Rick’s leather jacket creaked as he hunched over the two-top table, shifting his weight from foot to foot. It was barely ten o’clock, still early for a Saturday night, and the regulars had only just started to trickle in. From his perch in the corner, Rick nursed a sweating glass of whiskey, its contents now more melted ice than liquor, and ran a finger along a rough patch of cracked leather on his sleeve. The only piece of leather gear he owned, the old jacket’s worn edges and snug fit lent him a rugged look he rarely felt he lived up to. 

He was a middle-aged bear with a build that was beefy and soft at the same time—rounded gut, broad chest, and thick arms hidden under the leather, with a bald scalp and a beard he kept trimmed short but full. His leather look was more functional than flashy, a way of blending in rather than standing out, but tonight, he felt something different in the air. He scanned the bar as it filled with patrons and music grew louder. Surrounded by men he only vaguely recognized from local leather events and meetups, Rick envied their easy camaraderie from a distance. 

And then there was Zach. 

Zach stood out, a hulking figure even among this crowd. He was the kind of leatherman whose confidence was as integral to his uniform as any piece of cowhide. A recent interstate transplant, Zach had caught the community’s attention, Rick’s included, from his first night in town. His signature black harness stretched across a barrel chest, with tattoos spiraling out from his collarbone, cutting under the heavy straps and curling up the sides of his neck. The bar’s dim lights reflected off his gleaming bald scalp like a crown. His full, dark beard extended wild and thick halfway down his meaty, likely steroid-enhanced pecs, framing his face in a way that made every expression look intense. Men around him couldn’t help but lean closer as he spoke, his presence magnetic and effortless. But tonight, he was alone, standing at the bar with a drink in hand, scanning the growing crowd with a bored intensity. 

Rick wondered what a man like Zach would see in him. He’d never quite fit in, always lingering on the sidelines of the city’s leather community, tangentially connected but never fully accepted. Tonight, though, he was ready to change that. He just needed an edge. 

Cradling his phone in his hand, his thumb hovered over the ThinkTech app as his hesitation battled against his desire. Promising a free three-day trial to boost charisma, confidence, and charm, ThinkTech’s slick marketing had showcased simple prompts and techniques designed to turn anyone into the person they wished they were. He looked across the bar at Zach again. 

He doesn’t even see me over here, Rick thought. He couldn’t imagine being the kind of guy who’d catch Zach’s attention, but with ThinkTech, maybe he could be. 

With a few decisive taps, Rick activated the free trial. He stared at his phone for a few seconds, unsure what to expect. A quiet buzz and a low hum started under his skin, and a stranger’s voice spoke directly into his mind, drowning out the music and the din of the bar. 

Thank you for trying ThinkTech. Enjoy the new you. 

The buzz intensified and washed over Rick from head to toe, bathing him in quiet, subtle pleasure. He flexed, enjoying the gentle hum coursing through his veins. As the novelty of the sensation started to fade, the prompting that so enticed Rick activated, and thoughts bubbled up that seemed strangely, thrillingly out of character. 

Stand taller. Show him you’re here. 

Rick’s body responded as if on autopilot, pulling his shoulders back and lifting his chest. A little rush shot through him as reward for his compliance, and his stance widened naturally, projecting curated confidence. He let himself linger a few moments longer, letting ThinkTech’s whispers keep him rooted to his spot, until another prompt, insistent, almost seductive, pressed him forward. 

Walk to him. Now. Meet his eyes. 

Rick found himself moving toward the bar, and with each step, a new suggestion unfolded in his mind like a script he’d always known by heart. 

Look at his drink. Lean in a bit. You’re the guy he’s been waiting to meet tonight. 

When he reached Zach, their eyes met, and for a split second, Rick felt like he might stumble, but ThinkTech’s next prompt came in like a lifeline, perfectly timed. 

“Looks like we both hit the jackpot tonight,” Rick said, his voice coming out smoother and deeper than he expected. “Didn’t think I’d find a guy like you out here.” 

Zach’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and he took a slow, appraising glance over Rick, a smirk breaking over his face. His gaze lingered on Rick’s jacket, the sturdy shoulders, the way the leather stretched over his rounded chest. It was as if Zach could sense the confidence seeping out of him, curiosity glinting in his eyes. 

“Is that right?” Zach replied, his voice carrying a low, gravelly edge. “I was starting to think this town didn’t have any charm.” He leaned back, his stance casual but assessing, inviting Rick to keep talking. 

Rick’s pulse spiked, but ThinkTech didn’t let him falter. Another prompt whispered in his mind, steady as a heartbeat. 

Smile back, confident but relaxed. You’re in control. 

Rick let his mouth curve into a slow smile, feeling the confidence settle deeper, carrying him forward. 

“I can be plenty charming,” Rick said, raising his drink slightly, clinking it softly against Zach’s glass with a boldness that wasn’t like him. The words were his, but the delivery was all ThinkTech. And from the glint in Zach’s eyes, it was exactly the right approach. 

They made small talk, Rick effortlessly keeping up with Zach’s deep, easy baritone. Every time Rick began to retreat into his usual reserve, ThinkTech nudged him back out, suggesting words, tones, and expressions that fit so well he barely noticed their intrusion. The conversation flowed with an intimacy he hadn’t felt in years. 

“So what’s your scene?” Zach asked, eyes tracing over Rick with a gleam that made him feel both exposed and exhilarated. 

ThinkTech’s guidance was quick, urging him to lean into his tangential connection to the leather community, even though he’d never quite made it his own. 

Tell him you’ve been around it, but never met anyone like him. Make it a compliment. 

“Been around for a while,” Rick replied, his voice taking on an edge that felt new and thrilling. “Guess I just hadn’t met anyone who made it all look… this good.” 

Zach’s grin widened, the spark of intrigue deepening in his eyes. “Takes one to know one. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Believe me, I’d have noticed.” 

Rick’s confidence wavered. He’d seen Zach at the bar at least a dozen times, but until tonight, Zach had stared right past him. ThinkTech overrode the momentary self consciousness with another, bolder prompt. 

Touch his arm, just enough to make it count. 

He reached out, letting his hand rest on Zach’s forearm, feeling the taut muscle framed between a wrist cuff and a bicep band. “Guess I’m just finding my people,” Rick murmured, the words oozing an effortless, masculine swagger. 

The night unfolded with a rhythm that felt almost hypnotic. Every moment, every line, every glance was fine tuned to ThinkTech’s prompting. Rick’s usual hesitations fell away as he laughed and bantered, feeling his own energy surge in tandem with ThinkTech’s carefully timed cues. It was intoxicating, a rush he hadn’t felt in years, if ever. 

They ordered another round of drinks, and another after that, their conversation growing closer, more tactile, more intimate in response. Rather than obsessing and second guessing himself, Rick navigated the increasingly flirtatious interaction without a single false step. Before he knew it, the bartender struck a wall mounted bell with a martini shaker. The loud clang caught everyone’s attention. 

“Last call, please!” 

Rick glanced at his watch. Was it two o’clock already? 

“I haven’t stayed out this late in years,” Zach said, grinning. “Well, not just to talk, anyway.” 

He placed a hand in Rick’s waistband, just to the left of his belt buckle, and pulled him close. 

“I’m around for a while, getting my bearings in this town. Maybe you’d like to show me around sometime?”  

Rick’s heart pounded, but he kept his cool, following ThinkTech’s prompt to the letter. 

“Yeah,” he said, letting his gaze linger just a bit too long, savoring the thrill of Zach’s interest. “I’d like that.” 

They exchanged numbers, and as they parted, Rick could still feel Zach’s eyes on him, a heat lingering from their connection that felt as real as it was impossible. 

In the cab ride home, Rick leaned his head back, his thoughts buzzing with excitement. For once, he felt like he’d actually connected, broken out of his quiet shell to become someone new. Someone exciting. And yet, in the back of his mind, a lingering whisper from ThinkTech clung to him as he drifted to sleep. 

Good, isn’t it? You’ll want more of this. Trust me. 

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