“The guest house is always available,” he added, turning toward the door as a dark-haired, slim-built man appeared. “Robert,” he said to his driver. “Help Tara with whatever she needs and then take her to her friend’s house. Make sure she gets there safely.”
“Certainly,” Robert said. “Your taxi is waiting outside.”
Tara felt guilty that Derrick had to take a taxi while she had his car and driver, but she knew it was senseless to protest. There was no way she could win.
Stubborn Dom.
“Call me if you need me,” Derrick told her, leaving.
“Right,” Robert said once Derrick had left. “Where shall we start?”
It took a few hours to put the apartment back in some kind of order. Most of her stuff was ruined and headed for the garbage. She sighed as she looked at her clothes. They’d all been pulled from their hangars and trampled on. Everything would need to be washed. She grabbed some plastic trash bags and started shoving the clothing inside. She’d deal with them at Alex’s.
“Anything else you want done?” Robert asked.
Tara glanced around. “No, I think—” A noise outside the door had her spinning. She pulled the door open to find Ted standing there. There was a piece of paper pinned to the door.
“What are you doing?” she asked. She grabbed the piece of paper. “An eviction notice, are you kidding me?”
“You have three days to get out,” he told her.
“You can’t do this,” she protested, following him down the hall. “There has to be just cause.”
He turned and grinned at her, showing off his missing teeth. “You’re late in your rent and it’s not the first time. That’s reason enough for me.”
***
Tara was in a state of disbelief. She couldn’t believe that bastard had actually evicted her!
Asshole. Bastard. Shithead.
Unfortunately she could call him all the names under the sun and it wouldn’t change the fact that she had nowhere to live.
No job. No apartment. No money.
Wow, when she hit rock bottom it was with a bang. She sat down on Alex’s couch and looked at the trash bags around her. She had three days to get out of her apartment, but she’d decided she might as well grab everything right then. Plus, being in that apartment gave her the creeps. It would have been a relief to be evicted if she had somewhere else to live.
Robert had helped her pack everything in the car before driving her over to Alex’s apartment. He’d looked relieved at the new place she was living in. Little did he know how temporary this was.
God, she couldn’t believe her life fitted into five bags.
Well, moping around wasn’t going to change the fact that her life was a mess. She needed a job. She needed a place to live. She really needed to wash these clothes. She couldn’t wear them knowing that strangers had had their hands all over them. She shuddered. If she could afford it she would’ve replace the whole lot and thrown this crap away.
Sighing, she stood. She really hoped that Alex didn’t mind her using his washing machine.
***
Alex parked his car in his garage. Today had seemed unbearably long. All he’d been able to think about was Tara waiting for him. In his apartment.
Had he ever been this eager to get home to Simone? Maybe in the beginning before she’d come to hate him. He shook the thought out of his head. He wasn’t going to think of Simone. Not tonight. Tonight was about him and Tara
He was kind of glad she’d lost her job. Her boss was a prick and he didn’t like the long hours she had to work. Part of it was selfishness; he wanted her to have plenty of time to devote to him. But mostly he was worried about her working so late at night. He wouldn’t be forgetting last night for a long, long time.
She didn’t need to get another job, not right away anyway. He’d move her to a safer apartment. He would take care of her. He would provide everything she needed.
He had to admit that filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to be needed. Simone hadn’t needed him. Not beyond what was in his bank account anyway. Despite her tough front, Tara did need him.
“Tara?” he called out. When he didn’t get an immediate answer, his stomach dropped. What if she’d changed her mind? “Tara?”
“In the kitchen,” she replied.
As he moved toward the kitchen, the scent of something cooking hit him and his stomach growled. Tara turned around to face him, her cheeks flushed.
“I hope you don’t mind, I know it’s kind of intrusive to just help myself, but I was getting hungry and you said to make myself at home—mmm…”
He drew her against him and kissed her soundly. Pulling back, he cupped her face.
“It smells delicious.” It did. Although it did feel a bit weird having her cook for him. He hadn’t expected it. “I didn’t expect you to cook for me.”
“It does weird you out,” she said, a look of regret on her face. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said, regretting his thoughts as her shoulders slumped. “I said to make yourself at home.”
“Yeah, but you probably meant turn on the T.V. and get yourself a glass of water, not invade your kitchen and cook dinner.”
Damn, he was stupid at times. Instead of thanking her, he was acting like she’d done something wrong. “Thank you for cooking dinner. I can’t remember the last time someone cooked for me. It smells delicious.”
She shrugged. “Just something I threw together.”
He could tell it wasn’t, though. She’d been hoping to please him and he’d ruined it.
Alex took her hand in his. “Do we have some time before its ready?”
She nodded. “About twenty minutes.”
“Good. I’m going to get us a drink. Let’s sit in the living room and talk for a bit.”
“Okay.”
“What will you have?”
“Just a club soda.”
Alex poured himself a scotch and got her a club soda then followed her into the living room. He came to a stop when he saw the bags on the floor.
“Oh, sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know where else to put them.”
“That’s all right. What’s in them?”
“Not trash, I promise.” She smiled. “My stuff. Clothes, a couple of photo albums, toiletries.”
“I see.” He didn’t really. He’d expected a small suitcase. Enough for maybe a night or two. This looked like much more than a nights worth. Unease stirred in his stomach.
“Don’t worry. I’m not moving in or anything.” She tried to sound flippant, but he heard a note of hurt. “There was an issue with my apartment and I had to move my stuff. No big deal. I’ll move it all tomorrow.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“Really? Because you looked kind of ill when you saw my stuff here. Thought I was moving in for good, huh?” She grinned at him and he smiled back.
“It just caught me by surprise.” And now he felt stupid and a bit of a jerk. “You can put everything in the bedroom.”
“I don’t want to mess up your room. Can I put them in the spare bedroom? My clothes need a wash. I put one load in, but then I got distracted with dinner.”
“No problem. Feel free to use the washing machine. Here, I’ll help you move them.”
He picked up the bags and strode down the hall to the spare bedroom, placing the bags on the bed. He turned and walked back toward the living room, Tara behind him. “What happened at your apartment, was there a leak or something?”
“No, I got evicted.”
He froze and she bumped into him from behind. Turning, he grabbed hold of her arms to steady her.
“You got evicted? Why? What happened?”
“My property manager is a jerk. That’s what happened. He’s hated me ever since I moved in. He wanted me to have sex with him in return for fixing my leaking shower. Needless to say nothing has been fixed since then.”
“Th
Tara patted him on the arm, giving him a big smile. “That’s so sweet.”
He didn’t feel very sweet. He felt murderous. How dare some asshole pressure her like that?
Tara moved around him and took a seat on the sofa. Alex paced in front of her, too restless to sit.
“I mean it. Who is this asshole?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to have to deal with him ever again. I packed up my stuff and left.”
“Wait, that’s not everything you own?” Surely not. She must have stuff in storage.
“It was everything I wanted to take,” she replied. “Don’t worry, though, I won’t be overstaying my welcome. I’ll move into a motel tomorrow.”
He waved that off. “No, you won’t. This is perfect, actually.”
She frowned. “My getting evicted and moving into a motel is perfect?”
“Not that. I was going to talk to you tonight about your living situation.”
“You were?”
“Yes. I want you close to me.” He sat on the coffee table in front of her and leaning over, grabbed her hands. “I don’t like knowing that you live in such a bad area of town. Getting evicted is horrible, but it does mean that you’re free to move. It means that we can be closer and spend more time together.”
She looked dazed. “That’s what you want? For us to be closer?”
Alex nodded. “Yes. I want to know you’re safe. Otherwise, I’ll spend all my time worrying about you.”
“Really?”
“Really. So we’re agreed? You’ll move?”
“Ahh, I guess so.”
“Great.” He stood, feeling energized. “I have this great apartment. It’s ten minutes away, fully furnished and it’s currently empty. We’ll move your stuff in tomorrow.”
“Wait, what? An apartment? Near here? That’s where you want me to live?”
He glanced over at her. “Yes, unless you have something against this area? If you do I’m sure we can find something else. I thought you’d protest moving into an apartment I own. I’m glad we’re on the same page.” He smiled at her happily.
Tara managed a weak smile. “Right. Only thing is I don’t have a job.”
“Which you don’t need to worry about since I’ll be paying for the apartment and utilities.”
This had gone far easier than he’d anticipated. He would set her up in an apartment he owned. The tenants had moved out a month ago and he hadn’t let the rental agency put anyone else in. Then his conscience would be clear. She wouldn’t have to work if she didn’t want to. She’d have everything she needed and he could sleep easy knowing she was safe.
Chapter Seven
Tara was silent for a long moment. She was an idiot. Had she seriously thought he was asking her to move in with him? He’d already made it very clear that he didn’t want a commitment.
Still, for a minute there she’d kind of hoped…and now she couldn’t exactly tell him that she’d changed her mind. How would she explain that?
Oh, I thought you were asking me to move in with you, not put me in an apartment like a mistress.
Yeah, hadn’t her day been humiliating enough without admitting she was an idiot?
“Now you have time to find a job you really want. You’re tired, you’re stressed and you don’t need anything more to worry about. I like knowing you’re safe and taken care of.”
He wanted her close and available to him.
But not too close.
“Once I get a job, I’ll start paying you rent.” She did have some pride, after all.
“Of course.” His quick agreement soothed her pride.
Once things ended between them she’d have to move. But at least she’d have a roof over her head until she got another job.
“How did it go with the sketch artist today?” Alex asked.
“Oh, I didn’t get time. I’ll go in tomorrow.”
Alex frowned.
“I promise. I will definitely go in tomorrow.” It wasn’t like she had anything else to do.
Alex cupped her face. “Good, make sure you do. I want this guy off the streets. Now, before we get on to more interesting things, like the spanking I owe you for sneaking out the other morning, we need to talk about the contract. Wait here.”
Tara sat back on the plush sofa and wondered what the hell she’d just done. But he looked so happy and she’d do just about anything to please Alex.
Alex left the room, returning with some papers. “Here’s the contract I’ve written up. Most of it is standard. You’ll need to fill in the checklist at the back and we’ll add anything we need to.”
Tara took the papers. She knew having a contract was probably a good idea, but couldn’t help feeling it was so cut and dry. A business transaction, rather than, well, romance, attraction, lust.
She swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. Tara stared at the contract, the words blurring in front of her.
“I put in two months, although it seems kind of short, but I figure we can just renegotiate at the end of eight weeks.”
Tara blinked, keeping her face down so he didn’t see her dismay. She knew what she was getting into. This wasn’t a relationship. Not a normal one, anyway, with flowers and dates. This was about sex.
Well, sex and submission.
Was it enough? Hell no. But it was all she could get and sad as it was, she was going to take it.
“Th-that’s okay.” She forced herself to read the contract. One sentence stood out.
Each party promises not to fall in love with the other person.
It was kind of arrogant of him to assume she would fall in love with him. Then again, she already cared about him more than she probably should. At the end was the checklist for her to indicate her hard and soft limits.
“Have you got a pen?”
He handed her one with a smile. She managed to smile weakly back. Trying to steady her shaking hand, she went through the list. Then she signed at the bottom and handed it back to him.
“Is there anything you want to add?” he asked.
“Umm, I don’t think so.”
“Have you ever signed a contract like this before?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No.”
A look of satisfaction crossed his face. “Well, the contract is to ensure that we both know where we stand. I want to give you what you need, Tara, but I’m not a mind reader. You need to tell me if there’s something I’m not giving you.”
How about a relationship that doesn’t start off with a piece of paper?
But she didn’t say that, instead she smiled and nodded. It felt like she did that a lot lately.
Alex signed the contract then placed it onto the coffee table.
“Now, it’s time to celebrate.” He drew her into his embrace, taking her mouth in a deep kiss.
She should really tell him about her apartment being broken into. He squeezed her ass, making her legs melt.
Yeah, she’d tell him in the morning. Wasn’t like there was anything either of them could do about it right now.
Alex swung her up into his arms.
“You’ve got to stop doing that!” she said as she grasped hold of his shoulders.
“Why?”
“Because you’ll hurt your back.”
He looked down at her in disbelief. “You’re kidding right? Honey, a man sweeps you into your arms, the last thing you want to do is suggest he’s not strong enough to hold you.”
“Oh, I wasn’t, I…”
He grinned down at her and she whacked him on the arm before he threw her onto the bed.
“Rat,” she told him.
“That’s Sir Rat to you,” he replied with a wicked grin. “Strip.”
Tara scooted over to the edge of the bed then quickly stripped while Alex watched.
“Very nice. Turn around.”
She turned, sending him a saucy wink over her shoulder. He growled but his gaze was warm. “Brat. I believe I owe you a spanking.”
Tara turned to face him. “Doesn’t that contract mean I get a clean slate?” she said with a pout.
Alex shook his head, sending her a stern look. “Good try.” He sat on the side of the bed and pointed at his lap. “Get your ass over here. Now.”
Moving slowly, she stopped when she stood in front of him. “You’ll be gentle, right?”
He grasped hold of her chin. “Did you sneak out of my apartment after a night of mind blowing sex without leaving a note? Or your phone number?”
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
“That’s a very pretty pout, but your ass is still toast. Over.”
She lay herself over his lap. His pants were soft against her bare skin, the heat from his thighs warmed her.
“Tara, why didn’t you tell me you were cold?” he said as he placed a warm hand on her back.
“I figured you’d soon warm me up.”
He tilted her back onto her feet and moved to a panel on the wall. “I can do better than that; I’ll turn the air conditioning down.”
“But you like it cold.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I just tell you that I wanted to give you whatever you needed? I believe you promised to tell me when you needed something. That includes when you’re freezing and need the air turned down. You’ve just added to your spanking.” He moved back to the bed and sat down again. “Come here.”
He crooked a finger at her, all teasing gone from his face. Now he really looked like he meant business.
Alex arranged them so her body was supported on the bed. “It’s a count of twenty.”
Oh God.
He smacked his hand slammed down on her ass and he wasn’t holding back. By the time he got to seven her ass was on fire. He’d given her the spanks quickly. Then he stopped and rubbed her ass. The heat spread through her body, pooling in her lower stomach as her clit throbbed. Moisture gathered between her legs and he pushed open her thighs, brushing his fingers up and down her lips.
“Sir?” she queried.
“I should punish you properly,” he told her in a husky voice. “But I find myself a bit distracted. You’re gorgeous.”
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