Page 41 of Back Room Host

That thought made me sit up. In a way, he was. Except that he somehow managed to get my service for free.

Fuck!

My inner guard reacted, and with reservation, I typed back:“I hope that was inspiring enough.”

I almost fell for his charm. It must have been the alcohol. And the crazy week with Noé. Somehow, I just wasn’t myself. Fortunately, I realized it in time.

“Super inspiring! Just drafted a concept and I’m ready to meet my mentor. What about you?”Luca replied immediately.

My mood sank, and I began to hate this Luca. His facade blinded me even when he wasn’t here.“Working,”I replied curtly.

I immediately left the chat with Luca and scrolled through the other messages. I didn’t have to look long and had booked an appointment for the evening in no time. Since I had three hours left before going, I ordered a pizza and checked my notes from said client.

It was the details that mattered, because with this man, a submissive, fifty-year-old sommelier, I had a small questionnaire ready that he answered before each meeting. This not only gave me the exact location and room number, but he also wrote me his safeword, which words I couldn’t use during humiliation, and which toys he currently preferred. The latter served more as inspiration for me on how to play the game with him and increase the tension, but it didn’t mean I fulfilled his wishes.

I was pretty good at taking on the dominant role. Maybe that was because of my cool demeanor, which probably wasn’t muchof a surprise, as my dad had also made every effort to drive out the warmth. My S/M clients enjoyed it, and I went home with a bunch of money without having to get naked.

I didn’t hear from Luca anymore. But that was okay. I considered my job done. He had his concept, and that was the most important thing for him.

The days went by quickly, and before I knew it, it was Wednesday and I was back at the Gothic Party with Clé. He was right. The sound was awesome, and to enjoy it even more, I treated myself something to celebrate. It made me feel like I was being carried through the air by the dark wave sounds.

I shook off all the dirt of the last three days and tried not to think about the bruises on my neck that a client had left me with last night. While Sunday with the S/M guy had been totally easy, all three jobs on Monday and Tuesday had left a pretty dull aftertaste.

I felt empty and would have hidden away in my dark room at home if Clé hadn’t rung the doorbell like crazy. I had no choice but to go with him. Clé was just flirting with a gothic bride, and Sandro left for the bathroom when I spotted Luca. He was working behind the bar in the corner of the main dance floor with another bartender.

It was crowded, so the two of them were very busy. However, it seemed like he was arguing with his colleague behind the counter. The flickering light seemed to irritate him, as he kept squinting as if he were blinded. Yet his body moved automatically. He poured drinks, collected money, and gave change.

Since there was less going on in the small dance floor nearby, we had bought all three rounds at the bar there so far. And it didn’t look like the rush at Luca’s bar would die down anytime soon. Even though I would have liked to say hi to him, I was somehow also glad that he had no time for me, so I surrenderedmyself to the music again and immersed myself in this weightless state of intoxication that made me forget everything.

Except Luca.

I kept looking over at him, which was easy because his aura literally drew my eyes. But it looked like something was totally wrong. Luca wiped his sweaty forehead with his forearm and shook his head irritably. When his colleague said something to him, he rolled his eyes. And when the two of them got in each other’s way while mixing drinks, it seemed like they were about to go at each other’s throats.

Then the argument erupted. Luca impatiently placed two beers on the counter, dried his wet hands on a towel, and angrily threw it to the side. He shoved the other bartender away, which was easy because Luca was visibly more muscular than him. Just in time, the other bartender managed to hold on before knocking a few bottles to the ground. Of course, he didn’t take that lying down and started yelling back. Luca clenched his fist and glared angrily at the guy. A blond strand fell into his face, and his piercing gaze spoke volumes. But then he pushed the other bartender aside and left the bar.

Is he leaving?

Without noticing me, Luca headed straight for the exit. He was only two steps away from me when I intercepted him from the side and hugged him. “Where are you going?” I whispered in his ear.

“What …?”

Luca spun around, so I pulled him toward me and drew him into another hug. “Are you about to lose your job again?”

I could feel his tense muscles relaxing. He clung to me and buried his face in my neck.

“It’s just too much for me today,” he muttered. “The people. The flickering lights. That asshole Daniel.”

“That’s no reason to lose it,” I said in a loving tone.

“Nor is it a reason to treat me like a slave.”

I smiled.If he only knew how often I played the slave.“Do you need the job?”

Luca hesitated, but then nodded. “Or I’ll settle for bread and water.”

“Then go back and apologize to the guy.”

“He’s an asshole!”

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