I nod shyly.
“It isn’t a bad job, to be honest. The Wilshire Hotel is really great, but we just got stuck with a bad manager. And I have rent to pay, so I don’t have a choice. I’ve got to go back out there on the job market, if not at the Wilshire, then someplace else.”
The handsome man frowns, and then gives a slight shake of his head. “I’ll make a deal with you, honey. Don’t go back to that job or at any hotel, period. Instead, I’ll cover all your expenses for the next six months so that you can take some time and figure out what you want to do next in life. Find your passion and pursue it, sweetheart. Don’t settle for a mediocre job with a boss who doesn’t appreciate what a gift you are.”
I open my mouth to respond, then close it and take a second more to process his words. “But why would you do that? Six months is a long time and a lot of money!”
Mason merely shakes his head.
“Not to me it isn’t, and I’m doing it because I want to. I won’t sit back while you force yourself to be unhappy for a position that doesn’t appreciate you.”
I swallow hard, tears rising in my eyes.
“I don’t know, Mason. I know it isn’t a lot of money to you, but it is to me. And I’d feel selfish letting you take care of me like that while I try to find myself. I mean, what would you even get out of this? Other than a dip in your bank account.”
His eyes are fierce as they meet mine. “I get you.”
I swallow hard. “Me?”
“Yes. I want to take you any time, and any place I desire.” He runs his hand up my outer thigh. “That includes any way I want it too, so if I’m craving your bottom, sweetheart, you’ll give it to me.”
My body feels like it’s going to overheat, and I should be disgusted, but instead, I’m entranced. It feels like I’m in a movie, but instead, this handsome billionaire is real and there’s no doubt that Mason is serious.
“Just say yes, baby,” he growls, blue eyes flashing. “You know you want it.”
The whole idea of trading my body for money is so scandalous, and yet the alpha male’s right: this is what I want. As a result, I nod and murmur, “Yes, Daddy. Your wish is my command.”
8
Mimi
Three months later.
“I can’t believe you’re living in a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan,” Leslie squeals on the other side of the screen. “You know there are articles about Mason Carlisle’s building. It’s supposedly the fanciest, most exclusive complex in all of Manhattan.”
I giggle and nod.
“I won’t lie because it’s amazing. I’ve been living here with Mason for three months now, and I still can’t believe this is my life sometimes.”
My high school friend lets out another giggle, but then she gets serious.
“Okay,” she says, “enough about the apartment. You’re dating one of the biggest business moguls in America, so I guess a fancy house should be an expected perk, but what about the important stuff?”
I know exactly what she considers “important stuff,” but I’m not going to give it away that easily. “What do you mean?” I tease.
Leslie mock-frowns.
“Don’t hold out on me, Mimi. I’ve looked your man up online, so I know how ridiculously hot he is. He’s Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome personified! And then there’s that demanding aura that comes through even in pictures. I bet he’s a beast in bed. Please don’t tell me that Mason Carlisle’s small and limp in real life.”
I giggle, thinking about how much of an animal my boyfriend was last night, ordering me around the bedroom and making me come so hard, so many times, that I’m surprised I can even walk today. I sigh blissfully at the memory.
“Imagine how hot you think he is and multiply that by a hundred. That’s what it’s like.”
Leslie sucks in a sharp breath loud enough I can hear it through the phone. “You’re messing with me,” she breathes.
I shake my head. “Nope. Mason’s very gifted, and he knows exactly what he’s doing with his anatomy, trust me.”
She giggles. “Is he just as great out of the bed?”
I sigh. “Honestly, he’s wonderful. Obviously, Mason’s rich and he likes to spend his money on nice things, but he’s still a good person. He treats everyone with respect, and that includes the help. He never makes anyone feel like they’re mere mortals because they aren’t as successful as he is. He’s wonderful.”
Leslie rolls her eyes a bit, brown curls bobbing.
“I mean, I guess I already figured that out. After all, I already have to like him for making sure you didn’t end up back at the Wilshire working for that bitch, Jewel.”