by Tia KENZIE
I close my eye again, but leave it open a tiny slit so I can still see him. “No.”
“Please Luna, I want to explain.” He whines.
“Have you fucked her already? I mean it sounded like you have, many times.”
“Yeah.” He’s shuffling on the spot, looking awkward.
“Have you had her in the hot tub?”
“Yeah, but not tonight. I threw her out. She won’t be back again.”
“Up the ass?”
“No.”
“In your bed?”
“Yeah.”
“Sofa?”
“Yeah.”
“Just her, or others too?”
He clears his throat. “Others….too.”
“In this pool?”
That brings silence.
I open my eyes to look at him. “In this pool?”
“Yeah.” He nods.
“Fucker. You let me get into your dirty ass, fucking spunk filled pool.” I shout at him.
I swim to the side and start climbing out. He’s laughing at me. I glare at him and he stops laughing. “Where?”
“What?” He looks confused.
“Name one fucking place in this whore house, that you’ve never fucked someone. Can you do that?”
He starts blinking rapidly, looking around desperately. He can’t answer me. Oh, my fucking God! He’s a man whore, a gigolo, a fucking dirty bastard!
I march into the apartment, aware I’m just in my panties and vest top, but I’m too angry to care. I need to find dry clothes and wash off whatever sex fluids are now clinging to me, from that manky pool.
Once again, I’m in the glorious shower, scrubbing myself clean. I take my time, then get wrapped in another fluffy towel. This time, I manage to get changed into a hoody and comfy sweatpants, before I fall to the floor, crying. Damn! I’m getting married to a fucking male escort!
It feels like I cry every day now. I’m sobbing when I hear him calling me. Obviously, I ignore him. He tries another few times, which I too ignore. Then I have a thought! The next time he calls me, I answer.
“In here?” Silence.
“In here?” I ask again, in an angrier tone.
“Yeah.” He answers, cautiously.
I jump up, flinging the door open. He blanches when he sees my face.
“You are a fucking dirty, sex obsessed, gigolo, male escort bastard!” I whisper shout, as I march past him, headed back outside.
Finding my half joint where I left it, I light it up and sit on the floor, with my back against the railings. He comes outside, looking for me. As he approaches, I point to the area I’m sat. “Here?” I ask.
He sighs. “No, never.”
“Okay then. Looks like this is where I’m living. Right fucking here!”
I lay my head back, smoking the joint. He has the cheek to hold his hand out for some. I don’t know why, but I pass him it.
He crouches in front of me. “Luna, why are you so mad? It’s not like we were together when I’ve been with anyone. I didn’t even know you then.”
I laugh. “Yeah, but the thing is Matteo Gigolo Romero. Christ! Your name even sounds like a porn star! The point is, I’ve never slept around, whored myself out. I’ve only kissed 4 guys in my life. That’s it. 3 of those guys I….”
I stop, sighing loudly. I will not explain to him how I’ve got 3 guys, who I all love, and have considered giving my V card to. Because you know, that’s just how I am. I need to know that my first time will be with someone that I truly love. So, I’ve considered it.
Then I also think about how those kisses happened in the last week! Damn! I am a skank. It’s a joke now though, how I was holding off. How stupid am I? I should have just given it up to Colt, when I had the chance. But no, now I’m expected to give my virginity to Rome. Someone who obviously sees sex as a sport, not as a loving act, like I do.
“Do you know what, forget it. Maybe I’m wrong for judging you, I don’t know anything at the moment.”
“Oh, okay. I’m sorry, for what it’s worth anyway. We’ve both been thrown into this, you know. It’s not like I’ve had any say in it.” He walks back into the apartment.
Great, now I’ve got a dilemma. I’ve thrown a tantrum like a toddler, refusing to live in the stupid apartment. I’ve made such a deal about living out here that I’m now stuck. Christ, I hope it doesn’t rain.
And he’s got the cheek to leave me! Really? I sulk for a bit, properly pissed off with myself. What do I do now? I close my eyes, determined not to cry again.
I feel a presence and it’s Rome, sitting on the floor beside me. He’s brought a comfy blanket, a few beers and another joint. He snuggles next to me and covers us both up with the blanket. Damn, he’s cute. Why did he have to be so used? So, 2nd hand? 3rd hand?10th hand? Oh my God!
“How many?” I ask.
“Fuck, not that Luna. Don’t ask me that.” He pleads.
We sit in silence; you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. He turns to face me.
“Don’t look at me.” I say.
“What! Why?”
“Because you are too damn handsome. I can’t bear to look at you and know just how used you are.”
“Used? Thanks, that’s nice.” He’s sulking. He opens a beer and passes it to me, I accept.
After finishing the beer and sharing the joint, I’m totally chilled, and sleepy. I yawn and he pulls my head onto his chest, his arm around me. A few minutes pass and I’m in that nice place, where you are nearly asleep, but not quite. He must think I am though, because he starts whispering to me.
“Luna, I’m sorry, okay. I wish I’d never been with loads of girls, but I can’t change it. If you’d lived my life, you would understand. I’ve not had a family, or anyone, to care for me for years. I used all the girls because I was lonely. They meant nothing, at all to me. I just used them; I admit it. I wish I’d met you first Luna.
I don't want to get out of this, I really do want you. I want, more than anything, for you to look at me the way you look at Colt, Dante and Toby. I’ve seen you Luna, with them. I can feel how much you love them, and it fucking kills me. I want you to look at me like that. I want you to love me too Luna.
It kills me that I know you’ve kissed them, because I’ve experienced your kiss, how fantastic and sensual it is. It’s tearing me up inside, knowing they’ve had that with you too. Please don’t give up on me sweet Luna, I just want you to want me. That is the wish I should have made, on your shooting star.”
I feel a drop of wetness hit the side of my cheek. Oh my God, I think he’s crying. That would make sense, I mean, all that he’s just said to me was earth shatteringly deep. Deep, and sad. Maybe I’ve been too harsh on him. I think he really does like me. Shit! I want to console him, but I also think he needed to say it while I was asleep. So, I lift my hand and wrap it around his waist, pulling tight.
“Luna?” He whispers.
I can feel his heartbeat getting faster. I bet he’s panicking, thinking I’m awake. I ignore him and he sighs deeply, obviously satisfied that I am in fact, asleep.
◆◆◆
I awake early the next morning, still in Rome’s arms, but we are now laid on the floor. Taking a peek, I see he’s still asleep. My, he really is handsome.
A few minutes later he opens his eyes. “What’s up Luna? You okay?”
I give him a small smile. “Yeah, I’m sorry you’ve slept out here with me. You could have just gone to bed you know.”
“Nah, I like being with you. Although do you think if I got a new bed, you’d consider the bedroom tonight?”
I laugh, “okay, yeah, maybe. I’m stiff as a board and aching all over. It’s not very comfortable on the floor.” He pulls my head down to kiss my forehead. I put my chin on his chest, looking at him.
“I’m sorry, for being a bitch. I know you can’t change what you’ve done. I shouldn’t have judged you Rome. It was wrong of me.”
“Yeah? Thanks, that means a lot to me.”
He gives me a wide smile, like a child might do when really pleased with something. My heart melts. Damn him!
“Rome, why me? Why did your Uncle pick me?” I whisper, aware we may be listened in on.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about it, a lot. The only thing I know is, Uncle does nothing, unless it benefits him.”
“But how could it? I mean, I have nothing, no family, money or anything. Plus, he said he helped me to leave Switzerland, so I had to pay him back. I guess that payment is marrying you. But why? Why does he want you married so bad?”
He sighs. “He needs to control me. My parents died when I was young, so Uncle took me in. I won’t lie to you, he is not a good person, at all. He’s involved in dangerous stuff, stuff he wants me involved in too. He made me do some bad things. Don’t ask me what, I don’t want you to know what I’ve done. Plus, he would kill me and you if he knew I’d said anything.
I rebelled, became a problem for him. Then I managed to convince him to let me go to school, said it would benefit the business if I got a decent education. He’s under the impression that when I leave here, I will join him in his business.
I’m not making excuses, but I think that’s part of the reason I’ve messed about so much, you know…with all the girls.”
“So why do you need to be married? You could still work for him, even if you’re not.”
“I know, that’s what I can’t work out. He's been trying to marry me off for a while now but I've managed to avoid it. Luna, I’m really sorry you are caught up in this. But, then again, I’m happy it is you. I mean, if I had to choose someone, you know?” He shrugs.
I laugh. “Fuck! What would you have done if it was Serena Davenport, waiting for you at the club?”
His eyes widen. “Fuck no! God, I don’t know for sure. I just know that I would try everything to get out of it. I can’t even imagine that. Fuck!”
I’m laughing at him.
He sits up, bringing me with him, wrapped in his arms. I tuck my head under his chin.
“Luna, I need to tell you something.”
Oh! What now? Please don't say you've been with Serena. “Yeah?”
“I’ve known about you for a while. Well, I’ve heard about you. So many stories, that I feel that I know you already.”
I feel myself stiffen. “How?”
“Dante and Toby. I’ve known them both a few years now, so I’ve heard them talking. Dante doesn’t drink alcohol much, like hardly ever. There was one night though, he got wasted, I’m talking really drunk. He got upset, kept talking about a girl called Luna Moon, about how much he loved and missed her. How he’d done something to hurt her.
I didn’t understand what he meant by that, and he didn’t explain. I stayed up talking with him all night, because I was worried he might hurt himself. Anyway, that night he talked about you lots. So much so that by morning I felt like I knew you too. Damn, I feel bad for him now. He really loved you, probably still does.”
I’m crying now. Hearing that makes me sad. “Why did you tell me?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. But I thought you should know.”
“So, why is he with Serena then? If he misses me so much?”
“I’m not sure. I know that he hates her with a passion. But for some reason, he doesn’t leave her. I’ve tried asking Toby, but he won’t say anything.”
“Luna?”
“Yeah?”
“That night, when I met you on the beach. It’s not the first time I saw you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. When I came back from my trip, Dante and Toby got into a fight. Right down there, on the beach.” He points towards the beach, just beyond us. “I was out here when I heard them. I listened and realized they were talking about the Luna girl. About how she’d come back, had moved into the dorms at Grace Glory. Toby was telling Dante he was going to visit you and it sounded like Dante was jealous. I was curious, so I followed Toby. I saw you with him, outside the dorms. You had something delivered. I was also in the diner, when you throat punched Serena. That was epic, by the way. Total badass!”
I pull back to look at him. “You weren’t sat with them, in the diner. I didn’t see you, anyway.”
“I was at the counter. I’d seen you sat with Talia in the corner, and I wanted a closer look.”
“Stalker much?”
He laughs. “Guilty. You want to tell me what the motherfucking Luna train is all about?”
I blush, badly. “No, never. It’s Talia, she’s crazy.”
He takes my hand in his then, threading our fingers together. “Luna, are you… a virgin? It’s just from what you said last night, I got the impression that you may be.” At least he has the decency to look embarrassed at his question.
I bite my lip, aware my blush has deepened. “Yeah.” I say, because there’s no point lying.
He kisses my fingers then. “Then I’m sorry, I can see why you would be upset with my… past.”
I just shrug and avert my eyes, there’s nothing I can think of to say.
◆◆◆
After a breakfast of just coffee, I hit the shower. Once dressed I find the bedroom has 2 racks of clothes in, filled with evening gowns.
“Fuck me!” I exclaim to myself.
“Is that an order?” Replies Rome, who I discover is laid on the bed, hidden behind the dresses.
“Ha! Very funny. No, you can relax gigolo.” I say with a laugh.
“Do you need any help?”
“Nope.” I pop the P. “I’m gonna sort this myself.”
He jumps from the bed, “I’ll jump in the shower then.” He ,kisses my cheek on the way past.
Once alone I start searching through the racks. Man, some of these are really nice. I’ve never been one for shopping, so I don’t mess about too much. I find my dress pretty quickly. It’s long, grey and silky. It has a very low back, which exposes my tattoos. I wonder if
that’s allowed. I say fuck it! I love this one.
There’s a choice of heeled shoes so I choose a sparkly silver pair, of course.
◆◆◆
Chapter 16.
I’m in a chair, waiting for the assistant to finish my make-up. Rome sent me away this afternoon, in a limo. Apparently, it had been arranged for me to attend a spa/beauty place, to be pampered and prepared for our engagement party, this evening.
Rome made a point of whispering in my ear before I left. He warned me not to discuss our situation as the spa is owned by his Uncle, ergo he owns the staff. I must admit, I had toyed with the idea of declaring my desperation and hoping someone would help me. But no, I would never put Colt in that situation. I might be mad with him at the moment, but I still love him.
My God! I’ve never visited one of these places before. I’ve been massaged, moisturized, plucked and prodded to death. Oh, I’ve also had my lady bits and underarms waxed. Who the hell, would choose to do that to themselves? It was pure agony. The young girl is lucky I didn’t throat punch her. She was ready though, she moved out of my reach, just at the right time.
It was embarrassing when the woman who massaged me told me I had to remove my wrist cuffs. I did it reluctantly. I knew she’d seen the scars, but she was pleasant and pretended she’d not noticed. I swallowed my pride though and asked her if she had any make-up that may cover them, she just smiled and told me it would be sorted.
I was told to bring my dress with me, apparently they needed to see it so they could cater my appearance accordingly. I had a chuckle to myself when Gloria, the head stylist, had decided I would be having a fancy up-do, only to change her mind when she saw my tattoos.
They are a no-no, so now my hair has been transformed into a mass of flowing waves. It’s long enough to hit my ass, so I suppose they think I’ll be tramp stamp free. So very proper indeed. Ha!
My make-up is stunning though. My eyebrows have been plucked and colored into a high arch. My grey eyes have been lined with dark kohl, making them
pop. I chose a neutral lip-stain, I’m never going to pull off a vibrant cover. Too skanky for me!
It’s late now. I must have been here over 4 hours. I’m in my dress and heels, just waiting for the car to collect me. The staff are all fussing around, admiring and complementing me. They keep telling me I look like a princess. I’m not going to lie, that makes me think of Toby and my eyes start filling up. It is a nice feeling to be complemented though. It’s all new to me.