The room was huge with a large wall lined with so many books a person could never read them all in one lifetime. A sitting area, complete with fireplace, two oversized chairs, and small table was where I was guided too. There was a large antique desk on the other side, and a cello braced on a stand in the corner.
“So where were we before I lost all sense of reasoning?” He chuckled warmly as we sat down. “What am I going to do with you, kitten?” Seth appeared to be talking to himself instead of asking my opinion and I shrugged. I had no idea where any of this was going.
“I want to keep you, but you’re so inexperienced that I don’t know if you’re ready for my world.”
“You might want to ask me what I want.” I didn’t like the idea that he believed he could just do whatever he wanted with me. If I’m being honest, I didn’t like the idea of walking away from him, either. This strange thing between us was exciting, but I knew nothing about his needs and he’d already told me that he was basically a sadist. I wasn’t into the whole pain idea, even if he’d proven how pleasurable it could be.
“What do you want?” He seemed to be placating me with his question, the smirk on his sexy face telling me my needs weren’t really part of the equation.
The smart ass in me wanted to give him a dialogue expressing what mattered to me. The truth was I didn’t have a damn clue at the moment. “I don’t know. I guess I’d need to think about it.” In my mind, I couldn’t have given a lamer response.
“That would be a problem, because if you were mine I’d never want you to think about what pleased you. I’d consider it my duty to make sure those needs were met before you even knew you had them.”
Didn’t that just throw everything up in the air? On the one hand, he’d basically said he’d fulfill all my needs, but also that he’d tell me what I should find pleasing? Who in their right mind could live with a situation like that? “I’d think you must have an astounding ego to feel like you knew what would please me.”
“We’ve already been through that. Reading you is like an open book, kitten. I could make you purr without even trying.” He chuckled deeply and relaxed back in the oversized chair.
The reality of his words made me want to hit him. Yes, he’d been able to get me off, but rubbing it in my face wasn’t exactly nice. “People don’t live only for sexual gratification, smart ass.” He really was too cocky.
“Watch your language, kitten, or I might have you declawed.” He raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, and the seriousness on his face told me he wasn’t above proving his point. When I didn’t give a comeback his expression relaxed. Making a steeple with his long fingers, he pressed them against his full lips. “I wonder if I could tame you enough to make this work without fucking you up completely.” Again, he didn’t seem to be asking me a question. “I wish you had much more experience.”
“Sorry I’m not a whore.” What kind of man wanted a woman who’d screwed the world? This conversation was really strange, and from the way he was talking, I didn’t need to be present at all.
“That word doesn’t appeal to me. A woman who enjoys her sexuality should be embraced, not disrespected. There’s nothing wrong with fulfilling your appetites.”
“I think we’ll just agree to disagree. Everyone should have limits. People just can’t go around doing whatever they want because it feels good. Think about all the unplanned pregnancies and diseases. I mean, a little restraint goes a long way.”
“What people should have is control, kitten. Add to that common sense, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to enjoy the things they want while using their brain.” I discovered another thing about Seth as he spoke. He didn’t mind a debate as long as it wasn’t full of angst.
“I guess if a person is being safe, then I could go along with that. That’s not something you see often, though. People tend to follow their desires without preparing for the consequences.” I’d grown up in the foster system, so I knew firsthand what those consequences meant to children like me.
We talked for the next hour about our lives, and it oddly enough didn’t revolve around sex. He told me about his company, and how he’d taken over the business from his father, and his father from his grandfather. Seth was born into money but had expanded the business globally.
I explained about my time in foster care, and my friendship with McKayla, and even about my dreams for the future. It was insightful seeing inside of his world and how very different our lives had been. For the first time since meeting him, he was more human and not just some billionaire playboy looking for a good time.
“Had things been reversed, I’d see you being very successful in your life.” Seth seemed impressed by what I considered my struggle to rise above what I was born into. “I could help you fulfill those dreams.”
“I’m not looking for a handout. It may take me longer to get where I want to be, but hard work never hurt anyone.” One thing I refused to do was accept charity again. I’d grown up my entire life depending on others for what I needed to survive, there was no way I’d do it again.
“Kitten, I’m not offering you one. I’d expect you to do things that go beyond what you’re comfortable with for my help.”
“Then I’m completely confused.” The conversation had been enlightening, but how he could offer to help me fund my dream of owning my own catering business while not giving me charity made no sense.
“You become mine for six months, and in return, I will fund your business.” There was no sexual innuendo in his words, if we hadn’t just had mind blowing sex, I might have been convinced he didn’t even have that on his mind.
“What do you mean by yours?” I remembered what he’d said about owning a person before, and I was getting the idea but wanted him to lay it all out.
“I mean that I’d own you. Whatever I asked you to do, no matter how much you felt it went against what you believe. Not just in the bedroom, kitten. You would become my property to do with exactly what I pleased with.”
What he was offering was preposterous. “I don’t think you have enough money for me to agree with that. For all I know, you could scar me for life.” I laughed off his offer.
“I’d allow you to impose a few limits on our agreement. Never would you be harmed to the point that it would leave a lasting reminder. That’s not even a condition that needs to be agreed upon. I would never allow that.”
He was serious! The man wanted to own me. I’d thought his ego was huge before, but this? I couldn’t be bought like some horse at auction. The sex had been great, albeit a little painful, but there was no way I could agree to this. I shook my head, still overwhelmed at the incredulous idea.
“Before you turn me down, I think you should hear the conditions.” His charming smile was indulgent, reminding me just how sexy I found him.
“Fine, but there’s no way I’m agreeing to this.” I was still reeling that he even wanted me to consider his ludicrous offer.
“You become my willing slave for six months, and in return I will deposit two million dollars into your bank account. Not only could you have your own catering company, you’d be set for life to do whatever it is your little heart desires.” The smirk on his face as he sat back in his chair, made me want to throw his offer back in his face but that was an ungodly amount of money.
McKayla and I would live on easy street with that kind of investment for our future, and no matter how hard I worked, I’d never be able to earn that elsewhere. Still, he was talking about me becoming his property for six months. Six months to me was almost an eternity.
“Remember my promise, too, kitten. When you leave this arrangement, you’ll be the same as you are now. Outside of more sexually experienced and trained to please.”
He knew I was considering his option, and it galled me that I could be bought. “I can’t make a decision like this right now.” I wasn’t sure I could make a decision like this ever, but at least if I had time I could talk things over with my best friend.
“I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think it over. But, kitten? Don’t make me wait any longer and be sure that you know what you’re agreeing to. I’ll own your body and mind for those six months. What you want will no longer enter into the equation.” The seriousness in his tone made me tremble. There was no doubt in my mind that he meant what he said.
“Limits. How do I know what you plan on doing to me before it happens?” Holy crap! I was acting like this was a consideration.
“You don’t. All you know is that I won’t physically scar you and if something is so horrible that you can’t go through with it, I’ll consider your objection.” He stood up and I followed his lead, having no idea what I was doing. “I’ll have my driver take you home.” He turned to me, his hand tangling in my hair, arching my neck back almost painfully. Those full lips fell on mine and he devoured my mouth. Our tongues danced together frantically before he pulled back on my hair, breaking the kiss. He pulled a business card out of his pocket, pressing it into my hand. “Twenty-four hours.”
Breathless from his kiss, I almost lost my balance when he released me to walk off. I followed behind him, lost in a world of confusion. He stopped in the living room to gather my clothing, then guided me out of the house to where a limousine was waiting. After opening the door for me he left and that drive home was the longest one of my life.
chapter five
Decision
“Have you lost your fucking mind, Cat?” To say McKayla was against the idea was like comparing a kitten to a lion. She was so furious her face was bright red. Not a color that worked well with her pale Irish coloring. “A fucking sex slave! Twenty-four hours ago you were still a virgin!” Pacing through our small living area, I worried she was about to have heart attack.
“Would you please calm down? I haven’t said yes, yet, but you have to think about what this could mean for our future. No more worrying about having money for bills, our own business, and hell, we could even take a month off for a vacation. When’s the last time we went anywhere?”
“Jesus fucking Christ! Do you have an idea what this man could do to you? You already said he spanked you, what’s next? Tying you up and beating the shit out of you?” She stopped pacing and stood in front of me, staring with an intensity I’d never seen from her before. “What if he decides to share you with a group of his friends? It’s not that unlikely, considering the damn show we witnessed. Who knows what kind of sick, deranged acts he would put you through?”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t ask me to screw his friends.” The fact was I wasn’t sure about anything and the thought of becoming some object he could pass around terrified me. “I can always make that a limit.” I still found the word limit strange even as it rolled of my tongue.
“Are you sure about that? He did say that he’d consider letting you have a few, not that he’d change his mind. If you ask me, the man is a perverted piece of shit and we’d be better off just staying on the path we’re on. At least then you can still be your own person.”
McKayla walked over to our refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of cheap wine. After pouring and downing a glass then strode over to sit on our sofa, which had seen better days. “I don’t think there’s anything to consider. This isn’t the right thing to do.” Her demeanor relaxed completely, as if she’d made the choice and there was nothing else to be discussed.
“I love you, Kay, but this is my choice. Six months belonging to him for a chance to have everything I’ve ever wanted doesn’t seem like a horrible decision.” I joined her on the couch, not liking that I was about to go against her wishes. We rarely disagreed on anything, but my situation was pretty unique.
She let out a long, deep sigh, while shaking her head. “I know this guy was your first, but agreeing to this? I’m sorry baby, it’s not something I can just sit back and watch you do. The chances of you getting hurt are just too big.”
“So what are you saying, then? If I do this you’re going to what, stop being my friend?” I can’t tell you how hurt I was to even say that out loud. McKayla and I had been through too much for her to even consider something like that.
“Don’t be an idiot. Of course I’d still be your friend, you just won’t get my blessing for this. I think it’s fucking stupid, and you’ll more than likely regret it for the rest of your life.” My heart sunk when she started crying.
Pulling her into my arms, I held her tightly, knowing that there was nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to make her happy. We were more like sisters than best friends, that’s how much she meant to me. “Damn it, Kay, don’t do this, okay? I need you to let me make this decision and not feel like I have to choose between it and you.”
“I can’t help it. I’m terrified this ass wipe will hurt you and I swear to God, if he fucking does I’ll go to jail.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
I had to laugh at her response, because she probably would kill him if I was hurt. In her own backwards way she’d just given me permission without even knowing it. “I’ll buy the gun.”
She laughed tearfully before breaking our embrace. “Screw the gun. I’ll get a knife so I can make him suffer more.”
I’d seen McKayla fight when push came to shove, and she wasn’t someone you wanted to cross. She was only five foot six and about a hundred and twenty pounds, but hidden in her frame was a prize fighter. Her looks were very deceiving, because had she been born into another life she could have passed for a model. “Deal.”
“So. You’re going to do this, aren’t you?” I could read the worry behind her whiskey colored eyes and hated telling her my decision.
“That kind of money is just too hard to turn down.” Outside of physically harming me, there was nothing Seth could do that I couldn’t handle.
“I still think it’s a mistake, and you better let him know that I’ll destroy him if he crosses any of your lines.” That was a close to an acceptance as I would get from her, so I nodded.
“I promise, if he does something I really don’t like, I’ll take care of him myself.” I knew I wouldn’t be able to hurt Seth, but giving her some comfort seemed like the right thing to do. I fought back my need to second guess everything about this situation with her, because I knew she’d win the argument if I did. “I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted. What’s say we get some sleep?”
McKayla reluctantly agreed and we walked back to our bedroom. The apartment we rented only had one, and we’d had no problem sleeping together. We talked for a long time in bed before exhaustion won out. After she’d fallen asleep I dreamed about the life changing decision I was making. It was part nightmare and part sexual fantasy making for a restless night.
The next morning, I felt like my body had been put through a grueling workout. My muscles ached terribly, including a certain part of my body that had never been used before. I took a long, hot bath, and that helped ease some of the kinks.
McKayla and I talked over breakfast, where she once again tried to warn me about what I could be getting in to. She’d never done any kinky stuff herself so had no insight to offer on that front. The truth was while she’d had a couple of lovers, her experience level wasn’t much greater than mine. The two guys she’d dated had been pretty normal in her opinion.
We took the bus to go pay bills, and brought a few groceries to get us through the next week. Neither of us were big eaters, even though we cooked for events. After that boring task was done, we did our daily run and returned to the apartment. In the back of my mind was the thought that I had to call Seth today, and it somewhat clouded over everything else.
“You might as well call him now.” McKayla prepared salads for our late lunch and apparently she’d been trying to get my attention for a few minutes since she’d placed one in front of me, holding up my fork. “Your mind is a million miles away.”
“Sorry. I guess you’re right. I have no idea what happens next, so it’s kind of freaking me out.” I gave a remorseful smile and walked over to
the phone.
My hand shook as I dialed his number. Waiting for him to answer made me incredibly nervous but when he did I couldn’t force a word from my lips.
“Caitlin?” His voice held that seductive quality with a no nonsense tone.
“Um. Yeah, it’s me.” I finally managed to speak through my cotton-filled mouth.
“Do you have a decision for me?” He was in full business mode, and there was nothing remotely resembling anything more than an air of superiority in his voice.
“I do.” I couldn’t make myself say the words. I wasn’t sure if I was having second thoughts or that this was the moment I knew my life would change forever and I was fighting against what would inevitably be.
His deep chuckle erased the sternness I contemplated over the phone, and it did something to my insides. “Might I know the result?”
“My answer is yes.” I spoke the words quickly, jumbling them together before I had no ability to speak them. It was such a huge relief to just have them out there, maybe even making me feel like I couldn’t take it back after I agreed.
“Very good. I’ll have my driver pick you up at six tonight so we can discuss the arrangements in detail. And Caitlin.” He paused, leaving me hanging on to his defragmented sentence impatiently. “You made the right choice.” That was it. He hung up the phone.
I clenched the receiver tightly in my hands, not sure I had, and feeling more nervous now than when I’d picked up the phone to call. Almost in slow motion, I forced my fingers to relax the death grip and hung it back up carefully. What the hell had I just agreed to? I guess I’d find out later tonight.
“Well?” McKayla was staring at me with concern lacing her beautiful face and I wasn’t sure how to answer.
“He’s picking me up tonight to discuss the details.” After last night, I thought he’d made it clear what he expected, so I had no idea what details we needed to discuss. Obviously McKayla felt the same way because she looked at me in confusion.
1st (Love For Sale) Page 5
