The Muse's Undoing

“Do you think maybe with Vaughn we should talk to a professional?” he asks. “Maybe see whether it’s better explain it to him sooner or later?”

“I could ask Nicole what she thinks.”

Matthew runs his fingers through my hair in the way that soothes and lightly hypnotizes me. “You probably need her permission for something like that, huh?”

“Probably,” I say, my eyes closing briefly.

“I should get you to bed, too,” he says. “Tuck you in.”

I grin. “I’m not actually that tired. Just comfortable.”

“You hungry?”

“They fed me at work.”

“What do you need me for, then?”

“You make an amazing pillow. How are you ever gonna get anything done if I move in with you?” I ask.

“You won’t be there all the time,” he says, sounding annoyed.

“Would you like to be home more often?” I ask.

“Wouldn’t we all?”

“I just mean you don’t have to work so much. I make plenty of money.”

“Mmm…” He gives me a tight squeeze. “Keep talking, sugar daddy.”

I grin. “Just think about it.”

“I’d have time for more projects. Matter of fact, I found a crystal online today,” he says into my ear. “Rose quartz—it’s exactly big enough to chisel a perfect replica of your cock. I might be obsessed.”

“A crystal cock?”

“Your crystal cock,” he says, taking a moment to kiss my neck.

I inhale shakily. “And this will be displayed where?”

“Oh, it’d be strictly for personal use.”

I’m glad he can’t see my face because I can’t hide my shock or my sudden unease. “Personal…?”

“Self-care,” he says. “Since you won’t be home twenty-four-seven.”

“But…” If there’s something he needs that I’m not giving him, I want to know. “Do you need me to?—”

“Mm…no.” He kisses my neck harder, sucking the thin skin between his teeth and ending with a bite that makes me grunt. “I just think it’ll feel good when I jerk off.”

“Then—”

“I like you exactly how you are, princess.”

“Because I can?—”

“I’m sure you can. But I don’t need that.”

“Again—should that be hurting my feelings?” Because it is.