yet, I feel calm. Safe. As Timber’s hands run along the outside of my arms, I want to stop time. Timber said I could pay to have sex with him “regularly.” What does regularly mean, exactly? How often can I ask for his services before I seem too needy?

His hands move to my chest. The skin there is so much more sensitive than my back. He pauses as his fingers brush over my nipples. A sharp pleasure shoots through me as he takes both nubs between his fingers.

“Daddy, I—”

“Shhhhhh.” He rolls the sensitive flesh with his fingertips. My body moves of its own volition, pushing into his touch. His fingers release me.

“What? Are you—”

“Be still.”

Timber’s done this with plenty of his scene partners. He doesn’t even have to tie them up. The way he teases them and plays their bodies like an instrument gives him complete control. All he has to do is threaten to stop, and they’ll do anything for another touch or caress from him.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

He nuzzles my ear. “What are you sorry for? You arched so prettily for me. Feel what you do to me, baby boy.” He steps closer to me, and the solid, thick heat of his cock presses against my ass.

I choke back a moan.

“You like that? Would you like my thick cock up your pretty little ass?”

I melt into him. I’d give anything for it. Anything.

“Please, Daddy. Oh, please.” My voice sounds so pathetic. I know we’re not going to have sex yet.

“Tonight, baby boy. I swear to you.”

He pinches my nipples again, and it’s so unexpected it almost hurts. My body wants to move with him, beg for more. But I stand perfectly still.

“You’re being so good. I think you deserve something.”

One of his hands slides down my chest and belly. I open my eyes. The shapes in the distance are moving closer.

Timber’s fingers circle my shaft.

“Look at those people down there. Watch them walk toward us, boy.” He grips my cock, pushing my foreskin up and down my shaft. Pleasure jolts through me like lightning. “If they looked up, they’d see every inch of your naked body.”

A part of me wants them to see Timber stroking me. I glance down. Timber has an octopus tattoo on the outside of his right hand. The tentacles wind around his fingers. It’s such a rush to see his hand on my cock. This can’t be real.

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