"Nice to see you," James says stiffly.
"Same. Yeah, so she's not here and won't be back until late tonight actually. Did you try to call her?"
Thank God my voice remains steady.
James dips his chin once. "She didn't answer," he says, his interrogative gaze boring into mine. I have a feeling he's referring to me. "I have something important I want to discuss with her and need to do it in person."
My heart is in my throat and it feels like there’s a knot around my neck. "I can tell her tonight when she gets home if you like?"
"Just tell her I stopped by. I'll try calling her again." James looks at Daniel, and I hold my breath. "Nice to meet you."
James turns around to leave, and I shut the door.
"Ready to watch a movie?" Daniel asks, and I exhale, feeling relieved that it hadn’t been as awkward as it felt.
We're sitting back on the couch getting cozy and situated. I raise the remote control to play the movie when Daniel speaks. My stomach is a giant fucking mess now, my thoughts running in ten different directions. I can't focus. In all the years I've lived with Natalie, her dad has never once come by. I panic a little because I know he was really coming to see me.
Daniel, the boyfriend I was supposed to break up with…and didn't.
"I was thinking, and you don't have to give me an answer now, in fact, I want you to think on it first."
I sit up and look at him, cautious.
"After you graduate, I was wondering if you wanted to move in with me. I really like you, Aubrey, and I'd like to take this relationship to the next level."
My brows shoot up to my hairline and my eyes widen in shock. I don't need this right now. Jaw bobbing, I'm speechless. Daniel just stares, chuckling at me.
"Move in with you?"
His smirk is timid, uncertain, and I feel bad because I know it's because of my reaction. I don't want to make him uncomfortable.
"Yes. Live with me. As in share a home, a bed. As in I get to see you all the time."
My chuckle is flighty. "I'm sorry. I know that, it's just so unexpected. Really? You want to live with me? I'm kind of a disaster and I work weird hours."
"I do. If it's what you want."
I bite the side of my lip and his gaze falls to my mouth.
"Can I think about it? I've lived with Natalie for so long… I'd have to make sure she has a roommate first, how I'm going to support my part of the rent, what I'm going to do with my life—"
"Babe. That's why I said think about it. I don't want you making a decision you'll only regret."
Nodding, I smile shyly at him and nestle into his side. He drapes his arm over me. I like living with Natalie, but living with Daniel could be exactly what I need and a step in the right direction for our relationship. Am I really going to make a go of this? More importantly, do I want to?
"Aubrey… Aubrey…" Daniel says, gently shaking me.
I open my eyes, heavy with sleep, and blink.
"Did I fall asleep?" My voice is groggy.
He smiles sweetly at me. Daniel brushes my hair back. "You did. It was pretty cute. I don't think you made it past the first ten minutes of the movie."
Sitting up, I rub my face. I didn't realize how tired I was.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I just got so comfortable on you that I guess I fell asleep." Leaning into him, I wrap my arms around his stomach and get closer. "You're so warm. Lie back down," I say, pushing into him.
"I wish I could, baby, but I got called into work. I have to go."
Unhappy, I grumble under my breath and he chuckles.
"Boo. Stay here. We were supposed to chill all day."
"I know and I hate that I have to leave, but duty calls. I gotta go."
I release my hold and give him puppy dog eyes. I like how he's looking at me, how his smile is full of happiness that I lay on the act a little more.
"Do you have to go?" I ask, pouting.
He stands and kisses the top of my head. "I do. How about I call you when I get out later? I don't know what time it'll be, but I'll call anyway."
"Fine." I huff and move to stand but he stops me.
"Go back to sleep. I'll lock the bottom lock when I leave."
I nod then lie back down. Exhaustion takes over and I'm so tired. Daniel grabs his cell and wallet, then gives me one more kiss. He covers me with the blanket before he walks away and out the door.
I can feel my body falling into a deep sleep, the weight pulling me under. Just as I'm about to doze off, there's a knock at the door. Groaning, I stand and go to answer it.
Fifty-Three
"James? Hey," I say, looking up at him beyond confused. "What're you doing here again? Natalie isn't back yet."
"I know," he says gruffly, then pushes himself inside and shuts the door.
"Oh, please do come in."
I don't bother hiding the fact I'm slightly annoyed he just barged in. Mainly because I'm tired as hell and just want to go to sleep.
I turn around and find James already staring at me. I frown, taking in his disheveled dress shirt and windblown hair. The colorful tattoos outlined in black I love so much are peeking out and capture my attention.
"Who's Daniel?"
My eyes snap up to his and I rear back. "My boyfriend."
James turns to stone in front of me, unmoving. Rage burns through his gaze and it hits me smack in the chest. He's acting like I just took away his favorite pacifier and I want to tell him to grow up.
"What are you talking about?" he says, eyes narrowing.
I shift on my feet and prop my hands on my hips, squaring my shoulders. "What are you talking about? Wait a minute… Did you wait outside until he left?"
James blatantly stares at me, ignoring my question. His body leans to the side in his stance. He's a bit intimidating right now but fortunately I'm used to men like this.
"You did, didn't you," I say, a bit surprised.
His nostrils flare. "When did you get a boyfriend, Aubrey? How long have you been with him?"
My eyes move back and forth between his. "I don't understand why you're here if you're really looking for Natalie, or why you're interrogating me over Daniel. What's the problem?"
"Answer the question."
"It's really none of your business to know anything about him." I scoff.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that because in the course of a sentence, James is downright seething now. Or maybe I shouldn't have been so spiteful with my tone.
"I have every right to know about him."
If he wants to go to bat, he picked the right chick for that. "That's my personal life."
"I told you when we went into this agreement to get rid of the boyfriend and to stop working at Sanctuary."
I'm wide awake now and steaming mad.
"Newsflash, I have a deal with you. Not a deal that controls my entire life. I've been with Daniel since before we agreed to anything, and I'm not going to stop working just because you said so. I can't believe you were serious about that. Did you really think I was going to give you every second of my life? What I do with my personal time is none of your business. You're married, remember?" My gaze drops to his left hand and I lift it to show him his wedding band. He yanks his hand away and steps toward me. I don't move because I don't back down for anyone. "I'm not a fucking dog, James. I don't heel because you blinked your goddamn eyes."
"For ten million dollars, you'll do exactly what I say and what I want, whenever I want. If I want you to get on your knees and suck my dick in the middle of Times Square, you fucking will. If I want to watch you fuck two men at the same time, you will. I said no work, and no boyfriend. Those were the only things I asked and you couldn't do that, or be honest with me. I don't ask for a lot. Instead you keep spreading your legs for money and have a baby boy on the side."
Rage pours out of me. "You have a fucking wife! What does it matter if I have a boyfriend? It doesn't stop me from doing what you want. I just go back to my r
"Are you still at Sanctuary Cove?"
Eyes wide, my jaw drops. I don't answer, and he mimics my gaze.
"Yes, I am," I admit.
James lets out a mocking laugh that sends a shiver down my spine. "You really are a whore, aren't you?"
I draw in a thick gasp of utter disbelief. Of all the things James could say, he goes for the jugular. My emotions are quickly climbing and I can feel the burn of tears in my eyes. He sees it and doesn't even apologize. Being called a whore in the manner he used it denotes a dirty, disgusting toothless woman living on the streets giving blowies for a two-dollar hit of crack. It makes me feel cheap, like a real piece of garbage.
I'd worked so hard to keep a stable and somewhat normal balanced life while working for Christine, trying to prove to myself that what I do is just like any regular job. Prostitution is the oldest working profession in history, after all. But James just swiped all of it away with a few words.
"Get the hell out," I say, my voice a whisper but full of venom.
"That's exactly what you are, though." He pushes. "I give you any amount of money you want and you still whore yourself around after I asked you not to. You're a fucking prostitute, Aubrey. Valentina. Whatever the fuck you want to be called today. You're just another pretty face with the ability to suck a dick better than most sluts. That's all," he spits. "I should've known better." James lifts his shoulders and shrugs like he just parted the sea and it was no big deal.
My eyes lower to slits and I'm trying really hard not to cry. "That's all I am? Really? I give you things your wife can't give you, that no one has ever been able to. That's why you paid me, because you know I'm fucking good for it. And now you're mad that I give them to my real boyfriend too." I pause, a devious smile tugging my lips up.
I step toward James until we’re a few inches apart. The tears that threatened to fall shrink back and my voice turns to syrup as Valentina emerges. He stares down hard, nostrils flaring, and I can't help but love the hate pouring out of him. "Oh, I see what happened here," I say. "You're sexually frustrated, aren't you? Was your wife a shitty lay last night? Did she just spread eagle while you gave her soft, weak thrusts so you didn't hurt her saggy little honey pot? Is that why you're here wagging your pecker around like you own me, because you couldn't come the way I fucking make you come?"
Reaching out, I cup James’s cock and give him a good squeeze. I grin. "Well, well, well, will you look at that. A hard dick and all I did was talk back to you."
I tighten my grip but he smacks my hand away. In one swift motion, James lifts me up and slams me against the front door, his mouth on mine, tongue delving into my mouth. His chest is pressed to mine as it heaves.
"You don't deserve me," I grit out, breaking the kiss I want more of but refuse to ask for. "I'm just a trashy whore anyway, right? I thought you were different, but you're not. You're just another fucking sleaze ball looking for a tight pussy."
I'm no match for his strength as he maneuvers himself so that he's got both of my hands captured in one of his while his teeth bite into my nipple. I gasp loudly as pleasure sears through my body. My ankles lock around his waist, thighs tightening. My shorts are damp and I'm ashamed because what he said about me is true. I am just a whore, no matter how much I dress it up.
"Next time think before you speak," he says with my nipple between his teeth. He uses his tongue to wet my shirt and my hips move in his hold. My nipple hardens and my eyes threaten to roll shut. It hurts so much that it feels fucking divine.
"James." I warn.
Flattening his tongue, he licks a hot trail up the column of my neck and I almost sigh from it. Goose bumps trickle down my spine. I wiggle free and unlock my ankles, pushing him back so I can stand, then I shock us both by slapping him across the face.
I shouldn't have done that. I blink, unsure what to do now, and James takes both my hands and raises them above my head, securing them to the door. His grip is so tight I know I'm going to lose feeling in my fingers. He presses his body into mine so I can't move. Bending his knees, he rolls his hips so his erection thrusts against my clit. My jaw falls open, a soft sigh spilling from my lips. He takes advantage and locks his mouth over mine, kissing me like he has every right to. He's brutal, hard, making sure I feel every bit of him from the inside out. James is a beast, furiously kissing me. He doesn't let me come up for air. His cock is straining through his slacks and rubbing my wet pussy until I'm finally giving back. I moan into his mouth, kissing him back just as rough. I bite down on his lip as my hips surge toward his. We both groan into each other.
I can't concentrate when he's rubbing on my clit just right. It's like he's fucking me with clothes on, and when James fucks, all normal thoughts go out the window.
No. I'm not going to be controlled for money over every aspect of my life. He's paying for Valentina, but Aubrey isn't for sale.
He reaches between us and cups me. "You’re soaked," he says like he expected it, then unbuckles his belt and pulls his zipper down. His pants fall around his ankles in a heap.
I grind my teeth. "I'm not changing my life for anyone."
"Yes, you are. You're mine, Aubrey, no one else's," he says, yanking down my little shorts. "Just like I'm yours."
When he notices I'm not wearing underwear, I grin like the cat who ate the canary.
"Fucked Daniel earlier, you know, my boyfriend? Planned to fuck him senseless all day."
It's a lie. I didn't have sex with him earlier. I'm just mad and want to hurt James the way he hurt me.
His eyes darken and it excites me. "I'll show you how to fuck someone senseless."
He thumbs my clit in circles and my knees go weak while he roughly penetrates me with two fingers. It doesn't hurt me, though, because his touch does nothing but bring me pleasure. Taking his cock, James strokes my sex, willing my legs to spread. I fight the moan and he lifts my leg, hiking it up over his hip, then he surges into me in one long, hard stroke. I yell out as I stretch to fit his width, the sharp, wonderful pain taking over my body.
His mouth is on my neck, beard drifting over my skin, and I whimper. Pulling out, he thrusts back in.
"How can you say those things to me and still fuck me?"
"You mean after I spoke the truth?" he says, his words hot. "That's what you are, though. You're a fucking whore who I just happened to fall in love with."
I clench around him. A little gasp escapes me. Tears fill my eyes and before I can stop them, one slips down my cheek. "Don't say that," I whisper, my chest burning. "Take it back."
He looks at me, eyeing the tear. "Take what back? It's called honesty, sweetheart. You should try it sometime."
My jaw is trembling. "James…"
"Yes, sweetheart?" he responds, pushing in a little deeper. My pussy is pulsating around him, wanting more and wanting him to leave.
"Take it back. Now."
"You'll let me call you a whore, but saying I love you is too much for you to handle?"
I don't want to hear that he fell in love with me. It's a lie. It has to be. He can't possibly feel the same way about me as I do him, because then it will ruin everything.
"Take it back," I repeat.
"Which part? Say it."
James thrusts all the way in again and let's go of my hands. My arms fall to the sides as he grips my hips to pick me up and shove me down on his length so I can't move. He's thick and warm and I feel like he's splitting me in two, emotionally as much as physically. I place my hands on his chest and run them up to tangle them in his hair. He leans into me, his mouth hovering over mine.
"How's this for honesty? I was going to leave my wife for you. I thought I finally found someone who gets me, and she's still fucking men behind my back. Even after the millions of dollars I’ve given her. Goes to show that money can't buy everything."
"Stop it," I say, as another tear falls.
"Say the words and I'll leave her," he begs, then kisses me.
James doesn't hold back and starts driving his hips against mine. I meet him thrust for thrust. He's rough and we're desperate. Together it makes for a hunger like no other. He grips my thigh so tight my hips instinctively roll into his, making sure I get all of his length. I sigh, moan, hating that I caved and loving what he gives me.
"It'll never work that way and you know it. There's no use in talking about it."
He knows I'm referring to Natalie. It's soul-crushing, but it's the truth.
"I'll make it work. Just say the words, sweetheart. I'll leave her tonight and make things right if I know I can have you forever."
I shake my head vehemently. He's crushing my heart because I want to say yes and I know there's no way I can. There's such a world of hurt and sadness in his gaze that I almost want to take it back. I can't say the words because I know they'll never come true. We're both in an inevitable situation. We're both so close and on the edge of intense bliss only we can give each other…but not forever like we want.
"James, please…"
"Say it."
"I can't. You know I can't!"
"I know you love me just like I love you."
A tear slips from my eye. Kissing me again like he's determined to win me over, ecstasy rips through my body, igniting his pleasure at the same time. We're both coming hard, nails digging into skin, moans and grunts fill the air as his cum blows inside me and I milk his cock for everything he has. We're floating into oblivion together, left with another mind-blowing orgasm better than the last time.
He doesn't waste any time. He pulls out of me, leaving a clear fluid line of his liquid dripping behind. James pulls his pants up and fastens them. I'm slumped against the door, my fatigued body in a stupor. I wish I could say the same about my emotions. I tug my shorts on, my thighs quivering.
I watch as he walks over to the counter and pulls something out of his shirt pocket, then reaches for something across the counter. I frown, trying to see what he's doing, but he's done faster than I can blink my eyes. He turns toward me and walks my way, closing the distance in three large steps. My gaze drops to the counter and my heart splits down the center.
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