Page 26 of Alphas Like Us

Farrow rolls his eyes, but I’m super-glued to the fact that Farrow tried to win me and rescue me off that stage. I’d say I don’t need rescuing, but I’d be willing to let Farrow rescueme.

I just wouldn’t outright tell himthat.

My chest rises in a deeper breath. I have no idea how he would’ve paid for me, but I guess it doesn’t matter since he lostme.

Metaphorically.

And a porn starliterallywon me.Awesome.

“You sure it’s a porn star?” I askCharlie.

He gives me a look like I’m being senseless. “Of course I know. You can Google him if you don’t believeme.”

I get why I don’t recognize the name Ace Steel. I don’t watch porn, but Farrow does…or did—or maybe he still does.Stopthinking.

“Straight porn,” Farrow says matter-of-factly. That’s why the name didn’t ring a bell for him. Farrow only watches gayporn.

A straight porn actor just purchasedme.

I tilt my head backwards and stareupwards.

Dear World, is this a joke? Sincerely, a wide-eyed, severely bewilderedhuman.

I crack my stiff neck. “Let me conceptualize this,” I say to Charlie and motion to my head. “Ace Steel is a guy who only does straight porn withgirls?”

Charlie overturns his champagne flute, the lip of the glass to the armrest. “Correct.”

This makes nosense.

Farrow is eyeing the center section of seats. I can’t tell what he thinks or how he feels aboutthis.

I rake a hand through my thick hair. “Why would he want to buyme?”

Charlie arches a mocking brow. “He could want to do a scene withyou.”

Huh? “A what?” I have no clue whatscenemeans in thiscontext.

Farrow peels his gaze off the audience, just to glance at me, the corners of his mouthrising.

My neck almost heats, his amused expression practically broadcasts that I’m now six years younger, six years less experienced, and he’s older,wiser.

Stronger.

I am younger, but he’s definitely notthatmuch wiser. At least not ineverything.

Farrow lifts his hand to hold the back of my head as he says, “A scene is just the term used for pornography shoots. Actors are paid per scene filmed, et cetera, and there could be multiple actors in one scene.” He barely pauses before asking Charlie, “Is that him?” Farrow points someone out in the center section, on the row nearestus.

“That’s him,” Charlieconfirms.

I don’t stare long, my focus on Farrow. “I’m notinterested in whatever this porn star has to offer. So if that’s why he bought me, he can save his money.” My tone is firm like this could be just an ordinary businessdeal.

You know,normal.

Weirdly, it kind ofis.

Porn producers used to call me all the time, especially when I hit eighteen. And I get it. I’m the son of a sex addict. People are curious, and curiosity sells as much as sex. But I always had zero desire to upload me fuckinganyonefor you tosee.

Now that I have a boyfriend, my desire has plummeted to negative-infinity, and my stomach is in fuckingknots.