I woke up, an immediate panic washing over me as I remembered what I had done the night before and where I was. I had never had a boyfriend growing up as I had no interest in boys my age, leaving me with little to no experience with men. Go figure I stay the night on my second date. But as the anxiety calmed down, things started to feel…right. Nothing with Richard had been close to forced. Everything we had done felt like natural profession of things. He was the perfect example of a gentleman.

Finally, having collected myself, I got out of the bed, thankful for the t-shirt he had allowed me to borrow. My stomach growled. I needed something to eat. Soon. Unsure if Richard was awake or not, I made my way into the large kitchen, part of me wishing he still had a private chef. I grabbed a banana off the counter figuring it’d be enough to die me over for some time. I wasn’t sure what I would do waiting for Richard to wake up. Thankfully I didn’t have to try and find out.

“Is that one for food or practice?” Richard stood in the doorway, shirtless to my enjoyment, a smile on his face. I tilted my head to the side before pouting, realizing what he was talking about. “Hey, don’t give me that look. You’re killing me, Mae.”

“Killing you how?”

“You’re damn hot, Mae.” His voice was husky, causing butterflies in my stomach. He walked over to me, pulling me into his arms and passionately kissing me. After he stepped back, he looked down at me sweetly. “Are you ready for some breakfast?”

“I am.” I held my banana up slightly.

He walked away from me and over to the fancy-looking fridge, grabbing out a handful of things and placing them on the counter. “How do scrambled eggs, bacon, and some fruit sound?”

“Like a classic breakfast.” I smiled, walking around the island and taking a seat on one of the barstools. “I don’t really like bacon, though.” I said the last part quietly, not wanting to bother his breakfast plans.

“I have some chicken breakfast sausage.” He looked back at me as if to see if that was better. I smiled and nodded. He pulled that out, replacing the expensive-looking bacon. “Great.” He closed the fridge behind him and began setting things up.

“I really enjoy our night.” I crossed my ankles nervously. I felt comfortable around him but still didn’t want to say the wrong things, didn’t want to ruin a good thing I finally had. Or seemed to, at least.

“I’m glad you did, Mae.” He glanced back at me as he started the gas stove. Much fancier than the one we have back at home, that’s for sure. “I did as well.” He turned his attention back to the stove. “I’d like to give you something for our night. What would you like?”

“Noth-nothing.” I stuttered slightly. “I don’t want anything or else I’ll feel like you’re just paying me for sexual acts.”

“I’m not saying that’s what I’m doing, Mae,” he looked over at me, “but you do understand how many of these arrangements are, correct?” He titled his head to the side slightly, raising his brows.

“I guess.” I rubbed my arm, not liking how he was staring at me so intently. I was scared to say the wrong answer. Sure, I knew a lot of arrangements had to do with money, hell, that’s why I joined the site, but I didn’t want that to be the main thing driving our relationship. Especially not with someone so nice as Richard. “I just don’t want that to be the only thing.”

“Mae.” Richard turned to face me fully. “You’re a great girl. I really like you, but you’re really young. It’ll be good for you to date around while you’re still young. I’ll happily continue to see you if you’d like that, but I don’t want you to only see me. And I will do the same, to keep it fair.”

My heart immediately dropped at his words. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to date around, I was already feeling things for him I couldn’t explain. “I--I…” I trailed off.

“It’ll be good for you, Mae.” Richard assured, but not succeeding to make me feel any better.

Not willing to disagree, to tell him I wanted more already, I nodded. Defeated. “Can I ask some questions?”

“Go ahead.” He turned his attention back to the food.

“Are you…married?” I shifted in the seat, unsure if I really wanted the answer.

“No.” He chuckled. “Nor have I been.” A weight lifted off my chest at his answer. “My turn. Have you even had a boyfriend before, Mae?”

“No. Not really. I had a girlfriend once in high school though.”

“Oh. Interesting.” He looked back at me with a smile.

“Are you going to make me sign some sort of bondage contract?” I smiled to myself at the question. Richard laughed loudly, before turning towards me, bringing to fruit over on a cutting board.

“Not unless you’d like one.” He shook his head, a large soft smile on his face.

“Okay, I have one more.”

“Go ahead.” He nodded.

“Do you care how I…groom…down there?”

“Do whatever you like, Mae.” He shook his head once again. “I like pubic hair, but kept trimmed. Though at the end of the day, I don’t care how you present yourself, as long as you’re clean.”

“Alright.” I nodded. “Wait, one last question. How much longer for breakfast?” My stomach growled as if to prove a point.

“Macy.” I hugged his pillow to my chest, laying on his bed while he typed out an email on his laptop. “I think I’m in love.”

“Already, Mae?” Mason turned around in his chair to face me.

“Well, maybe not actually. But he’s a really great guy. I really like him. We had a really good dinner and night together.”

“I’m surprised you never called me to pick you up.”

“I didn’t need to. We went back to his place and I slept in a guest room, though admittedly, I would’ve loved to sleep with him instead.” I smiled guiltily.

“You really are in love.” Mason laughed.

“Well, only one downside.” I sat up in the bed. “He told me we should see other people. Specifically, he told me that I should date around and he would too to be fair.”

“Mae, you never did say that you were looking for something serious or long-term. If that’s what you want with this guy, you really should tell him.”

“I wanted to, I was just scared to. I will eventually. I just don’t want to come off too clingy or something.”

“Well, you kind of are falling for this guy already.” Mason motioned, to prove his point.

“I’ll bring it up later.” I shrugged slightly. “We already set up a second date. It’ll be really great, I’m sure.”

“Just make sure you’re clear with him, Mae. For your sake and his.”

“I know, I know.” I waved him off. “I will. In time. I promise. On another note…I set up a doctor’s appointment to get on some birth control, in case we do decide to do…it.”

“Good idea, but make sure you’re sure. You know the list of side effects that come with those things.”

“Yeah. Maybe I’ll get an I.U.D. instead.” I shrugged. “I’ll talk to my doctor and figure it out. You’re lucky you never had to worry about it.”

“Well, you could also do it in the ass, Mae.” Mason laughed.

I stuck my tongue out. “No thank you. That sounds way too painful. I’m scared as it is, but Richard offered to buy me some sex toys to try it out so I’m ready. We looked at some during breakfast.”

“Well good luck with that, Mae.” mason chuckled, turning his attention back to his email. “I’ve got to get going soon. Julian and I are going over to Hugh’s.”

“To smoke, you mean?” I set the pillow to the side, knowing the answer already.

“Yep.” Mason nodded. “We’ll talk more later, alright, Mae?”

“Umhm.” I nodded, standing up from the bed and making my way through the house to my room. I plopped back down onto the bed, holding a stuffed animal to my chest. “I think I really am in love.” I whispered to myself, not sure what this would really mean for myself. Not with Richard saying I should see other people.