Page 126 of A Quick Buck

“You do indeed.” Alistair kissed him. “But you already know that, you vain thing. You love the attention. You love the feeling of power it gives you. Hold onto that, dear boy.”

“I guess it kinda does.” Noah fidgeted. “And even when I feel dirty or whatever, I… I like that too.”

“And that’s all right.”

“You gonna tell me that’s normal too?”

“For some, yes. The thrill of humiliation can be quite compelling. The important thing is to always bring you back up after bringing you so low.”

“So, stroking my ego, huh?” Noah cracked a small smile.

“More or less.”

“Thanks for this. You know. Talking it out with me.”

“That’s part of my job, dear boy.” Alistair kissed Noah’s brow. “I’m here to take care of you.”

“Hey, uh, Alistair?” Roger spoke up. “I hate to spoil the tender moment, but uh…” He pointed at the windows and grinned.

On the other side at the bar were Crybaby and Scout. Crybaby was glaring at the mirror, and she seemed to be complaining very loudly, although they couldn’t hear her.

“Ah.” Alistair smiled, and he leaned forward to tap the intercom.

“Yes, Mr. Star?” the same woman’s voice from earlier asked.

“Please send someone over to let Mrs. Cox and her guest know that they may join us in the lounge, please.”

“Right away, sir.”

As Alistair settled back next to Noah, he said, “To be continued.”

“What?”

“This conversation.” Alistair laughed. “Thought we were done, did you?”

“I was kinda hopin’,” Noah said wistfully.

“Tough luck, my dear boy.” Alistair continued to laugh as he picked up the emptied lube packet, excusing himself from the couch to toss it in the trash by the bar.

The door opened, and Scout and Crybaby walked in.

Crybaby immediately wrinkled her nose. “What the fuck have you guys been doing in here?”

“Stuff. And things.” Roger smiled crookedly.

“Forget I fuckin’ asked.” Crybaby sat on the far end of the couch with Scout, glancing around warily as if she was afraid something might be sticky.

It was a valid concern, considering what Mickey and Roger had been doing there.

“Did you guys get to see the show?” Scout asked excitedly.

“Kinda,” Noah replied sheepishly. “We saw, uh, enough of it. Very inspiring.”

“Very much so,” Alistair agreed as he rejoined Noah.

“That Odie sure is something!” Scout gushed. “He’s so glamorous! I can see why Junior is so taken with him.”

“Junior needs to sniff around some other tail,” Crybaby drawled. “All a guy like that is gonna do is chew him up and spit him out.”