by Ward, Penny
I had suffered through a cold shower at my apartment before dressing my best, but I feel even colder now. I didn’t feel like a princess in spite of being invited to Damon’s castle. I felt like a whore arriving on time.
The massive doors leading into the mansion were easily eight feet tall. I was speechless as I walked up the stairs. This was the house I had dreamt of in my childhood.
I wanted to be that princess.
I wanted to be swept of my feet by the fairytale prince and whisked away inside the mansion.
As a little girl, I wanted all of this.
Once we were inside, Damon led me from room to room, giving me a tour of much of the North wing.
He talked, but I struggled to listen.
I was in awe of this house and it’s impressive beauty. My mouth dropped as I was shown room after room after room. The mansion almost made me forget why I was here.
I noticed every little detail of every room.
I noticed the expensive marble that was used excessively.
The dustless rooms.
The wide range of beautiful and rare artwork.
The astounding, winding staircase.
I was in awe.
But it was the feeling in the mansion that hit me most. I felt it in every room.
The house was empty.
Every room felt alone.
Unused.
This was a house. A mansion. A piece of architectural grandeur.
But it was not a home.
These rooms were for showing, not for living in.
One part of the house had a different feeling. I was envious of the art studio that Damon had remodeled for himself. I had never imagined that Damon would be a painter or a sculpture. I admired the beautiful works of art that he had created with his hands. He definitely had an eye for beauty.
“When I feel lonely, I come here,” he commented.
“There must be fifty pieces of art here,” I whispered to myself, thinking that he must have spent a lot of time here.
He shrugged his shoulders to indicate he understood what I was implying.
Just as I had expected, there were servants bustling about the main rooms and the kitchen, ready to cater to his every whim.
He greeted them all warmly and introduced me to each and every one by name. He was extremely personable towards his hired help, and he was even more personable to me.
As he introduced me to them, I almost forgot that I was also the hired help.
The most impressive part of the building was his study.
It seemed nearly every great literary work ever written adorned its walls. The oak trim adorned every inch of the room. The marble floor beneath our feet was absolutely stunning. The vaulted ceiling with the skylight in them made the space look heavenly. A breath caught in my throat as I admired the view.
“This house is absolutely breathtaking,” I complimented.
I wish I had the words to explain the mansion, but I was at a loss for more words.
He went on to tell me that he had other houses in other parts of the world. One of his smaller homes was in London, another in Brazil. He even had an island off the coast of Hawaii that he visited occasionally when he had to entertain business partners there.
“But I like this one the most. I always have.”
He explained further that he had lived here for the past five years, since he came into a lot of money and success in his business.
“I come here when I need to just get away. Hardly anyone knows that I own this mansion. You have to tell me you won’t share it with anyone.”
“Cross my heart.”
I smiled at him warmly. I was nervous, but glad that he wasn’t making me feel terribly uncomfortable at the moment. As if reading my mind, he walked behind the bar in one of the lounge rooms and poured two glasses of white wine.
Damon sipped at the wine, never really taking his eyes off me.
“This wine would taste a lot better in the spa that is in the corner of the balcony over here.” As if on cue and preplanned, he handed me a towel, a sari, and a swimsuit that was my size. There was definitely no lack of effort on his part to make me feel welcome. “If you want to, that is.”
I nodded. “That would be nice.”
I collected the things and started toward the restroom that he had pointed out.
“I’ll have the drinks taken out,” he called out to me.
I flashed a grin over my shoulder, then slipped inside the door, closing it behind me.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my tired eyes were evidence of my restless week. Staring at myself in the mirror, I questioned who I was.
What am I doing? I’m selling my body.
I’m giving everything I own away to man for money.
I sighed and dropped my head as the thoughts continued to crash through my head.
What am I doing?
This is not me.
This is not what I wanted for my life.
I was supposed to be settling down with Richard, thinking about a future together. My twenties were about establishing my life for the future. I should have been staring to plan for children. If only Richard wasn’t such a prick.
Why do I have such bad luck with men?
Or maybe it’s not me. Maybe all men are bastards.
I begin to gather my things in preparation for leaving out the back door… but where the heck is the back door, anyway? This place is enormous.
I had no choice but to stay now.
As I stared in the mirror, I wondered if I would ever really forget this weekend?
When I am old and wrinkly, would this weekend still continue to taunt me?
My shoulders dropped as another sigh escaped my lips.
Looking around the bathroom, it was full of accommodations, including a brush, shampoo and conditioner. I take the opportunity to jump into the warm shower and relieve myself of the restaurant smell. Under the beading of warm water, my shoulders finally relax.
It is just one weekend.
One weekend.
Two nights.
And then I can start my life over again…
Chapter 4
“I hope you feel comfortable… I tried to think of everything that you might want while you stay. I don’t exactly have a wealth of experience with someone like you.”
As I walked out to the spa, I felt bad for wanting to leave him. Damon seemed incredibly sweet and kind. And I liked the way his hair always looked a bit ruff even though the rest of him was well kept.
He sat relaxed in the spa, and not for the first time, I felt my heart beat faster. It was the first time I saw him shirtless, and seeing his upper body naked made the moment feel real. Not that it was a bad body… actually it was the best body I have ever seen. His upper body was incredibly toned and bronzed. I was staring at a chest that was packed full of muscle and a stomach that was incredibly ripped and flat.
That was definitely the sexist body I have ever seen.
His body took my breath away.
And everything about this situation made me feel nervous.
From the money, to the house, to the man. My senses were heightened and the world seemed clearer.
“It’s just fine… more than fine. It feels…nice.” I hoped he took that as a compliment. He sure made me nervous. “I mean, really nice.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off his chest.
It made parts of my body tingle that hadn’t tingled in a long time. Wow. I never thought that I would be with a man like him. I never thought that I would have had the opportunity to experience a body like his.
And to be paid for it…
I entered the warm water and felt the soothing bubbles and jets start to melt away my stress. I closed my eyes, and drifted away. This place was like heaven.
“You took a long time to get ready,” Damon commented, breaking the silence.
“I was thinking,” I replied.
“About what?”
“Abou
t this.”
Damon nodded slowly. “I want you to stay.”
The firmness of the comment brought a smile to my face. “I’ll stay.”
The silence drifted over us again, providing enough time for me to think about my situation.
“About the money…” I stated.
“Is it not enough?”
“No, it’s not that. I feel… dirty… for taking the money.”
“Don’t. I have had a lot of good fortune in my life. It is only fair that I spread that around.”
“I just… I just don’t know about it.”
“I really want you to stay.”
He was firm. There was conviction and authority in his statement.
“This is just so… you are…” I was stuttering. “…I just can’t take your money. I know, I came here after you offered… but it’s just not right. I don’t feel comfortable with it.”
“I only wanted to help you. I really want you to stay, and I thought I could help your situation too. I have enough money to be able to help out. I want to help you.”
He struggled to get me to understand his reasons behind inviting me here.
“It doesn’t feel right. All my life I’ve struggled and fought my way through. I’ve earned my way this far. It doesn’t feel right doing this.”
“Are you changing your mind?”
“I think so…”
Truthfully, I didn’t know.
My thoughts were in limbo. I was stuck between wanting to set myself up for the rest of my life and maintaining my morals like a good girl.
Damon pursed his lips, as if he was thinking.
“I apologize,” he sighed, “I apologize for upsetting you because that’s the last thing I wanted to do. I am truly sorry.”
He stepped out of the hot tub, toweled himself off, and then covered himself in a smooth cloth robe.
“I was wrong to make the offer to you. But I still hope you’ll stay.”
I wanted to stay. If there was no money involved then this would be one of the greatest moments of my life.
“No talk of money,” I stated to him as he began to walk away.
Turning around, he had a smile on his face. “Agreed.”
I followed the cute bottom out of the hot tub and headed toward the restroom to put my clothes back on.
When I entered the room, I noticed that someone had laid out a beautiful dress in my size, waiting for me.
As I put it on, a dirty feeling came over me again. I was being bought.
I never thought the perfect dress could make me feel so bad.
Every time I accepted a small piece of luxury, it felt like I was selling my soul…
Chapter 5
I clinked my glass to his.
Might as well make the most of the evening.
Besides, even if I sprinted now, I wouldn’t have had the money for a taxi and it was a long walk back to my cold, dark apartment. It didn’t sound like a great second option.
“You have to promise you’ll just enjoy everything that happens tonight, no matter what.”
Damon sipped the wine delicately. His was a mouth that had spent years developing the right way to taste the abundance of flavors in the glass.
I gulped my wine.
Damon’s eyes drift to my lips. He looks as if he wants to make a move to kiss me, but he doesn’t.
“But…” I tried to object.
I didn’t want him to pull all the stops out for me. It will just make me feel more obligated to have sex with him, and what if I can’t go through with it?
“No matter what…” he reiterates, studying my face.
I nodded to appease him.
“Here we go.”
He walked into the next room – a room that I hadn’t seen inside yet.
My heart was in my mouth.
What is this?
Is this going to be a secret dungeon reserved for only the kinkiest sex acts?
My senses were heightened.
One weekend, I repeated to myself under my breath.
But then the doors opened and I felt a cold breeze.
Oh no, what have I gotten myself into…
As I entered through the large wooden doors, to my relief, I saw just another room. Large couches, a floor to ceiling library and antique lamps.
Just another room in this endless mansion.
“Sit down and relax. Let me pour you another drink,” whispered Damon in my ear, while I followed his commands.
His soft breath drove shivers through me.
I knew what was coming up.
I knew what he wanted.
He handed me another glass of wine and I almost drank it all in one go. My cheeks were feeling flushed with the alcohol and I really hoped it would help me relax.
He sat next to me on the elegant sofa and he was sitting closer than a friend would usually would. It almost felt like he was invading my personal space.
Damon lightly ran his strong fingers through my loose hair and I could feel him staring at me. I didn’t look at him. Instead, I stared straight ahead.
“Can I ask why Andrew decided to let you go today?”
I was slightly surprised at the abrupt change in topic.
I thought the alpha billionaire would want to get right down to the business of having sex with me.
I leaned back, almost unable to breathe.
“Well, I don't understand it. He just chastised me rudely in front of all my customers and fired me. I wasn’t even able to stick around long enough to collect my tips.”
I regretted discussing this here and now.
After all, Damon wasn’t paying me to listen to me whine about my problems.
He paid for me to make love to him.
I should kiss him or touch him or something. But, damn, was I nervous.
He stared at me, smiled, put his palms on my face, and caressed them gently with his thumbs.
“Don't worry about it. If you want, I can set you up with a job in one of the restaurants I own. There are no bad bosses there,” he reassured me.
Wow.
I wondered if this was what it felt like to be taken care of. I hadn’t felt this way since I was a little girl and I could count on my daddy to fix my problems and kiss all my fears away.
I liked it.
It felt kind of nice.
My ex-boyfriend Richard had never let me feel this way. He was always self-absorbed and told me that I was a big girl who needed to take care of myself.
I resented him for it.
Most nights that I came home, he was not at home waiting for me. He was out at some club until late and almost always returned home wasted, smelling of some other girl’s perfume.
I never could understand why Richard had even bothered to move in with me, except that his roommate was sick of his constant parties at his old apartment.
As we chatted, I began to feel more comfortable around Damon. I caressed his hand and smiled back.
“Thank you… you are good to me and I appreciate everything that you have done for me tonight. It is quite impressive. You are quite impressive.”
He smiled with satisfaction, placed his glass on the table next to me, and circled around the back of me.
“Stand up and I will help you relax.”
I stood up next to the couch and his large, strong hands massaged my shoulders, moving my muscles with beautiful rhythm.
The stress in my muscles started to melt away with each stroke of his strong hands. He moved close enough for me to catch more of his seductive cologne.
His warmth breath danced on my neckline. He moved a bit closer to me to get some leverage, and I could feel a hardness growing in him.
I pulled away because it surprised me slightly and I gave a little laugh.
I didn’t feel scared. I felt protected here.
As he massaged my shoulders, I started to wonder what it would be like to be here with him. To take care of him like he was taking care of me. I could pleasure him when
he needed the release from a hard day in the office. Having a lot of money must be stressful.
Then I shook off my stupid thoughts.
My heart began to race as thoughts of tonight began swirling around my head. The more I thought about him, the more I started to get restless with desire for him. My primal urges seemed like they were starting to kick in.
Just as I wanted to turn to kiss him, he suddenly stepped away to fill his glass with wine without meeting my eyes.
Does he even want me? Maybe I’m not up to his high standards?
“Do you live alone?” he asked.
Before I answered his question, I drank some wine from my glass again. My head was swirling again and I started to wonder if I’d had enough.
“Yes, I live near the restaurant. But it's not really a place that I could invite you over. I quite often think that a gorilla’s cage in the zoo would be bigger than my apartment.”
He looked at me sadly, and put his hand on my hair and started caressing me again.
Shivers ran through me as he touched my cheek lightly with his large hands.
“This place is bigger than I could ever use. There are rooms here that I have never even been into. You can stay here as long as you like, you know…”
I stared at his lips smiling.
Placing my index finger on them, I removed a drop of wine that he didn’t notice was there.
“Sit back down,” he stated.
I was in no position to argue.
When I sat back on the couch, Damon sat in front of me and began to massage my feet.
Could this man be anymore perfect?
Why is he bothering with all this sensual stuff?
Can’t he tell that I want it now?
I wanted to shout at him that I am ready but then his strong touch began to caress the soles of my feet.
Oh…
All the worries in the world disappeared at that moment.
Years of standing up while working were built up in the stress of my feet. Damon easily unlocked that stress with the slow movement of his strong hands.
I wanted to talk to him but he was sending me into a daze.
“You really are a stunning woman,” he began.
I didn’t know how to reply.
“Even in the restaurant… I've always stared at you, trying to make eye contact,” he continued, “I wanted to know you. I wanted to hold you. I wanted to be next to you.”
