I hear him wiping his hands off, and then he passes the cloth to me, telling me he’s fine. Not a word people use when they really are, in my experience, but I’m not going to push him, just give him an opportunity to change his mind. From the way he’s talking, I’m pretty sure we’re done, and I try not to be disappointed. He gave me what I asked for, and he’s not asking anything in return. Should be happy about this.

I ease up off the table, feeling sore in the best kind of way, trying to get into a frame of mind that’ll let me make conversation with the man who just finished taking a belt to me. Clean myself and his table off as best I can and start getting dressed, looking for something to talk about. I do really want to talk to him. “Lucien, then.” I smile up at him as I pull my pants back on gingerly. Really hope things don’t get awkward. I don’t want to leave right away. “You sure there’s nothing I can do for you?” I get my boots on and kneel down to start doing them up. Not even sure if he likes men, for the love of God. But in my experience, even men who like fucking women for choice won’t say no to a hot, wet mouth working away on their cock. And seeing a man on his knee in front of you can make you think things you maybe wouldn’t otherwise.

From the look on his face, though, I don’t think he’s going to bite. So I just keep working on my boot laces, trying to think of something else to say. “About your fiancée, sir, I mean, Lucien…” I stop, wishing I hadn’t brought it up now, but wanting to say something. “Don’t know what happened. Do know what it’s like to be so angry at a woman that you can’t see straight, and love her at the same time. Maybe that’s not my place to say, but I do.” I push back the hair over my heart so he can see the name inked there. “She’s not in my life anymore.” If he asks more, I guess I owe him to tell it, now that I’ve brought it up. Kind of hope he starts talking about his woman, not asking after mine.