The Arrangement: Collection B (Vol 4-6)

by Ward, H. M.

  “This isn’t for arm candy this time, Miss Stanz. It’s the full package. I want to remind you that your preference sheet has no limits. Do you want to update it?”

  My heart is pounding. Gabe’s warning is playing through my mind. I can’t lose this job. I shake my head. “No, I’ll leave it.”

  Miss Black smiles smoothly, like she’s pleased. “There are only two women who work with me that have their preferences wide open, and you’re one of them. I’m pleased with your decision. Remember to wear your bracelet. Have you been taking your birth control pills?” I nod. I’m not an idiot. “Good. I don’t want you knocked up just when you get the hang of things.

  “Gabe will be discretely overseeing the first part of your evening, tomorrow. Check in afterward. If you do well, I’ll give you another client this weekend. Do you have any questions?”

  I shake my head and keep my eyes down. My fingers twitch by my sides. I’m nervous. This whole thing makes me anxious. It’s real now, so much more so than when I accepted Sean as a client. I’ve agreed to be with two different men this weekend, and to do anything they want. I must have lost my mind.

  Miss Black hands me a card. “This is the fee for tomorrow evening. Assuming you complete this contract, you’ll be paid the next morning. The rate is higher because of your preference sheet, and because your services become increasingly expensive if the same client keeps asking for you.” Miss Black snaps her fingers and turns. She strides toward her office, saying, “Follow me.”

  When she shuts the door, I stand in the middle of the room. Miss Black sits behind her desk. She looks stressed. “Come on. We don’t have all night. Show me what you’re going to wear tomorrow.”

  “The dress is for the date and…” I slip off the tight red cocktail dress and show her the lingerie. My heart is pounding. This feels so strange. I thought it would get easier as I came in here more often and talked to her, but it’s getting more uncomfortable. Maybe it’s because my outfits are becoming more hookerish and less Averyish.

  Miss Black’s eyes sweep over me as I turn once. When I look back at her, she laughs and shakes her head. “You do some things perfectly. This is perfection. I like the crystals. If you had more, you’d look like a showgirl, but just the way they are is classy. Well done.” After opening a desk drawer, Black shoos me. I don my dress and bolt.

  When I get to the elevator, I press the button and wait. When the doors open, Gabe is inside. He doesn’t say anything as we ride down, but he walks me outside.

  When we walk through the door, he says, “You’re on thin ice with her. Be careful.” He nods at me once and walks away.

  I know I have to make Henry the happiest man alive tomorrow night. I just don’t know how to do it.

  21

  After my classes are done on Friday, I meet up with Mel and Marty at the diner. Having money is nice. I can afford to eat.

  We’re well into our meal when Marty says, “So, who’s hooking tonight?” He puts down his huge glass of milk and grins at us. Mel is sitting next to me in the booth. She kicks him under the table. “Ow!”

  “You have no class,” Mel says and takes another bite of her BLT.

  Marty straightens and clears his throat. He presses his hand to his puffed up chest and says in a bad British accent, “I’m sorry, dear lady. Will you be entertaining gentlemen callers this evening? I’m asking because my weekends have gotten dreadfully dull since you both endeavored into the business of ill repute.” He breaks character and adds, “Well, except for last weekend when we thought Avery was a road pancake.”

  “No class at all.” Mel puts down her food and shakes her head. “No wonder you can’t find a boyfriend. You’re too dense to notice when you’re offending the more delicate sex.”

  Marty laughs once, loudly. Putting his hands on the table, he leans forward, “Nothing about you is delicate, Mel. You’re all thorns and nails. Piss and vinegar is too mild to describe you.”

  I’m lost in my own little world while they go back and forth. I don’t like the idea of seeing Sean after he’s been with someone. I don’t like the idea of being with someone while he’s with someone else. We should be with each other. I wonder about Sean, about what he’d do to me and how far he’d push me to get what he wants. The thought scares me. Sean honed in on my claustrophobia quickly. If he tied me up and threw me in a closet, I think I’d cry. It’s not sexy. I can’t connect the two. They don’t fit together.

  Marty stops grinning and looks at me. “Are you nervous, kitten?”

  I blink and look up. I didn’t realize he was talking to me. Marty and Mel have been arguing since we sat down. I haven’t said much of anything. “No, I’m just not looking forward to it.”

  “Is it someone new?” Mel asks.

  I shake my head. “No, same guy as last week.”

  “Well, that should be good, right?” Marty looks at Mel and then back at me. “Someone fill me in if it’s not good.”

  “It’s awkward, that’s all,” I say, and poke my salad.

  Mel glances over at me. “Wanna do something after work? I need some chillaxing time with my girls.” Mel tilts her chin up toward Marty and adds, “That includes you too, fruit cup.”

  He gives Mel a girly grin then lifts his glass. “I wanna bring my new nightie!”

  Mel rolls her eyes and looks over at me. I haven’t said anything. “So, you up for it?”

  They’re both looking at me. I need to lie really good and I suck at it. My brain flashes my blank preference sheet at me. The words are rolling off my tongue before I can blink. “I’ll have to take a rain check. I’ve got an all-nighter, so I doubt I’ll be back until morning.”

  Mel smiles at me and nods, “Good for you. That’ll be good money, Avery. You’re back on track. No distractions.”

  Marty grins. “I think she had a bit of a distraction when we were shopping the other day.” I blink at him. If he knows and tells Mel, I’ll kill him.

  Mel’s gaze is burning a hole in the side of my face. “I told you to stay away from him! Avery, damn it! Do you need a helmet? Are you that mentally impaired? Fuck girl, I—”

  Marty flinches when he sees Mel’s reaction, and cuts her off. “Back off, psycho. I was just kidding. The saleslady thought me and Avery did it in the dressing room. As if.” He makes a super gay gesture and winks at me, like it’s the most preposterous thing he’s ever heard.

  Mel’s still tense. She snaps at Marty some more. I can’t stand the two of them fighting, not when I feel so strung out. I slip out of the booth and throw some money on the table. “I need to go get ready and if I don’t beat Amber back, she’ll lock me out of the room. I’ll catch up with you on Sunday. We’ll do IHOP.”

  Mel grins and rubs her hands together. “Pancakes!”

  “You are such a pancake whore.” Marty giggles at Mel and she winks at him. They both start laughing as I walk away from the table.

  * * *

  I dress quickly before Amber gets back from dinner. The little red dress makes me feel exposed. I run down the back staircase and push out the back door before I look around for Gabe. He’s picking me up until I figure out what to do about transportation. I don’t have any credit and I don’t have enough money to buy anything. Black told Gabe to pick me up in the meantime.

  When I push out the back door, I walk into the parking lot and stop in my tracks. I blink once, hard.

  My car.

  I blink again, rapidly, and walk towards it. I haven’t seen it since the accident. It wasn’t running and the front was smashed up. But, I’m looking at it now and the car looks the way it did before the accident. I glance and see Gabe pull into the parking lot. I walk towards my car quickly, holding up a finger for him to wait. I peer inside and see an envelope on the seat. I open the door and grab it.

  Standing outside my car, I rip it open and read.

  It’s not new, so it doesn’t count as a present.

  -S

  I smile and shove the note into my purs
e, before jumping into the back of Gabe’s car.

  “Good evening, Miss Stanz.”

  “Hey, Gabe.”

  He looks at me in the mirror as he pulls out of the parking lot. He jumps onto the parkway and drives west, towards the city. He gives me the rundown. “Same guy as last week. I’ll be overseeing your meal. Don’t get returned again and you should be off her shit list, for a while anyway.”

  I slip my bracelet around my ankle and then lean back in the seat. “I’m always on her shit list.”

  “That’s a bad place to be.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Gabe grunts and looks at me in the mirror. “How long do girls do this? I mean, how many clients do they see before they quit?”

  He shakes his head. “Most get fired. There are a few that are really good at what they do. They create addicts. That’s what Black wants. Guys that are so addicted to your kind of sex that they’ll pay anything to get it. So getting returned kind of screws that up.”

  “That guy was a dick.” I look out the window as I say it. I’m still mad at Sean about that, but I’d rather be on my way to see him than Henry.

  “Obviously, but that’s unheard of. Lure this new guy into a third contract and all will be forgiven. After that, it’s anyone’s guess how long you’ll last. “

  The rest of the ride passes in silence. My heart is lurching like I have to get a root canal in the middle of the mall or something equally horrific. I liked Henry. He was sweet. I need to get my head in the game or I’m going to screw this up.

  22

  By the time that we pull up at the restaurant, I feel more poised. Gabe pulls up to the curb and the valet opens the door. I step from the back of the car, smooth my sexy, red, silk dress and look up.

  Henry is standing a few feet away. He waves at me and hurries over. “You look stunning.”

  I smile warmly at him and take his arm when he offers it. “So do you.” My voice is a little too deep, but that’s okay. It’s better to think I’m a sex fiend, right? We walk inside and get led to a table at the back of the restaurant. It’s an Italian place with stucco walls and a rich red carpet that matches the color of my dress. Each table has a drippy candle in the center, along with beautiful plates and a million pieces of silverware.

  When we are both seated, Henry orders wine. I smile at him from under my lashes. I decided to take Mel’s advice and pretend this is a date. “So, how has your day been?”

  He beams at me. “Fantastic. I can’t even begin to tell you what that patent has done for me. I wanted to see you again. I had to thank you.”

  “You could have done that without all this.” I wink at him and the man smiles harder. Damn, he’s cute. He’s acting like I’m a goddess or something. Every compliment lights him up to full wattage.

  “Yes, but I wanted the chance to show you off and tell everyone I meet that you’re the woman who changed my life. You tamed the beast for me. Ferro had no intention of giving me that patent, but you got it from him. It makes me wonder what you’re capable of, so I wanted to take you out, alone, to see for myself.” His gaze is dark. Henry’s eyes don’t dip below my neckline even though I’m sure he can see the little bumps from the crystals under my dress. He doesn’t look.

  Sean stares. Stop thinking about Sean.

  I lean forward and say in a breathy voice, “You will.”

  The meal passes quickly. I try not to think about later, about doing things with him afterward, but images of naked bodies flash through my mind and sour my stomach. After dessert, I excuse myself. As I pass by the bar, Gabe falls into step with me.

  “One hundred and ten percent, Stanz. I’ve already told her that the guy is eating out of your hand.”

  “Thanks, Gabe.”

  He nods and turns like he was going somewhere else. When I’m in the bathroom, I walk up in front of the sink and stare at the mirror. I want to splash water on my face, but it’ll mess up make-up. I stand there for a moment and primp until I’m alone. Then, I sigh and try to work up the nerve to do whatever I need to do with Henry. I’m not cut out for this. Sex and love are tied together in my brain. I don’t know how to tear them apart.

  That’s why you can’t be with Sean. That’s why you can’t finish your job tonight.

  I look at myself. This isn’t what I thought my life would be like. But the money, oh my God, the money is good. Does it really matter that I fucked a really nice guy to survive? I might have slept with Henry anyway. He’s sweet and funny and… not Sean.

  When I leave the ladies room, I know what I need to do. I plaster a sexy smile on my face and saunter back to the table where Henry is waiting for me.

  “Are you ready to go?” Henry stands and offers his hand.

  I take it in mine. I lean in close to him and run my fingers over his shirtfront, letting my fingers slip between the buttons. “I can’t wait.”

  Henry squeezes my hand and we head out to the car. He remains a gentleman all the way up to the hotel room. He doesn’t try to kiss me or do more than hold my hand. He smiles like he’s happy to be with me, and holding hands in enough. But I’m not that naïve. I said I’d do anything he wanted once we were in the hotel room. For all I know, he might be as twisted as Sean.

  My heart pounds a little harder as Henry opens the door. I brush past him slowly, making sure I’m a tad too close. My chest brushes against his. I smile as I do it. Henry sucks in a jagged breath, and steps inside, letting the door close behind him.

  He finally looks at my cleavage and his eyes wander over my smooth satin dress to the bumps where the silver rings are located. “Are your nipples pierced, Miss Stanz?” A surprised smile lines his lips.

  “Sort of, Mr. Thomas. You’ll have to wait and see for yourself.” Henry knows me as Allison Stanz. Half of the time I don’t respond fast enough when he says Allison. I need to act like I want this. I need this job, I need Henry to want me so badly that he’s willing to triple his payment to have me a third time, assuming I get through this tonight.

  Henry makes a content sound in the back of his throat and steps towards me. He hesitates for a second and then dips his head and presses his lips to mine. I lift my hands and tangle them in his hair, but he breaks the kiss before it gets going.

  Holding out his arm, he says, “There are some things I want to know about you first.”

  I’m knocked off balance, but try to hide it. I smile at him and sit down in a chair. Henry sits next to me. His eyes are on his hand, which he places on my thigh.

  I touch my hand to his and say, “It’s all right. I’m yours. You can do anything you want.”

  Henry presses his lips together and looks up at me. “That’s just it. You’re not mine, Allison. This is an illusion; I’m not naïve enough to think it isn’t. For all I know, you’re not even into guys like me, but the thing is, I’m really into you. I wish I could ask you on a date. I wish I knew you, the real you, and not this version.” He laughs and pulls his hand away. He stands and walks over to the bar. Pouring a glass of Jack, he turns back to me and says, “I’m a fool. I’ve paid an exorbitant amount of money for a beautiful woman who will do anything I want, and I say things like that.”

  I stand and walk up behind him. I touch his shoulder lightly. “Is that why you’re being so careful? Are you afraid I won’t like you?” I turn him toward me and take the Jack out of his hand and put it on the dresser behind him.

  “Here’s the truth,” I manage to spin a web of lies that sounds so convincing even I believe it. I have to believe it or I won’t be able to be with him. “I think you’re incredibly sexy. The moment I saw you, I wanted to wrap my arms around your chest. And, the way you acted at dinner the other night was incredible. I am attracted to you. I would have gone on a date with you, and this did feel like a date. A really good date.” I slip my arms around his neck and press my breasts against his chest. “It’s up to you how it ends.”

  My heart is pounding. I want this and I don’t want this. Henry is older than me with
a runner’s lean body. He’s all hard muscle. I can see that, but he doesn’t turn me on. There’s no spark.

  We stand still for a moment. Henry looks down at me and sighs. “Is this the only way to have you?”

  I smile slowly. “For now.”

  “It’s cruel to give me hope, Allison, but I’ll take what I can get.”

  I nod. I’m Allison. I keep forgetting that.

  Henry dips his head and kisses me. My hands find the sides of his face as I kiss him back. I close my eyes and picture Sean. When Henry’s hands slide down my sides and cup my butt, I think of Sean’s strong hands holding me tight. I moan a little and lean into him more, but Henry kisses me slowly, gently. He’s lingering, so I follow his lead and slow down. The kiss dawdles and then Henry finally dips his head and kisses my neck. I tilt my head back and think about Sean kissing me in the dressing room. My body is confused. It remembers Sean’s kisses, but it knows this isn’t Sean.

  Henry lifts his head and whispers in my ear, “Come to bed with me.”

  He pulls my hand across the room to the bed and sits down and scoots back to the middle. I crawl toward him in my tight dress. His eyes dip to my neckline and stay there. As I crawl toward him, I slip up his body, brushing my chest against him.

  Henry closes his eyes for a moment. When I lick my tongue across the seam of his lips, he looks up at me. He takes me in his arms and kisses me harder this time. I fall onto his chest, which makes the silver clips bite into me. It sends a jolt between my legs and I moan into his mouth. Henry kisses me until he’s breathless. Then, he flips me over and trails kisses down my neck and to my chest. He stops and traces his finger over the top of my breast. It’s sweet, almost hesitant.