She didn’t pick up the million. The truth was, I’d already put plenty of money in a bank account for her. I would continue to pay into it for the rest of my life.
“So we’ve agreed on money. Next, sex.”
“Wait.” Ashley held her hand up. “I don’t want to be harmed at all. I don’t want you to do anything that will hurt or humiliate me. I can’t be shared out. I don’t want to be filmed. I … it’s me and you.”
“Those are your conditions?”
“Some of them. I want to be able to walk away. If I can trust you, when this is over, I want to be able to walk away without looking back. No memories, no nothing.” She looked at me, her dark-brown eyes boring into mine. “I don’t ever want to fall in love with you. This cannot be confused with feelings. It’s mechanical. Friendship at best. Sex. Nothing personal. I don’t want anything else.”
Now, this did surprise me and was an element I wasn’t prepared for. “Fine. I don’t do love. I’m not the kind of man who falls in love. I don’t believe in it.”
She rested her hands on the table.
“Now, sex, I want everything on the table. Your mouth, your ass, your pussy. It will all belong to me. I will not hurt you, or set out to cause you any kind of pain. I’m not into that. I’ve no desire to see you crying or hating me. I expect to be in charge. You’ll do as I say, and you will submit to me.”
“But it won’t be anything awful?”
I smiled. “You’ve got a lot to learn.”
“I’m not completely stupid about what can happen. I know sex can be … vigorous. Maybe we can explore it more greatly, but if I don’t like anything, we stop.”
“Then we stop.”
“Do I need to have a … safeword?”
“I’m not a Dom and this is not a BDSM agreement.” I thought it over. “Even though it could be seen that way. I’m in complete control. When we’re around people, you will do as you’re told. You will trust me in all things, and above all, you will not argue with me. Do you understand?”
“You’re not going to lock me in a cage and throw away the key?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Some men may enjoy that, but not me.”
“This is so weird,” she said.
I couldn’t stop my smile. “Why?”
“You’ve kidnapped me. You’re going to take my virginity, so sex is happening. Er, and I’m being paid more than I’d ever thought possible. You’re going to keep my friend safe, and I’m going to be taken care of.” She let out a laugh. “My mom would be so jealous of me right now.”
“And yet you look like you’re going to throw up.”
“Because this isn’t what I had in mind. For my first boyfriend, I imagined kisses and hugs. Love. I saw a future planned out. He’d know I was his first and he wouldn’t have to be a virgin. I get that.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m making this sound like a really bad romance movie.”
“You’re a young woman.”
“It’s a school girl’s fantasy. I haven’t been a young girl in a very long time. There’s no way that’s going to happen with me.” She rubbed at her temple. “I feel a little sick.”
“How about I take you out exploring?” I asked.
“Exploring?”
“It’s time to get off this yacht. We’re about to dock in a port. There’s a quaint small town. We’re restocking our supplies. If you promise to be a good girl, I’ll take you with me.”
“And if I’m not a good girl?”
“There will be consequences for your bad behavior, Ashley. I won’t hurt you, providing you don’t give me any cause. Do you understand?”
“So you’ll hurt me?”
“Only if you give me cause.”
She stared at me, but I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking.
“I’d like to go with you.”
“Good.” I snapped my fingers and organized a small party for us to leave the yacht and go into town.
“We’re not going alone.”
I smiled at her. “You think Emily would stop the Monsters from looking for you?”
“Wait? They’re looking for me?” Ashley asked, standing as I did.
“Of course. Emily loves you and she doesn’t like me.”
“Do you wish it had been her?” Ashley asked.
I watched her as she brushed a wrinkle out of her dress. Did I wish Emily stood before me?
“No, I don’t.” I was glad it wasn’t Emily. I was having way too much fun with Ashley.
Chapter Three
Ashley
I loved spending the past seven years with Emily. She was my sister. My best friend, and I’d die for her. But today had to have been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was totally blown away, shocked, and a little scared.
We left the boat at around eleven, and we’d only just gotten back.
Earl had made sure I was on the boat before he turned away from me and made his way in the opposite direction. No one stopped to see if I needed any help. I had a small bag hanging from my wrist. Rather than feel like a spare part, I made my way to my room, finding it completely barren.
The bed that had been made up was bare. The mattress had no bedding. After going to the wardrobe, I saw it was empty.
I sat on the edge of the mattress, not really sure what to do. I was alone.
With nothing around me, I recalled that first night Emily and I were alone in our brand-new apartment. How much she cried. I had let out a few tears too. At the time, Emily had thought I was crying because of my mom, and in a way, I was, but I was also so happy. The Monsters had given me freedom. Something I didn’t think I was ever going to get, and just being in that apartment, even holding a sobbing Emily, it meant something to me.
I’d gotten out.
Holding the bag open, I pulled out the square box and lifted the lid. We’d passed several stalls and designer shops. While Earl had been taking a call, I’d stared into the window and I’d seen this watch. It was silver. The face had a few diamonds, or crystals, I wasn’t sure which. Small. Delicate. I’d wanted it.
Earl had finished his call, joined me, and within ten minutes, it was boxed up. I took it out and slid it on my wrist.
I’d never been given anything so pretty. Of course, this came with a price. Everything Earl wanted from me had a price. I’d been with him two days, and my hatred of him had changed. Seven years ago, I despised the very sound of his name.
Emily was terrified of ending up with him, especially as she had four of her own men she wanted.
The man I’d spent time with, who was paying me for the pleasure of my company, was not the man I imagined. First, I did think of him as an old man with a sick, twisted mind. Earl was old, but he wasn’t old old.
Resting my hands in my lap, I felt the weight of the watch on my wrist. I can get through all of this. I can.
Time ticked by, and still, I sat in the same place. What the hell was I doing?
Just as I was about to get up, Earl cleared his throat. He’d changed, and there was a frown on his face. “What are you doing in here?”