“What dreams?”
“You know, dreams.”
“Sex dreams?”
“Yeah.”
She rolls her eyes and smirks. “It’s not the same. Oh, men. When will your small heads stop ruling over your big heads?”
She rolls down over to the bed and I let her go. She curls up against me, resting her face on the pillow beside me, gazing at me with curiosity. I can stay naked in bed with her just like this for the rest of my life, her soft curves pressing against my skin, and I won’t complain. With her, I can shut out all the problems, my past horrors, disappointments, losses. They stop running amok in my mind when Lindsay is with me.
She touches my shoulder gently, then waves her hand at my face. “Hey, are you still there? Don’t tell me you’re having a sex dream right now.”
“I kind of am. I was thinking how completely happy I’d be if I got to spend the rest of my life naked in bed with you.”
A breathtaking smile broadens her lips, and she lowers her eyes, her smooth skin flushing a deep red instantly. I guess this was more of the response she was fishing for.
“God, I want you.” I catch her neck and pull her in to kiss her senseless. Our tongues fight to claim each other’s mouths. Her teeth bite me playfully; her lips suck with passion. As our kiss deepens, she lifts her leg and hooks it up around my hip. Her hand grabs my semi-hard cock and rubs it along the lips of her moist pussy. As soon as it gets to its full length, she guides it inside her body. Her irises roll to the back of their sockets, and she arches her head back, gasping as I fill her up. Her pussy is creamy wet, soft, and cushiony, and wraps around my cock tightly like a hand.
She’s so fucking hot; although I came not longer than fifteen minutes ago, I’m ready to burst into her now. I slide my hand down and press my thumb against her clit. She groans and turns her head down to watch our fucking. Her eyes are heavy. Her lower lip is trapped between her teeth. Lust is giving her face a new dimension and intensifies her beauty.
Sex has always been mechanical for me. Only about getting my dick into a pussy and some hard friction until I’m done. Never have I felt astonished or even slightly interested by the sight of my lovers. None of them caused my heart to pump like it’ll jump out of my chest. Lindsay, however, awakens all my senses, alerts my mind, and pushes my heart to its limit. What is it with her?
I thrust into her hard and draw circles around her clit with my thumb because there’s no way I can hold it for longer.
“Oh, god. I’m coming.” Her mouth remains open as her body stills. The exquisite view of her losing herself pushes me toward my own release, and I drive my thick load into her pulsating sex. My heart beats loudly in my ears. My body is fuming with heat as my lungs demand more air.
The physical strain of having sex twice with only a few minutes break after two hours of sleep hits me full force, and I roll on my back, moaning like a shot animal. The pillow draws me inside it with an unimaginable power, and my eyes fall closed. Darkness covers everything, including Lindsay’s musical voice.
When I wake, I feel lost, disoriented. Have I dreamed everything? Murmurs of a female come from the living room, and my memory is instantly filled with the flashbacks of Lindsay. I can’t have possibly dreamed it all, because the fresh images running wild in my head can’t be the product of my dull mind.
My head still feels heavy. I don’t know how long I slept but I can definitely use a few more hours. I head to the bathroom and get a quick, cold shower to wake the rest of my body up. I may need to go to work, but I won’t as long as Lindsay wants to spend the rest of the day with me, even if the entire PE building catches a fire.
After drying myself, I comb my hair and wrap a towel around my hips. Lindsay is wearing my t-shirt and sprawled on the couch, talking on the phone. The sight of her bare legs sends all my blood pooling in my groin again. Her eyes drop to the towel—the part covering my crotch to be exact—once she notices me.
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” she asks to whomever she’s talking on the phone. “I see. Okay.” She sighs as she disconnects and places the phone on the coffee table. “Hey, sleepyhead. I thought you passed out.” She sits up, letting her eyes wander over my chest, and I smile at the appreciation visible in her expression. I settle on the couch beside her and put my arm around her shoulder. She welcomes me with a soft kiss and slides both her arms around me as tightly as if I might escape, reflecting my own urge to have her close.
I ease back a little to admire her face, glowing pink cheeks, smiling lips, and twinkling eyes. No sign of anger or disappointment on her face. Good. “You’re beautiful.”
“So are you.” She runs her fingers through my wet hair, playing with its curls.
“Who were you talking to?”
Her body stiffens. The smile freezes on her face. Her whole demeanor changes with my questions. “Edric. Michael wants to see me today.”
My body reacts exactly the same way to her response. What does he want from her? I have a nagging suspicion that it’s about the Russian envoy. I have to make sure Lindsay doesn’t get involved with them. “Lindsay, I have to tell you something, and I need you to believe every word I say. I care a lot about you, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
The mask she usually wears falls back onto the contours of her face. Her brows knit together, forming deep lines in between. Her lips are a tight line.
“Michael told me about some very important guests he’ll have next weekend. The Russian Interior Minister and his wife. He wants me to entertain them over at PE. My understanding is that they won’t be content with just exotic food and fine music. They’ll also want sexual pleasures, which I’m more than happy to provide them with my staff. However, Michael implied something that I think you have a right to know.”
Her chest stops moving. She stares at me wild-eyed. I think she knows what I’m about to say. “If the Minister wants you as a sexual partner, Michael won’t decline his request.”
“Oh, god.” She pulls her hands away from me and cups her now red cheeks.
“You can get away from it. Say you’re sick. Get really sick if you must but don’t join that party. He’s not the person you think he is. He physically abused Chloe, Zane, and me for years long and still does. Irene killed herself because she couldn’t take it anymore. He treats his employees with disrespect and hostility. You have to protect yourself from his abuses. Better stay at your home with a high fever or a broken leg than be around Michael’s clients, because Michael has no limits when it comes to satisfying the clients he works with to get what he wants.”
“What if I can’t convince him, what if he forces me, are you going to be at the party?”
“Yes, I will. I must be present as the owner of PE and his son. But, please, I’m begging you, find a very good excuse and save yourself from the pain.”
She nods several times. Panic tenses her muscles all over, and her body shakes visibly. “I have to go now. Michael is expecting me.”
“Okay, I’ll get ready quickly and drive you.”
“No. Someone might see me in your car. It’s better nobody knows about us. I’ll call a cab.”
“Good call.”
She hurries to the bathroom and comes back fully clothed. I hold her jacket as she slides in and hug her tightly before opening the front door for her. “Call me afterwards.”
“I will,” she says and strides into the elevator.
The Truth
What have I gotten myself into? I must have the perception of a five-year-old for not having seen what kind of manipulative and abusive person Michael is. But, a part of me whispers, what if Ace is the manipulative one? Ace is sweet and handsome, and sexy as hell, and I might know him physically better than anyone else, but the fact remains that I don’t know his personality any more than I know Michael’s. Ace might have a secret agenda or some unresolved issue with Michael and might be trying to get back at him through me—just like Zane tried—although I don’t know what exactly he
’ll gain by preventing me from entertaining Michael’s guests.
Maybe he’s upset that he didn’t receive the same affection and treatment from Michael as Zane and Chloe got as his biological children. He might be upset about some financial disadvantages he had or is having while Zane and Chloe live well off.
Ahhh. Why can’t I just see into people’s minds?
After I get into the cab and give the driver the address of Hawkins Media Group headquarters, I pull out a pen and paper to make a list of signs I observed about Michael to decide if he might or might not be the narcissist, obsessed with power and control, Ace and Zane claim him to be.
- Michael has never ever treated me with disrespect. He has met all the requirements of the contract from his side, and not just that, changed a term to accommodate my need for physical closeness with men.
- Edric admires him and the other employees I met never mentioned or even hinted at any kind of hostility at work.
Just these two observations prove that Ace lied to me about one thing; Michael’s disrespect toward his employees. Why wouldn’t he have lied about anything else? If I’m honest with myself, I’m still undecided about his involvement in the coconut oil incident during my sexual encounter with Zane.
- Irene Hawkins’ death. It says she died of cancer on Michael’s Wikipedia page. Can the medical records of someone’s death be corrupted so easily? I remember seeing a picture of her looking very sick and with a scarf covering her head, like patients undergoing chemotherapy do to hide their baldness. That again falsifies Ace’s claim.
- Michael’s persistence to hire me and pay me for being his girlfriend. The money I’m receiving, the car I own, the dresses, and jewelry. The job that I have. Why did he choose to over-compensate me when I openly and clearly told him I’d date him without getting anything in return? I understand his need as a businessman to make me sign a contract, but the things I receive in return can’t be a simple gesture of generosity. Almost two frigging million dollars. I still fail to see why he specifically picked me to begin with, but it’s evident that he’s giving me more than he gave his previous pretend girlfriends. Much more.
This point supports Ace’s claims, though vaguely.
Before I can add another point to my list, the cab stops and I look out to see Hawkins Media Group written in golden letters. I pay the driver, put the paper and pencil back into my bag, and climb out of the cab. Although my brief analysis about Michael proves his innocence, it didn’t help with my anxiety. My hands are sweating, my legs shaking.
Why does Michael want to talk to me now? Why can’t he wait for tomorrow? He might be leaving for a business trip, I tell to myself to calm down as I climb the stairs. My body feels as if it’s drained of all blood as I suddenly look up and notice the street number of the building.
5727.
I want to kick myself in the ass for not having noticed the sevens in it before. Not just one but two. Does it mean double the trouble or just that they negate each other? But five plus two is also seven. Oh, god. If I was worried a second ago I’m terrified now, having proof of the dreadful minutes ahead of me.
I bite my lip, trying to remember Zane’s words about my illogical belief in seven’s bad luck. He wasn’t all wrong when he said the things related to seven I thought were bad were actually good in the end.
This isn’t the fifteenth century or some dictatorship where wealthy and powerful people do as they like. We live in a democracy. Each individual has rights. Michael can’t force me into anything. I can call the police and sue him on the spot. He can’t hurt me.
With renewed confidence, I walk through the door and step into the elevator. Julie nods with a smile as I enter her office. “Hello, Lindsay. How are you?”
“I’m good. I’ve come to see Michael.”
“I’ll let him know.” She dials the phone without looking at the number pad. “Mr. Hawkins, Lindsay is here.” My heart leaps at the mentioning of Michael’s name.
Calm down, Lindsay, before you make a fool of yourself!
As soon as Julie nods, I move toward Michael’s office and knock on the door briefly.
“Come in.” His voice comes as a muffled sound.
You can do it. Just get a grip on yourself. “Hi, Michael. Edric told me you wanted to see me.” My voice trembles as I say the last two words. Shit.
He smiles his usual heart-warming, genuine smile, and I find my body relaxing a bit.
“Come in. Sit down. I have some news.”
“Okay.” I take my seat at the chair in front of his majestic desk and clasp my hands together. Good thing he didn’t try to shake hands, or his hand would be soaked with my sweat.
“I have another meeting in fifteen minutes. That’s why I have to make this quick. I’ll have an important guest next weekend, and I want you to accompany me for the full weekend during their visit. See, he’s bringing along his wife, and I think she’ll enjoy having a lady friend your age, rather than me.”
I force myself with all my strength to keep myself from giving away the hurricane going on inside me. All my senses are telling me to follow Ace’s advice. I won’t be going against the contract. I won’t cause him bankruptcy by not attending one event with him. The only decision I need to take is whether I should decline now or later. Letting him know about my unwillingness now is better for him because he’ll have more time to find a replacement.
I take a long breath and tell him the first words that come to my mind, “I’m very sorry but I can’t. Why don’t you invite Chloe instead? She’ll surely be more fun than I would. She knows more stuff about exquisite locations and stores in L.A. than I’ll ever know.”
To my astonishment and relief, the friendliness of his demeanor doesn’t disappear. “Why exactly can’t you help me out?”
The problem with never telling a lie at all is coming up with a sound excuse on the spot, like I’m experiencing at this moment. “Family problems.”
“May I ask what family problems you’re having? I may offer a solution.”
I swallow. Lies attract more lies, don’t they? There’s no end to it once you start. That’s another reason why I prefer staying clear of lying. Until now, that is. “I can’t talk about it, but Taylor is having health issues, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone when she needs me most.”
He plops his elbows on the desk and laces his fingers together, resting his chin on his face. “Funny thing. You deemed it appropriate to leave her alone for the entire morning and afternoon today, but you can’t spare two days for me a week from now.”
How does he know that? Is he following me? Zane’s words the day I met him for the first time echo in my mind. “He’ll follow your every step. You’ll not have the freedom to breathe without his permission. Losing your independence isn’t worth the fame being with my father will bring you.”
I feel my face burning. My breath catches in my throat. “How do you know?” I ask, but why do I even care how, when “why” should be the important question? Why does he intrude on my privacy?
“I keep a close eye on my children, and there are only a very few things I don’t know about them, Lindsay. I wish you had been aware of it sooner. Your secret rendezvous with Ace is a breach of contract, but I will let it slip this time. Everyone is entitled to a mistake once, but I won’t forgive the second time.” He twists his arm to check his watch and then glances back at me. “I’m counting on you for next weekend. Keep your calendar empty. You’re accompanying me as my date.”
“I’m truly sorry, Michael, but for reasons I can’t explain you, I can’t attend the event next weekend. Please, understand that and don’t insist.”
He laughs, pushing back his chair, tossing his body against it. “Lindsay, my little, fake girlfriend. I think the time has come for you to start treating me as your boss and not some ordinary friend. I’m paying you two millions dollars. If I say, “you’ll come to hell with me in two hours,” I expect nothing but, “Yes, sir,” as a response from you.
”
“With all due respect, that’s a pretty high expectation. I have a life. I have obligations outside of my job.”
“Well, you should have thought about your other commitments before taking up my offer. Now it’s too late to use them as an excuse. You’re coming with me. End of the discussion.”
“Michael…” I start but he raises his hand to cut me off.
“You’re not only expected to show up but also fully assume your duties as my girlfriend.”
“My duties as your girlfriend? What does that even mean?”
“Everything you imagine a man and woman in love would do in public to show their love, including but not limited to kissing and touching each other.”
Ewww. My stomach twists at the thought of kissing him. “What? No way. I never agreed to that. In fact, I didn’t even accept to be your pretend girlfriend. I only agreed to go out on dates with you. Nothing more. You’ll never find such a term on the contract I signed.”
“My dear, Lindsay. When will you finally grasp that the contract is a worthless piece of paper, and I do whatever I want with you regardless of what is written, or what’s not on the contract.”
I jump to my feet with anger and agitation. “Who do you think you are? You can’t talk to me like that. I’m not your slave. If you think so little of the contract, it certainly doesn’t carry any more importance for me, either. I’ll pay back the money I received from you to the last cent and return the car. I’ll send my resignation letter as soon as I’m out of your office,” I yell before spinning on my heels and heading for the door.
My move will most likely damage Taylor’s professional relationship with Michael, and I have no doubt Michael will try to hurt her company’s reputation, but it’s better that she’s freed from another villain. She has a safety net of more than a hundred-million dollars that she inherited from her deceased first husband. It’s not like she’ll ever end up on the streets.
Just when I touch the doorknob, Michael says, “not so fast, young lady. I’m not done talking yet. You can leave only when I say you’re dismissed, and I haven’t yet said so.”
Pleasure Extraordinaire 2 (PURSUIT) Page 13
