I’d come up with this entire idea of sex-as-payment. I’d sat there and watched her agree to this deal, but that didn’t mean I really believed it. I’d thought she would back out by now. I’d thought she would start ignoring our texts the day after Manson and Lucas had their fun with her. So I’d kept my distance, because why should I get my hopes up for something that wasn’t going to happen?

But to see her sitting there, dressed like that…

“Uh, Jason?” She snapped her fingers, and I shook my head, blinking rapidly. I had a tendency to zone out into my thoughts, but I’d been staring at her blankly the entire time. Shit.

“Sorry, sorry, I…” I licked my lips, uncertain of what to say. “Why are you…I mean…okay, fuck it, I’ll just say. Why are you here?”

“To serve you,” she said, with a teasing sigh. “Lucas and Manson said they owed you, so apparently, I’m your interactive thank you present. I think they’re calling you, actually.” She frowned in the direction of my desk.

Voices were calling my name from the headset, and I picked it back up, placing it over one ear. The boys had finally joined the Discord group, which was how we talked to each other during multiplayer games without yelling across the house.

“What’s the holdup, J?” Lucas said. Vincent and Manson were both snickering. “Everything good for the next round?”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, buddy,” Manson said. “We had a few things to take care of first.”

“I got a little distracted,” I said dryly, and Vincent meowed before laughing even harder.

“Do you like the accessories she came with?” Lucas said, and I suddenly remembered the bag Jess had come in with.

“You brought along some goodies, huh?” I said as I put down the headset.

“I haven’t even looked,” she said, innocently putting up her hands. “Vincent was really determined to keep things a surprise, except for this dress. Which I am stuck in, by the way.”

I paused. “Wait…you can’t get the dress off?”

“Nope.” She popped her lips and sighed again, crossing her legs. “I guess you’ll have to help me.”

Oh, I’d certainly be helping her. That dress was going to be in pieces by the time I was done.

Squatting down, I had a look in the bag. Her foot was tapping nervously on the rug as I withdrew the first toy, still sealed in plastic. I held it up so she could get a good look. “Do you know what this is?”

“I don’t know. A rose with a tale?” Her eyes widened and she leaned forward for a closer look. “Don’t tell me that goes inside me?”