by Hilary Storm
Leaning over the keyboard, I throw down a few sentences and thank him for the offer, but respectfully decline. Hitting the send button, I then delete his emails and move on to the next few. Multitasking like this isn’t something I’m used to doing, so I just leave them unread with plans to respond tomorrow.
Choosing to go with a winged eyeliner, changes the look of my eyes instantly. My eyelashes haven’t had mascara on them for months, but then again, I haven’t gone anywhere and felt like putting my fake face on. I guess I should be thankful for the long and full lashes I was graced with.
My email dings again just before I finish my brows, so I glance down at the sender, Mr. D is a persistent man. The subject line reads, ‘But I insist.” I open the full document out of curiosity and look forward to the audacity of this man.
Ms. Richards.
I insist on speaking with you about the terms before you decline. I feel my offer will be one you won’t be able to resist. I’m available when you’d like to call.
D~
Jesus. What’s with men today? Do I need to speak clearer so they understand that I fucking mean no. I pick up my phone and consider dialing him to let him have it when I remember the one in my glove box. Perfect.
I’ll call his ass on that one before I send it back to the other psycho. Looks like I’m going to have to teach a few dominant assholes a lesson and I can’t think of a more perfect way.
My bare feet hit the parking lot as I repeat Mr. D’s number in my head. I’m surprised there’s no missed calls when I pull it out and begin dialing.
Mr. D answers on the third ring. “Ms. Richards, I presume.”
“Yes. I’m calling to hear what you have to say.” I sound breathy as I take the stairs two at a time to get back to my apartment.
“Yes, I’d like to work with you on my next project. It appears you’re at the top of your industry right now, and I think we can both benefit from a collaboration.” I lock the door and glance at the clock as I walk past it. I have ten minutes to finish getting ready before my sister and her group of friends are outside.
“Look. I’m taking some time off right now…”
“This project will pay a million dollars up front, with a royalty percentage.” He shuts me up in one sentence.
“That’s a ridiculous amount of money.” I stop in mid step just inside my bedroom, shocked at what I’ve just heard.
“It’s pennies compared to the potential amount you could make if this goes well. Do I have your interest now?” He lowers his voice and chills spread over my body when I start to think about how much money I could make on this. I could easily fall into the shadows and not have to worry about anything for a while.
“I’m interested. Send me over the details and I’ll read over them.”
“We should meet over lunch and discuss everything. I’ll have my assistant text you with the details.”
“No. Have her email me.” Maybe using this phone was a mistake.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with you, Camille.” The call ends, just as my body erupts in goosebumps. He just called me Camille. Is it possible the two strange men I’m dealing with are actually one in the same?
The voices were similar now that I start to think about it, but this guy seemed lighter than the one from today. I was too focused on getting back into my apartment and then he shocked me with dollar signs before I could really comprehend the possibility. I look at his number once again and compare it to the one who called me today on this phone. Same area code, but not the same phone number.
That means nothing with the way things have gone today. I’m still holding the phone when mine vibrates in the bathroom with a text. My sister is here and she’s bringing everyone up. Shit.
She uses her key this time and I hear everyone laughing as I slip on my dress. One glance at the bottom of my feet and I regret going out to my car without shoes on. I’m standing in the tub running water on my toes when Carli busts in.
“Are you ready Cami?”
“Almost.” I yell over the running water.
“I have tequila, where do you keep your shot glasses?”
“I don’t have any. Just pull out some glasses.” I hurry with the soap and run my hand over my legs to check for smoothness. Luckily I’m still good, so I slip on my heels and take one last look at myself.
“Not bad for a recluse.” Carli’s voice pulls my eyes just over my shoulder.
“Thanks… I think.”
“Tonight will be amazing. I vow to make you have fun and will make sure you get home safely. Now let’s take that shot and get the hell out of here.”
After a day like today, I’ll happily let her get me shit faced and even allow her goons to watch over us.
Chapter Three
The club is crowded, but we have our own little section reserved for our group. I was right about all the bridesmaids being completely different than I am and all of them seem hell bent on making sure everyone on social media knows what we’re doing. I’ve dodged most of the pictures, but my sister did manage to get a couple before we started dancing.
Alcohol is coming to us in an endless cycle and I’ve not missed a single rotation. My reservations about tonight have slipped away with each drink and I’m now smack in the middle of the dance floor, not caring about a single person around me.
I feel a hard body invade the space behind me, grinding on my ass as I’m pulled flush against him. A strong arm comes around and brushes over the front of my dress. We continue to move with the music while his hand begins to get lower and this is when I get smart enough to put a stop to it. I feel his face next to mine, so I turn to see the man with the moves.
“Mr. Darkness. I should’ve known.” I turn fully around and put a gap between us on the dance floor just as Max comes to my rescue. I hold a hand up and then speak into Max’s ear.
“I’ll dance with him. Just watch and make sure he doesn’t get out of control.”
I attempt to move freely… with at least a foot of space between the two of us, only to have him pull me against his body again, surrounding me with his scent.
“You aren’t where you said you’d be.” He speaks against my face just as the song changes to a slow one.
“Yeah, so sue me.” I pull my head back, purposely putting some space between us again.
“Are you always this defiant?” He leans over me, taking away the gap I just attempted to create.
“Who says I’m being defiant? In case you haven’t noticed, I answer to no one.” His smile is as if he’s challenging my words. There’s no doubt he’s not used to anyone talking back to him.
“So you call me Mr. Darkness?”
“Yes. I don’t know your real name.”
“Why don’t you just ask me?”
“I’m not interested.” His laughter surprises me. He has a sexy laugh… or I’m drunk and imagining things, either is a possibility at this point.
“Right. Neither am I.” He swings me around in some fancy dance move; I have no choice but to let him lead with his strength.
“I can tell. Are you the one emailing me too?”
“Possibly. Are you Camille Richards?” He twirls me once again, l land against his chest with an awkward thud.
“Yes.”
“I like how you called a job prospect from a phone I gave you.”
“I like how you have multiple numbers like a criminal.”
“When you work in the crazy industry I do, you like to have options. Sometimes I want my privacy and no distractions.” That’s something I can respect. I would want to have a phone I carry that only the important people knew about. Not that I should be in that category for him.
“What makes you think I’m the one you want for this project?” That damn smirk again. I swear he’s doing it on purpose.
“Call it a hunch.” I barely hear his response when I see my sister and her friends dancing just over his shoulder. They’re out of it even more than I am, swaying around l
ike they’re in some drug induced high. “Let me buy you a drink.”
“Is this what you ask all the women just before you put them on a leash?” His deep chested laughter vibrates against my hardened nipples, making them even more sensitive.
“Are you bothered by the leash, Camille?”
“Yes.”
“What if I told you it’s one of her fantasies and I just helped her play it out?”
“Then I’d tell you she’s fucked up.” He simply nods with a small smile and looks at me even closer, like he’s trying to see through me.
“What’s one of your fantasies, Camille?”
“I don’t have any.”
“That’s a shame.” He slides a finger across my jawline. “I could take you places you’ve never imagined.”
“What makes you think it wouldn’t be me taking you places?”
“Fair enough. I’d love to find out.” He moves us around the dance floor. His playful dips and moves are almost a bit too much with this much alcohol.
“Is this how it’ll be working with you if I take the job?”
“No. I’m very serious when it comes to work. You’ve caught me on my day off.” The song changes to a sultry, sexy song and the mood shifts on the entire dance floor. His dancing becomes more of a grinding, our sweaty bodies move as one while he wraps me up in his arms, making me forget that I’m supposed to be pushing him away.
I don’t ask him what he’s doing? I don’t try to leave him standing here. I let him move against me and put pressure on places that haven’t been touched in a very long time.
His eyes are pulled from mine just before he stands me on my own and walks away in a hurry. I adjust my focus and see a commotion on the dance floor just where my sister was a bit ago. People crowding the area makes it nearly impossible for me to get through, but when I do I see Max and Mr. Darkness in a mix of at least four other men, all of them throwing punches. I scan the area for my sister and her friends, finding them huddled up and upset.
“What’s going on?”
“Those guys pinned us in and wouldn’t back off. Max had to step in.” I turn back and see security pulling Max off two of the other guys, while Mr. Darkness stands over the others sprawled out across a broken table. “Holy shit. This is bad.” My sister tucks her arm under mine and quickly sobers up. “We should get out of here. We can wait in the limo.”
“Yes, go. I’ll make sure Max doesn’t catch any shit for helping you girls. I’ll meet you out there as soon as I can.”
I’m surprised when Mr. Darkness starts barking orders to everyone around. “Ban them from all of my establishments. Get the lawyers to nail them for the damages.” He’s adjusting his cuffs again, pulling my attention to his hands. Was that a bit of ink on his arm that I just saw? I’ve never noticed how sexy a well-dressed man can be until him. “Get this man here a towel and make sure the women involved all make it to their car.” He points to Max and people begin to rush to his aid.
Mr. Dark and Mysterious now has my full attention as I watch him control the situation and bark orders like he owns the place. He’s angry and the second his eyes meet mine; he begins to prowl toward me.
“You alright?” He asks me as if I’m the one who just came out of a six-man fight.
“Yes, but shouldn’t I be the one asking you?”
“I’m fine. I’m taking you home. Let’s go.” He grabs my hand and starts to walk away, but I stop him.
“I have a ride, thank you.”
“Camille, I need to get out of here. I can’t deal with all these fucking people around us. Can you please just let me take you home so I can rest knowing you made it home safely.” He looks more than frustrated and I can tell by his face that he’s about to lose his shit here.
“The limo will take me home. If you feel like you need to make sure I’m safe, you can follow.” I yank my wrist out of his grip and lead the way outside. I’m not leaving with a stranger. No matter how much he’s made me question my own standards all day.
He’s on my heels and opens the limo door before I have the chance to. We’re welcomed with drunk screaming and slurs only making all of this more awkward. “I’ll follow you home.” I slide in the limo and he closes the door behind me.
“Holy fuck, Sis. Who was that?”
“I think he’s the owner of the club.” I leave it simple. I already know the questions are coming just from the way we acted on the dance floor. But luckily, Carli gives me my space and doesn’t attack me with anything… yet, but I know it’s coming.
“Well, I’m glad he jumped in to help Max. Those guys were terrible.” I look out the window and see Max and Mr. Darkness talking before he begins to drive us. I’m very thankful that I’m the first stop and I hate myself for smiling when I look behind us and see that we’re being followed.
I’m twisted and fucked up, but what he did tonight to help Max, may have just made me want to think twice about his advances.
It only takes us a few minutes to get to my door. Max opens the door and I look behind the car expecting to see someone there, but instead his car catches my eye as he drives past the entrance to my apartment. I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but I do.
I’m in my room, pulling off my heels when Mr. Darkness sends a text to his own phone.
Mr. Darkness: Lock your door.
Me: I already did.
Mr. Darkness: Goodnight, Camille.
Me: Night… whoever you are.
Chapter Four
Sunlight is peering through the sheer curtain when I open my eyes. “Shit.” I stub my toe on the leg of the table as I stumble over to shut off any light from entering my room. My sister must’ve opened them when she was over last night. “Damnit Carli.”
I step into the bathroom to do my business and catch a glimpse of the whore in the mirror. Jesus, I hope I didn’t look like this last night on the dance floor. Surely not. I mean my mascara now resembles war paint in its worst ever appearance. My hair is all over the place, but my bra and panties are cute as hell. It looks like I should be taking that walk of shame from being thoroughly fucked all night, only I slept alone. What can I say… I toss and turn when I sleep. My covers show proof of that when I hit the light switch to find my phone.
It’s not until I move my lap top that I find both of them tucked under the covers. I hate that I check Mr. Darkness’ phone before I check my own, and I really hate how I feel disappointed when there isn’t a message from him. Or hell, even a missed call. Minus the creep factor this guy did jump into the middle of a fight to help my sister. He can’t be a terrible person when it was obvious he acted on instinct in that exact moment. A real dick would’ve kept dancing with the girl he’s been trying to get to all day and turn away from the scene that would end the night.
I’m still in deep thought when I hear my phone vibrate.
Mr. Darkness: Good morning, Camille.
I know it’s him. He’s the only person in the world who would call me Camille. My heart starts to race as I realize he has now somehow found out my cell phone number. Jesus, does the man really have no boundaries? Even though my stupid face is lit up with a smile as I reply.
Me: How did you get my number?
Mr. Darkness: I have connections. Plus, your sister gave it to the manager of my club so we could check on our customers who were innocent victims in an attack last night. Call it protocol, but that’s something that we do.
Me: Really? Do you usually message them all personally?
Mr. Darkness: Don’t be ridiculous. You’re the only person I’ve done this sort of thing for. I’m not even usually in my establishments to witness anything. Now which one of these is your apartment?
Me: What do you mean?
Mr. Darkness: I mean I’m here at your apartment with breakfast, now tell me which door to knock on.
Holy shit… I look like absolute hell and there’s no way I can let him see me like this. I run to my bathroom sink in a panic and exhale out a loud whoosh of air as
I take in just how long it’ll take me to look presentable enough to let him see me.
Me: No. Today isn’t a good day, so you’ll just have to find someone else to take breakfast to.
Mr. Darkness: Fine. I’ll get the apartment manager to tell me. Something tells me he’ll give me your apartment number.
Shit. Why do I believe him? Because knowing the way this guy has been… he probably owns the buildings. Or at least has enough money to buy the information.
Me: Why are you impossible?
Mr. Darkness: You answer that one first.
Me: What if you’re a serial killer?
Mr. Darkness: Then I wouldn’t call you to let me in, I’d just catch you by surprise.
Me; I have to shower, so you’ll need to wait until I’m done.
Mr. Darkness: Well, hurry. Your eggs are getting cold.
Me: Apartment number seven. I’ll text you when I’m done.
I strip off the bra and panties as I finish typing the last message. Who knows what he’ll do to get inside, so I lock the bathroom door, just in case. The water is cold when I step in, trying to rush this all along I start with my face. I can deal with wet, clean hair… but this makeup has to come off quick. A normal person would’ve taken it off last night, but my mind was busy thinking about everything that had happened yesterday.
Reaching for my face wash, I begin doubting my own sanity for even considering letting him into my apartment. I haven’t had any visitors here since I moved in, except my sister and I’ve liked that privacy. Now I feel him invading all of my space at such a rapid speed, I’m not sure I can deal with his way of doing things.
Wrapping a towel around my body, I rush to the steamy mirror to see if my face is clear of the war paint. Just another swipe under my eyes helps, but I still look like a woman who was rode hard and put up wet with my stringy hair falling over my shoulders. I hear a knock at the door just as I enter my bedroom.
