“Why are you doing this?” I finally ask.
Mr. Ford doesn’t take his eyes off of his phone. “Doing what?”
“Uh,” I nearly laugh. This is absurd. “Poaching me from my barely minimum wage office job so that I can come…” I look down in his lap. He’s sporting a hefty erection. It’s thick and poking through the fabric of his pants. It should freak me out, but instead it turns me on, my panties erupt with wetness. He pulls his eyes away from his phone and locks eyes with me. “So that I can come and work for you.”
“I can’t let you sleep in my office.”
“I understand that.”
“So, would you rather go back to the shelter?”
“No!” Now it’s my turn to raise my voice. “I already told you that that’s not an option.”
“Then sit back and relax while I finish these emails. I’m not going to hurt you, Olivia. In fact, I’m going to make sure you’re taken care of. I’m going to make you feel good.”
“But…”
“Enough.” He says through gritted teeth. “Just enjoy the ride.”
I open my mouth to retort but I decide against it. There’s something hidden beneath his harsh words. Normal men don’t do this. They hire prostitutes. Mr. Ford is legitimately helping me. But why? Whatever it is, I feel good about it. Eager, even.
The thought of Max Ford using me for his own personal pleasure for the next day sounds like a little bit of heaven. Most girl’s first times are with idiot boys. This could give me the chance to be broken in by a real man. I shift in my seat at the thought.
Okay, yeah. This is an odd and unexpected situation but it’s also exciting. The way he looks at me, like he wants to eat me up, it’s not frightening. It’s turning me on like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Although I should have doubts about this, I don’t. Everything about it feels like an adventure.
Before I know it, we pull in front of a large building with a fancy green awning. “Give me your bag.” Mr. Ford says. I hand it to him, and he steps out of the car. Hot on his heels, I do exactly as he tells me. That’s what I signed up for, right? And damn if it there isn’t part of me that wants to follow his every command. There’s just something about him. Maybe it’s because I’ve been on my own for so long, struggling and merely trying to survive that it feels nice.
Yeah, we’ll just chalk it up to that.
Inside the lobby of his building, my jaw nearly hits the floor. It’s one of those apartment buildings that you see in the movies, but no one in NYC actually ever lives in. There’s a man at the front desk who smiles and nods, giving me a second once over. His eyes shoot directly to my bare legs. Heat flushes to my cheeks.
I’m not the only one who notices. Mr. Ford takes off his jacket and throws it over my shoulders. “Wrap this around you.” He whispers forcefully. “I don’t want anyone else looking at you, do you understand?”
My words catch in my throat. Idon’tactually understand, but the seriousness of his tone doesn’t leave room for questions right now. Instead I take the jacket and pull it tight. Mr. Ford stops at the desk and leans over the counter. “Keep your eyes on your crossword, Diego.” He grunts.
Diego’s eyes go wide and he nods viciously. “No problem, sir. My apologies.” Mr. Ford gently grips my arm and pulls me toward the elevator.
“If you’re going to be living here, I need them to know that you’re off limits. You’re here to work for me and they are not to look at you unless I have told them that it’s okay.” He’s nearly huffing, panting like a wild animal who’s had his food threatened to be taken away. I nod in response.
I know I should be running in the other direction with behavior like this, but I like it. The way he makes me feel, wanted, like I’m the most important person on the earth is intoxicating, though God knows why. This man just met me.
Once we’re in the elevator, in this small compact space it feels like he’s a giant towering over me. I’m not a small girl, not by a long shot. Especially compared to the tiny waifs running around Manhattan sipping vodka and eating salads. But, man I feel almost petite next to him. I pull my coat around my body, wishing he would’ve given me the chance to at least put on my sweatshirt before we left. My breasts are all over the place.
Mr. Ford hits the button labeled ‘PH.’ Of course, I should’ve known he’d live on the top floor. He’s a multi-billionaire from what I’ve read. He rolls up his shirt sleeves as the elevator ascends, showing off an array of tattoos. The dark ink accentuates the grooves in his forearms, and again I’m left wondering what kind of man he really is. Clearly, there’s a bad boy underneath the shiny exterior. The thought gives me chills.
I never could resist a bad boy.
A smile spreads across my lips. “What’s so funny?” He asks. There’s no humor in his tone.
“Nothing,” I say.
“Don’t lie to me.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s just…this is really bizarre.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. You find me sleeping in your office and instead of firing me, you decide to take me home with you?” I turn toward him. The darkness in his eyes catches my breath. He’s staring down at me, those tattooed arms of his thick and sexy.