“Right. I was just wondering. With all the instructions, you know. I’ve done some calls with people into BDSM stuff.”
He didn’t respond for a few seconds, and she realized she hadn’t technically asked a question, but then his voice came through the line again. “Some of my friends are deep into the lifestyle. The guys you met at the store are two of them. I’m only telling you that because I know they don’t care who knows.”
“And you?” she asked, unsure of what answer she was hoping for.
“I belong to a kink resort where BDSM is the primary focus. But I don’t label myself a dom or a submissive if that’s what you’re asking. I like to experiment, push limits. That kind of thing.”
She digested that. A kink resort? “Gotcha.”
“That bother you?”
She considered the question before answering. “No. I can actually see the appeal in the power-exchange part. Following your instructions tonight has made things … interesting. But I guess I asked the question
because I just had a caller the other night who asked me to verbally humiliate him. I was able to do it, but I felt drained afterward. I don’t think I’d get into doing that in real life. And to be honest, I’ve had enough guys call me ugly names to last me a lifetime. So I can’t see enjoying the reverse either.”
He blew out a breath. “Humiliation isn’t my kink. And it seriously stresses me out that you have to do that shit if you don’t want to. I mean, if that’s what gets you going, that’s one thing. But to be forced into it …”
“I’m not forced,” she said, rolling onto her side. “I could make money other ways, I’m sure. Just not as fast. And not from home. I’d rather be called a dirty slut a few times a night than have to clean grease traps at a fast-food restaurant and leave Rae with a babysitter.”
He was quiet for a few long moments. “I get it. Believe me. I’ve always been of the do-what-you-need-to-do school of getting through life. But if you get that promotion from Tessa, would you be able to quit the night job?”
“It would depend on how much she offered me, but yeah, I think so.”
“All right, we’ll make that happen. But until then, how about I just call you every night and pay for all those minutes?”
He made it sound like a joke, but she had a feeling he wasn’t kidding. “I’d kill you.”
“Oh, really?”
She sighed and flipped onto her back. “I can be everyone else’s hired whore. I don’t want to be yours, too.”
“You’re nobody’s whore, Oakley,” he said, a quiet firmness in his voice. “Don’t ever let yourself think that. You’re acting in a role just like I am on stage. They can’t touch you unless you let them in.”
“Do you? Let them in?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
He sighed. “You saw what it’s like backstage. They want the rock-star drummer. That’s what they get.”
“Is that who you are right now?”
“I don’t know.”
She pulled the sheets around her. “Tell me something about you that isn’t part of that image.”
“Okay.” He considered the question for a moment. “I’m a nutcase about my dog—like two steps away from buying him outfits and carrying him around in my bag.”
She laughed. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Crazy about him.”
“What else?”
“Hmm, let’s see. Horror movies scare the shit out of me. If I watch one, I can’t sleep for days.”
“Really? I love scary movies. What about things like Scream where it’s kind of funny, too?”