something?”
“No, or course not.” I smiled from ear to ear, marveling at Kage’s generosity. “It’s from this really amazing guy.”
“Oh,” he glanced around my expensive suite. “He get you this place?”
“Yeah, I could never afford something like this myself. I’m just a college student from a middle class family.”
“Now you’ve got a killer place and a great camera. I mean, look at that view. Imagine the shots you can get right from this window.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll be honest with you. He’s spoiling the hell out of me, and I don’t know how I’m going to leave all of this to go back to school in Atlanta next semester. It’s gonna be tough.”
“Sugar daddy won’t spring for a penthouse down in Atlanta?”
I looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights. “Oh, it’s not like that!”
“It’s cool, man. I used to be a stripper before I got this gig last year, so I know how all that shit works.” He winked. “I’m down with it.”
I sighed and closed my eyes, wondering how to explain a situation I was legally prohibited from discussing any further.
The guy cleared his throat and held up the camera. “So… If you’d like to have a seat on the sofa, I’ll show you how this bad boy works. Your really amazing guy also bought you a half hour lesson.”
I contained my excitement enough to join him on the sofa without making a fool of myself, and over the next half hour he proceeded to explain the intricacies of using my brand new, ridiculously complicated digital camera.
He was still explaining features when Kage knocked on my door. I jumped up off the sofa, flung the door open, and threw my arms around his neck. Well, maybe it wasn’t so much throwing my arms around his neck as it was wrapping them gingerly around his shoulders in the world’s most awkward man hug.
Kage didn’t hug me back. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back, making me feel even more awkward. It wasn’t my usual M.O. to hug guys, but then I’d never received a gift that cost thousands of dollars. Even my car hadn’t cost that much.
“Sorry. Maybe I should have tried a handshake instead.” I patted him on the back a couple of times, then backed away and smiled. “The guy’s here with the camera. I don’t know what to say, Kage. I’m… Well, I’m speechless.”
“No babbling?” he teased.
“Nope. Not this time. I must be in shock.”
I turned to face the camera guy, ready to introduce Kage, but then I remembered the NDA. I wasn’t sure if this was covered under that or not. I also realized that maybe the hug hadn’t sent the right message about our relationship. While I was pondering these things, Kage stepped around me and shook the guy’s hand.
“I’m Michael Kage,” he said. “Did I interrupt the lesson?”
“Only by a little bit. I just have a few more things to show him, and then he’s all yours.” He wagged his eyebrows.
Kage stepped over to the chair and sat down. “Just pretend I’m not here then.”
It was impossible to pretend he wasn’t in the room. Not only was he always the most powerful presence in any room, but now his eyes were glittering like diamonds. I thought maybe he was as excited as I was. He just sat there in that manly sprawl of his and watched us with those sparkling eyes. When the lesson was over, the camera guy stood up and handed me the camera, and I turned it over in my hands, admiring it for the hundredth time. Then I looked up to find Kage watching me closely.
I smiled. “This is so un-fucking-believable. I can’t wait to take a million pictures of you. If this thing does what he says it does, we’ll be able to see every drop of sweat on your body.”
“Wow.” The camera guy took an exaggerated breath. “I’ve just got to tell you, this is a really nice piece of equipment. You are a really amazing guy, and you obviously care a lot about him. Everyone should be so lucky.”
“Yeah? You think?” Kage gave me
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