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Stephen’s sixty-one, the oldest out of all the men I met through my website but definitely the sweetest.

He was like a granddad, one I never had, which also led me to not wear the ski mask when I was camming with him.

It was strange at first, as I did leave my mask on throughout our first few chats, but when I was certain there was no way he could ever spread pictures of me on the internet, since he wasn’t good with any electronic devices, I decided to take the mask off.

He was definitely someone I considered a friend, no matter how weird it was.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he said in the gentlest voice ever.

“Hi, Stephen. How’s your day been today?” I asked, smiling at him and getting more comfortable on the bed.

I had cuddled up underneath my blanket with my laptop on my lap and a tea on my nightstand.

“Oh, it was wonderful. I went for a walk and had dinner at a nice restaurant. The usual. How are you doing? You look sad,” he pointed out.

“I’m not sad…just frustrated. I think I need your advice,” I told him.

“Tell me all about it, sweetheart. I’ll help as much as I can,” he promised, making me smile.

“I’m afraid I might have to stop camming,” I told him after releasing a deep breath.

“Did you meet someone?” he asked, clearly happy about that thought.

“Well, it’s complicated. He’s…a family friend and he’s given me this ultimatum. If I want to be his, I’d have to stop being a cam girl.”

“And you’re not sure you can give it up so easily?”

I nodded. “It’s what I love doing. I also love talking to you and I don’t wanna give that up either,” I confessed, no matter how boring some nights with him were. He warmed my heart, as he didn’t have anyone else to talk to.

He was lonely.

“You don’t have to think of me or any of those other men if that guy is who you really want.”

“So you’re saying I should just give this up and run to him?”

“I’m saying you should try and compromise,” he told me with that knowing undertone every adult seemed to have.

But compromising was never my thing. No matter what there was to compromise about.

“What’s his name?” he asked.

I sighed, the thought of him making me feel all weird inside. “Riggs.”

“I’ve never seen you like this before, Dove, and that Riggs guy seems to have left quite an impact on you. If he gives you all the things you want, why don’t you give him a try?”

I frowned. “What if it won’t last long? And what if all these other men suddenly disappear?”

“Then they weren’t here for you but for the show you put on for them. One thing is for sure…if you leave for a while but come back even years later, I’ll be right here, ready to talk to you again,” he stated.

I smiled at his sweet words, making me feel appreciated and adored. “I don’t think I would stop talking to you, Stephen. Just the guys who want to see me naked.”

He chuckled and waved his hand. “You do what you feel is right, okay? No one owns you.”

Not yet.

But once I made my mind up, Riggs definitely would.

26

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