Worth It All

by L. J. Swartz

  At 8:30 clip board comes in telling us we're free to go for the day. We have to be back by 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. I walk out into the parking lot dragging my shit along with me. I stop and dig my phone out to call a cab. "Hey Sadie. You need a ride," Vance asks as his hot black car pulls up next to me. He opens the door getting out. I don't want to ride with Vance, but I can't really afford a cab either. I huff then look at him asking, "You sure you don't mind?" He shakes his head no giving me a funny look as he looks to my bags. He says nothing as he loads them into the back seat. I walk around and get in. He gets in next to me. "Thank you for this," I tell him. Panic sets in when I realize I have absolutely no clue where to have him take me. "It's not a problem Sadie. I wasn't about to leave you standing in the parking lot alone. So where to," he asks me expectantly. "I uh, well I don't really," I trail off then look out the window as heat spreads to my cheeks. I look back at him and shrug. He nods then pulls from the parking lot. I don't know what I'm supposed to say now. I feel claustrophobic. I've never had a problem with small spaces before. Whenever Vance is around, I feel like I can't breath properly. I push the button to crack the window. "You ok," he asks. "Yeah I just need some fresh air," I explain not looking at him. "You know Sadie. I don't know you or your boyfriend, but if you were my girl, you wouldn't be standing in a dark parking a lot alone with no where to go," he says catching me off guard. "I'm just, it's a long story ok," I say in a snotty tone looking at him. He turns his head to look at me. Our eyes lock for a second. I feel the same pull from before like I HAVE to touch him or I'll go crazy. He looks back to the road. "Ok well since we obviously have time. Why don't you tell me," he asks as he drives us to who knows where. I ignore his questions looking back out the window. After a bit we pull into the parking garage of a really nice hotel, or is it an apartment building? I look to him confused saying, "I can't afford this place." I'm so embarrassed and ashamed right now. Maybe staying with David wouldn't have been so bad. He opens his door ignoring my statement then walks to the back grabbing my bags from the trunk. I get out walking to the back of the car. "This is my apartment. I have an extra room. You can stay as long as you need," he tells me. I shake my head no reaching for my bags saying, "I can figure something else out." He pulls my bags out of reach saying, "Look I can stay somewhere else, but you will stay here. I refuse to let you just walk off with no where to go." He takes my hand in both of his. I have to hold in a moan as he says, "Just let me help you ok?" I pull my hand from his then hold it out looking to him expectantly. He tries to keep from smiling as he hands me my kit holding my gaze a minute. "Thank you," he says then asks, "Is there something else wrong?" I want to scream yes damn it you keep touching me making me forget how to breath. I shake my head no then walk to the elevator doors. I turn around watching as he walks to me carrying my bags. Man he sure makes simple tasks look sexy. He gets to the elevators reaching around me pushing the up arrow. I get a whiff of him. He smells amazing like he just came from the shower. There's something woodsy about it. It's turning me on. Good god almighty help me survive being alone with this man. We get in the elevator and end up riding in silence. The tension building between us is making the walls of the elevator close in on me. The doors open. I practically run out. Vance steps out with a smirk on his face then walks to the only door. I watch as he unlocks it realizing this entire floor is his. He pushes the door open then motions me in. I take a deep breath as I step into a large open living room area. It's very sterile feeling with white walls, floors, and furniture. There are pops of green, black, and blue all over by way of pillows, vases, and pictures. The living room opens into a spacious kitchen. It too is mostly white except for the black granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. I look to Vance. He motions to a hallway. I walk forward stopping at the opening of the hall. "Are you sure this is ok? I can call a friend," I tell him knowing I have no one to call. "Sadie, it's not a problem for you to stay here. If you have somewhere else you'd rather go, I'll gladly take you," he tells me sweetly. I sigh then smile as I confess, "I don't have anyone to call really." He chuckles asking, "Then why would you ask?" I shrug looking off to the side. "Come on I'll show you your room," he says walking pass the first door stopping in front of the next one. He motions me in first. I step in and almost gasp. This room is gorgeous. The bed is huge. A King I would assume. The walls are a beautiful shade of cement grey. The accent color in here is plum. He sits my bags on the bed then walks over opening one of two doors to my right. "Bathroom is in here," he says then points to the other door saying, "closet." I nod as I walk to him wrapping my arms around his neck. The heat consumes me. I give myself a minute to adjust before saying, "Thank you so much Vance." I start to step back. He wraps his arms around me tightly pulling me back to him saying, "It's not a problem Sadie." I slide my hands up his neck into his hair. I feel him turn his face into my neck. My breath hitches. God I want him to start something. He clears his throat as he pulls away. I try to keep myself in control. A smile creeps to his face as he says, "I'll call for some food. What do you like?" I shrug saying, "I'm not picky." I can't handle what he's doing to me, being this close to him for this long. I look to his lips then to the bed quickly then back to his eyes as he asks, "Chinese ok?" I nod as I turn to my bags. I feel like I might cry now. He's overwhelming me on every level. I really want him to just leave so I can take a breath. "I'll let you un pack," he tells me as he walks out the door. I sit on the bed pulling my phone out. It's still working which is shocking. I check it for messages. I have 10 missed calls from David. I feel sad as I look at my wallpaper. It's David and I in Central Park. That was the day he found out I like to people watch. He thought it was kind of dumb refusing to play along when I tried to guess what people were talking about. We looked so happy then. Why did he have to turn out to be such a douche bag? I throw my phone on the bed then grab my toiletries carrying them into the bathroom. You've got to be kidding me. This shower is big enough for 5 people. There are two rain fall shower heads hanging from the ceiling. Might as well enjoy it while I can. I turn it on then strip down. I climb in moaning involuntarily. This is heaven. I could get used to this.

  "Sadie, foods here," Vance calls out from in the room. I walk to the bathroom door peaking my head out. "Be right there. Just enjoying the shower," I tell him. He clears his throat then says, "Take your time." He holds my gaze a bit longer then turns walking from the room. I walk quickly to the door closing it. I dig out a pair of black yoga pants and a pink tank top pulling them on quickly. I pull my wet hair up in a messy bun on top of my head then walk out the door. I take a deep breath as I walk down the hall. I can see Vance in the kitchen opening containers. Why is he being so nice to me? It's probably an image thing. If it gets out he took in a "battered" woman, he'll be everyone's hero. I don't want to be part of some publicity stunt. I walk to him then blurt, "I'm only saying for tonight." He looks at me amused as he says, "Ooooook." I sigh crossing my arms over my chest. His eyes flick to my breasts then back up as I bark, "I will not be part of some stunt to further your career making you look like some kind of hero." Now he looks a little less amused and a little bit pissed. "Excuse me," he says in an annoyed tone. Ok so I might have been wrong, or he's mad I figured him out. "I just, um I don't want my face plastered all over tabloids with the heading "Vance Matthews takes in battered woman," I say with a bit less force than before. He clenches his jaw then asks, "Wait he hit you?" He walks to me sliding his hands back my neck. I almost moan from the heat. I flinch as his thumbs graze my cheeks. His closeness is making me hot. He moves his left hand looking at the bruise David left. "When did this happen," he asks a bit more gently. "Look I was just. I was wrong. I'm sorry," I tell him. I want to step away, but I can't. The heat feels amazing. "Sadie I hate the media part of my work ok. I didn't even know he had.... It was your boyfriend I'm assuming," he asks. I shake my head yes looking to the floor. Shame floods my body. I'm not some helpless little bitch. I shouldn't have let myself get in this position. "Was it
the first time," he asks gently as he moves his thumb to my chin moving my face up to meet his eyes. I hold his gaze a minute then shake my head no. He let's out a breath shaking his head. "Well you're safe here. You're welcome to stay as long as you need. I can leave if you'd feel safer if I," I cut him off saying, "No Vance I wouldn't fell safer if you left." It's getting harder to breath. He's still holding onto my neck and face. I tilt my head back pulling away from his grasp. "Sorry," he says moving his hands away quickly. "Please don't tell anyone. It was only one other time. Only when he drinks. I kind of depend on him financially. He was mostly good to me," I explain. "I won't tell anyone Sadie, but I don't want you going back to him either. Drinking isn't an excuse," he tells me. I nod my head in agreement saying, "I know." He searches my face a minute then turns walking back to the counter where the food is. "Hungry," he asks holding a paper plate out to me. I step forward taking it as I say, "Thank you." He nods sliding the open containers my way. I load up a plate then walk to the kitchen table. "Drink," Vance asks holding up a bottle of water. "Yes please," I tell him. He reaches into the fridge grabbing another water. He walks to the table with the waters in one hand and his plate in the other. I take the waters from him sitting them on the table. He nods at me then sits across from me. "So you from New York," he asks. I just took a huge bite of food, so I shake my head no. He chuckles saying, "I didn't think so. You seem more like a small town kind of girl." What's that supposed to mean? I swallow my food opening a water taking a sip. "I am actually. Is that a bad thing," I ask a bit pissy. "No Sadie I wasn't trying to offend you. All I meant was you have this sweet vibe about you. City woman have a bit of a bitchy vibe about them," he explains as he opens his water. I watch his lips wrap around the mouth of the bottle. His adams apple bounces up and down as he drinks. I swallow hard looking back to my food. "Where are you from," I ask then take a smaller bite of food. He smiles saying, "Um I'm actually from here. I grew up in the suburbs." He takes a bite of food then licks his lips. I clear my throat. "So is this your second movie," I ask hesitantly. He looks at me as he swallows. I can't tell what he's thinking. He doesn't look angry, but he definitely looks cautious. "Uh no, I've been in other movie's. The last was just my best known," he says watching my face for my reaction. He must like what he see's because he looks back to his food with a smile on his face. "I didn't see it," I blurt. He looks up at me confused. "I never saw your movie. I had no clue who you were this morning in the parking lot," I tell him. He chuckles saying, "See I knew I liked you." I give him a funny look. "I don't often get to make my own first impression. Most people already have one," he explains. I smile then look to my food saying, "Well impress away." I look up at him. He holds my gaze saying nothing. It's getting harder and harder to breath. I want to look away, but I can't. It's like something is forcing me to stay locked in on him. I watch as he swallows hard. I want to reach for him. To stand and go to him. I place my hands on either side of the chair. He stands abruptly walking toward the fridge breaking the hold he has on me. I take a deep breath then go back to eating. "I uh, I'm gonna go take a shower," he says then walks off. His plate's still full. I finish up my dinner then clean up after myself. I walk back the hallway stopping short as Vance walks from his room in nothing but a towel. "Fuck," he says looking to the floor. I lick my lips as I take in his hard toned body. Holy shit I thought guys like him were only in the, oh duh, he is guys like him. "I'm sorry Sadie. I kind of forgot you were here," he says smiling at me. "No problem. I'm just gonna go to my room," I tell him stepping out around him. He grabs my hand. The heat is unreal, paralyzing even. I look over my shoulder at him then down to our hands. He drops my hand saying, "Sorry it's just uh," he holds my gaze for a minute then says, "I can't remember what I was gonna say." He takes a step toward me. I turn my body toward him looking up into his green eyes. He slides his hand across my right cheek licking his lips. I want to pull that towel from his hips. "Sadie you're so beautiful. No one should ever bruise this face," he tells me holding my gaze. I don't trust my voice. I say nothing. He leans forward slowly searching my face probably waiting for me to stop him. That's not gonna happen. I close my eyes tilting my head up. I stand waiting for his lips to touch mine. This is pure torture. It's fantastic. I open my eyes slowly. He's just staring at me. I feel weird now. I obviously misread this. I step back. His hand drops from my face. I swallow hard turning to walk to my room. His hands slide to my hips from behind pulling me to him. Before I can even comprehend what's happening he spins me around pushing me against the wall. I run my hands up his arms as he crashes his lips to mine. I slide my hands into his wet hair tugging as he slips his tongue into my mouth. He tastes as yummy as he looks. He presses his hard length to me as he pins me to the wall. I moan as our tongues caress. He grabs my hips pulling me to him as he grinds against me. I moan pulling harder on his hair. He pulls back a bit. I capture his bottom lip sucking it back into my mouth. He groans kneading my hips as I release his bottom lip only to lick his top lip. "Sadie," he whispers. I pull his lips back to mine thrusting my tongue into his mouth. I don't want there to be any doubts that I want this. He groans again this time pulling away from me completely taking a step back. I drop my arms to my sides taking a deep calming breath. He runs his hands through his hair looking to the floor. "I'm sorry," he says looking me in the eyes. I smile asking, "Are you serious?" He gives me a weird look. "Did you not feel me kiss you back? I thought I was making it very clear how much I was enjoying myself," I tell him boldly placing my hands to my hips. His eyes darken as he moves for me pulling me into his arms grazing his lips against mine. "Oh god," I whisper as I slide my hands up his hard stomach feeling each ridge and ripple under my finger tips. He slides his hands into my pants sliding his hands over my naked ass. He groans. I smile biting my lip. That's right no panties Mr. Matthews. He kneads my ass then lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and my hands around the back of his neck sliding my finger tips into his hair. I lean forward grazing my lips across his as I say, "You're room or mine." He pulls back shaking his head no. I instantly feel rejected. What's his deal? He's a fucking rollercoaster. "Right here, right now," he says making my heart skip a beat. He moves his hands down my thighs pushing my pants as he goes. I close my eyes trying to calm my breathing. He captures my lips with his. I reach between us tugging his towel off throwing it aside. He smiles against my lips positioning himself at my entrance. My pants are still in the way a bit. I open my eyes. He pins me to the wall harder as he grabs my pants in both his hands ripping them down the middle. Holy fuck me that was hot. "Those were my favorites," I tell him playfully. "I'll buy you more," he tells me as he slides inside me part way then pulls back out completely. "Oh god," I call out digging my finger nails into the back of his neck. "What were they some designer brand," he asks sounding amused. "What," I ask having no idea what he's talking about. "Your pants," he says as he slides the pieces of material off my legs. "I uh, I," I can't talk as he runs his hands back up my legs holding me under my thighs. I wrap my legs tighter pulling him closer. He smirks saying, "No patience Sadie." I tug on his hair saying, "No. Now fuck me." He groans slamming into me fast and hard. "Oh yes," I yell as he does it again and again. I wrap my arms around his shoulders kissing up his neck as he moves inside me. He moans, but never slows down. "God you feel incredible," he practically growls as he slows his pace. I dig my nails in clinging to him as I'm about to fall over the edge. I start to moan moving with him. He picks up the pace instantly throwing me over the edge. I bite his neck groaning as the most mind numbing orgasm shoots through my body. He holds me in my pleasure as he continues to pump in and out of me. I squeeze myself tightly around him only intensifying everything I feel. "Oh god," I yell as he grows inside me. He's so hard. Another orgasm shoots through me. This time so intense it's almost painful. I love it. "Fuck," he hisses against my neck as he releases inside me. I loosen my arms from around his shoulders. I was holding on so tightly my biceps are twitching. He slides from inside me making me groan. I
unwrap my legs as he sits me back on my feet. My legs are so weak. I lean against the wall to keep from collapsing to the floor. I meet his gaze licking my lips. "That was," I start to say, "Amazing," he says cutting me off. "Not good enough a word," I tease taking a deep breath. He chuckles as he slides his hands to my hips saying, "What word would you use?" He leans forward trailing kisses from my collar bone up my neck placing a kiss behind my ear as I whisper, "Mind altering." He pulls back to look in my eyes. He searches my face a minute as a smile creeps to his lips. "You cheat. That was two words," he says making me laugh. "Uh well what are you gonna do about it," I ask being a smart ass. He steps up to me pressing his body to mine pinning me to the wall. "I'm gonna show you mind altering," he whispers as he grazes his lips against mine. I moan as his lips move between mine. I slide my hands back his hips to his amazingly muscular ass. Oh god I can't wait.