Chapter Text
Izzy’s life had gone to shit. It had all started with a work accident that cost Izzy his leg. He should have received full coverage for his medical bills, but of course, his job had screwed him over. Fees piled up between lawyer and medical bills. It got so bad Izzy even sold his car. In the end, even the settlement money wasn't enough to pay for everything.
Izzy hadn’t coped very well with the whole losing a limb. The stress of his financial situation didn’t help either. So yeah, his life had turned to shit. Izzy was in a downward spiral, in desperate need of money. But he couldn’t work most jobs with his leg. There was always one last option, however. How Izzy first got his start on his own: Hornigold’s.
That’s how Izzy found himself grovelling to Ben, feeling pathetic for it.
“Please, Ben. I’ll do anything. I can work behind the counter or do janitorial work.”
“I have people for that. What I need is performers.” Ben’s eyes shifted over Izzy with slight distaste. “I heard what happened to you. I doubt you can put on a show anymore. And you’re old, Izzy. No one wants to fuck you anymore. I’m sorry, Izzy, but I’m not helping a charity case.”
With that, Ben walked off, leaving Izzy feeling absolutely crushed.
“He's wrong, you know.” A voice came, making Izzy look over.
Izzy found who’d spoken. A businessman, given by the immaculate suit he wore and the fact he was hiding in the corner of the bar. Blonde curly hair, younger than Izzy. Probably here without his wife’s knowledge, Izzy guessed.
“I would want to fuck you.” The man offered, making Izzy startle slightly.
/
Stede sat nervously at the back of the bar in the strip club, hoping to go relatively unnoticed. It was to some shame to him that he was even there. It wasn't that Stede looked down on the workers, not at all. He just…he never thought he'd be the kind of guy to be in a strip joint. But Stede was rather going through a whole midlife crisis, with the whole finally accepting he was gay and divorcing. Stede was now trying to work up his confidence to actually go for it with a man. He'd found the strip club a few months ago through online sleuthing. It catered to gay men, piquing his interest. At first, Stede watched from the sidelines, but one night, he worked up some courage to pay for a private show. He jacked off at home to remembering that show. So here Stede was back, his money burning a hole in his pocket. It was shameful, but he was a desperately lonely man with more money than he knew what to do with.
Stede had been sipping his drink, taking in everything that was going on around him. A sudden heated conversation near him caught his attention. Stede recognized the one man as the owner of the venue. Stede had seen him around on multiple occasions; most people called him Ben. The other was someone Stede hadn’t seen at the club before, for surely Stede would have remembered him. The man was dressed in all black. A tattoo was peeking out of his shirt collar, a bird of some sort. He was ruggedly handsome. He had slicked-back hair, falling just to the ends of his ears, which was graying, along with a handsome beard he sported. He was older then Stede, clearly. He talked in a desperate, pleading sort of manner, his voice rough, strained. What Stede gathered was that he was pleading for a job. It sounded like maybe he knew the owner, perhaps working there in the past.
But the owner replied: “You’re old, Izzy. No one wants to fuck you anymore.”
Stede jolted at the harsh words as the owner walked off. He watched the other man’s demeanour drop in devastation and hurt. Stede’s heart went out to him. He knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of such harsh, malicious words; it was never fun. Stede decided to gather up some courage then, to offer the man some encouragement.
“He's wrong, you know,” Stede spoke up, causing the other man to turn to him. Stede suddenly felt very nervous under the man’s steely gaze, a heat creeping up on him. But he felt he had to continue. “I would want to fuck you.”
The man seemed temporarily taken aback before he stepped closer. “You would, would you?”
Stede couldn’t tell if the older man was making fun of him. The man’s demeanour stayed stern, making Stede rather apprehensive.
“Well, I think you're attractive.” Stede offered.
“And if I let you fuck me, what would I get in return?”
Oh. Stede jumped in reply to that. Right, of course. If the man came in desperation for a job he must be in need of money. Well, Stede had more than his fair share to give away. Money meant little to nothing to him.
“For a night, I’d pay you…” Stede did some rough calculations in his head. “Let’s say $1500.”
The man blinked in shock. “Fuck, okay. I’m down.”
Stede felt strangely exhilarated and delighted by that. He suddenly realized he hadn’t even introduced himself. “Stede Bonnet.” He offered his hand.
“Israel Hands.” The man shook, his handshake firm and solid.
“Pleasure to meet you, Israel.”
“I prefer Izzy.”
“Right, my apologies, Izzy. Why don’t I buy you a drink and we can discuss the details.” Stede offered.
“Great.” Izzy sat down beside Stede, waving to the bartender before ordering a whiskey gin.
“Have you done this before?” Izzy asked as his drink was handed over, and he took a sip. As Izzy raised his glass, Stede noted another tattoo on his hand just over his thumb; it looked like a spade. It made Stede wonder how many other tattoos Izzy had covered away under his clothes and what they were.
Stede then remembered Izzy’s question. “Admittedly, no. To both paying for sexual services and sleeping with a man.” Stede replied.
Izzy grunted, nodding in understanding.
“I’m not really sure how to go about this.” Stede continued. “Is this something you’ve done before?”
“Eh.” Izzy cocked his head. “If someone gave a good tip during a private show, I might be inclined. But no, I haven’t done straight-up prostitution.”
Stede jolted at that.
“Just stating it as it is, paying for sex.”
“Yes.” Stede dwelt on the reality of what he was arranging. He was sure he'd get overwhelmed if he thought about it too much. “So should we lay ground rules?” Stede asked instead of overthinking the arrangement. “Are there any boundaries I should be aware of?”
“Pretty much is not off the table for me. Just don’t do anything that’ll leave permanent injury.”
Stede jolted again. “I have no desire to hurt you.”
“You’re not into masochism?”
“Um… to tell you the truth, I’m not really sure what I’m into.” Stede said as he wrung his hands.
Izzy raised an eyebrow.
“I was in a marriage for quite a while where neither of us were particularly interested in each other. We didn’t exactly do much exploration.”
Izzy hummed, nodding as he took another sip of his drink.
Stede gathered himself. He couldn’t believe that he was actually doing this. But he was rather determined now. “Okay, so no permanent marks or injuries. Should we think of a safe word?”
Izzy smirked at that. “Did your research, huh?”
“I read a lot of smut and watch porn.” Stede felt himself blushing slightly.
Izzy’s smile grew before he readjusted in his seat. “Then you're aware of the stoplight system.”
Stede nodded before he said, “But that’s so mundane. Thinking of a safe word is so much more fun.”
“What’s the one you’ve got on your mind then?”
“I don’t know. Something silly, like…. Jellyfish.”
“God.” Izzy wiped his face. Stede felt mildly put out by his response. Izzy took in a breath then, letting his hand fall from his face to his drink. “So, do you have any limits or requests?”
Stede thought about it. “If it’d be alright, could this just be mundane?”
Izzy nodded.
“I don’t mind you leading, as long as I get to set the pace.”
“Well, it’s your money. You’re the one paying, so you get to call the shots.”
Stede smiled softly. “Very well then. Anything else?”
Izzy seemed to bite the inside of his cheek. “There are some things you should probably know that may make you want to change your mind.”
“Oh?” Stede asked, cocking his head.
“I have a prosthetic leg…
Stede was alarmed by that, but was about to say that it wasn’t an issue.
“And I’m trans.” Izzy spat out just as quickly and casually.
“Oh,” Stede processed the revelation slowly in his mind, taking in Izzy. He definitely hadn’t expected that. “Well, neither of those is a bother to me. But maybe we could discuss that all a bit more back at my apartment.” He offered gently.
“I’d like to be paid upfront,” Izzy added.
“I don’t mind paying upfront. Would you like me to e-transfer you?” Stede pulled out his phone.
Izzy sucked in a breath. “I’d rather not. Sorry, but I don't know you. I’m not giving you my personal information. You could be one of those over-obsessive stalker types.”
“I can respect that.” Stede nodded, putting his phone away. “Well, I have cash at my place. But then again, you don’t know me. I could be a serial killer luring you to my apartment.”
“Yeah, I highly doubt that,” Izzy commented.
“What makes you say that?” Stede perked up in interest.
“I know your type: rich with more money than you know what to do with. You’ve got a wife at home, but you're secretly gay. You're so in denial about it that you're weirdly kinky and sometimes aggressively rough. I’ve dealt with a lot of your type here before.”
“I would never hurt you.” Stede reiterated. “And I’m divorced.” Stede put in, though he hated how spot-on Izzy had read him otherwise. “So, you're okay with going back to my apartment then?”
“Yeah.” Izzy finished off his drink. “You got a car, I presume?”
Stede nodded.
“Then what’s the hold-up?”
Stede smiled at that, mildly liking Izzy’s pushiness. He felt he might need that pushiness to continue with the transaction all the way through to the end of the night.
/
Izzy, of course, had never been against sex for money. He'd given many a guy a blow job for some extra cash in a private room at the club back in the day. He even let interested customers with the money to pay fuck him. That being said, that had always been within the club. Izzy had never gone to someone’s place before. It was risky, but the guy looked relatively harmless. Izzy was mildly intrigued by him, wondering what his job was, probably some banker or something to be bringing in the big bucks. Izzy thought Stede Bonnet looked relatively handsome enough, so he wasn't opposed at all to the arrangement. And fuck, the money was too good to pass up.
Stede led Izzy to his car, the radio switching to average pop music.
“You can change the radio to whatever you like.” Stede offered. “My place is just a fifteen-minute drive.”
Izzy could deal with modern pop for fifteen minutes.
They didn't talk on the drive, which was fine by Izzy. Stede seemed nervous, gripping the steering wheel rather tightly. Izzy wondered how far they’d get; that's why he wanted the money upfront, in case the guy chickened out.
They soon pulled up to a rather posh condominium, Stede pulling his car into underground parking. From there, Izzy was led to elevators and taken to the top floor.
“Bet he has a penthouse,” Izzy thought as Stede led him out the elevator and down the hall.
Stede’s hands were shaking, holding the keys to his door. He got it open though, and showed Izzy inside, the door closing behind them. Stede put his keys down in a bowl on a table by the door as Izzy shrugged off his jacket, turning to find an entranceway closet beside him.
“Would you care for me to pour us both a drink?” Stede asked. “I have plenty of options.”
“Whiskey?” Izzy asked, and Stede nodded.
Stede showed Izzy further into his apartment. Izzy was very impressed with the luxury of it all. Stede had a full-spread, fine kitchen with a small eating area. Then there was the living room, raised out to a balcony.
“Watch the stairs,” Stede commented.
Izzy followed Stede up the few stairs to the living room. The space was comfortable indeed and posh-looking. There were couches, a TV, a fireplace, a record player, a cabinet for alcohol and a shelf of books. Izzy sat down as Stede started pouring two drinks for them both. Izzy happily accepted it.
“Let me get you your fee, and then we can get started,” Stede spoke.
Izzy nodded, satisfied with that.
Stede slipped off momentarily, returning with an envelope of bills, which Izzy quickly thumbed through. Fuck. He wasn’t used to seeing that many hundred-dollar bills altogether. Izzy thanked Stede and got up to put the envelope in his jacket at the entranceway before returning to the living room.
/
Stede felt dreadfully nervous with the man actually in his home. Perhaps it was a good idea for him to pay upfront, just in case he broke down and chickened out. It wasn't far from the realm of possibility. Stede just prayed he'd not cry; that'd be rather embarrassing and awkward.
“So, how do you want to go about this?” Stede asked, sitting down with his drink.
“You said you wanted me to lead?” Izzy replied.
Stede nodded shyly, sipping as much as he could of the strong amber liquid. He felt he might need it.
Izzy just nodded curtly in response. “You said you wanted to discuss my leg and identity further.”
“Oh well, I thought you might want to. I… I don't want to do anything that'll make you uncomfortable. Is there anything I should know?”
Izzy shifted a bit. “The leg stays on. And I don’t exactly have normal guy parts down there.” He seemed awkward about admitting it.
“Okay.” Stede nodded. “I can work with that.”
“Do you want to start here?”
Stede nodded shyly, swallowing a lump that had formed in his throat.
Izzy took a good swig of his alcohol before putting the glass down. He got up then, coming towards Stede. Stede’s breath sucked in as Izzy crowded into his space, taking Stede’s glass from his hands.
“You’re going to need to put that down for me,” Izzy spoke.
Stede nodded as Izzy helped him put the glass aside. The next thing Stede knew, Izzy was straddling his hips. Stede’s breath shook as he gazed up at the man mere inches before him. Oh god, Stede wanted to kiss him so bad. He wanted to touch but wasn't sure he was allowed to.
“I’ve given many a guy a lap dance in my day.” Izzy suddenly slid his crotch up against Stede’s own. Stede hissed at the friction to his cock. “I might not be about to put on a show anymore, but I still know a few tricks.” Izzy’s hand was at Stede’s shirt, toying with his buttons.
“Wait,” Stede got out. Izzy stilled, looking up at Stede as if checking in. “Could you…kiss me?” Stede asked shyly.
Suddenly, Izzy’s lips were on Stede’s own. Stede gasped, moaning into it. Stede pushed right back into meet Izzy’s lips, deepening it. Oh god, he was kissing a man! Feeling the brush of Izzy’s beard excited him. Stede's heart and head were racing in the reality. A man was in his lap, grinding against his dick. Stede’s hand came to Izzy’s hip, gripping to feel his form solid, real. It wasn't a dream.
Izzy moved his mouth to Stede’s neck. Stede made a low, desperate noise, rutting his hips into Izzy.
“That's it.” Izzy encouraged, teeth grazing Stede’s neck, nipping slightly. “What do you want?”
Stede couldn’t think with Izzy grinding against him, nipping at his neck. “Izzy, Izzy.” Stede pushed him gently away. Izzy backed off, assessing again.
Stede stared a while at Izzy, in awe of having the man before him, how stunning he was, willing to be fucked by Stede.
Stede collected himself then. “Do you mind if we take this to the bedroom?”
/
Izzy was half worried Stede might call it off when he was just staring at him. But then Stede asked to move to the bedroom. So it looked like things were going still well. Stede led the way to his bedroom, it was simple but nice. Izzy didn't take too much time taking it in, however, as Stede asked if Izzy could join him on his bed. As soon as Stede sat upon it, Izzy got to straddling Stede, nipping at his neck.
“Oh, Izzy, fuck.”
“You like that, huh?” Izzy was having mild fun.
“Yes, that's… Oh… it's…oh.” Stede got out.
Izzy chuckled over Stede’s neck, sucking, licking, nipping. All the while, Stede rutted his growing erection against Izzy. Izzy groaned lowly to feel the full press of it against him.
“God, you feel big. Can't wait to feel you in me.” Izzy hissed out.
Stede jolted at that, pulling away to look upon Izzy once more. Izzy let him have a moment, worried about Stede freaking out.
“Is that something you want to do?” Stede asked hesitantly.
“I assumed that’s what you wanted to do,” Izzy replied.
“I mean… I'd like to.”
“Great,” Izzy smirked. “Clothes off then.” Izzy started at the buttons of Stede’s blouse. Stede seemed more willing to get out of it this time. His fingers even joined Izzy’s to help.
Stede seemed apprehensive again as his shirt came off. Izzy didn’t find anything unappealing about Stede. He looked like an average middle-aged guy. Izzy looked none too different.
“You next.” Stede requested.
Izzy huffed a sigh but began undoing his shirt buttons to slip it off. The truth was since his accident, Izzy hadn't felt quite as proud or confident of his body. Ben was right too, he was old, starting to show signs of aging. Still, Izzy discarded his shirt, wanting to get on with the fucking.
Stede’s breath came sharply as his eyes widened to stare upon Izzy. A tentative hand reached out, running through the hairs on Izzy’s chest, caressing over the compass tattoo on his left breast.
“You're gorgeous.” Stede stated.
Izzy startled slightly at that. He hadn't expected that. He didn’t think he was and he hadn't received compliments in a long time. It felt…nice.
“Can I kiss you some more?” Stede asked.
“You can do anything you want,” Izzy replied.
Stede pushed up to meet Izzy’s lips, his hand tentative at Izzy’s front.
“Can I see you, darling?” Stede drew away to ask. “All of you.”
Darling, that was new.
“As long as your going to put your cock in me,” Izzy replied, not dwelling too much on the new term.
“You have no idea how much I want to.”
“Well, your hard-on gives me a good impression.”
Stede chuckled at that, drawing away with a loopy smile. Izzy couldn’t help but return it for a second.
“Which way is best with your leg?” Stede asked.
“This will be fine.” Izzy simply replied, not wanting to bring much attention to his leg. He slipped off the bed to start at his pants. Stede seemed to get the memo and followed suit. Izzy stopped at his boxers to get a good look at Stede’s cock. “Fuck.” He muttered at the size of it.
“I hope it's not too much.” Stede seemed slightly embarrassed.
“Too much? God, Bonnet. Fuck.”
“Is that a positive reaction?” Stede cocked his head.
Izzy nodded hurriedly.
“Great!” Stede smiled. “I'll get a condom.”
Izzy got to pushing his boxers off as Stede put a condom on. Stede’s gaze fell over Izzy as Izzy came to re-straddle Stede on the bed. It was always rather awkward for Izzy to be stared upon and taken in. He thought he was used to it now. But being analyzed with his prosthetic was new. He came to rejoin Stede on the bed, settling over him once more. He knew his stump would be killing him the next day after putting so much pressure on it, but he really didn’t want to draw attention to it.
“Wow.” Stede got out, a tentative hand coming to Izzy’s hip, staring upon his form. “You’re gorgeous.” He repeated.
That helped build Izzy’s confidence slightly, but he felt a bit awkward under the praise. He wasn’t gorgeous. He was old and broken. To focus on something other than his body, Izzy rubbed himself over Stede’s cock, who hissed out in response.
“Bet you can't wait to be in me.” Izzy leaned over to nip at Stede’s neck once again.
Stede gasped, his hips bucking up. “Oh god, Izzy. Do we need lube?”
“Probably a little.”
Stede pulled away, nodding hurriedly to retrieve some from his bedside drawer. Izzy was mildly impressed with how prepared Stede was. But Stede stilled with the lube bottle in his hand.
“Um…with my ex-wife, I never…I wasn't the best at pleasing her.” Stede said almost shamefully.
“This is your experience. I thought you were paying for your pleasure, not mine.”
“I still want you to enjoy it.”
“I know how to bring my own pleasure.” Izzy took the bottle then from Stede. “You just lay back and let me lead.”
Stede swallowed visibly. “Okay.” He nodded tentatively.
Izzy lubed up his hand and began coating Stede’s dick over the condom with it, jacking him off. Stede’s head rolled back, groaning. Izzy then settled himself about Stede’s midsection, working lubed-up fingers into his cunt. He gasped, his eyes instinctively closing as he worked himself open. He hadn't fucked in eons, and well, admittedly, he was kind of desperate for it.
“Oh fuck, darling.” Stede squirmed under him.
Izzy opened his eyes. “You like that?” He smirked. “You like watching me get my pussy all wet and ready for you?”
Stede blushed at that, making Izzy smirk more. Izzy quickly returned to readying himself. Stede just sat there watching till Izzy felt ready enough for Stede’s cock. Izzy took it in hand to lead into his cunt.
“Fuck, Bonnet. Your cock’s so big. Can’t wait to feel it splitting me open.”
Stede made a choked noise as Izzy slid down onto Stede’s cock slowly.
“You know how to fuck a pussy?” Izzy asked then, once settled.
Stede nodded hurriedly.
“Then get to work.”
“I want… I…” Stede stammered, his mouth working in desperation.
Izzy got the message. “You wanna kiss me? Go on then, if you’re so desperate.”
Stede shot up then like a man starved, latching onto Izzy’s lips. Izzy was lost in its heated desperation as Stede moaned. It seemed Stede was just as desperate as Izzy felt.
“Oh fuck, darling,” Stede muttered, rolling his cock into Izzy’s cunt. “Fuck. I want to fuck you, fill you.”
“Come on, you can do it.” Izzy encouraged.
Stede fucked his cock up then, causing Izzy to gasp: “Yes, harder.”
Stede grunted and messily kissed Izzy while griping Izzy’s hip to fuck into him. Sounds of wet fucking filled the room between muffled moans of sloppy kisses. Izzy dug his hands into Stede’s chest, rutting himself onto the man’s cock.
Stede was panting. “Oh fuck, baby, darling, Izzy.” He stammered. “Shit!” He came surprisingly fast, trembling in orgasm.
Izzy still rutted himself in Stede’s cock, encouraging him on as he sought his own orgasm. Izzy slipped his hand down to pinch at his cock to send himself teetering over. He collapsed into Stede, catching his breath.
Fuck.
/
It all happened so fast. Suddenly, Stede lay there, coming back from an overwhelming orgasm. It was a strange relief to find Izzy had a cunt; for Stede knew how to work with that. He had never particularly been interested in it attached to Mary. Izzy, however, fuck, definitely yes.
Izzy started pulling himself off Stede then.
“Do you want me to clean you up, darling?” Stede asked gently.
“Darling?” Izzy questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Sorry, I…” Stede stammered, wondering if the term was okay; it was rather feminine.
“I'm fine,” Izzy replied.
“You enjoyed it then?”
“That depends. Did you?” Izzy inquired.
Stede nodded dumbly.
“I don't do overnights.” Izzy rolled over, seeming to make to find his boxers. “Unless you want to do a second round.”
“Oh god.” Stede felt overwhelmed at the thought. “No, I don’t think my body’s up for that.”
Izzy nodded, moving to start dressing.
“Let me at least show you out.” Stede got up to throw his floral robe over him. With it on, he got a look from Izzy, almost judging. It made Stede’s heart fall a bit. But Izzy did not comment on the floral, over-the-top, silk robe.
Stede watched Izzy change, a mild interest in his body. All the while, Stede’s mind was working. He had rather enjoyed the night. He found himself almost wishing to spend more time with Izzy, to get to know him. God, Stede so desperately wanted a friend. But would Izzy be interested in that? Suddenly, it hit Stede; he remembered Izzy’s money troubles.
“Izzy, I didn’t mean to pry on your conversations with the strip club manager. But I got the sense you are in need of money.”
Izzy looked over to him.
“I…admittedly, I could use some company. I could pay you in exchange for you spending time with me. I'm not good at….making friends. I know it's pathetic to pay someone for their time.”
“No more pathetic than paying for sex,” Izzy replied.
Stede bristled at that. “Yes, thank you.”
“I meant no offence, Bonnet.” Izzy offered.
“Oh,” Stede replied. “Sorry. Your cadence is hard to decipher.”
Izzy hummed, standing straight with his clothes fully on. “So, you're proposing to be my sugar daddy then?”
“What!” Stede jolted in alarm.
“That's just what it sounds like. That’s what most people call an arrangement like that.”
“Oh, um…I guess then.” Stede blushed. He would have never imagined or even thought of himself as a sugar daddy in ten thousand years. It was… odd, embarrassing almost.
“What exactly are you proposing, Bonnet?”
“Um… I'm not sure. Maybe I could take you out to dinner every once in a while.”
“No fucking?”
“I… I'd still like to fuck, but I want a companion as well. I'll pay you $500 per hour, if that sounds reasonable to you.”
Izzy was blinking in shock. “Yeah, I can work with that.”
“Wonderful!” Stede smiled.
“Um… washroom?” Izzy gestured to the bedroom door behind him, seeming awkward.
“Oh, yes, right. At the end of the hall. I’ll meet you at the front door.”
Izzy nodded and left the room then.
/
Izzy found Stede’s bathroom, which was a luxurious amenity indeed, smelling overwhelmingly of floral. Lavender, Izzy noted. Izzy was jealous to see a jacuzzi tub in a corner and a separate shower-bath combo.
“Rich, lucky bastard.” Izzy muttered.
He splashed cool water on his face, staring long at his reflection, processing things. To have gone from one night of paid sex to having stumbled into a sugar daddy, Izzy felt things had turned out pretty good, all things considered. Izzy was more than happy to accept Stede’s generous offer. Lord knew he needed the money. If Izzy had to put up with playing companion to some sad, lonely rich boy, he supposed he could suffer through it. At least sex was still on the table. Izzy liked sex.
After using the facilities, Izzy met Stede at the front door and prepared to head out.
“Now,” Stede spoke. “I know you said you didn't want to devolve any personal information. But would you be opposed to exchanging phone numbers? That way, we can arrange our next meet-up.”
Izzy realized Stede had a point.
“If I turn out to be a creepy stalker, you can always block my number.”
“Very well.” Izzy nodded. They exchanged numbers, and Izzy returned his phone to his jacket pocket.
“Do you need me to call you a cab?” Stede asked.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“At least let me pay for it then.” Stede pulled out a $20.
“Bonnet, you gave me plenty already.”
“Yes, but that was for the sex. This is for the cab.”
“Fine.” Izzy sighed, accepting it.
“Do you mind if I give you a kiss goodbye?”
“I haven't left yet, so I guess I'm still on your dime.”
Stede smiled softly and moved in. He surprised Izzy by giving him a peck on his cheek. Huh, Izzy expected a kiss on the lips, but the gesture was sweeter.
“I hope you have a good night, Izzy. I'd appreciate it if you could text me when you get home safe.”
“Sure. Night, Bonnet.” Izzy nodded curtly.
Izzy made to turn out of the apartment then. His head was swimming with the strange course of events that had just taken place all the way home.
Half an hour after Izzy returned home, he received a text message.
Stede Bonnet: “Izzy, I just wanted to check in to see if you got home safe.”
Izzy blinked in confusion but texted in reply, “Yeah.” With that, he shut his phone off for the night.