Page 7

Chapter Six

BLAKE

B lood rushed to my ears.

Boyfriend.

Boyfriend?

I didn’t know what I was feeling— I’d never felt it before —but there was a sick sensation in the pit of my stomach. A fury I boiled down to irritation.

Asher looked cute. Blindfolded on the couch, legs criss-crossed. His brown hair was a mess, like he’d rushed over. Mismatched socks. Still in his pajamas. And now, suddenly, he had a boyfriend?

Was this new? Did it happen after I signed off last night? Did he film that show for me, then invite someone over and let them bend him over?

I clenched my notebook shut.

“Yeah, we’re not serious,” Asher muttered, like that was supposed to mean something.

Would his little boyfriend like knowing he sends sexual photos to strangers online? That he fucks himself on camera for men like me, dressed like a schoolboy with a leash tied to his bedframe?

The thought of another man touching him made my chest ache. He didn’t even like being around men. So who the fuck was this guy?

I’ve followed Asher for years. Whenever he’d disappear from the forums, I needed to make sure he was okay. So, yes, I installed a few cameras in his apartment. For the most part, I respected his privacy. But sometimes, I watched.

And what I saw worried me.

He’d go quiet. Stare at the walls. Wrap his arms around himself and eat in bed. The only people he spoke to were through a headset for his job. He never left his bedroom.

In public, he hated being around men. At the grocery store, he’d flirt with the cashier, if they checked him out. If not, Asher would sneer and mutter insults under his breath.

At clubs, he was flirtatious. Teasing. But he never went home with anyone.

Online was where he felt safe. But even there, I could tell it was a mask.

So what changed?

When did he start tolerating men enough to date one? To spend time alone with one?

Because as far as I’m concerned, I’m the only man he’s seen in the last week.

I needed to calm down. If I lost control, I’d blow my cover. And he’d be creeped out.

“What did you and your boyfriend do?” I asked, gravel in my throat. “Did you… break the task?”

He hesitated. “He did. I didn’t.”

What the hell does that mean?

My stomach turned, and I stood abruptly. I walked to the kitchenette and poured myself a glass of whiskey.

I shouldn't be drinking at work, but hearing the love of your life talk about someone else fucking them will do that to you.

Did this stranger fuck his throat? His ass? And just… not let him come?

My grip tightened around the glass. Rage burned hot in my chest.

So Kaleb means nothing to him? I pay him. I praise him. I edge him. And then what? He gets off camera and spreads his legs for someone else?

I downed the whiskey in one gulp.

The cameras. I could use the cameras.

But could I stomach watching it?

Watching him giggle. Smile. Let another man undress him and use him like a toy?

Was that what the schoolboy outfit was for?

Who was this guy? A teacher? A pervert? Where did he meet him?

I needed to know. I had to know who was touching what was mine.

“Hello?” Asher’s voice broke through the fog. “Are we done with the blindfold?”

I turned. He’d taken it off. His expression changed when he noticed the drink in my hand.

I didn’t hide my anger. It was pouring off me in waves. I had to get a grip.

But I didn’t want to. Not when I’d just found out my future boyfriend was probably getting face-fucked by someone else right after video chatting with me.

I felt... defeated.

I was better than this. More logical. Emotionally stable. Smarter.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist, for fuck’s sake.

This wasn’t complicated. This was jealousy. Envy. Plain and simple.

I forced myself to breathe.

“Do you… need a minute?” Asher asked, gesturing to my drink.

I would find out who his boyfriend was. And then deal with it.

I set the glass down and returned the bottle to the cabinet.

“Yeah. Sorry about that. Relationship troubles,” I offered with a fake smile.

He huffed and tugged off the blindfold.

But I grabbed it and slid it back over his eyes.

“I thought—”

“Silence is appreciated.”

He scoffed.

I sat back down and wrote the most important thing in my notes:

Asher’s boyfriend.

I could reconnect the camera feed, but to do that I’d need to physically retrieve and reset the hardware. He was always home. Could I get in and out without being caught?

I’d figure it out.

“Tell me about your boyfriend, Asher. Understanding my clients’ relationships helps me assess how their environment impacts their emotional behavior.”

He nodded, biting his lip.

“He’s pretty… serious. And I don’t know, yesterday just felt weird. More than normal. Weirder than I’ve ever felt with a guy.”

He was being honest. Open. And I hated that this mystery man brought that out in him.

That was supposed to be me.

Calm down, Blake.

“Good weird?” I asked.

Asher hesitated. “Yeah and… no. He kind of made me feel like a loser. But also like a person?”

He coughed, clearly uncomfortable. His cheeks flushed.

Bambi.

God, even now, I could feel my heart beat faster. I still hated his boyfriend. But maybe a little less.

Asher is still mine. And I’ll make sure he feels like a person with me too. A perfect person. Because he is perfect.

“I see. Did your task get in the way of connecting with him more?”

He shook his head. “Not really.”

What does that mean?

I didn’t want to pry too hard. Not yet. I couldn’t risk seeming possessive.

He leaned back into the couch, and I imagined him smiling up at some faceless guy. Letting him in. Telling him about the task. Maybe giving him instructions.

Don’t let me come, okay?

My watch vibrated. I checked the time.

No.

Asher recognized the buzz, and before I could stop him, he pulled off the blindfold.

No, no, no.

I needed more time.

Or maybe this was for the best. I wasn’t thinking rationally. I needed to get the hardwire reinstalled.

I needed to see who this man was. Who he let touch one of my holes.

“Okay, Asher. Time’s up.” My voice came out rougher than intended. My hands were shaking, but I doubted he noticed.

“Next task: I want you to create some distance from your boyfriend. Just for a short while. I’m trying to gauge your personal dependency on him.”

It was bullshit. Did it sound believable?

I just didn’t want him near that man until I found out who he was.

“Is that necessary?” Asher frowned. “I mean… what does that have to do—”

“You’ve displayed behavioral patterns that may suggest potential reliance on sexual interaction for emotional grounding. I need to assess your stability in isolation.”

He looked a bit defeated.

So I reached out, gently cupping his cheek.

He froze. His brown eyes widened, pupils blown. His lips parted slightly.

“You’ll do great. And if you need more… professional support, message me instead, okay?”

My voice softened. He needed to feel like I cared. Because I did.

He was clearly going through something. And I was too focused on jealousy to pay attention.

I cursed myself for that.

But I would make it right.

I needed to find out who his boyfriend was.

And then I’d make him disappear.