Luke knocks on Hardy’s door at seven P.M. on the dot. He loitered in his car for the past fifteen minutes, waiting for the hour to turn, while desperately craving a cigarette. He didn’t want to be late after last week’s incident, especially not when guilt is eating him alive.
Luke spent the past two days with remorse twisting his guts. He outrightly disobeyed Hardy’s order and touched himself. What would Hardy do if he found out? A punishment, Luke is sure. A very bad one. But if Luke enjoys pain, what kind of punishment Hardy would give? Luke doesn’t have the faintest idea. Whatever it is, it wouldn’t be pleasant.
But the worst of it all wouldn’t be the punishment. No, that Luke can deal with. It’s Hardy’s disappointment that would gut him. All Luke wants is Hardy’s approval, his praise
