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“Oh, it’s fine,” she said. “This is a safe neighbourhood.”
“I doubt that’s true.” I slammed my door shut and joined Charlotte on the sidewalk. I took her hand, scanning the area around us before walking her to her building. She used her key to open the door and gave me another faint smile.
“Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” I touched her elbow. “I’m going to ask you to break another rule, Charlotte.”
She blinked at me. “What rule?”
“I’d like us to exchange cell numbers. If your car breaks down again on the way to my house, you can call me directly.”
She started chewing on her bottom lip, and I used my thumb to tug it free. “Don’t do that, Charlotte.”
She fidgeted under my gaze before saying, “I don’t want to be fired.”
“You won’t be,” I said. “I promise I won’t tell the sisters you gave me your number. I’d be fired as well, remember.”
She fidgeted a bit more before nodding. “Yes, okay. We can exchange numbers.”
“Good.” I took out my phone and handed it to her. “Add your number, please.”
She added it and gave it back to me. I immediately texted her, and she smiled a little when her phone chimed. “Did you think I gave you a fake number?”
I grinned at her. “Of course not, but now you have my number. I’ll be booking you for our usual Sunday. If your car breaks down, call me.”
“All right. Thank you,” she said. “And I’m sorry again for missing our session this evening. I’ll contact the sisters in the morning and let them know it was all my fault.”’
I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. Shit happens, right?”
“Yes.” She paused in the doorway, looking a little like she was contemplating inviting me in before she said, “Good night, Mr. Steele.”
“Good night, Charlotte.”
* * *
Riley
I tucked my scarf tighter around my neck and jammed my hat onto my head before pulling the bell. The bus stopped, and I made my way to the middle door. It opened with a loud whoosh, and I stepped out into the cold air.
I cinched the backpack straps tighter on my shoulders, pulled on my mittens, and, bending my head against the wind, started the walk toward Mr. Steele’s house. The sun shone brightly, but it was bitterly cold, and it didn’t take long for my body to go numb despite the layers of warm clothing I had bundled myself into.
I walked faster, swinging my arms hard and fast to get the blood pumping. It would take me about an hour to walk to Mr. Steele’s house, and I burrowed my face deeper into my scarf. I was thankful he had booked me for Sunday afternoon, not evening. Although the bus would still be running even after an evening play session, walking in the cold darkness would be even more unpleasant.
By the time I was halfway there, I was already dreading the walk back. My lungs ached from the cold air, my legs burned, and I felt frozen to the bone despite wearing so many layers of clothing.
It couldn’t be helped, though. I’d gotten my car towed to a mechanic, and while Marvin could be fixed, it would take all of my extra cash from my paycheque, plus everything from what I made today with Mr. Steele. I didn’t even have enough left to pay for an Uber ride to Mr. Steele’s. And if he didn’t give me his usual hundred dollar tip, I’d need to get real creative with my meals for the week.
I carried on grimly, my breath puffing out and causing little icicles to form on my scarf that poked at my sore bottom lip. Thursday and Friday had gone a little better with Mr. Rainer in that he’d ignored me rather than berated me. Of course, I had obsessively and repeatedly gone over everything he gave me, looking for even the tiniest error, before giving it to him. He couldn’t be angry with me if I was perfect, right?
The two days had been draining mentally and physically, but I hadn’t made a single mistake. My perfection hadn’t been noticed or praised, and I hated that it bothered me. I disliked Mr. Rainer, so my need for his approval ate at me. What was wrong with me that I needed to be liked and respected by everyone I met? It was exhausting and pointless. This praise kink thing could be overwhelming and exasperating sometimes.
You’ll get your fill this afternoon.
Just that thought alone made me happy. I walked even faster, despite my burning legs, anxious to get to Mr. Steele’s house for the praise I craved.
* * *
I arrived at Mr. Steele’s with fifteen minutes to spare. I stepped into the deliciously warm house, my cold body moving stiffly as I removed my winter boots and slid my backpack to the floor. I hung up my jacket, stuffing my scarf, mittens, and hat into the pockets, and grabbed my backpack. It felt weird to be wearing something other than work clothes in his house, but the thick hoodie, two t-shirts, leggings and the jogging pants I wore over them had kept me from freezing to death.
