What's Your Price?

by Sam Crescent

  “What about his family?”

  “They’re already being taken care of. The wife had begun divorce proceedings.”

  Laura licked her lips. “Did she know?”

  “I don’t believe she did.” He stroked her cheek.

  “I shouldn’t have looked in your desk.”

  “I’m glad you did.” He tilted her head back. “But don’t ever believe what that monster did was your fault. You’re not to blame. He is.”

  “What about that other girl? The one who ran away.”

  “She’s happy. I can get you more information if you want.”

  Laura shook her head. “No. Sometimes it’s best to leave the pain of the past right there. I never loved him, Gabe.”

  “I know. You don’t believe in love.”

  She looked at him now and opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. When his lips brushed across hers, she closed her eyes, enjoying his touch.

  “I need to make dinner,” she said, moaning.

  “Dinner can wait. I cannot.” He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Gabe didn’t stop there, but walked her all the way back into the bathroom. “You’ve been sick, and I’m not going to fuck you until you’re feeling much better.”

  ****

  Several weeks later, Gabe walked into one of the many nightclubs he owned with Laura on his arm. He’d picked out a brand-new red dress that was startling on her. The dress plunged between her breasts, dipped in the back, and sat just above her knee.

  He put his hand on her ass, loving the way men watched her and knowing none of them stood a chance. He kept his hold on her even as they got to the VIP section.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this,” Laura said.

  “What? Going out to nightclubs?”

  “The special attention you receive. All of this around us.”

  A couple of men held their glasses of whiskey up to him. Their eyes turned to devour Laura. Her natural sexuality was like a drug to men. He knew he was highly addicted to her.

  So addicted that he had an engagement ring in his jacket pocket. He’d been holding on to it for a couple of weeks.

  There hadn’t been a right time to ask her to marry him. In recent weeks, he had noticed her beginning to relax more within his company. She didn’t appear to be a flight risk, which alone was an achievement.

  The waitress came to take their order, and Laura asked for some bottled water. Rarely did she drink. He asked for a whiskey and they were left alone.

  Laura kept glancing over at the dance floor.

  “Do you want to dance?” he asked.

  “Can you dance?”

  He stood up, held out his hand, and walked down to the main dance floor. Couples moved out of his way as he pulled Laura against him. The song was upbeat, but he had no interest in rushing this dance.

  With his hand on her ass, he pulled her in close. She had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck. Running his hands up and down her body, touching her naked flesh, he saw the flash of arousal in her eyes.

  This was one of the many reasons he loved her. He knew deep down he shouldn’t love her, but he fucking did. Laura had gotten under his skin, and there was no other word for it.

  When the beat changed, he let her go, spinning her around the dance floor until he drew her back toward him. With her back against him, he put his hands on her hips, guiding her over his cock. Her ass rubbed him.

  He pressed his face against her neck, sliding his tongue across her pulse. She let out a moan.

  “You’re not playing fair.”

  “I don’t believe in playing anything.”

  She spun around to him. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

  “Yes.” He kissed her lips, sliding them down toward her ear. “I can’t cook.”

  She burst out laughing. “I’m thirsty.”

  He took her hand and led her back to their VIP section. They were enjoying their drink when Anya suddenly appeared.

  “This is your newest whore?” Anya asked, sending a glare toward Laura.

  “Excuse me?” Laura asked.

  “He’ll get rid of you as well. You’re nothing but a passing phase. It’s what he does. He makes women fall in love with him and then he abandons them.”

  Rage filled Gabe and he clicked his fingers, but Felipe was already coming forward. He grabbed Anya, but she brandished a gun, pointing it at his man.

  Screams and cries filled the air as Anya looked ready to kill everyone. Men and women in the VIP section had sunk to their knees.

  Laura tensed beside him.

  “Don’t come any closer or I will shoot you.”

  “Do you think I’m afraid to die?” Felipe asked.

  Silence filled the tense standoff.

  Gabe got to his feet, but Laura spoke up.

  “He’s going to toss me aside?” Laura asked. His woman put a hand to her chest and stood.

  Anya pointed the gun at her. “Yes. He’s a monster like that. He thinks he’s invincible. He doesn’t know how strong we women can be. I’ve been watching him and he doesn’t know. He thought he had a leak from the inside, but he never suspects us.”

  “Then, maybe you and I, we can leave now. The two of us. He can’t hurt us then.” Laura stepped away from him, and Gabe glanced toward Felipe to see his man was already advancing toward Anya.

  “Yes, that’s better. You have to leave.”

  Felipe’s shoe squeaked, and as Anya turned to look at the man, Laura lunged, trying to distract him, but it didn’t work.

  Anya pointed the gun, fired, and his woman still attacked her, shoving her to the ground.

  Gabe rushed forward as Felipe retrieved the fallen gun, putting the safety back on and hiding it in his jacket. Next, Gabe grabbed Laura, aware of the blood seeping through the dress.

  She swayed in his arms, and he forced her to sit down as Felipe removed Anya.

  His manager came and told him the police had been called.

  “Get a medic,” Gabe said.

  He lifted Laura in his arms, moving toward the doors only allowed for the staff.

  “Gabe, I can walk.”

  “I don’t give a flying fuck.” He took her to the manager’s room. Sitting her on the sofa, he peeled away her shoulder strap and assessed the damage.

  The bullet was still in there.

  “We’re going to have to take you to the emergency room.”

  “Stop it. I’m fine.” She glanced down at her arm. “That doesn’t look fine, though, does it?” She went a little pale.

  He was tired of waiting for the medic. He went to pick Laura up, but she put her hand out, the one that wasn’t weeping from a bullet wound. “I can walk, and I want to.”

  Gabe didn’t argue, just wrapped his arms around her. On the way, Felipe was already talking to the police. The ambulance had arrived, and rather than stay and deal with the police, he went with his woman to the hospital.

  Time seemed to move so incredibly fast as she was X-rayed, and then the doctor was there, removing the bullet. He gave her a couple of stitches, and they were waiting to be released.

  “She was an ex-lover?” Laura asked.

  While the doctor had been working, he’d gotten an update on Felipe, who was waiting outside for them.

  “Yes.”

  “You didn’t love her.”

  “No. I never promised her anything. Nor did I give her any reason to believe we were more.” The only person he’d chased was sitting here injured, in front of him, and it pissed him off. He didn’t protect her, and he should have.

  “This isn’t your fault,” she said.

  “You’re injured.”

  “You didn’t shoot. You know, getting shot is painful.” She wrinkled her nose.

  He stepped toward her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

  “This is nice,” she said. “I like it when you’re nice to me.”

  He chuckled. “I think s
omeone is liking the anesthesia a little too much.”

  She let out a giggle. “I can see why she thought she loved you.”

  Gabe paused. “Why?”

  “Even though you’re scary as hell, there’s something about you. You make people want to fall in love.” She smiled. “I wish I could fall in love. Sometimes when I look at you, I think I already have.”

  The doctor came and interrupted the moment.

  Laura was released. Gabe walked her out to the main reception where he settled her bill. Felipe waited outside.

  On the journey home, he discovered Anya had been under investigation. She’d been robbing gas stations for the past two weeks and drawing the same weapon. She was trying to plead insanity as she did shoot a young pregnant woman at her last robbery. This was all news to Gabe.

  Laura fell asleep against him.

  When they got to the penthouse, Felipe helped him inside his apartment, closing and locking the door.

  As he got Laura to their bedroom, she woke up with a groan. “Why can’t you love me?” she asked, her voice rather groggy.

  Gabe pushed some of her hair off her face and smiled down at her. “I do.”

  “No. You can’t. No one loves me. Everyone always finds a flaw with me. It’s easier to be tough and to pretend I don’t want love, but I do. I do want love, Gabe. I think I’m in love with you, and it scares me.”

  “Why does it scare you?” he asked.

  “Because when you leave, it’s going to break my heart. I don’t think I can get over you leaving me.” She cupped his face, but she was exhausted, and within seconds, once again, she passed out.

  “I love you, Laura. More than you can ever know.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.

  The engagement ring burned a hole in his pocket. He should have asked her, and the moment she wasn’t under the influence of drugs, he intended to.

  With her stripped out of her clothes, he stared down at her in his bed.

  Like Laura, he didn’t believe in love, and he hadn’t expected to fall for her. His woman was special, though. She was broken, but at the same time healed. She was a survivor. She could handle his life and him, and he knew not a moment was going to go by when he wasn’t happy about that.

  Chapter Ten

  Laura woke up with what felt like cotton wool within her mouth. She tasted something funny and not in any way appetizing. She also felt a little sick to her stomach. Pain erupted in her shoulder.

  All the events from the previous night washed over her, and she lay back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Ouch.”

  She needed some painkillers, or something stronger. First, she really needed a good cup of coffee.

  With her good hand, she threw the blanket off her body and swung her legs out. She tested her strength and stood. Releasing a sigh, she got to her feet and smiled. Success.

  She went to the bathroom first, using the toilet, washing her hands and then her face and teeth. Covering herself in a robe, she left the confines of the bedroom and made her way out into the main penthouse.

  Laura expected to find Gabe in his office, but he sat at the dining room table. Laptop open, files lined up. The moment she entered, he got to his feet. “You’re up. How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “I’m fine for the most part. In pain, but I feel okay. I don’t think I’m good on anesthesia.”

  “I thought you were adorable,” he said.

  She chuckled. “You’re just saying that to be nice.”

  “I don’t believe in saying stuff I don’t mean.” He kissed her forehead again, and a memory from last night flashed through her mind.

  “I am,” she said.

  Gabe pulled back, and she chanced a look into his blue eyes. “You are, what?”

  She licked her lips. All her life, she’d promised herself she would never fall in love with anyone. Gabe wasn’t just anyone. He was the man who’d broken through her defenses. He made her feel.

  “I am in love with you,” she said, taking a leap. “I know what I said and I know how I feel. I’m not just saying that. I understand if you can’t handle my feelings for you. I’ll leave if that’s what you want.” Now she rambled. Rather than stand firm, she rambled.

  Gabe didn’t say anything. He stepped away from her.

  Tears filled her eyes as pain slashed right through her heart. She wanted to beg him not to go.

  Instead, she stayed perfectly still, hating herself for being vulnerable. This was why she should never give in to love or her feelings.

  Gabe went to his jacket, and she was about to turn to leave when he came toward her, holding out a small velvet box. The dark box called to her. Her heart started to race and she gasped as he sank to one knee in front of her.

  “I knew I fell in love with you weeks ago, but I waited. I wanted you to fall for me the same way I love you.” He opened the lid of the box and smiled at her. “I can’t offer you an easy life. I’m not a good man. I’ve done the most awful of things, but Laura, when it comes to you, all I know is that I love you. I love you with my whole heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Am I dreaming right now?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “Not even close.”

  “There’s no way this can be real.”

  “This is very real. I’m in love with you, and I want to grow old with you.”

  Laura held her hand out.

  “Is that a yes?” he asked.

  “Don’t we have to wait and see?”

  “What?”

  “The ring? If it fits, it means we were destined to be, right?”

  He chuckled. “You want to leave it to fate?”

  “Hell, no. I want to know if it fits. I love you, Gabe, and yes, I want to marry you.” She giggled. “I just, no, it’s silly.” She shook her head.

  “What’s silly?”

  “I guess, it’s … if the ring fits, it means we’re going to have a wonderful marriage. If it doesn’t, then we’re going to have an awful one.” She smiled at him. “I don’t want to have an awful marriage. It’s stupid.”

  Gabe took the ring out of the box and held up her hand. “We’re not going to have an awful marriage.” He slid the ring on her finger. “Because it is a perfect fit.” He lifted her knuckles and pressed a kiss to them. “Like I knew it would be.”

  “You really want to marry me?” she asked.

  He cupped her face. “Yes. I want to marry you. The sooner the better.”

  “I want kids,” she said.

  He raised his brow and she giggled.

  “I know. It’s crazy, but I do. I didn’t think I’d get married or fall for a man, but I have. I love you, and I want it all, if you do?”

  He stroked her cheek and she looked at him, waiting. “I want kids too. In fact, I think the sooner we work on them, the better.” He lifted her up and she groaned as her shoulder hurt, but she didn’t stop him.

  Not as he took her to the bedroom, removed the robe, and laid her across the bed. She spread her thighs as he undressed and crawled between them. She ran her hand up his arm, holding him close to her as he moved slowly.

  “I’m going to take it slow. Today, I’m going to make love to you, Laura.” He pressed a kiss to her lips and she moaned as he slid into her. There was no rush to his actions.

  She gasped as every inch of his cock moved deep within her.

  “Slowly,” he said. “I don’t want to hurt your arm.”

  In and out, he rocked within her.

  Gabe took possession of her lips and she moaned his name as he took her. This wasn’t fucking, but lovemaking.

  He pulled back and slid his hand between their thighs. With his cock still deep inside her, he stroked her clit. His actions were slow, drawing her higher and higher to her release. She cried out his name as she came.

  He wrapped his arms around her, making love, taking her slightly harder. Their moans echoed around the room, and she gave herself to him. Gabe thrust inside her one final
time, and she felt him pulse out his release, his cum filling her womb.

  “I love you, Laura, and I always will.” He pressed his lips against hers.

  “I love you too.” And she would cherish what she had found with him.

  ****

  Gabe looked down at the email he’d just received. Laura sat across from him on the sofa. The days had passed and the pain in her shoulder had subsided enough for her to get back to work. She still worked, but only for Charlotte at the diner. She’d quit her job at the bar. With Charlotte, he had a feeling it was down to her love of the older woman that kept her going back.

  “Laura, there’s something I want to talk to you about,” he said.

  “Do you want daisies instead of roses?” she asked.

  “Roses are beautiful. You know that.”

  She chuckled. “I didn’t know there was so much to having a wedding.” She put the magazine down. “I think it’s giving me a headache.”

  “I can hire a wedding planner. Would that work?”

  “Possibly. If she knows what she’s doing.”

  He smiled and glanced down at the file in his hands, snapping it closed. “There is something I need to tell you.”

  “This sounds serious.”

  He put the files to one side and turned toward her, his hands clasped together. “It is important.” He ran a hand down his face. “I did some digging, and I found out who your parents were.”

  “Oh.” She stood and shook her head. “I don’t want to know. I told you this. I told you I didn’t need to know. They abandoned me.” She walked away, and he got to his feet, following her into the kitchen. She took out a bottle of water and sipped at it.

  “Someone lied to you,” he said.

  Laura spun around and frowned. “What?”

  “I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew for sure. Your parents, Laura, were a happily married couple. They were high school sweethearts.”

  “Were?”