Page 23 of Bondage Play

“Think about it.” Phil’s voice cut through the silence, and his expression wasn’t clear in the shadows playing across his features from the traffic moving around them. “You don’t have to decide tonight—or ever. However, I know the idea excites you, so I’d like for you to at least consider it.” Phil squeezed his knee again. “Remember, you have a safeword. My love for you doesn’t change, regardless. If it doesn’t work out, you hate it, or I hate it, we move on and never do it again.” Phil glanced at him sideways before returning his gaze to the road. “But we talk about it, no matter what. Whether we have a devastating low or exhilarating high, we communicate. Understand?”

Terry nodded, Phil’s words relaxing him somehow. It was as if all he’d needed was one more reassurance. Because if he was being truthful with himself, hedidwant to do it. As in, wanted to do it alot.

“Baby? I need to hear an acknowledgment out loud.”

“Huh?” Terry whipped his head in Phil’s direction. “Oh! Sorry. Yes, Sir. I understand.” He sucked in a deep breath. “And I’m in.”

Phil’s grin couldn’t be missed, even in the low lighting. “Then I’ll have a little chat with Gerard tomorrow.”

Chapter Six

Terry checked the time on the computer in his home studio. He’d had clients back-to-back since early that morning. Ever since he’d notified his mailing list that he’d finished the studio job and had more availability, the calls for appointments had been non-stop. He hadn’t even had the chance to update his website yet.I’ll give it a couple more days.

Working with private clients was so much more exhausting, in his opinion. Each one had specific needs and he had to move from one to the next, get in a different zone as he worked to give them the perfect shot, to capture their unique essence.

Six o’clock had come and gone, and he was anxious to finish up. He’d only agreed to take the one last client because they’d said it was a time-sensitive thing and had offered to pay him double his usual session fee to get it done. The money had shown up in his PayPal account immediately, so there were no worries there.

Phil hadn’t been very happy because it was their big night with Gerard, Marco and Marty, but deferred to Terry when it came to his career unless he requested Phil’s advice. Terrywasn’t so thrilled either, but with Phil out of work still, he’d decided to take the job. Of course, he didn’t let on to his Master the ultimate reason behind his decision. Phil’s frustration at not being the main provider was obvious to Terry even though Phil tried to hide it. Terry had just played up the emergency nature of the client’s request to mask the real reason.

Does that count toward the non-honesty thing?Phil had warned Terry that their dynamic would be a constant thing but would also keep them solid in the long run. Taking care of the little things as they came up was much better than letting them grow into seemingly insurmountable monsters over time.

Even though Terry had only been back from the film set for a few days, he had to admit it had been great to have Phil at home. They would message back and forth, and Phil would bring him coffee and snacks in between shoots. Phil was adamant that Terry eat regularly. The attention was amazing.

Terry checked his lenses, his lights. He didn’t want to be aggravated before the client even arrived, but it was already closing in on ten minutes past the appointed time. The last thing he wanted was to be delayed any longer than necessary. Phil wasn’t the only one who was anxious to get their night started. As it was, Phil had gotten a call about thirty minutes before from his friend Ellery’s assistant. She’d said that Ellery had a lead on a job, but that he needed to come pick up the script right away, that there were several other producers looking at the project too. He’d only left a few minutes before.

“I’ll run down and grab it real quick. I’ll be back by the time you’ve finished.”

Terry perched on the edge of a wooden stool, one of the few he kept in the studio in case clients brought along a guest. He glanced again at the computer screen.Twelve minutes past.A loud knock sounded. Terry rolled his eyes.Finally.

He padded to the door to let his client in. Since his studiowas a converted garage, the entrance was along the side of his home, well off the street. It was perfect for doing business in a private neighborhood.

Terry gasped as he swung the door wide. “Anson?” His blood chilled, stomach dropping as someone from behind Anson stepped out from the shadows.

Master Joe.

Phil finished filling his gas tank, cursing himself for not taking care of it sooner. He’d let it run down too far which was not like him at all.It’s the lack of a daily routine.Blaming it on his unemployed status might be an excuse, but it did hold merit. He straightened after screwing the cap back on and snapping the fuel door closed.

“Hey, Phil. How’s it going?”

Phil stared in confusion at the person who had driven up to the pump next to him.

Ellery?

“I thought you were at your office waiting for me already. I must’ve misunderstood what your assistant said.”

Ellery had already opened the door to his sedan and was sliding out. He shut the door behind him then took a few steps, bringing him closer to Phil.

“I don’t understand.” Ellery frowned. “Why would I be waiting for you? I just left my office, I’m headed home.”

Phil sucked in a sharp breath, his gut twisting. “But who was that…your assistant is Kelly, right?”

“Was. I caught her going through my computer files a week or so ago and fired her on the spot.”

“Oh shit.” Phil raced to the driver side door and yanked it open. He shoved his keys into the starter, turning it right asEllery banged on the window. Phil’s hands shook so hard he could barely press the button to lower it.

“What’s wrong?”

Phil shook his head, his breath catching. “Terry. Have to get home.”