“I wasn’t expecting that,” I say. I need to find a way to get her to tell me what she really wants, because I want her to have everything just as much as I want her.
“You know what, Mr. Rushmore? I don’t even know what this is. What exactly do you expect of me?”
I nod thoughtfully for a moment. “I’ve never done this before and you’re right. I need to be crystal clear about what I want and what is expected of you in return. So here are the rules: I’ll give you what you want. And I mean anything. In return, you are not to date anyone else. You are not to touch anyone and nobody is to touch you. I’m the only one allowed to put his hands on you. And I will see you whenever I want, day or night, and vice versa. If there’s anything you need, you come to me. I’ll care of everything.”
“Wow,” she says, biting her lip, giving it some thought. Oh, she needs something. I can tell. “This is a lot.”
I give her my most piercing gaze. “You want out? Say so. I’ll disappear and never bother you again. But if you want in, then we’re all in.”
She twists her lip and knits her brows together.
“One more thing. Gifts are going to flood into your life. Credit cards. Debit cards. Flowers. Clothes. Shoes. Some things won’t be easily missed by your parents. I’m not going to hold back.”
She winces, but she can’t hide the look of excitement. So damn sexy. Greedy little thing. And why shouldn’t she be? She deserves all of it and more.
“You told me you want to be treated like an adult. So it’s up to you to explain to others how all these changes came in your life. You can tell them the truth, or you can refuse to talk, or you can hide it, or you can lie. But I warn you, lying doesn’t end well. You’ll just have to figure it out.”
“Again, this is a lot,” she repeats.
I give her a moment and as she thinks I study her angelic face. After a few moments she sighs and looks up at me. This is it. I’m about to get the boot. I’ve saddled this pure young thing with too much responsibility. But to my surprise and delight, she looks up at me seductively through her lashes.
“What do I call you? Are you my boyfriend? My friend? My sugar daddy?”
I swivel toward her and lift her chin to face me. “Sugar daddy is beneath me. I’m not an old man trying to relive his youth. I’m investing in your future. Simply think of me as your benefactor.”
11
Hunter
His hand slips over mine and the familiar ripple of pleasure vibrates from my toes all the way up to the nape of my neck. Just from simply holding his hand. I can act as sassy as I want with him but the truth is, he’s got me. Hook, line and sinker.
The sun is starting to set and the light streaming in from behind me plays across his face, making his eyes show flecks of green, and casting a gold and silver light across his brow and eyelashes. I knew he was handsome, but in this moment I realize he’s actually…beautiful.
“Do you want to come in?” I offer.
Rushmore looks deep in thought then leans closer to me. He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. His lips and stubble graze my skin, stirring up anticipation in every pore.
“You’re not ready for that,” he says, his voice low. Gravelly. Vibrating deep between my thighs.
I want to protest. I want to insist that I am ready, but his lips against my skin turn me into a puddle.
“Just…call me when you need anything at all,” he insists.
Can I tell him what I really want is for him to come inside and eat snacks with me? Talk to me? Keep me company?
But no, I don’t think that’s what this relationship is.
“OK,” I say. “There is one thing.”
“Anything. Anything at all. Name it.”
I swallow, knowing this is my first negotiation with him. “If you want me to be on the swim team this year, we need new uniforms. And I want all new swim gear too for all of us. Not just me—freshmen, JV, and varsity. Goggles, caps, the whole thing. Everything needs replaced.”
He takes in a breath to respond but I cut him off by holding up a finger in the air. “And don’t even think of putting your company logo on anything, I know how you corporate types work.”
He smirks at me. “Fair enough. No corporate logos. I was going to say, before you interrupted me, that I’d rather you choose something you want that’s just for you. But I’ll do what you ask.”
He punctuates his declaration with a squeeze of my hand, blinking at me slowly with hooded eyes. A wave of warmth rushes over me.