Page 10 of Knox's Boy

"Sit," I instructed, nodding toward the pool's edge.

Florian hesitated for only a second before shucking off his sneakers and rolling up the cuffs of his jeans. He sat on the smooth stone, lowering his legs into the water. A sigh escaped him as the warmth enveloped his calves.

“Wow,” he let out.

I moved to the wet bar tucked in the patio, retrieving a bottle of Sancerre I had left to chill earlier. The cork gave way with a soft pop. I poured two glasses and joined him at the edge, handing him a glass before settling down beside him, removing my shoes and socks, rolling up my own pants. The water was hot, a pleasurable contrast to the cool breeze. Below us, the city was shining like little stars.

Florian took a sip of the wine, his eyes fluttering shut. "This is... really good. I usually drink whatever comes in a box."

I smiled, the corners of my eyes crinkling. "Boxed wine. Of course." I said, taking a drink of my own. The wine was crisp, acidic.

We sat in silence for a long time, listening to the gentle lap of water against the tiles and the distant hum of traffic. Florian seemed better, less anxious. He swung his feet gently in the water, creating ripples.

"Would you like to swim?” I asked.

He shook his head, the confession parting his lips. “I don't know how, I never had classes or anything,” he murmured. It was such a simple comment that came with a raw confession: nobody taught me this basic survival skill. It made something primal inside of me shift.

I could teach him. If he allowed me.

He looked at me then, his expression shifting. The vulnerability was still there, but the wine had loosened something in him. He turned his body toward me, shifting his hip on the stone until his knee brushed against my thigh. It was a calculated move, clumsy but intentional.

"I feel better now," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave, aiming for seductive but landing somewhere near desperate. "The panic... it's gone. I could... I want to please you now. I can still do what you paid for."

He leaned in, his hand moved, wet fingers reaching out to graze the fabric of my trousers, hovering dangerously close to my groin.

It was cute. And sad, desperate.

"I want to," he insisted, his eyes searching mine for approval. "I can be good."

I caught his wrist before he could make contact. My grip was firm, halting his advance instantly. I didn't squeeze, but I didn't let go either.

"No, boy."

He frowned, a flash of hurt crossing his face. "Why? I'm offering. I'm not scared anymore. Look at me, I'm ready."

He tried to pull his wrist free, not to retreat, but to continue his pursuit. He was trying to buy his worth, to prove he wasn't just a charity case who cried on the sofa. He thought his value lay in his utility, in the use of his body. The realization made a dark anger coil in my gut, not at him, but at the world that had taught him this.

I knew the boys I hired could believe something similar, but, at least, most of them enjoyed what they did, and they did it well and often. It was their profession and career. Florian did not want to do any of this, it was evident.

I shifted, releasing his wrist and placing my hand heavy on the back of his neck. I pressed down, pinning him to the spot, using the weight of my arm to ground him. He went completely still.

"I said no."

The command cracked like a whip. Florian flinched, his mouth snapping shut. He looked a little flustered, embarrassed.

Beautiful.

"You are trying to balance a ledger that only exists in your head. You think you owe me your body because I showed you kindness. That is not how this works. Not in my house."

His lip trembled, the bratty defiance trying one last time. "But I…"

I squeezed the nape of his neck, just enough to compress the muscle, a warning pressure. "Do not interrupt me."

He went still. His eyes lowered, the fight draining out of him.

"Here is what is going to happen," I said, my hand still on his nape. "We are going to finish this wine. Then we are going to go inside, and I will make something simple for dinner. You will eat everything on your plate. After that, you will take a shower. Hot. As long as you like."

I paused, waiting until he looked up at me again, his blue eyes wide and waiting.