Chapter 2
POWDER MY NOSE
KATIE
I had a crush on my boss, Justin.
It started out with his complimenting my suit when I joined Opulence as an intern. I wore my finest black suit because a comment on Reddit mentioned it would make a lasting impact on neurotypicals.
So I had tried it and was glad it worked two years ago. Even my colleagues enjoyed seeing my tailored suits.
I was about to turn thirty in a month, so I needed to get as much experience as possible with flirting, getting things started, and sex.
I drew in a deep breath as I reread the latest message from one of the Romeos, Dex, and braced myself for what was coming next.
I had lost count of how many times I’d done the little mental pep talk.
The truth was, the app had hooked me the moment I saw the ad.
A lineup of gorgeous men, every one of them calling themselves Romeo.
Signing up was easy with a quick survey asking me to spell out my tastes.
Age, height, build, hobbies… even whether I liked a man who drank or smoked.
I scrolled back to his profile, letting my gaze linger on the lines of his body. A low hum slipped past my lips, equal parts appreciation and hunger. He was taller than me, built like trouble, and looked like pure sin. Hopefully, he’d be as good a teacher as he was a temptation.
My eyes averted to the stack of printed paper on my desk. I may or may not have researched everything about sex and printed it out, highlighting the important notes and how to sound sexy.
If I needed to seduce Justin and make him my boyfriend, then I had to be the best at sex.
“You got this!” I said to my reflection before grabbing my purse and checking the different sizes of condoms I had bought earlier that day with two lubes.
One un-flavored and one chocolate flavored.
The employee at the pharmacy definitely thought I was a weirdo for grabbing two boxes of condoms, but hey, I didn’t know how big or how small Dex was going to be, and what if he came unprepared without any protection?
I had my waxing appointment earlier that week, so I was ready to learn the craft of sex.
Should I get Kamasutra too or… no, I would reach late if I stalled any longer.
“Wish me luck, Pollux!” I said to my goldfish and waved at him. “Your mom will no longer be a virgin! Aren’t you happy?”
He made a face, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I left my house that I owned without any mortgage.
It was one of the things I was extremely proud of.
I was super fortunate to graduate early with top grades, and I put in a ton of work to stand out in the luxury jewelry world with my unique and durable designs.
Because of that, I could start my career and ask for a higher salary right away.
The drive to the hotel was smooth. I had booked a honeymoon suite because I didn’t know how many times we were going to have sex, and staying in bed all night while I was sweaty and tired seemed unhygienic. I had already stretched my hips at home, so I was well-prepared.
Even though I had never gone over second base, I was ready.
I took a deep breath when the smell of luxurious essential oils filled the elevator. I watched the number go higher, my nerves increasing with each passing second.
I could do it, right? Have sex with a complete stranger?
Of course! I hired him, and he was a professional. I’m sure I can do it.
But I didn’t need to have sex. I could make out, talk, maybe go for third base and then call it a day? I still had four weeks.
My body was tense and tight when I stood in front of the hotel door.
I licked my lips and raised my fist to knock.
My skin prickled with the awareness of what I was wearing.
The stockings cinched on my legs, my feet wavering in the heels that felt comfortable but unsteady for the first time in years.
I liked my red bottoms, but I only wore them on special occasions.
And losing my virginity to an escort was special enough.
Footsteps echoed from the room, and I held my breath as the door swung open.
My gaze dragged up slowly. Sneakers, worn jeans, a snug shirt stretched across a chest carved from stone.
Broad shoulders filled the frame, every line of him radiating strength.
His cologne hit me next. Dark, masculine, and addictive.
Heat curled low in my stomach, flooding me with want.
And then I saw him.
He looked like sin made flesh. A razor-sharp jawline, sun-kissed skin that begged to be touched, and lips so full and plump they made my mouth water.
His strong nose only sharpened the perfection of his features, but it was his eyes.
Deepest shade of green I had ever seen and blown wide with hunger that pinned me where I stood.
He was clean-shaven, flawless, and devastatingly male.
Jesus. Help me.
I gulped. “Hi, I’m Katie.”
Great! I told the stranger from the internet my real name.
He blinked, his long eyelashes peering down at me. Yes, he was tall. Taller than me even with my high heels on. His hair was soft, faded on the sides and fuller on top, and he definitely pulled off the bedhead model look. He looked like he had stepped out of a magazine cover. First page.
Was I in the wrong room? Wouldn’t be the first time if I were.
“Katie,” he said, more to himself than me as he slowly checked me out. Was it the hallway lighting, or did his neck and cheeks seem to redden? “Katie?”
I looked around just to make sure I was the only person in the hallway and nodded confusingly. I checked my phone and showed him the texts from the app. “I’m Katie. You’re Dex, right?”
Please say yes. I want to climb you.
Stop.
Bad brain!
“C-come in,” he said, swinging the door wide open for me to enter. I frowned walking past him, our clothes brushing, and I definitely heard him mutter, ‘Oh my God’ under his breath.
I discreetly sniffed my underarms to check whether I smelled bad. Nope. Maybe I should freshen up?
My body stiffened. Soft, golden light flickered across the room from dozens of candles scattered on gleaming surfaces, from the polished mahogany dresser to the low coffee table, and the marble nightstands.
Rose petals trailed from the door to the massive four-poster bed, its sheets a cascade of crisp ivory silk.
What the heck? A four-poster bed? With roses and candles?!
I placed my handbag on the coffee table and looked out of the floor-to-ceiling window. It had a sweeping view of the city lights. Every corner glowed warm and intimate. Unlike the bubbling anxiety that I felt within me.
Maybe I should have booked a normal room.
“They lit a lot of c-candles.” I looked over my shoulder to find Dex in the entrance’s nook. Why does he look constipated?
Damn, the Reddit forums didn’t talk about this. What should I do?
“I’ll powder my nose,” I said, walking towards the bathroom.
“Yeah, sure,” Dex replied, sliding his hands in his pockets. “Uh-huh. Do you need my help to powder your nose?”
I froze and looked at him. His green eyes looked darker in the warm glow of the room that oozed with ‘sexy-time.’ He still looked flustered, which made him look cute.
“You want to see me pee?” I asked, raising my brow.
It was my fault. We hadn’t talked about each other’s kinks or fetishes before meeting up. I should have done that before even knowing his name. Damnit.
This was not going as planned at all.
“What?” His eyes widened. “Yes, no—huh? Do you want me to watch you pee? Is that… what you’re into?”
“No, I don’t have that kink,” I said out loud and thought about it. I haven’t tried it ever, but I was sure it would not feel arousing to have someone watch me when I release my toxin—
“Okay, me either!” He beamed and walked closer. “I’ll just… stay here while you powder your pu—nose.”
“Okay.”
I shut the door and looked at my reflection in the mirror. What the hell is happening?
I did my business. Alone. With no one watching me. I washed my hands, making sure I rinsed them for over twenty seconds. I sighed and tried to think about what the forum had mentioned for the first-time. My phone and the highlighted paper were outside in my purse, so I could only rely on my memory.
How can I be sexy and confident and seduce him?
I sniffed my hair and no—I was not stinking. At all.
Then why did he look so flustered?
Maybe I should just ask him that.
I stepped out of the washroom and froze.
He was on the bed, lounging like he owned it, legs spread wide in a way that made my pulse skip.
The top buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing a stretch of olive tan skin at his throat.
Heat rushed through me so fast it was ridiculous.
I felt like a repressed gentleman from the 1800s losing his mind over the glimpse of a bare ankle.
“You’re hot,” I blurted.
Way to be sexy, Katie!