As the music finally faded I did some quick steps I had been practicing all week and went to the floor, knees bent and leaning back until my back nearly reached the floor. There were many reasons Ren enjoyed me being in his bed, this one being his favorite. Lifting myself up slowly I walked off the stage, the caterwauling and yells following me. Once safely behind the curtain I let out a deep breath. Man, that was a high! I grabbed some sweat pants that I had put by the stage stairs before I went on and slipped into them. Ugh, I felt all sweaty now and was still a bit horny. I always had such a hard on after I danced that never went away until I did something about it. These were the nights that I rushed home to Ren, eager for sex even if it was with him.

I walked through the side door that lead to a small hallway and my dressing room. I was nearly through the door when I heard someone cry out. At first I peeked through the stage curtain to see what was going on, but found everyone still talking and drinking, getting primed for the next dancer. My first thought was that someone was having a little fun, but the sound was too high-pitched, too shaky to be one of passion. That was a cry of fear and maybe pain. I should recognize that sound by now, I've screamed like that enough times to know. Ren and any other bastard he saw fit made sure of that. I followed the general direction of where it came from and was nearing the employee entrance allowing direct access to the main floor without having to go through the stage.

"Come on," I head a deep voice say as I drew closer, "just want a little kiss." Another soft whimper. What the fuck was going on? Throwing away the rest of my night, I walked to the door and opened it slowly. I was near the restrooms in the far darker corner of the club that were cut off from the main floor. Ren built it that way just in case people wanted a quick fuck. But of course, all those other people were actually willing. I stepped carefully into the semi-lit hallway in front of the men's restrooms. Three men were standing in a half-circle; whomever they were surrounding I couldn't see but I bet that's who the cry came from.

"I just want to get by," a small voice said, a bit defiantly despite the fear that laced it. He was trying to be brave, but was failing miserably. Fuck. Where was the bouncer? Wasn't he supposed to stop shit like this? Unless he was paid not to. Double fuck.

"Hey," I called out, walking to the group.

They turned around, ready to spring, but instantly relaxed as they saw me. Did I look so nonthreatening, even after all these years?

"Come to play with us?" One asked hopefully.

I snorted, my mouth moving before my brain could tell it not too. "As if, you dirty fuck; I can get better kicks jacking off."

Hmm. Probably shouldn't have said that, huh? The man frowned and took a step towards me but the one to the right of him held out his arm.

"Dylan, hold up, that's Ren's boy, we don't need that type of trouble."

The one called Dylan sneered, but held his ground. Now that he had moved I was able to see who they were hassling. A boy no less. My, weren't they big strong men picking on a kid? He couldn't have been more than seventeen. He had dark copper hair with pinkish highlights cut in one of those short croppy styles that framed his face, making him look even younger, lowering his possible age by a few years more. He wore a tight fishnet shirt and black leather pants that clung to him so close it suggested that there was a toned maturing body despite the young face. What the hell was he doing in here of all places?

"You," I said, looking directly at the boy, "come on."

His eyes widened and he quickly tried to squeeze through the wall the men had created. Dylan held out an arm suddenly, preventing escape.

"Nuh-uh, we saw him first; go buy your own fun."

Buy? "Did you offer them anything for money?" I asked the kid.

He shook his head pink trusses of hair flying. "Not them."

I looked back at Dylan with a smile.

"You heard him, Dylan, he doesn't want you so he's still available."

Dylan was getting pissed by the looks of it and he took several menacing steps towards me. Was he trying to be frightening? Ren…that was frightening. This guy? All talk. The two men tried to stop him but he shrugged them off. Now I wasn't stupid and I knew enough to judge my fights carefully. Just because I never fought Ren back didn't mean I couldn't. But that was a whole different area I didn't want to think about right now.

"Just because you fuck around with Ren doesn't mean you have any real clout, boy-toy. Walk away now before I have to tell Ren his little whore got too feisty and had to get knocked down."

I gave him the reaction he was least expecting. I laughed.

"You think that scares me?" I said, still laughing lightly. "Especially from a dude who gets his jollies by ganging up on helpless kids?"

Dylan narrowed his eyes at me and clenched his jaw. I knew I was really pushing him now. So it was no surprise when he shoved me. Quite hard, in fact.

"Last chance," he warmed.

Now if I hit him would the other two try and take a swing at me next? Did they fear the fact that they'd have to deal with Ren if anything happened to me? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I was still going to hit him. Hand already clenched in a fist I drew my arm back and sprung forward, a direct hit with his forehead. Shit, that hurt! I hadn't had to punch someone ever since that run in with that vampire chick, but damn was it worth it. He swayed and staggered back a bit like I knew he would, half collapsing on his friends. They looked at me with such pure malice that it was obviously clear that being Ren's boy was not going to protect me any longer. One dude I could handle, but three together? No mutherfucking way. I quickly held out my hand in the direction of the boy.

"C'mon," I barked.

He jumped as if waking from a dream and quickly grabbed my hand as I led him away. I stopped walking once we were safely in the employees' only hallway back towards the stage. No matter what they paid the bouncer to ignore on the main floor there was no way they could pay their way back here. When I let go of him he backed away from me, holding the hand I had grabbed as if it hurt. He stood there just looking at me.

"What?" I snapped harshly.

"Thank you," he said simply.

I shrugged. "With the way you were dressed and the drunken bastards that fill this place it serves you right what they were about to do to you."

He looked shocked at what I said. What did he expect me to say? I sighed, and tried to go a bit softer on him. "What were you doing in here, anyway?" I asked, trying to make myself sound concerned.

"Bathroom," he said.

I frowned. "Huh?"

"I needed to take a piss and this was the only place around here that would let me." He smiled but there wasn't any humor in it. "Everybody thought I wanted the bathroom to shoot up or somethin'. Thought I was too dirty."

Ah. "Well, are you?" I asked.

He frowned at me. "Do I look like a grimy hobo to you?"

I laughed at him. "No, you look pretty clean to me." I said appraising his body as I spoke. Now that I saw him closer in a better light his body was definitely firm and implied that he had to be at least sixteen. Childlike face to lure the tricks in, but a body mature just enough to keep them.

"I meant," I said in the most condescending tone I could muster without laughing again," are you using the bathroom to just shoot up?"

"I'm no druggie," he spat fericely.

I smiled. My, my, weren't we the sensitive one? I turned from him and spared only one glance over my shoulder before completely walking off.

"You coming?"

He narrowed his eyes in blatant suspicion but slowly moved. I led him to my room, unlocked the door and stood aside to let him go in first. Eyeing me carefully he walked past me and into the room.

"It's towards the back, around the corner," I said pointing him in the general direction. He nodded, flashed me a quick smile and walked off. I went for the stylish red couch I kept by the wall but stopped myself. I still had to sneak wonder boy out the back so there was no way I could sit down and try and relax. I knew the bouncer wouldn't let anything happen to me, but he had already made it clear he was willing to look away when it concerned everyone else, or maybe it was just the kid. Either way, Ren was so going to hear about this when I got home. I leaned by the door, relaxing if but for a second. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Thanks again."

I nearly jumped out of my skin as my eyes flew open. He was standing right in front of me; when did the fucker get out of the bathroom? He was smiling, enjoying the scare he gave me.

"Jeez, you scared me," I muttered.

"Sorry," he said, but was still smiling slightly.

"Never mind. C'mon, let's go."

Moving quickly, he went to the door and leaned on it. What game was this?

"Move," I ordered.

"I feel like I should repay you," he said meekly. Oh God, here we go.

"I didn't help you for that," I said impatiently, "so can you just move now?"

Truthfully, I hadn't. I just couldn't stand to think about what was going to happen to him if I had walked away like everyone else probably had. I remember when I was backed into a corner. When I had cried out for Ren and he had only turned away from me.

"No," he said firmly.

"Look, kid—" I began, but he interrupted me.

"First of all, the name's Ian, alright? Secondly, who are you calling kid? You can't be that much older than me!"

"Old enough," I spat back. Well, wasn't he just turning out to be the little smart ass?

"If I say I wanted to do it but not as a payment, what then?" He said, giving a sort of come-hither look.

I rolled my eyes. "I'd say forget it."

His fake pouting face turned to one of confusion.

"Then why did you help me?"

I shrugged. "Because no one helped me."

"Huh?"

"Forget it," I said, shaking off bad memories, "let's get you out of here." I reached for the doorknob and tried to pull it open, but Ian put his weight on it. He was looking at me with a strange glimmer in his eyes, like he was waiting for something. He thought playing the helpless whore act was going to make me sympathize with his situation? Today was not his fucking day. I saw a bit of myself in him, so much that I really couldn't get angry at him. Actually I found it funny and a bit sad.

I smiled. "You're really pushing it."

He grinned. "I know," he replied in a somewhat singsong voice.

"Do you need money?" I asked softly and I watched as his face turned cold. "Is that what this little game is really about?" "If I needed cash I would have just let those goons fuck me til I bled," he grumbled, dropping that innocent boyish tone from earlier. That was just fine by me. I liked him better when he didn't pretend. Too many people I had grown close to pretended. Ren being the most important.

"Didn't mean to insult you," I teased, enjoying the fact that I was pissing him off.

He glared at me as if he wanted something really bad to happen to me.

"Sure you didn't," he grumbled, but was soon smiling again in an attempt to bring the game back in his court. His cuteness had just used up all the patience for this shit that I was going to take and I was beginning to regret helping him. I wanted the little shit gone so I could go home. I've been late from work before and Ren gets angry when I'm late. Needless to say, I really, really don't want to be the subject of his rage.

"Ian, you're getting on my nerves," I said as coldly as I could, "I said you don't have to do anything."

He pouted. "Don't you want me?"

I laughed. "Don't get me wrong, you're hot, but I'm not about to take advantage of you."

"You won't be," he said softly. "Besides, you can't take advantage of the willing."

I scoffed. Clearly he had never met Ren. He sweet-talked me with promises, trapped me with sex and the whole time I thought I wanted it. Wanted him. And the whole time he was knowingly dragging me further into a hole he knew I wouldn't be able to climb out of.

"Yes, you can," I said simply. Talking with him was bringing up to many memories, too many emotions that I tend to run away from. I think what was bothering me more than anything was that he reminded me too much of---well, me. I looked in his eyes. They were the darkest blue I'd ever seen; two drowning pools sucking in the light like black holes. I was drawn into those eyes and it was a reflection for who I was, who I am. The need to please, the hunger to be wanted and the knowledge that that's all your worth. I touched his cheek lightly.

"You've said 'thank you'," I said, feeling sorry for him now, despite the fact I told myself that I wouldn't. Why couldn't someone have been there for me like this? "Twice actually," I added, "that's all I need."

He kept staring at me as if he didn't understand me. Like he was having trouble grasping the concept that not everyone wants to fuck him over. He flashed another smile, but I was sure that it wasn't due to how he felt, but to actually mask it.

"What's one quickie gonna hurt?"

Well, he wasn't taking no for an answer and my patience had officially ran out of the room. Did I want to just drag him out? It would be a bit cruel to toss him back out on the main floor, wouldn't it? A devilish grin spread across my face. He wanted to play whore games, did he? An evil plan formed through my head, making me chuckle.

"What?" Ian asked.

Instead of answering, I leaned forward and propped my arms against the door on either side of him, essentially pinning him to that spot. He made a small gasp, but said nothing. He stayed still but watched me carefully with those dark eyes. I closed the space between us and kissed him. His entire body froze when our lips met, but a few seconds into it he was moaning. I ate at his mouth, working my tongue with his; kissing him with such fervor as if my life depended on it. I let one hand grip the back of his neck and the other held his arm tightly. He made a movement to touch me but I drew back to let him know that wasn't allowed. He was making small moaning sound in this throat and started moving his hips against me. Yeah, I had him.

Pulling on him gently, I began to move; he slowly followed, our lips still locked. I opened my eyes, peeking to the side of us. I took one of my hands away and rested it on the doorknob. Carefully, I turned it and gave it a slight push with my fingers. Music from the main floor was faint, but it still drifted into the once quiet room. Distracted by the sudden noise, Ian tried to break away from the kiss but I didn't let him. I closed my eyes again and kissed him even harder and let my free hand trace the outline of his stiff cock through his jeans. He pulled back from me enough to gasp with pleasure and dove back into the kiss.

Again, I moved…he followed. A bit more to the right…a bit more…a bit more…..

Perfect.

I pulled away from him so suddenly that he stumbled. He looked at me with such a wanting, such a need I almost felt sorry that I had played him. Almost.

"I'm glad you changed your mind," he panted.

I shook my head, having to catch my breath also.

"No," I finally said, "I just needed to get to the door." I watched as the pieces fell together in his head. He looked around to see that not only was he feet way from the door, but it was open and I was nearly out of it. His face crumbled into a mask of confusion, shock and finally anger.

"You fucker," he spat.

"Don't play games, Ian," I said turning my back and walking out, "there's always some better at it than you."

Keeping to the employee hallways, I led him to the back door. We didn't talk, I was pretty sure he was still annoyed with the trick I pulled on him. I actually did him a favor; he had to learn sometime, didn't he? The backdoor was hooked up to security so I had to punch in my code to open it without the alarm going off. I quickly punched the numbers on the keypad and after the familiar beep I pushed it open. Did I mention Ren was a security freak, too?

I stepped outside; the sun was just starting to set and a cool evening breeze met my face. I finally turned to face him. Just as I expected, he was still frowning.

"Did you get off on that?"

"I was tempted, if that's what you mean," I said as I looked up and down the alleyway, "but I did what I had to do."

"You tricked me!"

"And what exactly was it you were trying to pull back in my room?" I asked, heat creeping into my voice. "You just had a sudden urge to suck cock?"

He winced at my brazen words and looked down.

"Yeah," I muttered, "that's what I thought."

"Were you?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"Was I what?" I snapped.

He came over to me and tentatively laid his hands on my hips. When I didn't push him away, he slipped a bit closer. I watched his lips, remembering the sweet, yet soft flesh and realized I had enjoyed it as much as he had.

"Tempted," he whispered, his hot breath flowing over my skin.

"If it makes you feel any better, I really was." And still am, I had to keep myself from saying. "But I couldn't let you—or allow myself—to go that far."

He smiled. "Glad to know I had some effect on you."

Ian backed away from me and for a second I wanted to stop him. I wanted to pull him to me and finish what I started with that kiss. Proof that I have more willpower than I ever thought possible, I let him go.

"See ya around, maybe?" he said, slowly walking backwards away from me.

"I'll make you a deal," I said.

He raised his eyebrows. "A compromise? Do tell."

"Don't come back here again and I'll think about it."

He gave me a fake pout. "How else would I see you?"

"If I see you in here again I'm really going to kick your ass," I warned playfully.

"Promises, promises," he half-yelled back and the distance between us grew. He turned around finally and ran off, disappearing around the corner. Well, that was that. Now what?

I stood there not really sure what to do. I had concentrated so much on getting rid of him that I didn't realize I had enjoyed his, albeit brief, company. Some one I didn't have to please, or be someone else because they paid me to. I went back through the door, setting the alarm behind me and went to my room to change. Under different circumstances it would be pretty fun to have let things play out. I could have shown him a trick or two. Ah, fuck it. Why think about all that shit once I've let him go? Because I love torturing myself, that's why. But it wouldn't have been right. I think I'm being too emotional about it all; way too analytical. That or I'm just too caught up in this life that even someone like Ian was a breath of fresh air. I think that—screw it. I also think I think too goddamned much.