“You’re naughty, you know that? Wanting to go to a girl’s room the second you meet her.”
He laughed. “Oh, I’ve seen plenty of rooms in my life time, don’t worry about that.”
We stumbled into the elevator and Dominic managed to press the correct button. I hung on his neck, almost unable to keep standing up. I was so tired and … well, my brain started to go into inactive mode.
“What’s your room number?” he asked.
I think I managed to say it, but I’m not sure if it was the right one.
“Okay, here we are,” he said. So little time had passed between him asking and finding the door, though I imagined it must’ve been a lot longer than my brain told me. He had to haul me all the way here.
I took out my keys, but was fumbling so much, Dominic snatched them from me and opened the door himself. He helped me get inside and put me down on the bed.
“Well, goodnight, July,” he said. “It was wonderful to meet you too.”
I flopped down on my back, facing the ceiling and made snow-angels on the bed, without any snow. I cracked myself up.
I heard him sigh and then I felt his warm fingers on my feet.
“Oh, what are you doing, Dominic? Are you undressing me? You’re such a tease,” I said.
“No, I’m taking off your shoes, so you can get into your bed.”
He was speaking the truth. My feet suddenly felt cold and his hands had released them again.
I got back up from the bed and wriggled my way to the end where he was standing. He was towering above me, his buff features appetizing and hard to resist, especially now that I wanted to be loved and could care less who it was.
He turned around, but I grabbed his hand. “Don’t go yet.” I pulled him closer and planted a kiss on his stubbly, muscular neck. I laced my arms around his neck, but he tried to unhook them again. I was clinging on to him, while he was trying to leave.
“You’re not exactly sober, Julie. I can’t do that.”
I lowered the straps of my bra so my boobs became more exposed and fiddled with his tie. “Oh, come on. It’s just a little bit of fun.” I kissed him on his shoulder and sternum, unbuttoning his shirt slowly. He swallowed; I saw his Adam’s apple move up and down. I felt his pants tent against my groin and it only made me hungry for more.
“No, Julie.” He grabbed my arms, his hands firm and demanding, and he pushed me away. “This is not really my idea of fun and you certainly don’t want that, trust me.”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I could tell he was having trouble not giving in. Then he ripped himself away from my clutch, turned around and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
I frowned, sighed and rolled my eyes.
Whatever.
I dropped back onto the bed and closed my eyes. I didn’t remember what came next.
***
Someone knocked on the door. I heard a vague noise. My eyes were glued together, but I managed to open them.
I woke up with a terrible headache and an overheated body. I was still in my dress, partially under the blanket, my legs swaying off the side of the bed. Lipstick was smeared all over my pillow and when I wiped my face, the red stain was on my fingers too.
I looked up and gaped at the alarm clock. My eyes shot open and I frowned. It wasn’t the time that had startled me. The giant pink dildo on the nightstand did.
How the hell did that get there?
More importantly, whose was it? Not mine, that was for sure. I didn’t remember ever buying a dildo like that. Sure, I had a flesh colored one, but not a pink, cutesy one.
What the hell did I do last night?
Groaning, I managed to fall out of bed.
The knocking ensued and I could hear it was someone shouting at the door. “Miss Valentine? Room service. Open up please,” a woman shouted.
I panicked and searched for a washcloth to get the smudges off my face. “In a minute!” I yelled back.
I ran around the room, trying to clean myself, pick up the dirty laundry and throw it under the bed, rearrange my furniture that had landed all over the place and get out of this uncomfortable dress. I threw the dildo into an empty drawer. I put on a clean shirt and some jeans and brushed my hair.
“Can I come in now?” the woman said.
“Yeah, coming,” I said and I ran to the door and unlocked it. I didn’t even know how it got locked in the first place. I hardly remembered anything about last night.
She came in and stared at me for a second, before rolling in the trolley packed with scrumptious food for breakfast. She did her routine, placing everything neatly where it belonged and then walked over to the bed to take off my sheets.
“I’ve included a newspaper, as requested. Service will be back with clean sheets this afternoon. They’ve got the key, so no need to stay in, and they’ll bring clean towels. If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call. Enjoy your breakfast and have a nice day,” she said, and she quickly closed the door behind her.
I sat down at the table and took some toast and butter off the plate, while I turned on my laptop. Skimming through my notes, I noticed I hadn’t made any progress in a while. I sighed and ate some strawberries, realizing I had to make some money soon before it would completely dry up. My writing wasn’t going anywhere, that was for sure.
I picked up the newspaper and, scanning it, I noticed a peculiar ad.
‘Wanted. Female assistant for CEO of Casino. High maintenance job. Must be eighteen or older and have plenty of experience with men. Not for the weak hearted or ill. Must be open-minded and capable of reducing work-related stress. Must be available twenty-four/seven. Pay is fifteen thousand a week.’
“Fifteen thousand a week?” I blurted out. “What the hell is this job?”
I tried to find more information, but there was nothing about it except that tiny ad. I bit my lip and thought about it.
What if I’d do it? Who knows what could be in store, what would be asked, but it does make a lot of money. And I need it.
I looked at my laptop again and stared at the letters on the screen. Those weren’t going to earn me half as much in half a year as this job would within a week.
I smirked and nodded, ripping out the ad from the newspaper. “New job, get ready for Julie.”
Chapter 3
I rummaged through my suitcase until I found the perfect black outfit that would match with my black heels. I had to make a good impression on the casino boss so I could snag this job for my own and cash in. In my head I already had clear what I was going to say and how I would present myself.
Sit up straight, smile, don’t squint, keep your composure, tell about your best aspects and show him why he needs to pick me.
I glanced at the mirror one last time before heading out. The ad in the paper had said it was on the top floor of this casino, so I walked to the elevator and nervously pressed the button. The waiting seemed to last indefinitely. I chewed my nails and anxiously tiptoed around until the doors opened and I saw about ten chairs filled with women all staring at me.
I swallowed and stepped out into the hallway that almost looked like a holding pen for snarky women. I sat down on the nearest seat and cleared my throat. The women turned their heads toward the only door in the hallway.
When the door opened, all the heads shot up into the air. A lady came running out, wiping her cheeks, sniveling in between. Her eyes were red. She ran across the hall and into the elevator, pressing the button about twenty times until the doors closed.
We all switched places, forward one row. The next lady went in, but after five minutes, she came out too, crying. Every woman that went in, came out with a few tears rolling down her face. I wondered what was so extreme about this job that had confident women running away, bawling their eyes out.
Still, I had to see for myself. It didn’t hurt to try and I really needed the money. Maybe they just weren’t up to the task or maybe they just didn’t appeal to him.
>
When it was my turn, I was scared to death.
I swallowed a couple of times and straightened my clothes before walking into the room.
There were a couple of guys standing to my left with wires running to their ears. They were probably guarding the place.
“Welcome. You can close the door behind you and sit down in front of me,” a man behind a desk said. He was facing the window behind him and I couldn’t make out if he was young or old, or even what he looked like. I did what he asked and then walked over to the desk to sit on the seat. I could feel my nerves twitching in my shaking fingers.
The man turned around in his seat, his darkened glasses framing his bold face. I stared at him. His lips curled up into a sly smile and then he took off his glasses. His big blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones were all I needed to recognize him.
“Dominic?” I said, my eyes widening.
“Well, hi there. Didn’t see that one coming,” he said.
“What are you … is this for real?” I said.
“As real as it gets.” A cheeky smile appeared on his face.
“So you’re the CEO. You’re telling me you own this casino? You’re the boss?”
“You’re looking right at him.”
“But you said you entertained people …” I muttered.
“Isn’t this entertainment then?”
For a moment I was dumbstruck, my mouth falling open.
“So, tell me why you came here. You obviously found my ad in the newspaper,” he said.
I regained my composure and took the ad out of my bag. “Uh … yeah, that’s right. I’m interested.”
Dominic chuckled. “I don’t think this is a very good idea.”
I frowned. “What? Why not?”
“As you can see most girls just run away from the job. I’d like to spare you the humiliation.”
“Sorry, but, I think I can decide that for myself.”
His fingertips rested against each other, his elbows on the table. “I’m looking for someone special. I have very specific … needs.”
He stared at me as if he was waiting for me to leave or to speak up. Either way, I was getting this job one way or another and I wasn’t easily scared away.
“Well, I can be special. Whatever is necessary to get the job done,” I said, putting up my faux smile.
He squinted for a moment and then signaled the men around us to leave. When they were gone, Dominic focused on me again.
“So … you’re telling me you’d do anything I’d ask?”
“Well, I guess … yeah.” My confidence was diminishing with every passing second.
He sighed. “Listen, Miss Valentine, or can I call you Julie?”
“Julie is fine.”
We smiled at each other, it was rather uncomfortable.
“I’m going to be very honest with you,” he said. “I think you can handle it.”
I waited, he closed his eyes and opened them again, probably taking his time to think it through, whatever it was.
“This job is service based. Each time I use your service, you get paid. The service is quite extraordinary, so the payment is higher than usual. I require utmost obedience and there is zero tolerance for defiance.”
I bit my lip, anxious for what came next.
“I’m going to be quite frank with you, Julie,” he said. “What I require is not something most women will sign up for.”
“How so?” I said.
His lip curled up into a sly smile. “Because there is a certain line which most won’t cross. Understandable of course, but their loss as well.”
I chuckled. “I think I can handle a little spice. There aren’t a lot of borders I haven’t already crossed.”
He nodded softly, turning about in his chair as if he was gauging my reaction. “Even if it’d meant that you might get hurt? Would you be willing to give up your free will? If I’d ask you to strip bare, could you do it?”
My eyes widened and I swallowed. In my mind I went over every part of the conversation we just had, I scanned the paper that had asked for an assistant. That she must be eighteen or older and have plenty of experience with men. The pay. His flirts. The women crying, running down the hallway.
Now I see.
“You’re asking me to …” I stammered.
My cheeks flushed and my eyes deflected away from him. I stared at the ground, feeling utterly naked right there and then. My heart was racing. I wasn’t sure if I was appalled or aroused by the mere thought of this man seeking someone to use for his pleasures. I knew it must have something to do with sex. All the signs pointed in that direction. It was an extraordinary request indeed. One that heated up my core.
“I’m not asking you to do anything. You see, this is why I said I require a special kind of person. Someone who is willing to give in to me.”
So it was true. He was looking for someone and wanted to spend money on it. But why not just ask any girl? He was so handsome, he could get any girl he’d flirt with. He’d only have to touch her and she’d swoon in his arms. Not exactly a hard thing to find. I didn’t get why he was going through all this trouble.
“I know it might come as a shock, so I guess this is the part where you storm out,” he said.
I bit my lip. Maybe. I didn’t know if I wanted to leave. A part of me wanted to run away as fast as I could, the other was longing for a man’s love. His loving. Last night he wouldn’t touch me. Now I had the chance to fulfill my own needs, as well as his, and get some cash. Why did this feel like it was too good to be true?
“I don’t understand, there must be a catch,” I blurted out.
“Excuse me?” Dominic seemed confused. Fazed, almost. As if he was expecting me to get up instead of ask questions.
“Why would you offer a girl money to do these things with you? You could get any girl you want.”
He laughed. “I could, yeah. If I wanted that. But what I need is something else entirely.”
“Oh, really? I was under the impression you just wanted to pay a girl to have sex with you.”
I looked him straight in the eye to show him my resolve. He gazed back and didn’t even flinch.
“It’s much, much more than that. But why are you asking? Are you interested?” He leaned forward.
I swallowed and almost bit my tongue. I’d wanted to get my hands on him ever since I met him and this opportunity was just too hard to resist. The problem was, how far was he going to take it? All this talk about being obedient had got me thinking it was a lot more than I was used to.
“Tell me what you’re looking for,” I said, clearing my throat.
“As I said, I require utmost obedience. I am looking for a partner. A lover. Someone who will do as I say. A submissive.”
A submissive? Does that mean he’s a Dom?
I’d read about this. There were men who took pleasure out of being overly dominant. Who loved to exert their power and see their partners beg for pleasure. And the subs enjoyed pain. Pain inflicted by the Dom.
“And you want me to be that?” I blurted out.
His lip curled up into a mischievous smile. “Perhaps. You’re the first girl who’s stayed. I admire your tenacity. You know, I’ve been watching you, and I think you’d make an excellent sub.”
I snorted. “Really?”
“Yes. You like to obey. I felt it the moment your body shuddered from the mere touch of my fingers. You wanted to do anything to please me yesterday, even if it meant throwing caution to the wind. I’d say you’d make a perfect sub.”
“Oh …” I was thinking about it myself now. It was true. I’d do anything for that feeling of him touching me again. I melted in his arms. I’d never experienced anything like this, nor did I ever feel what it was like to be under someone else’s control. To completely surrender. It was a tempting idea.
“Of course, you’d need to be initiated. You need to be taught how to listen, how to please, how to live for it. I can teach you. I’ll make use of your service
s whenever I ask and you’ll provide. You’ll receive payment of course, which you can use however you want.”
“You mean, I’d become your submissive, and in return you’d pay me?”
“That’s pretty much it, yes. I want to pay you for the troubles my wishes bring. That’s why I call it a service. I don’t force myself upon anyone. I just want it to be some sort of give and take, you know?”
I took in a deep breath and heaved a sigh. It was quiet for some time. I was taking in every piece of information that had just been discussed. That I desperately needed money, because my books were going nowhere. That he’d provide for me. The absurdity of it all. The hunger I’d felt for months.
“Am I correct to assume you’re actually considering my offer?” He titled his head.
“Well … it depends. I have to think about it.”
He muffled a laugh. “That’s alright. I’ll also need to test you first.”
“Test me?”
“Just a second, Julie. First things first. There is an agreement you have to sign, before we can make any arrangements.” He pulled an envelope out from his drawer and handed it over to me. “You can only open it if you’ll accept my offer and after you’ve completed your test. Do it in your hotel room, not here.”
I nodded and put the envelope in my bag.
“Now, about your test … did you get my gift this morning?”
I frowned. “Gift?”
“The one on the nightstand. Pink. Large. Pleasuring.”
My jaw dropped and my pupils dilated. “That was from you?”
Dominic chuckled. “After you practically wanted to rip my clothes off last night, I thought you could use a little something to comfort you. I know it’s not a replacement, but it does the trick quite nicely, don’t you think?”
“I haven’t used it,” I muttered.
“You haven’t? Such a shame, but actually, it was meant for your test, so that’s okay.”
“But I only read the newspaper this morning I didn’t yet … Wait; you knew I was going to come here?”
He shrugged. “I had a feeling. Like I said, I knew you’d make an excellent sub. It was just a hunch. Anyway, if you think you’re up to the job, you have to complete this test. It’s a way for me to gauge if you can handle more.”
The Billionaire's Bet: A Seductive Deal Page 2
