Page 15 of Naughty Dreams
“You want to know if you should top your submissive client when you’re off shift.”
“Tell me it’s not that obvious to everyone.”
“No. Brick walls are more expressive than you. But for those who know how to read the language, the chemistry between you is a solid eight on the need-to-jack-off-in-the-shower scale.”
“How about on the stupid-to-even-be-considering-it scale?”
“Three,” she said, surprising him.
“Explain.”
“You compartmentalize better than anyone I’ve met, and your training is so embedded, it’s changed your DNA. Someone could be holding a gun to your own mother’s head, and you’d be calm as a lake. You package up your emotional side and send it to a safe room where it can’t hear or see anything. It’s actually a little scary, like seeing Captain America and Dexter in the same body.”
“Nothing scares you.”
She scoffed. “Plenty of things scare me. Nothing makes me back down or show it. Roy, I’ve seen clients do their best to piss you off because they shit on anyone they’re paying. You put them back on their heels with that stare that teaches them to behave the way you expect them to behave. It’s almost as toe-curlingly delightful to watch as when you do it in session with a sub.”
“I don’t take clients who act like that.”
“Sure you do. You remember the pop princess you considered strangling daily? When you assess a client, you figure out who they are. You see the scared little girl behind the diva antics, or the insecure geek cloaked by machismo. Once you take the job, you let them know no matter how bad they act, you’re not abandoning them. But you’re also not going to put up with their shit.”
G didn’t volunteer unsolicited advice, but when requested, she told him where things stood. She never tacked her opinion of what he should do onto it. She trusted his judgment, and knew he could bear the responsibility of his decisions, no matter how heavy the weight.
“So do you think DJ falls into that category?”
Her answer surprised him again. “I don’t think he has a category. He’s a different animal, Roy, and that’s why he’s caught your attention. He’s on top of things, for his band, for his people. They all love him. He never craps on anyone, he’s polite and caring, and dedicated to his craft. If he had a party-animal stage, it’s in his past and he's over it.”
She paused before adding, “He’s an artist first. Things of beauty, what’s emotionally complex, appeal to him. At the moment, that appears to be you. Don’t laugh.”
“I’m laughing.”
“Sounds like it.” Her tone was dry.
“He’s not an experienced player. He says he can keep it separate, getting into it only when I’m off shift. But if he’s my client, I’m never off shift.”
“You’re always 24/7, regardless of the client. A personal life has to cross that threshold to find you. But look, if you think this kid is a charismatic pretty face tripping your hormones, go to a club, wear out a few grateful subs, and reassess. If you still want to go down this road with him, set the ground rules and put it on whatever footing you want.
“Since he doesn’t have experience, you could set it up as a mentoring thing. Easier to keep the lines bold and out front. And every job has a limited shelf life. Only until the threat is eliminated, right?”
“Which means I could hold off on any decision about it until the job’s done.”
“Yeah. But if you’re interested, it’s probably best to explore it while you have a reason to be in his life. You’re not looking to set up house, and once the contract’s done, you know how it works.”
Roy pursed his lips. “I don’t want to take advantage of a Florence Nightingale reaction.”
Every bodyguard was aware of it, as well as cops, firefighters, doctors and nurses. Put in positions to protect or care for the lives of others in an immediate way, often at a difficult and scary time in their lives, it inflated and created an unrealistic bond.
“You make people feel safe, Roy,” G acknowledged. “But DJ seems more concerned about his people than himself. Gut reaction? His interest is genuine, a sub wanting a Dom for the right reasons.”
“You’re not saying much to make me go in the opposite direction.”
“I’m betting you have that road covered. If you decide to take that direction, assign not-you people for the one-on-one details,to reinforce that you’re keeping things on a professional footing. We’ll scramble the team makeup if needed.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know. Gotta think.”
“In the shower?”
“Already took one,” he said in an even tone.
