“I work. That’s all I do. Most people find creating business plans to be about as exciting as sitting in an empty room.”

“That’s what you do? Make business plans?”

Thorne shrugged. “More or less.”

“You appreciate good food, you’re generous, kind, and did I mention hot? You know how to flirt and how to play when you want to. None of that is boring.”

Did Dash really see him that way? “It’s hardly in your interest to name your client’s faults.”

“I already know you’re pleased with my work, so I had no reason to contradict you if I didn’t mean it.”

He had a point.

They ate in silence for the next few moments. The rouladen was possibly even better than the sauerbraten, but it still didn’t beat the company. By the end of dinner, Thorne was contemplating asking Dash to spend the night, which told him it was way past time for him to go home, alone. “Should I call you a car?” Thorne asked as they rose from the table.

“No, I can walk.”

Thorne frowned. “How far do you have to go?”

Dash bristled. “I can take care of myself.”

“Maybe I want to take care of you.”

Dash’s brow wrinkled in annoyance. Thorne found it ridiculously fetching. “I don’t need—”

“It’s not about need. I’ll call a car, pay the driver, and send you on your way. You don’t have to tell me where you live, okay? I’m not going to stalk you.” Or not much, anyway. He’d checked Dash out before Dash came to his apartment the first time, the same as he’d done with every escort he’d hired.

Dash smiled. “It’s not that. I’m just not used to anyone taking care of me. I’ve been on my own for a while now.”

“You took care of me tonight. I’m just returning the favor.”

Dash shook his head, but he was smiling. “Fine. You win. I’ll accept the ride.”

“You knew I wouldn’t stop insisting until you did, right?”

Dash rolled his eyes. “I did, but I actually like that about you, your command mode. I like knowing that you love being in control, but that in bed, I can make you drop that facade. I can take your ass. I can own you.”

“Holy fuck, are you trying to make me come in my pants? We are in public, you know.” Thorne didn’t really care though. Dash had him completely under his spell.

“I wish I could fuck you again tonight,” Dash said, voice barely a whisper.

So did Thorne, but before he could respond, Dash continued. “Unfortunately, I have to bake early in the morning; but you’ll be thinking about next week when you get home, won’t you?”

“Bastard; you know I will.”