“No,” Sam replied, turning to face the other man.
The cabin was illuminated only by the dim lamp on the table, and Dominic’s face was half in the shadows. But Sam could still see more than enough. Dominic was only in a pair of black boxers, his body long, muscular, and absolutely mouthwatering.
Sam shifted his gaze to Dominic’s face, though it wasn’t much of an improvement. He found himself staring helplessly at Dominic’s firm jaw and perfectly sculpted lips.
“We should probably talk,” Dominic said with a yawn that Sam was almost certain was fake. “Get to know each other.”
“We probably should,” Sam agreed, suppressing the urge to look for the bugs in the room. Was anyone listening to their conversation at this moment? Was anyone watching them?
Dominic made an affirmative noise, his eyes closing. “But I’m knackered after all the excitement today. Had a long flight, and then nearly got kicked out of the cruise before it even started.”
Acutely aware of the bugs, Sam tried to think of what Sammy the Sugar Baby would say. Sammy the Sugar Baby would probably be curious.
“Is that true you used a fake name to get here?” Sam said. It would be suspicious if he didn’t ask. “Why?”
“I didn’t want anyone back home to find out that I was on a cruise like this.” Dominic smiled ruefully without opening his eyes. “You probably guessed that I was new to this.”
“Really?”
“Up until a few months ago, I would have laughed if someone told me I’d pay someone for companionship.”
“Why are you doing this, then? Um, you don’t exactly look like you need to pay for company.”
Dominic opened his eyes and looked at him. “I work for one of the biggest financial companies in the UK. After I got promoted to a department head, I had no time for dating. And I’m usually too tired after work to go out clubbing and pick someone up.” He grimaced. “A one-night stand isn’t what I want, anyway. It got old years ago.”
Sam looked at him curiously. Now he wondered what this cover was for. Was it the one Agent 11 was going to use to seduce that rich heir he’d mentioned a while back?
“What do you want, then?” Sam murmured.
“I’ve always wanted something stable. Maybe even marriage and a couple of kids at some point. But I don’t have the time, at least not now. Maybe when things are less hectic at work, I’ll find the time to date, but…”
“But for now you just want something uncomplicated but stable,” Sam finished for him, nodding in understanding. He couldn’t help but admire Agent 11’s ability to lie so convincingly. This mission had clearly compromised his other cover, but the agent still found a way to make Dominic Bommer’s participation in this cruise somewhat believable.
“Yes,” Dominic said and chuckled softly, his voice laced with sleepiness. “I don’t even remember how I ended up on sugar daddy websites, but I guess Google knows everything.”
Sam laughed at that. “Same here. You’re my first, too. I mean, I’ve talked to a few potential sugar daddies on those websites, but it didn’t really go anywhere.” He pulled a face. “Like, I’m as open-minded as your average guy, but I draw a line at sending some stranger a picture of me wearing a baby bib and nothing else.”
Dominic laughed, a deep, genuine laugh that sent a thrill through Sam’s body.
“Really?” Dominic said.
Smiling, Sam nodded, feeling stupidly pleased with himself for making Dominic laugh. That part of the story had been real enough. He had made an account on a sugar baby dating website and had talked to a few people. It had been pretty enlightening.
“Yeah. I guess it’s true when they say there are a lot of weirdos on the Internet,” Sam said. “I almost gave up looking, but then someone mentioned this cruise—that the cruise organizers checked all potential sugar daddies’ backgrounds and weeded out the creeps.” That part was supposedly true, but considering Brylsko had been approved, Sam didn’t have much faith in it.
Sam looked at Dominic. “So… I’d really appreciate it if you tell me if I’m doing something you don’t want me to do. All my knowledge on this kind of relationship is theoretical, you know?”
Dominic hummed in agreement. “I will, but this goes both ways, Sammy. I know you said in your questionnaire that you were flexible and willing to try pretty much anything, but if you’re uncomfortable with something I ask, you will tell me.” He looked at Sam seriously. “I know I’m paying you for your company, but you’re not a hooker and I don’t want you to think you must do whatever I want.”
Sam beamed at him. “Thank you,” he said softly, feeling ridiculously touched. What the hell, he wasn’t even a real sugar baby. “I’m glad it’s you—that you’re my first sugar daddy.”