Susan smiled. “How is Marc?”

“He’s fine, I guess. I haven’t heard from him in a few days.” In part because he was avoiding talking about Thorne. “He loves his new apartment, and his first day of work went well.” Marc had been the one to get Riley hired at the service. He and Riley had shared an apartment for several years, but Marc had followed his new boyfriend to California, though Riley thought the guy was a dick.

“You can go if you need to,” Susan said. “All that’s left is icing these and delivering them.”

“Are you sure?”

“You were out late last night, and you will be again tonight. Go take a nap.”

“Actually, Thorne keeps to a strict schedule. He was writing a report for work when I left last week. I kinda feel sorry for him.”

“The man lives in a penthouse apartment and has enough money to hire you? He’s probably doing okay.”

Riley smiled. “True enough.” And yet, he wasn’t so sure. “I’m happy to stay and help with the icing. I doubt I could sleep anyway, and I enjoy practicing when I get a chance.”

“Okay, we’ll have some extra cupcakes. You’re welcome to take them.”

Riley imagined what Thorne would say if he showed up with cupcakes. “I think I will. They really are awesome with the pepper.”

“I knew you’d like that trick.”

Maybe one day he’d teach Thorne how to make a cake.

I don’t hire men for companionship. Thorne’s words echoed in his mind.

Maybe Riley would change that. Maybe he would also get Thorne to admit how much he enjoyed submitting.

CHAPTER FIVE

Thorne’s workweek was just as bad as he’d expected it to be. At least, the memories of Dash and the anticipation of what was to come once he was back in town on Friday made it bearable, more than bearable actually. He’d jacked off every single night in the hotel, thinking of Dash while he finger-fucked himself and pretended it was Dash’s cock inside him.

That afternoon, he’d had a final tedious meeting with the client who claimed to want his advice but argued with him every fucking step of the way. A delay at the airport did nothing to ease Thorne’s annoyance. His neck and shoulders ached with tension by the time he landed in Atlanta. He couldn’t wait to see Dash. After coaxing, pushing, and manipulating clients all week, he wanted to let go and concentrate on nothing but pleasure. He was so eager to be held down, forced, and used that he had to move his jacket in front of him to hide his hard-on as he stood in the taxi line.