by Jami Denise
“I understand, and you can collect payment in full, in advance. I don’t want any delay. I’ll pick her up at seven thirty tonight.”
He slid it back in his pocket and took a step toward me, his eyes still drilling a hole in me.
“I paid. Happy?”
Without waiting for a response, he stepped off the porch and onto the sidewalk, disappearing down the block. I stood there, stunned and angry, and even though my legs wanted to run after him and insist that he explain himself, my mind wouldn’t allow it. Jayne King didn’t chase after anyone.
I stomped my foot like a child, swung the door open, and went inside to talk to Vince. As soon as the door opened, there he was, lips tight and arms crossed over his chest. He was pissed.
“That guy is definitely messed up over you. You need to be careful.”
My arms went up and I stomped again. “What did you say to him when he asked that? Is he crazy?”
He nodded, his lip lifting a bit in the corner. “He asked for exclusive, and I told him a million. He’ll have the money available today. That’s it, and we’re done, kid. Ten days, less than two weeks, and we’re done.”
I was catching flies. I couldn’t speak, or pick my jaw up off the floor. One million dollars?
“And yeah, the fucker is crazy.”
My head shook back and forth in disbelief. It was unfathomable that we were actually pulling it off, and that Flynn was willing to go through with it to prove a point. To spend time with me. His intentions were so unbelievable. Inside, I wanted to believe them. I definitely yearned to have him want me. I was as crazy as he was, honestly, and I was pretty sure Vince knew it.
“So, here’s what we’re going to do. We get the money, you get ready to go with him, and I’ll handle your dad. I’ll call you as soon as shit is settled, and let you know where he is. I’ll get him set up, and by the time you’re done with Flynn, we’ll be ready.”
I couldn’t breathe. My chest was tight and heavy, and my legs threatened to buckle beneath me.
“What does this mean?”
Vince groaned and walked over to the kitchen counter, grabbing his keys and sunglasses and walked toward the door.
“Keep up, Janie. We have business to take care of. Get ready, and I’ll be back."
TEN
I clasped my hand over the handle of my bag and stared out the window at the passing buildings. We were leaving the strip, which terrified me. We were going out of the city, and that was more than I’d bargained for. I’d talked myself into enjoying a few days of luxury and pampering at The Maguire Grand, but things were changing, and I was nervous.
The car pulled onto the I-15, taking us south. At first, I thought we were heading out of town—California maybe—and then we hit the 215.
“Where are we headed?” I finally asked the driver.
He ignored me, his eyes on the road and mind on driving, and I sulked back against the leather seat and groaned. It wasn’t ideal being at the mercy of someone else. Actually, it was terrifying. Things were way out of my control, and there was a lot at stake.
As we drove, I checked my phone restlessly, waiting for a word from Vince. It was making me nervous that he hadn’t checked in with me, and my mind raced. All I could think about was my dad’s safety. As badly as I wanted him safe, I also wanted to be free of the obligation. I wanted to sweep back into my own life and live without burden.
The old man was going to be on his own. I was so tired of being the parent. I wanted to be a normal woman, and my dad needed to take care of himself. He was too old for the game.
And then there was Flynn. I couldn’t help but have feelings for him, even when he was being a creepy idiot. There was something about him, and I couldn’t help but fall for him a little more every time I looked into his sultry eyes.
Flying down the highway toward an unknown destination in the Nevada desert to meet him for an undetermined amount of time, all with the price tag of a million dollars, killed something deep down inside of me. I’d never felt cheaper or worthless. I should’ve been thrilled—it was the best of both worlds. I could get my father back, and spend time with Flynn alone. It left a sad, bitter taste in my mouth.
I was pretty much devastated.
A sick, pathetic part of me lived for his calls. No longer would I have a reason to receive those calls. I’d be gone. I knew without a doubt that he’d have another girl on his mattress before my car even hit the California-Nevada border. I was nothing but a distraction to him, and out of sight, out of mind. Replaceable.
You’ve had one whore, you’ve had them all.
He loved the chase. I could tell he liked the game as much as I did. That was the zinger. This was fun, being with me, titillation for a spoiled man-child with too much time and money on his hands. He was used to this, and I wasn’t. I kept myself afloat, enough money to have a little fun, and enough sin to satisfy my needs.
Two broken branches off the same tree. His side bloomed, while mine fought to produce life.
Finally things were beginning to look familiar. It was a part of town full of golf courses and ritzy country clubs. Designer, one-of-a-kind homes, custom and ridiculously expensive, lined the landscape.
“This is where he lives?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
The driver simply nodded, pulling off the highway and driving through toward the south part of town. The homes were gorgeous, and I kept myself busy by admiring the increasingly luxurious homes pass us by.
He obviously had a home there, and the thought of being alone, left with the privacy of his personal space, caused my stomach to cramp. Meeting him on his own turf felt a little too intimate. The hotel was one thing, but his home said something about the situation that I wasn’t ready to deal with.
We pulled through a large iron gate and down a long driveway toward a beautiful home set back in the hills. It was dark, but the house was lit up like a Christmas tree, full of life and open secrets.
I was intimidated. There was no doubt. I was immediately impressed, if not a little bitter, once the house came into view. More than once, I’d had men shove their wealth in my face, dangling it like a T-bone steak in front of a hungry lioness. Flynn was no different. At least he hadn’t tried to hide the fact that he was stuffed with money, but it was disappointing, nonetheless.
What was he trying to prove? Did he think I was stupid enough to fawn all over him, thank him for his fucking charity? Great. He paid more money than I could make in a year to fuck me, or if our past encounters proved to be the norm, not to fuck me, but I still had some pride.
I wasn’t exactly ashamed of being an escort. I chose to use men for money. I loved the attention, and I enjoyed sex. I liked the power I held as an organizer of escorts, and the success I’d found was more than I ever expected in my shitty life. But, I preferred being on the other side of business. I liked holding on to a tiny part of my dignity, and that little bit of power was enough.
After watching my father drink and gamble his life away, I’d found a piece of life to call my own. Sure, I got it. People thought poorly of hookers. I didn’t fucking care. Not anymore.
Besides, it was the world’s oldest profession. If something worked, it worked.
The closer we got to the house, the more beautiful it became. It was a modern, minimalist design, clean lines and wall-to-wall windows. Beautiful red stone and brick gave it a warm and inviting appeal. It was definitely not what I expected, but it was so much more impressive.
I thought briefly that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t the pretentious prick I thought he was.
Although, the house was clearly worth more than I could even fathom in a lifetime.
Before the driver could even get the door open, Flynn was on the porch and approaching the car. He looked edible in a pair of khaki shorts, loose t-shirt, and a pair of flip flops. I’d never tried to imagine him dressed down, and realized that not even in my dreams could he have looked so good.
Even his hair looked longer,
his waves hanging down over his brow, and his boyish smile took me off guard. I found myself smiling back at him through the tinted window. He looked happy, ready to have fun, and excited for me to arrive.
He beat the driver to the door, swung it open, and peered inside, holding his hand out. “You’re here.”
His dimples pinched his cheeks as his smile widened. It was contagious, and I smiled back, taking his hand and climbing out.
“The house is gorgeous,” I said. I stood on my toes and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
His arm went around my waist, and I was lifted off my feet and up against him. He kissed me, hard and thoroughly, and I wasn’t sure if it was stars I was seeing or if I’d actually finally lost my mind.
His warm, soft tongue licked at my lips, and then he was pressing inside, demanding all I had to give. I gave it, dropping my purse on the ground; I swung my arms around his shoulders and let myself feel, for the first time in a long time. I felt everything.
Funny thing was, a month before I hadn’t wanted a thing to do with men. I was an independent in the world, no strings, and the whole future to take over. At that moment, though, I was just a girl kissing a beautiful man and watching tiny pictures of ridiculous futures flash before my eyes.
After several amazing moments of kissing the beautiful man, he pulled away, all smiles again and bright eyes. I’d never seen him so relaxed. His guard was down, and I sensed that I was seeing a piece of Flynn Maguire he’d hidden from me before.
“This will be good, Jayne. I want you to be happy here.”
I was already happy, and not in any hurry to leave. All it took was a kiss, and I’d forgotten that I’d sold my life away to the man, not been swept off my feet.
I let that thought slide down my back and float away. I was there, there was no way out of it, and things looked like they were going in a good direction. He wasn’t acting like an asshole, he’d finally kissed me, and he looked delicious. Besides, how bad could it be spending a few days in a gorgeous house with the Nevada desert as a backdrop?
It was romantic in a fucked up, this is not your life sort of way.
But, that was how things usually went for me.
I smiled, warm and as soft as I could. He didn’t get Jayne’s smile. The deal was done. He chose me, wanted me there. I was going to make the best of it and enjoy myself. I had no idea what the next week would hold for me, so living in the moment was on my agenda.
He took my hand and led me inside, and again, I was impressed. Nothing fancy, no priceless paintings, no European furniture, no Mr. Collins. It was a normal home, warm and inviting and beautifully decorated. It suited the Flynn next to me much more than the uptight suite in The Maguire hotel.
The environment must have been good for him. I’d never seen him smile so much. He had a lilt to his step, calm and confident but not in the arrogant, smug way he was in the city. I liked the desert Flynn, the shorts and a t-shirt Flynn.
I could fall in love with that Flynn.
I bit my lip and wanted to punch myself in the face for thinking about it. Vince had been right. I was in denial. I liked him… a lot. More than I should have, and more than I was allowed. When all was said and done, I was going to be well and fucked.
“I have steaks on the grill, and I thought we could eat on the veranda. It’s beautiful out here at night. You’ll love it.”
My face hurt from smiling so much. It was pulled so tight I could feel my ears at the back of my head. It felt so normal, like a blind date. As many “dates” as I’d had, I’d never been to someone’s home, or treated to a sunset on a veranda.
Being with Flynn made it all that much better.
We came to the end of a long hall, rustic wood wall to wall and slate on the floor. He pushed a large, salvaged wood door open and waved me inside.
It was breathtaking. A wrought-iron bed sat in the middle of the room against one wall, covered in billowing white linens and a white down spread. A ceiling to floor window cast sunlight throughout, and the same worn wood lay on the floor.
It was simplistic, fresh, and romantic. Romance. I was definitely not expecting that.
“Do you like it?”
His hands came to my shoulders, his chest against my back and his lips at my ear. His voice was rough, and I could tell he was holding himself back, his arousal blatant against my back.
“I love it.”
“I think I love you in white,” he said. “I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.”
I casually looked down at the soft, gauzy dress I’d worn. I wore it in an effort to defy him and his usual demanding requests. It was simple but sexy, a little sheer and perfect for the sweltering weather. Admittedly, I knew it looked good on me, not that I ever wore anything that didn’t flatter—it wasn’t my style. I always liked to look good—preferred it—and looking good for him was important, even when I was rebelling against his preferences.
“Thank you.”
I turned in his arms, snaking my arms up and around his neck, tickling the soft curls at his nape. I was determined to twist my fingers in that hair by the end of the night. I wanted it tight in my fists, preferably while enjoying his lips on my sex.
His eyes burned hot and dark as his smile fell. It turned into something pained, forced. The easy Flynn was gone, and in his place was the brooding, cold man from the first night I’d been called upon.
“We should eat.”
He kissed me softly and stepped back, loosening my grip on him and turning to walk out. I gave a last cursory glance at the bed, sighed, and followed him out, wondering what the hell had happened.
The breeze was just enough to settle the scorch of the sun, and the yard was a sight I knew I’d never get out of my head. Native foliage and stone fixtures were laid out in a concise, practical manner and easy design, but fitting to the estate.
Dinner was quiet, the sound of silverware clanking and dishes moving echoed over the silence of the empty night. Conversation was slow, but eventually, we found an easy rhythm. Whether it was the wine or the fact that it had gotten so uncomfortably awkward for both of us, I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that I wanted to make the best of things and find that sweet, happy Flynn again.
“Why did you bring me all the way out here?” I blurted out.
My eyes went wide, surprised at my own question, before setting my wine glass on the table and leaning forward, suddenly brave.
“I mean, why all the fanfare? It seems rather cozy out here and I wonder why you’d bring someone like me here.”
“Why not? You’d rather be in the suite, I assume?”
I shook my head, sat back, and re-crossed my legs. “Not at all. I prefer it out here, actually. I’m just curious why you decided to bring me here. To your home.”
His brow furrowed and he sat back against his chair, folding his arms behind his head. “Why wouldn’t I?”
I rolled my eyes and let out a long, frustrated breath. I felt like he was baiting me again, and the trip in the limousine flashed back behind my eyelids. I didn’t want to hear the words out of his mouth. Not really. I didn’t want to remind him in that moment that I was an escort, a woman he’d paid to spend time with. But, I’d opened the door, my own stupid mouth getting in my way once again.
“Do you often bring hookers home, Flynn, or is this a special circumstance?”
He flinched, flew out of his chair, and pinned me against the back of mine, hands on both sides of me. “Don’t say it again, Jayne. I brought you here because I wanted you here. Not because I paid you. I paid you because that’s how I ensure that I get time with you. There’s a difference.”
My chin quivered and my hands balled up into fists. Those words, words so beautiful they punched me in the heart. If I’d doubted what I’d felt between us before, I certainly didn’t anymore.
He seethed above me, his nostrils flared in anger. The intensity between us was at its boiling point. Whatever it was that sang when we were together was about to
come to a head.
His lips crashed into mine, and all thoughts went out the window. All there was at that moment was him. His mouth, his lips, his tongue. He kissed me with all the words he couldn’t say, all the things he tried not to feel.
I returned them. Ten-fold.
Picking me up, he sat back in the chair next to me and pulled me into his lap, ravaging my mouth like a man starved. My hands went directly into his hair, pulling, teasing, and petting. Kissing had never done much for me, but kissing Flynn was like breathing air. It was a necessity, and once it was all said and done, I would never be able to live without it.
His kisses slowed, his tongue lapping softly at my lips as he pulled away from me, staring at me with fire in his eyes.
“I’ve never felt the way you make me feel.” It was only a whisper, barely loud enough for me to hear even in the silence of his secluded yard.
I wasn’t sure what to make of it. What did I make him feel? What did that even mean?
His eyes darted over my face, a smile turning up on his lips. “You want to take a dip?”
Nodding over his shoulder, he motioned toward a virtual lagoon—stone with two waterfalls, palm trees, and a glistening pool of water tucked away on the other side of the yard.
I nodded, feeling braver by the minute and stood, shedding my dress over my head, leaving me in only a pair of pale lace panties.
His eyes glazed over, his focus on my bare tits and the bravado I stole stripping down to my underwear. I threw my shoes to the side, sliding them off one by one, and held my hand out for him to take.
I was past trying to keep my cool. There was really no sense in pretending I didn’t want him the way I did. A rush of lust flowed through me every time I saw him, and having him near me, so close I could touch him, made it impossible to pretend.
The cool air rolled over my flushed skin. The water would feel wonderful after the warm day, and the closer I got to the pool, the hotter my body got. Seduction was something I was good at. Excelled in. I was determined to take from him what I’d wanted since that very first night.
