When money calls, you're supposed to pick up the phone.

Lucas Jordan doesn't play about his money, hence why he never ignores Samuel Banks texts and calls. The older man is a prominent lawyer by day, and Lucas' highest paying sugar daddy by night. The two had met online a few months ago, and already Lucas has racked up a couple thousand off the lonely father of two.

It's funny how little effort it takes to finesse a man who's desperate for affection. Flash a sweet smile here, show a little skin there... doing the bare minimum is enough to have them showering you with hundred-dollar bills. Lucas almost feels bad about taking Samuel's money every other week when they meet up for their not-a-date-dates.

Keyword—almost.

"How are you liking the restaurant so far?" Samuel asks midway through their meal. "The food here is pretty amazing, isn't it?"

"Yes. It's delicious." Lucas looks up from his half-eaten plate of food that, without Samuel, he never would've been able to afford, and quickly plasters on a fake smile despite feeling the opposite of entertained. "You always take me to the most lavish places. I love it."

"And I love spoiling you," Samuel smirks, his roguish green eyes staring hard at Lucas from the other side of the table. "So, the night is still young..." Samuel pauses to check his fancy Rolex for the time. "It's only ten minutes to nine. What else do you feel like doing tonight?"

The conversation is starting to take a turn down a familiar road that Lucas doesn't feel like traveling on. He wants to roll his eyes, get up, and walk out of here, but he can't. He can't because he has yet to be compensated for his time. He can't because he has to continue playing along by pretending to be genuinely interested in Samuel, all for the sake of money.

Maybe in another life, the two could've had something special. Maybe they could've had a proper relationship that didn't revolve around how big Samuel's bank account is.

For what it's worth, Lucas isn't completely turned off by the older man. Samuel isn't bad looking, nor does he lack the skills required to hold a decent conversation. He's intelligent, independent, and financially stable. All things considered, Samuel Banks is a catch.

Too bad Lucas is allergic to settling down.

"Honestly? I feel like doing whatever you feel like doing," Lucas replies with a sly grin. He bats his long lashes while taking a hand to ruffle his bright red curls, knowing he'll get more out of Samuel if he puts on a show. "You're the one in charge here, remember?"

"Oh, I haven't forgotten," Samuel chuckles, finishing off his glass of wine. "But I would still like to know what might be running through that pretty little head of yours because I'm low on ideas. There isn't much we can do at this time of the night, so our options are limited."

"I know," Lucas pouts. "It would've been nice to go shopping, but all the stores begin to close around this time. I guess you'll just have to make it up to me next weekend."

"Next weekend, huh?" Samuel laughs. "I'm getting the feeling that you enjoy putting a dent in my wallet. I shudder to think what'd happen if I gave you my credit card for a day."

"Nothing would happen without your permission, daddy," Lucas flirts. "I'd only spend whatever amount you tell me to. You know I'm a good boy."

Not all sugar babies operate in the same way.

For Lucas, having been at this since he was nineteen, there are certain men that he sees during the day and others that he sees only after the sun goes down.

Samuel is part of the latter group. The reputable forty-something-year-old lawyer has a specific image to uphold within his community, a clean image, and he can't jeopardize that by being caught having a romantic dinner with a redheaded twink that's seventeen years younger than him. Lucas knows this. He accepts this. So whenever he and Samuel link up, it's always at night. Their 'dates' don't last more than a few hours, and then Lucas is paid and sent on his way.

It's fun, but not easy being a sugar baby. Still, it sure as hell beats Lucas' day job being a cashier at his small town's supermarket. With all the money that he's been saving, courtesy of his wealthy sugar daddies, Lucas hopes to not be stuck bagging groceries for much longer.

"I suppose you are a good boy," Samuel says. "Perhaps you can show me how much when we get back to the car. What do you say?"

"I say you're far from subtle, Mr. Banks." Lucas laughs, praying it doesn't sound too forced. "Are you really suggesting what I think you're suggesting right now? Because if so, that'll cost you extra..." Lucas places his napkin over his plate of food, no longer having an appetite. "But I know you're good for it. Money is nothing to you, isn't that right, daddy?"

"Of course," Samuel smirks. He then lifts his hand to call over a server for the check. No less than fifteen minutes later is when he and Lucas are back on the road. "Your place or mine?"

"Nice try," Lucas says, playfully rolling his eyes. "Your place, please."

"Alright. This has been bugging me for a while, so I'm just going to come out and ask it," Samuel says. "What's the deal with you not wanting me to know where you live? Are you afraid I'll turn into a stalker or something? Because you know I'd never do anything crazy like that."

"It's really not that deep, Samuel. I just don't like having people over and wandering around my private space, touching shit and asking personal questions that I'm not comfortable answering," Lucas says. "My place is like a haven to me. It's the only thing I have that hasn't been tainted by the outside world and I want to keep it that way."

Samuel nods, deciding to drop the topic. "Understood."

He and Lucas have always met at an agreed upon location and never at each other's houses. Samuel knows he and Lucas are nothing more than sugar daddy and sugar baby. They aren't dating. They aren't in a relationship. The rules that most couples follow can't be placed on them because they aren't a couple. Frankly, they can barely be considered friends.

Lucas doesn't have to tell Samuel where he lives. He doesn't have to do shit for the older man but look pretty and answer the phone whenever he calls. Things are easier that way.

And if anything, Lucas likes it best when it's easy.

The duo drive in silence for a while, and the moment allows Lucas to check all of his missed notifications. His phone had been on silent during the dinner with Samuel. The man is paying for Lucas' time and attention tonight, so Lucas felt he had no choice but to give Samuel both. It'd have been rude of him otherwise.

"You millennials and your damn cell phones," Samuel chuckles after hearing Lucas' phone ping for the seventh time in a row. "I bet you couldn't go a day without that thing."

"That's a bet you're certain to win," Lucas mutters, paying Samuel no mind. He's too distracted by a text from his close friend, Joshua. "I'm sorry, daddy. Looks like I might have to turn in early for the night. Something important has come up and I need to get home right away."

No, he doesn't, but at least Lucas can use Joshua as an excuse to get out of doing whatever freaky shit it is that Samuel had in mind.

"Really? You're seriously going to leave me high and dry like this?" Samuel asks, not even trying to hide his disappointment. Lucas apologizes again, promising to make it up to him the next time they meet. "Fine. I'm going to hold you to that, so don't forget."

Samuel changes directions and drops Lucas off at a nearby bus stop, but not before paying him for the night, of course. Lucas quickly pockets the money and gives Samuel a kiss on the cheek before exiting the car and waving him goodbye. Lucas tries not to think about how he could have made $1,000 tonight instead of $300 had he actually gone back to Samuel's place to give him the happy ending he'd wanted.

Oh well.

It isn't like Samuel is the only sugar daddy that Lucas is seeing. And with the exciting invitation that he just received from Joshua about attending a special event where there'll be CEO's and other high ballers in attendance, the majority of them probably single and looking to get into some trouble, Lucas might not have to deal with Samuel Banks or the others for much longer.

Not if he manages to snag a new daddy whose net worth is in the millions.