“You know what I mean,” she says biting back a coy smile.
“I know. I do know, and I don’t want you to worry about that.” I have to be clear on something before we go any further. Actually, there are a few things I have to be clear on. This first. “Paige… do you want this? I mean, do you want this with me, whatever it is? Wherever this game takes us… do you want this?”
“Yes,” she answers without any thought. I’m surprised how quickly she answered.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a woman so into me. I’ve never lacked for one, but they always wanted something or were with me for some reason that would be of benefit to them. My looks, my money, my power.
When this one looks at me, she looks at me like she wants my soul. And that’s the scary thing about it. I want to give it to her.
“I want it too,” I say. “So… we have to be careful.”
“We have to be secret,” she adds, and I feel like a prick for dipping my head in agreement.
I’m looking at this beautiful woman before me and want to show her off to the world. I want to show her off to everyone I know and let the world know she’s my girl, but if I do that, we’ll be in complete shit.
For now, anyway.
“I don’t want to keep you secret, Bellissima. I don’t.”
She gives me a small smile. “I’ll be with you however I can. I don’t care. I don’t, James.”
“Then… let’s do this. We come here a few nights a week, or you come to my place. The other nights, you take them off and study or do whatever.”
“But the club—”
I shake my head and interrupt her. “No, the club nothing, baby. Everything is taken care of. I’ll tell you when we’re here. When we come here it’s fun between us. I don’t want you coming here for anything else. You don’t come here by yourself or to do any kind of work.” Of course, this arrangement is just for six weeks. That leads to my other questions.
“James, that sounds like you paid a lot of money.”
“Don’t worry about money. I know you’re adamant that I don’t help you but I arranged for you to get three months’ salary for the six weeks.”
She brings her hands up to her cheeks. “Oh James, that’s too much.”
I sigh. “It’s my way of helping. I still want to know if you’re in trouble, though.”
Fuck, in my world when a person looks desperate for money the way she does it means trouble, like they owe someone they shouldn’t.
She shakes her head. “No, it’s not that.”
“It’s not a debt?”
“No. Not a debt.”
“Please, for God’s sake, tell me you’re not working here because you like having sex with random people.”
A little smile fills her face, but it’s gone, and then a tear runs down her cheek. “I’m not like that, James. I really just needed the money. I have to save up for something important.”
I’m relieved to hear that, although it must be one hell of a something for her to work here.
“Let me give it to you. I’ll give you what you need,” I offer cupping her face.
“No,” she says quickly. “This is enough. You’ll never know what this means to me that you did this.” Her gaze clings to mine.
“Baby, if you need help, I want you to tell me.”
“I’m so touched that you’d want to help me, but I couldn’t take it. I was so frightened when the club called me and told me someone booked me for six weeks.”
I’m glad she’s letting her guard down and talking to me. I just wish I knew what the money was for.