by Aspen Drake
I can feel him watching me as I collect my clothes in a neat pile then step into a robe. Before I disappear into the bathroom, I turn back and look at Garrett over my shoulder. “Will I see you here again?”
Garrett’s grin is lazy as he gestures toward his softening cock. “We’re both very satisfied customers, so yes, we’ll be back.”
I wink over my shoulder before shutting the bathroom door so I can get cleaned up before I head home to Owen.
Chapter 5
Garrett
As much as I’d love to stay for another round, Angel all but dismisses me when she jumps in the shower. Instead of taking off, I go back to the lobby to look for Mark. Finn walks out of his room just as I’m passing, and the smile on his face confirms he enjoyed his session as well.
I fall in step beside him, nudging his shoulder with mine. “What did you think?”
Finn slides his hands into his pockets and nods. “Smart business model. I think it’ll do well.”
I chuckle and pat him on the shoulder. “Yes, Mark definitely did this for the business model.”
Inside the main lobby, I ask the cute receptionist to find Mark for me while I say goodbye to Finn. He has more meetings to attend, and this isn’t exactly a conversation I want to include him in.
Mark appears in the lobby just a few minutes after Finn leaves and waves me back into his office. “I hope everything went well with your session.”
“It did.” I take a seat on the other side of Mark’s desk. It’s a modern office with glass and chrome furniture. A little tacky for my sensibilities but it fits in with the office park vibe Mark’s obviously going for with this place. “Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about.”
Mark leans back in his leather chair and steeples his fingers in front of his chest. “Go on.”
“What can you tell me about Angel?”
Mark cocks an eyebrow as if I’m crazy. “You know I can’t divulge any of her personal information. Why?”
I consider how much I should tell him. I want him to know I have some level of interest, but it would be stupid to put all my cards on the table. “I’m interested in her for an exclusive arrangement.”
“Did you discuss this with her?”
“Sorta.” I tell him about my offer to her over the weekend and that she refused because of the hours I had in mind. “Maybe I can buy her out of her contract here?”
Mark leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “Why? You don’t need to pay for full-time pussy. Get a girlfriend, man. Even a gold digger would be cheaper than hiring her to be exclusive.”
“A girlfriend doesn’t appeal. Besides, I like Angel. She knows how to please me, and she gets the no-strings attached thing.” Not to mention that I don’t like the idea of her being with other men.
“You want me to talk to her or something? I’m not sure what you’re asking me for.”
I wasn’t sure either. I don’t know what I expected him to say when I walked in here, but I feel better now that he knows my intentions. This way I won’t feel like a jackass when I do steal her away from him. “No, that won’t be necessary. I just wanted to get some intel and give you a heads up. I’ll let you know when I get her to change her mind.”
“Whatever you say.” Mark just chuckles as if I’m being funny. “So, you and Finn have a project in the works?”
“Yeah, some spec housing across the bay. It’s a good location for condos. I think he’s looking for a reason to stay in the states for a while.”
“Is Finn getting bored with the motherland? Brexit isn’t treating him well?”
I shrug and stand up to leave. “You know how Finn gets. I think he’s just looking for something to do. Or someone to do.”
Mark laughs and stands up with me to see me out. “Well, my friend, you brought him to the right place.”
***
The gate to my home is open when I arrive, putting me on edge. It’s possible the gardeners or a delivery person left it open on their way out, but not likely. Maurice manages the grounds and keeps a close eye on anyone coming in and out. Besides, the only way to hold the gate open is with a code that few people have.
As I drive through it, I hit the code into my phone then sit and wait for the gate lock to completely engage before I continue down the private road to the main house. This home has been in my family for three generations, and it’s one of the few places I’m completely at peace.
Unless I have uninvited guests.
The Porsche SUV parked in front of a marble water feature that was designed to replicate the Trevi fountain in Rome is vaguely familiar. It’s familiar because it’s mine, but only vaguely because I haven’t seen it in at least six months. And even though I like the car, I’m annoyed to see it because of the person who mostly likely drove it here.
As soon as I park beside the SUV, the door opens, and a tall woman steps out. She’s wearing a short dress that barely covers her ass and is stretched tightly across her bulging baby bump. A scowl forms across my face because I know she wants something from me.
As usual.
“Tiffany.” Truthfully, I didn’t expect to ever see her again. I’m surprised she would show her face here after disappearing with my car and a few hundred thousand dollars’ worth of wine from my cellar six months ago. Hell, I considered the car and the wine a fair price to pay to get her out of my life.
That woman is toxic and exhausting to be around.
“Garrett, darling!” She walks toward me with her arms outstretched, but I hold out my hand, stopping her from getting close enough to touch me. I don’t want her gaudy perfume to override the smell of Angel still on my skin. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for months. Have you blocked me?”
Actually, yes. “What is this about, Tiffany?” I cross my arms over my chest and lean against my car, not even willing to invite her into my home.
“Is that any way to greet the mother of your baby?” She rubs her belly and smirks.
“That’s not my baby, and you know it.” I’m not gonna let her manipulate me the way she does with everyone else.
Tiffany fakes an indignant pout. “How can you say that, Gare-bear?”
“Easy.” I hold her stare, not backing down for a second. “It’s not mine. Why are you here?”
“Well, if you’re just going to be an asshole, then I guess we have to do this the ugly way.” She reaches back inside her car and pulls out a large manila envelope.
I roll my eyes and don’t even reach for it. “You brought me mail?”
“A settlement. I knew you wouldn’t want to be there for me and our child, so I worked out the math on what it’s going to take for me to raise her by myself.”
“Did you now?” Okay, this bitch is almost comical.
“Yes.” She sighs heavily as if truly hurt by the turn of events. “You know I’d rather have you in our lives as a father to our baby girl.” Her hand slips beneath her belly and she holds onto her stomach as if it might fall right off her body. “But if you don’t want to be there for us physically and emotionally, the least you can do is be there for us financially.”
“Of course,” I deadpan. “And just what number did you come up with as being adequate for this settlement you’re so generously offering to let me pay you?”
“Twenty million.” She stares at me as if waiting for a reaction. When she doesn’t get one, she adjusts her stance and plants her fists on her hips. “What? That’s a very reasonable number. Do you know how much diapers cost? A lot. And this ensures that after taxes, the baby and I will have a comfortable lifestyle. I mean really, Garrett, do you want us living in the slums?”
“It’s not my baby, Tiffany. I don’t know why you’re here, but you’re not getting a penny out of me. Keep the fucking car or sell it. Do whatever the hell you want with it. But don’t come back and try to con me with this bullshit.”
Her jaw drops as if she’s never been so insulted in her life. Maybe she hasn’t. But that’s not
my problem. I know with one hundred percent certainty that this is not my baby. I used protection every time I was with her, and I only came inside her pussy once. I remember it well because I made damn sure there wasn’t a leak or slip when I was pulling out.
Tiffany may have been a good lay, but I could see her crazy from a mile away. I knew better than to get involved, but when it comes to sex, sometimes I think with the wrong head. At least, that was the old me.
But not anymore. I’m smarter now. Wiser.
I just shrug and wait for her to get the hell off my property.
She holds the envelope out to me, waiting for me to grab it. She’s gonna be waiting a hell of a long time. “Seriously, Garrett? Are you going to be like this? Just take the papers and come back with a counter offer. I’m not unreasonable.”
I actually laugh out loud at that. “Good luck to you and your baby, Tiffany. But please don’t ever come back to my house.”
I whistle through my teeth and Maurice appears with Gabriel, his twenty-year-old son who is built like a tank. The family has a house on the property, and they all work for me in one capacity or another. Gabriel is studying agriculture and will be tending our vegetable garden and my small vineyard while he’s home for the summer.
“I’m sorry, sir. She insisted on coming in.” Maurice nods toward Tiffany’s belly. “Considering her condition, I wasn’t sure what to do.”
I hold up my hand to alleviate any of his concerns. “It’s fine, Maurice. Please show Tiffany off the property, and make sure we get the gate code changed within the hour.”
Tiffany flings the envelope at me like a Frisbee then stomps back to her car. “This isn’t over, Garrett. You haven’t seen my crazy yet, so I suggest you sign those papers before I take you for everything you’ve got.”
I pick up the envelope just so it’s not littering my yard then head inside, desperate for a drink. All my post orgasmic calm from this afternoon is gone, and I’m suddenly tense from my head to my toes. If this doesn’t explain why I prefer to pay for sex now, I don’t know what does. I can’t take the entanglement of a woman wanting to get attached. As a business transaction, I can control the narrative and set the tone.
I don’t need a wife or girlfriend… I need a good lay and to continue on with my day.
Chapter 6
Angie
I step into my shoes, ready to leave for work, just as someone knocks on my door. I only get a handful of visitors, so I can pretty well guess who it is. “Good morning, Eli.”
He looks surprised when I say his name before I’ve even fully opened the door. “How did you know it was me?”
“Because you’re the only one who comes over this early…or at all.”
Eli shoves his way inside my apartment, patting my shoulder as he passes. “Aww, is somebody sad that her best friend has a new best friend to play with?”
“No, I’m very happy for Emma. I’m just wondering what brings you over so early in the morning.” I give a pointed look at my watch. I’m not late, yet. But I can only chat for a few minutes before I need to get on the road. My first appointment is in an hour, but I’m hoping to get a few minutes with Mark before that.
I’ve only officially worked at Hart Advisors for a week, but I’m curious to find out if he’s gotten any feedback about me. So far, my tips have been amazing, so I think that’s all the feedback I really care about. But hearing it from him would be nice.
Eli rests his ass against the back of my couch and crosses his ankles. “Well, Owen mentioned that some of his friends are in Cub Scouts, and I wanted to know what you thought about that.”
“Um, I haven’t given it much thought. I’m not sure I’m the outdoorsy type. Unless they do glamping in Cub Scouts, I’m probably not interested.”
Eli shakes his head to stop me. “I’m talking about me, you dork. I could take him. I was a scout when I was his age, and it was fun. We hiked and swam and threw tomahawks. It’ll be good for him.”
“Really?” I stop short, genuinely surprised by the offer. “You would be willing to do that?”
Eli flashes that sexy smirk of his. “Yeah, sure. Especially if it earns me brownie points with a certain someone.”
I cock my head and give him an incredulous look. “You’re like my brother. It ain’t gonna happen. But if you’d like to do Cub Scouts with Owen, I think that’d be awesome. He totally adores you.”
“Well, that makes one of you,” Eli scoffs and then playfully nudges my shoulder as he walks toward my front door. “But, cool. I’ll get us all signed up for some manly fun.”
“Sounds great.” Now I have to pee before I get on the road, so instead of leaving with him, I walk him to the door to say goodbye. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” Eli takes a few steps toward his apartment then turns back with his finger in the air. “Does Owen have a BB gun?”
“Goodbye, Eli.” He’s gonna be a good dad someday. And I’m glad he’s willing to get some practice in with Owen. My sister never told us who Owen’s dad is, but I can’t believe he’s worth knowing if even Tanya didn’t want him around.
If Eli wasn’t my best friend’s brother, I might consider taking him up on all his flirtatious offers. But he is Emma’s brother, which practically makes him my brother, so it could never work.
Besides, I need to focus on filling my bank account with enough money to provide for Owen and myself. If I can earn a down payment on a small house and a decent nest egg, I can go back to school and become a CPA.
I’ve always found comfort in the elegance and stability of numbers. They don’t lie and there are no shades of grey. They just are.
And that’s what I need to be.
***
“Okay, darling. Can we get on with it already?” Mr. Montgomery has been bouncing his leg since the second he sat down. If we don’t stop soon, I’m afraid it’s gonna vibrate right off.
I force a patient smile for this jerk that I’ve already heard stories about. Apparently, he just wants a fast fuck and to move on.
And that’s fine by me. I certainly don’t want to spend any extra time with him than necessary. “Yes, of course. If you’re done with your session, we can move on.”
“Well, all righty then.” He waves his hand toward the Murphy bed. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’ve got places to be.”
After hitting the button on the remote control to drop the bed, I begin to untie the belt at the front of my wrap dress.
“Don’t bother with that. Just hike up your skirt and climb on.”
I can see why this charmer doesn’t have a woman in his life. As soon as he drops his pants and sits on the edge of the bed, he pats the mattress next to his thighs to indicate I should climb on.
Okay, this should be quick.
I hand him a condom while I step out of my panties then pull the bottom of my dress up around my waist so I can straddle his lap.
The good thing about clients like Mr. Montgomery is that they don’t take much effort. Literally. All I have to do to get him on the edge is to slide him inside me and roll my hips a little then moan his name. I’m not sure sixty seconds has passed before he’s thrusting into me like his life depends on it.
Trying to help move things along, I slip my hand into the opening of my dress then push the fabric aside so one breast is hanging out. The Demi bra I’m wearing holds my tit up nice and perky while still leaving the top half of my nipple exposed.
He looks like his eyes might pop out of his head when I reach for my nipple and give it a little pinch. Mr. Montgomery whimpers as he comes inside me with a grunt and a shudder.
It’s even less attractive than it sounds, if you can believe that.
I give the man a few words of praise while I carefully extract myself from his body, taking the condom with me to dispose of it. I usually let my clients take care of their own clean up, but someone like him would probably tie it off and keep it in his underwear drawer for future smelling.
No thank you.
He moves surprisingly quick once he’s satisfied, tucking back into his slacks and finger-combing his thinning hair. “That was good, Angel. I’ll probably request you again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Montgomery.” I walk my fingers down his arm and then gently tug his hand toward the door. “I’m looking forward to it.”
As soon as he’s gone, I check my messages from the receptionist.
My last appointment is running late, so I quickly get cleaned up then go find Mark. I don’t have to look far because as soon as I step outside, I see him walking a new guy to the parking lot, joking about something I can’t hear.
This guy is hot as hell and will be starting as a relationship advisor in a few days. Unfortunately for me, he doesn’t like vaginas as much as he likes dicks. Oh, well, they can’t all be straight.
Mark sees me approaching and breaks away from the new guy, heading my way.
“Angel, how’s it going?”
“Pretty good.” I squint against the sun and look up into Mark’s handsome face. “I just wanted to check in and see how things are going on your end. Have you gotten any feedback? Are my clients happy?”
Mark laughs as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and walks with me back to my office. “Of course, they’re happy. I’ve even gotten some special requests for you.” He winks when I look up at him but doesn’t elaborate.
I give him a minute to explain, and when he doesn’t, I put my hand on my hip and stop walking. “What are you talking about? What kind of special requests?”
“Let’s go inside.” Reluctantly, I walk into my office with Mark hot on my heels. He immediately takes a seat in the guest chair and waits for me to sit too. But I’m too wound up to sit still, so I pace the length of the room. “Well, Garrett seems to be pretty impressed by you. He came asking about exclusivity.”
