I hated that place. Just the very mention of it was enough to make me tense up.
With a hand on my knee, I looked at him, waiting for him to burst out laughing to show it was nothing more than a trick. He was the one who held everything. I couldn’t leave.
“I need to think about it.”
“Well, how about I tell you some of my conditions?”
I didn’t think it would hurt, so I nodded. What was the point in ignoring what he had to say?
“You’ll be by my side at all times. You cannot leave my company. I’m in control of every part of your life and your safety. You’ll sleep in my bed, beside me. You have to be open to my touch. I want conversation, companionship, and above all, loyalty and trust. This is just to start.”
“Wow,” I said.
“Is there a problem?”
“Trust and loyalty? Companionship? What’s wrong with just taking me to your bed and fucking the hymen right out of me? Let’s not butter it up with sweet words like virginity and all that crap. What you want is my tiny piece of flesh that no other man has ever gotten the chance to pop. You can do it. I can’t go to the cops. I can’t expose myself or Emily. My hands are tied in every single direction. What’s the point in trying to dress it up as anything else?” I wasn’t going to pretend for him or for anyone.
Earl sighed. He fucking sighed. As if this was my problem. It pissed me off.
I stood up and stormed across the room, going toward the door. With a hand on the doorknob, I turned it, but it didn’t budge. I kept trying to open the door.
“Damn it. Open the damn door,” I said, spinning around to see him still sitting there, watching me.
“I figured this would happen. You’re very volatile.”
He was so calm.
I hated it.
“I’m not a robot barking out demands. I’m a human person who has feelings.” After kicking the door, I stepped away from it, but rather than sit opposite him, I moved toward the comfortable-looking sofa.
Sitting down, I sank into the cushions. I wasn’t wearing any socks or shoes, and I lifted my feet, enjoying the luxury.
I’d never allowed myself the opportunity to enjoy anything.
“This could make life a lot easier for you, Ashley. I understand that you’re angry. You’re right, I can drag you into my bedroom, chain you to my bed, spread your pretty thighs, and take what I want without a single thought to your well being. I’m the kind of man who can do it. But I’m choosing not to. I’m giving you a choice. You can either enjoy it, and think of something you want out of the prospect, or you can fight me every single step of the way.”
His words lingered in the air. He’d pulled out his cell phone and was tapping away on it.
Grabbing one of the cushions, I held it in front of me. It wouldn’t offer me any kind of protection, but it allowed me to calm down to a certain extent.
My brain was working so fast. I couldn’t get it to stop.
I was infuriated, but also wondering what could be.
My thoughts wandered to Emily. I missed her. She’d be so angry at Earl right now. “Is Emily okay?” I asked.
Earl stopped tapping on his cell phone and looked up. “Of course. She has no reason not to be. She’s with the men she wants.”
“But you wanted her. Aren’t you angry?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No reason to be angry. Emily’s not mine. You are.”
Was he hiding something? Resting my head back against the cushions, I closed my eyes, and once again, the boat was rocking. “You know, I hate being out on the open water.”
“You do?”
“Aren’t you afraid of sharks getting to you? Squids? Octopuses? Crocodiles? Snakes?” Even as I start to speak them aloud, I knew I sound so completely lame.
“You’re a fan of those kinds of movies?”
“A fan, and it helps to make me very much aware of the dangers around me.”
“We’re not going to get attacked by sharks.”
“That’s what you think.”
He chuckled. “You’re adorable.”
“When your boat is sinking and you’re being eaten by sharks, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t listen to me.” I was smiling.
“This doesn’t have to be an awful arrangement, Ashley.”
“You’ve got to give me time to think. I didn’t exactly plan to be taken and given the option of making this better than myself.”
“Let’s work on it then. What is the first thing that enters your head that you’d like me to consider as your terms and conditions?”
“Emily.”
“What about her?”
“I don’t want you to hurt her, and whatever agreement you’ve got with the Monsters to keep her safe, please do it.”
He sighed. “You are a surprise.”
****
Earl
That night, I allowed her to go to sleep in her own bed. She wasn’t alone. I spent a great deal of time watching her toss and turn. Her gaze constantly looking at the door, waiting for me to enter. She didn’t realize I could keep my word while also watching over her.
I’d spent a great deal of time researching this woman. Keeping an eye on her, observing her. I was the reason she got the job at the restaurant. No one would willingly hire her. I had no idea why people found her so annoying. I thought she was charming. Sweet. Adorable. She had an obsession with food that I could understand.
Sleep often eluded me. I’d never been a good sleeper. For me, the night was always a chance to work. When normal people fell asleep, the true monsters and beasts of the world came out to play. I was used to getting one or two hours, never anything more.
I was enjoying breakfast on the deck when Ashley arrived. I’d gotten one of my servants to pick out a dress for her, as well as escort her to me.
Ignoring the woman, I focused on the true beauty in front of me. She was stunning.
Her long brown hair fell around her, curving her body. The dress I’d picked out molded to her curves to perfection. I liked the look and wanted to keep her to myself, so fucking badly.
She sat down, sliding out the chair and lowering herself into the seat opposite me. She’d lost the frown.
One of the women poured her a glass of water, and she thanked her.
I didn’t thank anyone who worked for me. They were here to do a job. Ashley wasn’t like me. She wasn’t like anyone at Crude Hill either. She was an angel among demons.
Her eggs were of course overcooked. She took one scoopful, and I watched closely to see if she was testing me, but she moaned in delight. “Thank you.”
“You really do like overcooked eggs.”
“Sorry. I know I should be runny all the way, but these are so much better. I think it stems from my childhood. Mom never liked to cook, but she always made me eggs.” She shrugged.
“Do you miss your mother?”
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Is your mother a sore subject?”
“More like a complicated one.”
I was curious about this woman. It was why she was with me on my yacht, eating my food. I could have any woman I wanted. A snap of my fingers, a brief description, and she’d be right here for me to take.
Ashley was pure. Not just her virginity, but in the way she acted. Even seven years after everything that had gone down, she was so open. So loyal. I couldn’t help but enjoy her.