Page 20 of The Handyman and The Drama Queen (Myths, Legends, and Southern Charm #1)

Ezra

He was such a brat.

I’d been killed by the local version of corporate greed, so I didn’t have to be happy.

I hadn’t even gotten something cool like a serial killer who was working his way across the state murdering people in ways that looked accidental.

“I always want an orgasm. Thank you very much. I also had a busy day of trying to touch stuff and talking to your sister.” Had that come out right? “Keeping my hands off her, of course, and I was trying to brainstorm.”

That would’ve been better with notes but dead beggars couldn’t be choosers.

“And now I have to start all over with that because I have no idea if I’m going to get tenant roommates anymore.” I couldn’t decide if I wanted to flop back on the floor or pace, so I glared at Stone again. “I also don’t want you killed by this house but you need to be able to eat and not worry if charging your laptop will kill you.”

His shrug was entirely too cavalier about the whole death thing.

“I will fully admit to dragging my feet because I didn’t want to finish the house, but now that’s changed.” He leaned forward and actually brushed his lips against mine again, but I tried not to think about it too much just in case that fucked up being so close to solid. “I’m sorry but I have no idea what’s going to happen next as far as anyone trying to rent it out. We’ve never dealt with anything like this. I don’t even know what laws we have that’ll apply.”

I could see he genuinely didn’t like that, and it took some of the wind out of my sails, as my grandfather used to say. “You said I have rights, though, so we’re not going to get too worked up about that.”

Dead people had rights too.

We’d figure out the rest.

“You said no one could stop you from coming over since it was my house too and people who live here have to be able to see me.” Hmm. “That’s one of those things she fucked up, isn’t it? Hiring humans to do the management stuff means I probably could’ve gotten roommates that couldn’t see me too?”

Stone groaned. “I need to have someone check on that but probably. I don’t remember if she said that or not. I was kind of worked up at the time.”

That was probably an understatement based on his stormy expression, so I inched closer, trying to be less of a dick. “Angry at her in general for fucking with how shit is supposed to work or because she killed your boyfriend?”

His smirk was annoying as fuck even if it was also sexy as fuck.

“She killed my boyfriend and she fucked up his rights as a ghost and she didn’t send anyone out to check on you.” Frowning, he leaned forward like he was resting his forehead against mine. “There’s a list of reasons why I’m slightly frustrated.”

Another delightful understatement.

“But you’re taking care of it and me.” I wasn’t a lot of help with the practical stuff under the circumstances but I could help improve his mood. “And you’re going to make sure she can’t kill anyone else.”

My death just kept getting dumber and dumber.

“And you’re going to help me figure out how to make sure you can keep coming over and having sleepovers.” I knew that would make him grin, so I suffered through sounding stupid.

“Sleepovers, huh?” Something about the heat that flashed through him made me realize he’d pushed his will into me again so he could kiss me. “You don’t sleep, so I’m thinking that it’s the fun activities part of that you’re focused on.”

He was such a dork.

“And attention. Don’t forget that.” Orgasms were fun but having a partner to talk to was important too. “Oh, and I might need you to change the channel on the TV.”

He wanted to laugh but he was trying to look serious. “Turned on the religious channel again, huh? I’m starting to think you have a crush on that TV preacher.”

“That’s…” It took a lot to stop my brain but he’d done it, and he giggled like a naughty kid as he enjoyed my stupidity. “Eww.”

Still snickering as his smile widened, Stone tried to shrug. “I don’t know. That might be protesting a bit too much. My boy always has opinions on everything.”

Dead with a brat for a Dom.

“You’ve lost your mind.” We both knew it was weak but he’d made my brain as dead as the rest of me. “No torture. You have to make it up to me now.”

He looked skeptical, so I shrugged. “Geneva convention rules. Just the ones the news won’t talk about.”

Stone wanted to laugh but he was doing his best to give me a straight face. “That makes sense. We don’t get told a lot of things. The shocking bits at the very least.”

I liked the idea of shocking…and I was going to ignore that it sounded like another death joke.

“I’m glad you understand.” It was good that we were on the same page as far as our plans went. “How are you planning on making it up to me?”

I was curious to see where his mind would go and smart enough to understand I was heading into danger.

Stone was up for the challenge, though. He went quiet as his brain whirled and I could almost hear the gears turning before his face lit up. He caught it quickly and went back to his stoic expression but for a split second he was excited.

Shit.

I was not that smart and I needed to remember it before my mouth shot off saying something stupid.

“I have just the way to make it up to you.” Leaning back, his expression was bouncing between gleeful and almost indifferent.

Clearly the role he was playing was closer to Dom than boyfriend, and thinking about all the ways even my dumb brain knew he could fuck with me had my dick getting hard.

Very hard since I was still riding high on his will.

But that was a short-term solution for making me solid, especially with the small burst he’d given me, so I knew he wasn’t planning something long. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t be ridiculous or erotic, though. Stone was amazingly creative when it came to sex and BDSM.

“We’re going to play a game.” It should’ve been a playful sentence but something about it sent a shiver through me. Stone’s eyes lit up but it was a wicked excitement. “And this is going to be fun naked or clothed, so I’m not worried about what you end up wearing.”

His eyes trailed down my body, lingering on the places I was assuming he wanted to touch or torment. “Watching you do it through your clothes might even be more interesting.”

I wasn’t sure we had the same definition of that word.

At some point I’d have to clarify that but swallowing was hard at the moment, so it would have to wait. Thankfully, words on my part didn’t seem to be necessary, especially since we both knew I’d do my poof vanishing act if I got too upset.

“Let’s see how we want to start.” He seemed primarily focused on getting me ready…whatever that meant…but he also glanced around the room and frowned. “Not here. I don’t want to risk visitors interrupting my fun.”

Our fun, right?

Time to double-check.

“This is my reward…you making it up to me. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page with that.” Doms liked fine print a bit too much and I didn’t want to risk my orgasm. “You get to fuck with me under the guise of rewarding me, but ultimately I get to come. Right?”

Stone’s expression didn’t settle that question but the mix of asshole smirk and sexual delight did crazy things to me.

And he knew it.

“How is that even a question?” He cocked his head and sighed. “I like watching you come.”

Wait.

Had he actually answered the question?

As he rose, I still wasn’t sure and even as he went to check that the front door was locked, I didn’t think so. “Okay, really good asshole move. Bonus points. It’s even hot.”

He wouldn’t believe it if I claimed otherwise and I was hoping praise would butter him up in my favor.

Eventually, I hoped that he’d be lubed up in my favor too…at least at some point. But for the time being, I wanted to get the whole orgasm thing straight before we did not so straight things.

“So…yeah…” There had to be words to use that would trigger an explanation. Not a safeword. I didn’t mind the fucking with me thing but I had to play along right to get the information I wanted. “What are your plans for the scene, Sir?”

Oh.

Bingo.

He was fighting off a smile by the time I stood up. Part of that might’ve been because I was obviously hard as a rock, but I knew he liked the Sir thing and the question too, probably. “That will never get less erotic, baby.”

He was such a dork.

How were Doms not the biggest geeks in the whole fantasy games realm?

They liked rules and protocol and honorifics more than the D&D people I’d hung out with for a while.

Somehow fantasy rules plus spankings equaled erotic…someone should probably make sure the D&D geeks understood that.

The difference seemed subtle to me but it was important to know.

“You’re going to have to let me know what else would fall into that category.” I wasn’t much on flirting. It generally came out awkwardly because I overthought it, but I honestly wanted to know, so I was pretty sure that helped it come across better. “I can’t promise to follow it, though.”

But knowing the list would be fun.

Stepping back toward the stairs, Stone moved away from the doorway, his smirk leading the way as he turned. “We’ll have to see what you can do to earn learning what’s on that list.”

Were all Doms like this?

“I think as your boyfriend or sub or…hell…your mother called me your partner. I think any of those means I’ve automatically got access to that list. It’s in the rules.” Someone on the internet had written that down somewhere. I just had to find it and that would make it legit.

Stone laughed.

Fucker.

It really shouldn’t have made me hard but I was going to chalk it up to magic of some sort. Not the deliberately manipulative kind but the soaks into the groundwater and makes everyone think of marriage when they stumble upon their mister or missus right kind.

Six months.

God. I was so screwed.

“I’m not so sure about the rule book you’re following.” Stone slowly made his way up the stairs as I followed, clenching his ass as he went just to distract me.

Fucker.

“It seems questionable at best.” He shrugged as he finally made his way to the top. “Besides. Are we really partners if we’re not at least picking out the guest list?”

What?

No. It was a fucking distraction and I wasn’t going to let him throw me off my game.

“That would make us engaged. That’s a-whole-nother level of rules.” And his mother would’ve mentioned if she thought we were at that point already. So I’d stress about that when I had to. “And I expect kneeling and some kind of sign of your commitment. Sure, you’re my Dom but I still haven’t seen anything signifying that either.”

There were collars and shit…I’d seen those before…I wasn’t a complete idiot.

Stone was still trying to give me a casual smirk and shrug as I followed him up to the landing, but I could see the delight in his eyes and the bulge in his jeans. “I’ll keep that in mind. Good communication is important, so thank you for explaining that to me.”

I’d done something to myself…but what?

I was smart.

I could figure it out.

Eventually.

Ugh.

No. Play it cool.

“You’re welcome and thank you.” I was the one nodding with the straight face that time. “I appreciate that.”

It might not have been enough of a response or the best one, but it felt pretty good and he kept trying not to smile or laugh, so he liked it too. Of course, that was probably because he’d figured out a new way to fuck with me, but I’d handle that problem when I had to.

“You’re welcome.” Stepping back toward my bedroom, he dragged his gaze down my body, lingering on the obvious bulge there. “You’re also sexy as fuck, baby, but I can’t wait to get you out of those clothes.”

So was that going to be sooner or later?

And where did an orgasm fit into that plan?

“That’s good to know too.” But I needed answers. Right? “Knowing your goals and plans for the scene would be good as well.”

I couldn’t decide if not knowing would be hotter or not, but my dick and I both needed to know he’d eventually get to have his touchdown too and not just play in the game for a few minutes.

With Stone in his fuckery and giggles mood, I had no idea what he’d do. But I watched and somehow got more turned on as he thought about what I’d said. “Would you like to set a limit that by the end of a scene you get to orgasm?”

Negotiate.

He’d negotiate.

There were probably loopholes even a dead guy could drive a truck through with that limit. How long was a scene? What constituted a scene? What happened outside of a scene?

More questions should’ve come to mind but even ghosts didn’t think well when they were turned on. It was nice to know some things didn’t change whether a guy was alive or dead.

Fuck it all.

“Yes.” Swallowing, I ignored how just saying it made my dick try to jump out of my pants. Fucking hell. What was I wearing now? Damn it. “I…”

I was going to ignore the fact that I was wearing the green pajama pants again and keep our negotiations on track.

I’d had way too much loungewear when I’d been alive, even if the lady on the commercial said there was no such thing.

“I would like at least one orgasm in each scene to be one of the limits we set.” I hadn’t promised not to play with my dick at any other time, but I also hadn’t figured out a way to define the length of time for a scene.

I was screwed.

Okay, not that…not yet anyway.

I was going to keep my fingers crossed for that one, though.