Page 40 of The Toy Maker

“I’m sorry, you paid for the night with me. I’m sure there are some open toys around here,” I tried to lead him into the crowd, but he laughed and pulled me back.

“I wasn’t thinking about fucking you, Tara. I was wondering if you were cold.” His smile revealed soft dimples. What type of man had a naked woman pressed against him without wanting to fuck her?

“Are you gay?” The question came out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

Ethan chuckled and pushed his crotch into mine. I could feel the outline of his hard-on beneath the fabric. “If I am, I must be very confused right now.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I backed away from his embrace. “We shouldn’t be touching.”

Ethan complied, and we stood in silence. Well, silence being the moans of other Cherries being fucked by toys into oblivion.

“So,” he finally said, “you want to go for some coffee?”

It was a strange offer, and probably not a smart one, but more than anything, I wanted to get away from Jason for the night.

I looked down at my naked body, and Ethan followed my gaze. “Like this?”

“No,” he laughed. “We don’t want to get arrested today.”

“So, I should go put something on.” I bent over to grab my outfit from the floor and pretended not to feel his eyes followingme. When I turned around, he pulled out his phone and pretended he never glanced in my direction.

“I’ll be right back,” I said with a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

He looked up and returned the grin. “I’ll wait by the door.”

SIXTEEN

Ethan sippedhis steaming latte carefully after I stepped out the front door of the coffee shop, leading the way into the cold. “So, how did you end up being a Cherry?”

“I enjoy having a roof over my head.” I laughed softly.

Cars whizzed past Ethan and I as we strolled down the sidewalk. The coffee shop was only a block away from Pink Cherrie, but the area was bright and lively. Families walked together, some carrying shopping bags.

Ethan returned my grin and chuckled. “That’s a pretty big motivator.”

I shrugged. “My choices were to either be a Cherry or move home.”

His laughter increased.

“What’s so funny?” I frowned slightly.

The city lights twinkled above us as we strolled down the street. Pink Cherrie’s stream of clientele had settled inside the massive brick building and left the sidewalk open for coffee chats on the wrong side of town.

“That’s exactly why I started stripping in college,” he explained.

I nearly choked on my drink and struggled to speak through the coughing. “You were a stripper?” I struggled to push away the image forming in my mind. His eyes reflected the neon lights illuminating the city and for a moment, I paused to watch them.

“No,” he teased me for the shocked expression on my face, “but you definitely pictured me as Magic Mike for a moment there.”

My cheeks burned. “Whatever you say.” He didn’t mean anything by it, which might have been the problem. For a moment, he understood. I tried to avoid his gaze and change the subject.

“So,” I said, fidgeting with the bracelet on my wrist, “why did you come to Pink Cherrie tonight?”

Ethan sighed and stuffed his free hand into his pocket. “Curiosity.”

“That’s it?” I took another sip of my coffee.

“Is there a better reason?”Being kinky beyond comprehension?