by Sandi Lynn
“I’m not lonely at all. This actually works out perfect for me. No emotions, no strings, nothing. And if you look at it, it’s perfect for you too.”
“How?” I asked.
“You’re incapable of feelings. It’s just another job for you. Clearly, you had no problems or trouble walking away from all the other men you ripped off and I won’t be any different.”
“And if I don’t agree?”
“Then I turn over all of your aliases to the police and you go to jail.”
“Ah, Gabriel Quinn, CEO of Quinn Hotels, kidnapper and blackmailer extraordinaire.” I held up my glass of wine.
He picked up his and held it up in front of him.
“And Kate Harper, con artist and heart breaker extraordinaire.”
“You know nothing about me, Gabriel.”
“I know enough and, to be honest, I don’t want to know anything else. Do we have a deal or do I call the police?”
I couldn’t believe his proposal. All this man wanted was sex. A thousand dollars a night sex. If that was what it took to get me out of here, then fine. Besides, I liked having sex with him. This was my chance to play him, find out more of his weaknesses, and take advantage. He thought he was playing me, but in reality, he had just taken the game to a whole new level.
“I get to leave the house?” I asked.
“Yes. You can go wherever you want, but you will be guarded.”
I rolled my eyes.
“And you said I would have to do anything you want in the bedroom?”
“Yes. Anything I want. You cannot say no.”
I gulped.
“I don’t do anal sex. That right there is out of the question. So, if you have the thought in that fucked up little head of yours, take it away now.”
“If I’m paying a thousand dollars a night, you will do as I please, including anal sex.”
I swallowed hard. He wouldn’t do anal. He didn’t seem like that type of guy. But then again, he did keep a pair of handcuffs in his bedroom. I’d call his bluff.
“Fine. We have a deal.” I held out my hand. “But you do know I get my period. So then what?”
“We do it in the shower when that’s going on.”
“Okay. Thirty days it is and then I leave. Can we count last night as day one?”
“No. It starts now, tonight. I do want to make one thing very clear to you. I am not like the other men you were with. I will not shower you with expensive gifts, flowers, or anything else.”
“What if you’re tempted to?” I smirked.
“Trust me, Kate. I won’t be.”
“Are you always this cold-hearted with the women you’re with?”
“Only the ones who think it’s okay to steal from me.” He cocked his head.
“What about Greta?”
“How do you know about her?”
“Grace told me the other day you just ended a relationship with her. Why?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Were you together when we fucked at JFK?”
“No. I wasn’t. I don’t cheat on the women I’m with.”
I let out a light laugh. “Sure you don’t. You’re a typical rich alpha male. Temptation is your weakest point.”
“Not mine. When I’m with someone, I’m committed. I never once cheated on Greta.”
My heart kind of melted when he said that and I could tell he wasn’t lying. He was faithful and it was a rare quality among men. Especially men of his stature, but something was different with him. He seemed cold and emotionless. More so now than before.
“Do you have any sexy lingerie?” he asked.
“Back at my apartment. Why?”
“Because I want you wearing it every night when you walk into my room.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to go to my place.”
“No. I’ll have new things delivered tomorrow.”
“I thought you weren’t going to lavish me with gifts?” I raised my brow.
“They’re not for you, sweetheart. They’re for me to enjoy.”
“Seriously, Gabriel. What kind of freak are you?”
“How does me wanting to view you in sexy lingerie make me a freak? And don’t even go there, Kate. I’m sure you’ve done some freaky shit with the men you’ve been with.”
In reality, it was always just plain sex, very vanilla, which was fine with me. When the men would ask to try something different, I always told them I wasn’t comfortable, so they would drop it and resume with the normal plain and boring sex. Perhaps it was because I was never attracted to any of them and I always had the upper hand. But with Gabriel, things were different. There was an enormous attraction to him, and this time, I wasn’t in control. Overall, his need for kinkiness turned me on.
“Do I at least get to pick out the lingerie?” I asked.
“No. Like I said, I’ll have some things delivered tomorrow.”
“And what about tonight?”
“For tonight, your naked body will do just fine. In fact,” he looked at the time on his phone, “I want you naked and walking into my bedroom at nine p.m. Understand?” he spoke with seriousness.
“Yes, master. Anything you say.”
He held up his finger. “Don’t call me that.”
The corners of my mouth curved up into a slight smile.
“What do you want me to call you? Daddy?”
“Absolutely not. What is wrong with you?”
Me? He wanted to know what was wrong with me? He was the one putting this plan of demand into motion.
“Fine. I understand, Gabriel.”
“That’s better. You have thirty minutes to prep yourself.”
I got up from my seat and headed to my room. His plan wasn’t so bad. Sex with him and the freedom to leave the house whenever I wanted to was a pretty good deal, not to mention the traveling part. The one thing I did believe he was true to his word about was turning me over to the police. He had enough on me to put me away for a long time and that wasn’t something I was about to risk.
Chapter 19
Kate
I looked at the clock on my nightstand. It was eight fifty-nine. It was time to make my grand entrance. I slipped off my robe and walked my naked body down to his bedroom. I had never been in there before and I’d never seen it because he kept the door locked when he was gone.
When I lightly knocked on the door, he told me to come in. Placing my hand on the handle, I opened it and stood in the doorway with my arm resting on the doorframe and my hip pushed out to the side.
“Come in,” he spoke as he sat on the edge of the bed in nothing but a pair of pajama bottoms with his bare feet firmly planted on the floor.
I seductively walked towards him and stared into his hungry eyes. When I reached the bed, he planted his hands firmly on my hips and his tongue stroked my belly. Instantly, the fire down below erupted, sending a tingling sensation through my body that made me tremble. He slid his tongue down to my clit, giving it a few strokes before circling my slick opening. My fingers raked through his hair as I closed my eyes and pleasurable moans escaped my lips. His mouth devoured me while he dipped a finger inside, heightening my ecstasy. My breathing became rapid as well as my heart rate and a rush of intoxicating warmth rushed through me.
He stood up and slowly circled around me, his lips barely touching my neck, until he was fully behind me. He took my hand and placed it on his hard cock, moving my hand up and down the fabric of his pants. I tilted my head back and his tongue explored my neck.
“It’s time you got down on your knees and wrapped that beautiful mouth of yours around my hard cock,” he whispered seductively in my ear.
Turning around, I brushed my lips against his before kneeling in front of him. Grabbing the sides of his waistband, I slid down his pajama bottoms and released his cock, which stood tall and proud. I wanted this to be a moment he’d remember forever, so I started by planting tiny kisses along his abdomen and up and down his sexy V-line befo
re making my way down to his manhood. I circled his shaft lightly with my tongue while he gripped my hair and threw his head back, letting subtle moans escape him. Licking up and down, I stared up at him as our eyes met and I could feel him tremble. My lips wrapped around him as I held the base of his cock with my hand, slowly moving it up and down while I devoured him. His moans heightened as his grip on my head tightened and he thrust his hips back and forth. Bringing my other hand up to his balls, I lightly brushed my fingers across them.
“Stop. I’m about to come and I don’t want to yet,” he spoke with bated breath.
He lifted me up and threw me on the bed, bringing his lips down to my breasts and taking my hardened peaks in his mouth. He grabbed my leg and held it up as he thrust inside me, forcing me to gasp for air. It was hard, deep, and full of promises to give me the ultimate orgasm. He pounded in and out of me at a rapid pace as small beads of sweat formed on his skin. While I placed my hands firmly on his chest, he groped my breast with his other hand, giving each one equal attention. Sounds of gratification emerged from both of us as we fucked like a couple of rabbits and I came.
He pulled out and flipped me on my side so he could enter me from behind. Another deep and hurried thrust jolted me, bringing me to the brink of another orgasm.
“Yes,” he loudly voiced. “God, you feel so good. Fuck, Kate.” He halted deep inside me.
When he finished, he pulled out and walked to the bathroom. After he returned, he handed me some tissues.
“You can clean yourself up and then go back to your room. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, okay,” I spoke with a hint of disappointment.
I got up from the bed and headed back to my room, my body still reeling from the effects of him. My mind was in shambles and I couldn’t figure out why. I felt used. Like I was nothing more than a piece of meat to him. I needed to paint, so I slipped on my robe and headed up to the terrace. The night was cool, but I didn’t mind. Before getting started, I walked over to the bar, poured a glass of white wine, and took it over to my easel while I stood and stared at what I had painted earlier in the day. Picking up my brush, I continued my journey.
Gabriel
“Damn it,” I spoke as I paced around the bedroom.
Trying to feel nothing for her at all was not easy. Sex was mind blowing, and the way she had those beautiful lips wrapped around my cock, amazing. Shit. It had to be this way. No feelings and no emotions. I needed to remember she stole my thirty-thousand-dollar watch right off my wrist without any guilt and she conned many men. Watching her orgasm was satisfying. The look on her face and the way she lightly bit down on her bottom lip made it hard not to want to give her a hundred more.
I pulled on my pajama pants and went downstairs to my office to do some work. I wasn’t tired and I needed a drink. After pouring myself a bourbon, I sat down at my computer and looked over some emails. A couple of hours had passed and I was finally tired, so I headed upstairs. I wondered if she was sleeping, so I went up to the fifth floor to check on her. The door was open, her light was on, but she wasn’t in there, so I went up to the terrace.
“Can’t sleep?” I asked as I found her standing at her easel.
“I’m not really tired and I wanted to paint,” she spoke as she stared at the canvas and brushed a few strokes.
I walked over to her and was amazed at how much she’d added since before dinner.
“A mermaid?” I asked as I stared at the painting.
“Yes. Don’t you like mermaids?”
“I don’t know. I never really thought about them. Is your painting telling a story?”
“Yeah. It sure is.”
Her painting intrigued me. A beautiful mermaid with long blonde hair, sitting on a rock and looking out into the sea that was made up of blues and greens. I narrowed my eye as I stared at it, wondering if somehow that was a depiction of Kate. As much as it intrigued me, it also confused me.
She set her brush in the water and gave me a small smile.
“I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” she softly spoke.
“Good night, Kate.”
I headed back to my room and climbed into bed. Grabbing my laptop, I opened it and googled “Mermaids.” The description and symbolism I found validated my thoughts.
Along with unrivaled beauty, myth depicts mermaids with heart-stoppingly luscious voices. ... They are matrons of enchantment, entreating sailors with beguiling beauty, grace, and mesmerizing melodies. Seductive and charming, all those in contact with mermaids are subject to their persuasion.
The traits she possessed were the same. As beautiful as her painting was, it was also haunting. It almost felt as if she painted it out of pain. By the end of thirty days, I would know everything about her. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep, but I had a feeling sleep wasn’t going to be my friend tonight.
Chapter 20
Kate
I gave my body a long stretch as I opened my eyes and looked around the room. Since I was now officially allowed to go out of the house, I would take advantage of it today. I’d be gone the whole day. Doing what? Who the hell knew. I wondered which one of Gabriel’s minions would get the luxury of guarding me. Would it be the cute buff guy with the short blond hair and the green eyes? Or would it be the bald guy that stood six foot four who looked like he hated life? He never cracked a smile and was always so serious.
Putting on my robe, I headed downstairs and went into the kitchen for some coffee. The closer I got, the more the aroma of something sweet captured my attention.
“Good morning, Grace.” I smiled. “What is that wonderful smell?”
“Good morning, Kate. I’m making strawberry-stuffed cream cheese crepes. Would you like some? They’re Gabriel’s favorite.”
“I would love some. Thank you.”
I was happy today because I felt as if I had some sort of normalcy back in my life. I could come and go as I pleased and had to have sex with a hot and sexy millionaire. That was as normal as life could get for me. I would use my freedom to explore new options and make a plan for when the thirty days were up. I would be kind, sweet, and over pleasing, just like I was with the others. I’d keep my feelings and emotions out of it. I had to. I wasn’t a good person and didn’t deserve to have someone as good as Gabriel. Not that he would want to settle down with someone like me. I had too much baggage, too much dishonesty, and too much of a screwed up life for the likes of him.
“Are those strawberry crepes I smell?” Gabriel spoke as he walked into the kitchen.
“Yes, and they’re ready. So go sit down,” Grace replied.
“Good morning.” I smiled as I walked up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Good morning.” He narrowed his eye at me with suspicion.
I took my coffee to the table and sat down. He followed, taking the seat across from me.
“You seem to be in a rare mood this morning,” he spoke.
“Maybe it had something to do with the events that occurred last night.” I smirked.
Grace looked at me and then over at Gabriel as she set down our crepes in front of us. He didn’t reply to my comment and began eating his breakfast.
“So, who’s my babysitter today? Blond buff guy or tall bald guy who hates life?”
“Huh?” Gabriel asked.
“I need to go out today, so which one of your minions is tagging along?”
“And where do you need to go?”
“Out. I need to get out of this house. Walk the streets of Time Square, go to Central Park; hell, I’d even go sit in a café all day just to get out of here for a while.”
“Edmond will be escorting you.”
“And,” I leaned over closer to him, “which one is he?”
“According to you, ‘tall bald guy who hates life.’”
I rolled my eyes. I had hoped he would say ‘blond buff guy.’ He seemed friendlier than Edmond.
“I have something for you,” Gabriel sp
oke as he got up from the table and walked out of the kitchen.
A few moments later, he returned and set an iPhone down in front of me.
“I thought you should have this in case I need to get hold of you or you me.”
“Thank you. But what about the phone I already have?”
“This one is special. The only number you can dial is mine.” He smirked.
“Well, aren’t you just a gem, wanting to keep me all to yourself.” I smirked back.
“I don’t trust you, Kate. You know that. You’re only going to have it until our time is up. After that, you can have your other phone back.”
“I don’t need it anyway. It was only for Samuel. I always get rid of my phones after my job is done.”
His eyebrow raised in dismay.
“I see.”
“In fact, it’s fine that I can only call you because who else do I have to call?” I looked away from him as I picked up my phone.
“Your father?”
I gave him a small smile as I got up from my chair.
“I would love to call him, but I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s doing time at Rikers Island.” I walked away and up to my room.
As I was in the closet picking out an outfit to wear, I heard a light knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Your father is in prison?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes,” I replied as I thumbed through my clothes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I was too embarrassed.”
“So what made you tell me now?” He took a couple of steps closer.
“Why not? I mean, we’re in this so-called thirty-day relationship. You might as well know about my family. Anyway, don’t you have to get to the office?”
He stood and stared at me for a moment with a perplexed look in his eyes.
“Yeah, I do. Enjoy your day out. I’ll see you tonight. Maybe we’ll go out.”
“Really?” I smiled. “Where?”
“Caleb and his band are playing at the Bowery. I thought maybe we could go watch him.”