Expensive - Amy Bellows Page 0,5

of the contract is the same. He’s signed the bottom of every page. However, when I get to the section about payment, the amount has been reduced to $100,000.

“I can pay you—”

“I specified the amount of money I want to be compensated for my time. It’s not something I’m willing to be flexible about. You are allowed to tip me up to fifty percent if you like.”

“But why would you—”

Marjorie steps outside with a tray holding two cups of steaming tea and crescent sandwiches. We both wait in silence as we’re served. Timber thanks her as she turns to leave.

“From what I understand your bond ache is permanent. I think this could be a mutually beneficial situation. I… would like to have regular sex with someone, and our kinks match up very well. If we keep the cost low, you can request my services more frequently. If that’s something you’re interested in.”

Regular sex with Timber? That’s more than I ever could have hoped for. His shoulders tense as he waits for my answer. Is he nervous?

“I’m interested,” I say.

His shoulders relax. “Very well. I have a two-week break between films at the beginning of March. Would that work for you?”

The beginning of March is only a few weeks away.

“Yes. That works for me.”

He takes a sip of his tea. “It might be nice to travel somewhere together our first time. That way we can get to know each other outside of the bedroom. Go sightseeing. Enjoy some meals together. Given the nature of the vulnerability you’re likely to feel, I think it might be grounding for you.”

Timber wants to go on a vacation with me? That seems an awful lot like something you’d do with a boyfriend or mate. I like the idea of it more than I should.

“Okay. Do you have any destinations in mind?” I ask.

“I’m not picky.” He sets down his tea cup and grabs for one of the sandwiches. “If possible, it would be nice to stay in a hotel with a gym.”

Of course. It’s probably part of his job to be muscular.

“Okay.”

Timber downs half of his sandwich in one bite. In one of his interviews, he said it’s difficult for him to avoid eating like he’s still in the breeding pits even after all these years. He glances down at the half-eaten sandwich, and his jaw clenches. He quickly chews and swallows, setting the other half of the sandwich down on the table.

“I should be going.” He stands.

I stand as well. “Thank you for coming, uh, Sir.”

There’s that lip twitch again. “You can call me Daddy now.”

I’m not sure I can. We don’t know each other yet.

“Until next time,” he says. He doesn’t call me baby boy. Maybe he needs more time too. He leans forward and gives me a light kiss on the cheek. My skin burns under the gentle brush of his lips.

“Next time,” I whisper as he walks away.

4

Timber

Three weeks later…

I meet Andrew at the airport. He’s waiting like a lost puppy by the boarding line. His eyes scan the crowd with a desperation that makes me realize I should have texted him when I arrived. I’m not late, but I’m not early either. Andrew strikes me as the kind of man who’s always on time. Today he traded out his suit for designer jeans and a black T-shirt that’s clearly intended to be casual but paired with a sleek pair of matching boots and a large, silver watch, comes off as formal anyway.

Clearly, Andrew spent a lot of time deciding what he’d wear today. I hope our time together over the next few days will help him relax around me.

When he finally sees me, his whole body tenses.

“Good morning,” I say.

He glances at the carry-on I have slung over my shoulder. It’s packed to the brim. “Good morning. Did you bring… stuff to play with or something?” His Adam’s apple bobs up and down.

“Not this weekend. I don’t like to check baggage when I travel, so I put everything in a carry-on.”

He looks down at his slim laptop bag. “Oh, I checked a few bags. I didn’t realize—”

I slide my hand along the small of his back. He looks up at me with wide eyes. I hold back a chuckle. He wants me to tie him up, but he can’t handle my hand on his back. Part of me aches for Andrew. Will he ever know what it’s like to have an alpha casually touch him like this unless he’s paying