Seven Days - The Beginning (Jess & Liam's Story, #1)

by Fanny Lee Savage

  He knows I’m attracted to him—from the second I saw him. I must have subconsciously recognized something in him last night. His smooth tone and God, his hands. He lets off the most soothing aura of any person I have ever met. What does it matter? He’s still going to be my boss. Isn’t he?

  “What were you planning on doing?” I ask. “I can’t work for you now.”

  “Of course you can.”

  “How can I?” I cry. “Everyone will think you hired me ‘cause you want to fuck me.”

  “No one knows I come here, Jess,” Liam says. “My personal life and my business are entirely separate. And I didn’t hire you because I wanted to fuck you—I mean, I did, from the second I saw you looking at my sculptures, but I hired you because you have potential to be a great architect.”

  “Really?” I’m not sure which part I like the most. At the moment, both parts are almost equal, the fact he hired me because he thinks I’m genuinely good, almost overshadows he said he wanted to have sex with me the second he saw me.

  “Yes,” Liam says.

  I shake my head. There is no way I can work for someone who just spanked me. And then there is the kiss—the ‘I think I just touched heaven’ kiss that will surely get in the way of trying to work for him.

  “It’s against all the rules,” I tell him. “Not to mention unethical.”

  “It’s my company, I’ll hire who I want—based on their designs and then, if you let me, I’ll sit you on my desk and put my face between your legs until you scream my name.”

  The butterflies that started dancing in my belly pass out cold, their little wings still jerking in the aftermath of his words.

  Liam leans over and runs his hands over my calves. “I still have you for five days and we’ve only just begun. Also, I’m helping you whether you like it or not.”

  “I can’t do this, not now.” How can I?

  “By the time you start working for me, your debt will be settled and what we’ve done these next five days will be a sweet memory, one I hope we can continue outside of here.”

  “But you’ll have been my first, by the time I start at F.E.A.R. I won’t be able to look at you. I’ll probably get all attached and—”

  Liam holds his hand up, cutting me off, and his eyebrows turn down. “I’m not paying for your virginity, Jess. I said I was going to help you regardless.”

  “I can’t take your money.”

  He closes his eyes and shakes his head like he’s trying to clear it. “Jess. I don’t expect you to have sex with me. I just want to help.”

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” he asks, confused. “I like helping people. I’ve been blessed with more money than any one person needs.”

  “I can’t just take all that money, Liam.”

  His sepia eyes darken. “Incorrect.”

  I blink, the butterflies coming to life from his cold tone. “Sir. I can’t take your money, Sir.”

  He smiles his approval and tugs at the bottom of my shirt. “Jess. We’ll work out the details later. If it makes you feel better, I’ll ‘sponsor’ you like you worked out with Madam, but I’m not going to have sex with you.”

  “But that’s what you’ll be paying to do,” I say. “The ‘privilege’, or however you guys justify paying to fuck people here—of training me.”

  “I am training you,” Liam says, but his voice has dropped, lost its urgent tone, and his face is stern. He’s controlled, back in charge. I wonder if this is what he looked like last night when he touched me. “And when we are at the Playhouse, you follow me.”

  “I can leave,” I point out.

  “Do you want to?” Liam asks. “I’ll still help you, Jess. You’re not obligated to stay here. I’ll send a check or give you cash, whatever you need.”

  “Why?” I ask. “I get wanting to help, but why me?”

  “The thought you were scared enough to come here and sell your virginity is horrifying. The people who come to Madam’s Playhouse are looking for a safe place to explore themselves. Not for money. For the women, the money they earn in shares doesn’t keep them here. What keeps them is they have a safe place to learn and maybe even find someone to have a real relationship with,” Liam says. “I told you, there was something about you and after I talked to you—I couldn’t stop thinking of you. How brave you were coming into my office, standing up against other applicants who were more qualified and had expensive college degrees. You’ve got balls.”

  I laugh and wipe my nose. “You come here, yet you make it sound horrible that I came here.”

  “I’m fucked up, Jess,” Liam says. “You’re innocent and lovely.”

  “I’m far from innocent.”

  “This place can be dark,” Liam says and looks down to my legs. “Are you staying, or am I going to have to follow you home and try to keep you outside of Madam’s?”

  This makes me laugh again. “What about my job?”

  “I’m looking forward to working with Ms. Caughlin and teaching her all I know.”

  “What about now?” I ask. “How do you separate this from work?”

  “At F.E.A.R. I am Mr. Firth. Here I am your Dom and I’m also looking forward to training a new little sub,” Liam says. “Though she’s a bit of a pain in the ass and is a real stickler for rules.”

  “And at work, do you sit all your employee’s on your desk and put your face between their legs?” I ask.

  “No,” Liam sighs in defeat. “Mr. Firth likes the idea of teaching his new student, but unless she gives him the go ahead he won’t even seem mildly interested in her sexually.”

  He’s separating the two with a thin line. There is no denying my attraction or his. But, for me, that line is invisible. I shake my head and stand.

  “Jess.”

  “I can’t do this.” I shove my other leg in my pants. “You’re going to be my boss, I hope.”

  “I’m not going to not hire you,” Liam says from the floor.

  “I have to go.”

  “Why?”

  Why? “Being here was a mistake. I’m not cut out for this.” I grab the handle and yank the door. It hits his back and he scoots out of the way.

  “I’m sorry, Jessica.” Liam shakes his head, looking down to the floor. “I shouldn’t have betrayed your trust.”

  Chapter 9

  I crawl into my bed, cover myself with the worn comforter and weep. Shamed ‘now I’m completely fucked’ tears drenching my pillow. What am I supposed to do? My only solution has just been screwed sideways to Sunday and now my one chance at happiness and achieving my dreams have just been smashed like a bug.

  What a creepy man he must be, but God, his kiss. It was like warm, calm waves washing over my body. Like what I’d think making love should be like. Slow and sensual, slightly possessive and desperately needy.

  A kiss coming from a man who specializes in turning women into simpering piles of sex toys made of real flesh. What was I thinking? Money. I saw dollar signs and let myself be manipulated by a woman who looks like she’s helping but is really preying on naive people like me. Liam said she was a good lady, yeah, this coming from the same man who used his supposed dominance techniques to keep his identity hidden.

  Now, I’m screwed. Like, soon to be dead screwed.

  A loud crash and my mom’s scream tears through the trailer. I jump out of bed and run to grab my bat. Mom screams again and then a loud thud shakes the trailer. My heart hammers and I grip the bat tighter.

  “She’s not here!” mom screams and I sag in relief, scared that last thump had meant a dead mom.

  “I know she is, Carrie, I watched her walk into this trash park.”

  My blood freezes. Chuck, and he’s probably brought his insane henchman. I run out to the living room holding my bat, ready to bash in some skulls. I stop in the dingy living room and lower my weapon.

  Henchman has my mom pinned to him and a switchblade resting against her pulse.

  “See, I told you she was he
re.” Chuck smiles at my mom. “Don’t lie to me, Carrie.”

  Henchman squeezes her and she lets out a pathetic whimper.

  “What do you want?” I ask, keeping my eyes on Chuck. He gives orders to his bald bulldog, who lowers the knife.

  “I knew it was a good idea to keep an eye on you,” Chuck says and turns to his bulldog. “Didn’t I Pablo?”

  Pablo grins with a psychotic gleam. “Si.”

  “I saw where you went today,” Chuck says, clicking his tongue. Sweat beads on his pasty face and stains the pits of his yellow synthetic tracksuit. “You got yourself quite a boyfriend in that club doncha?”

  Shit.

  “I bet a beautiful girl like you makes all kinds of money from them sick fucks that go there.”

  Shit, shit, shit.

  “Much more than your momma could ever make.” Chuck runs a meaty hand over his donut belly. “Come here girl. Did Madam make you one of her dolls?”

  Mom gives me a weird look like she’s disappointed and I resist screaming at her.

  “I said come here.”

  Fuck. I know I’m in trouble. Mom and I both are.

  “Come here!”

  I flinch and move forward.

  “Drop the bat.” I shake my head, swallowing my tears, but then Chuck grabs my arm. “I’m not going to hurt you, girl. I hear some great things about you.”

  Oh, no. I’m so royally screwed.

  “My source in the club says Madam has herself a sweet fresh dolly that’s gonna make her lots of money.”

  Madam is tied to Big Boss? No, Chuck said source. That has to mean she doesn’t know he’s got anyone in there. Does that mean Big Boss is watching her?

  “Seems you’re gonna be coming into some cash,” Chuck grins and his gold tooth glints in the dim light. “And you were keeping this from me?”

  “No, I just went last night.” My voice rattles and I hate that it does. I hate he knows he’s got me scared at of my mind and it’s worse that even my legs are starting in, betraying me.

  Chuck shakes my arm and his grip tightens, fat fingers cutting into the flesh. “Girl don’t sass me.” He spins me to face him. “Your amount just doubled. You better hope that sweet ass gets you some money.”

  “You can’t do that!” I scream.

  The room blackens and I fall back, landing on my ass. I grab my eye where his hand cracked over it, shaking my brain. Pain sears through me and the room returns but is watery.

  “Sixty thousand by Friday you little cunt.” Chuck signals bulldog and my mom falls to the floor and crawls to me. “Best pray your pussy is worth something.” Chuck and his madman turn, but he pauses in the doorway. “Keep your bitch mouth shut. If your new sick boyfriend finds out, his pretty face won’t be so pretty when I’m done.”

  The door slams and mom starts to cry, mumbling apologies. I sink to the floor, my legs unable to hold me up anymore. Moms sob ring in my ears and echo in the dim room.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” She weeps.

  Empty words, all of it. I’m fucked. Because my mom is a crackhead. Because I’ve taken care of her for too long to let some scum, kill her. Kill us. Kill me and my dreams.

  Screw you Big Boss. My golden crotch is going to pay you and get me enough to get both my mother the help she needs and me the hell out of here.

  Chapter 10

  Four days remaining...

  Five p.m. Sunday afternoon I walk in the club and no one bats and eye. I guess it’s common for people to freak and leave and come back. From the smiles I get, followed by the wide-eyed horror at the bruise on my eyebrow, I don’t think Liam told them yet I know him and how badly he messed up. I’m hoping not, but I’m worried from their shocked expressions over my black eye, they may have a chat with him before I see him.

  “I fell down the stairs,” I tell Tiffany when I pass her in the hall.

  “And, hit the railing just right.” She nods, knowing exactly how these lies work. “Damn clumsy chicks we tend to be, huh? I know a guy who’d love to fix those stairs for you. He’s right inside Madam’s office.”

  I nod back, knowing she means Liam. In some part of my brain, I’m hoping he does, but it’s a foolish wish. He can’t rescue me and even though he’s offered to help, I’m not letting anyone just hand over what is now sixty-thousand dollars. I really need to make an impression now. Show these guys I’m worth well over the fifty Madam was going to start at.

  I stop at the room I was in yesterday and peek inside. It’s empty and my bags are still there, confirming he hasn’t talked to Madam yet. I hope not. As quickly as I can, I strip down and grab a pair of white panties, G-string—an ‘I forgive you and please still help’ gesture. Next I grab the blindfold and wrap it around my head. I wince but tie it tight hoping—I seem to be doing a lot of hoping lately—the mask covers the blue and green bruise on my eyebrow and part of my cheek bone. This morning it was nasty, not as bad as moms was, but then I wasn’t smacked down by Chuck’s bulldog, but by Chuck himself. Seems I was worthy of breaking his not hurting women rule.

  Once I smooth my hair down and pull the string from my ass, again trying to place it in at least a semi-comfortable location, one that isn’t rubbing me wrong, I position myself and wait

  And wait.

  Wait some more.

  Just when I’m about to sit down and wait him out, I hear the door slowly open. My back stiffens and his shoes scrape on the floor. My skin heats, blood in me burning, becoming charged. Already I know it's Him. Calm but commanding waves of warmth reaching out towards me. Footsteps stop in front of me and my breaths quicken, catching the scent of leather and power. Like he’s bathed in it.

  “Well done.” The muscles in my back loosen, all the tension unwinding with the relief his words bring. He runs his palm up the inside of my thigh but stops just shy of my panties. “Spread your legs.”

  I do as commanded, knowing this is a test.

  “Fuck, Jess. You may make a liar out of me. I’ll be begging to screw you the second I’m allowed.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He exhales. Slowly. “Take the mask off.”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Jess.” It’s a warning. “Now.”

  Tears start again. Damn it.

  Liam unties the mask and pulls it away. He releases a sharp hiss and grips my chin. “Who. The. Fuck. Hit. You?”

  I press my eyes closed.

  “Tell me Jess so I can help you.”

  “Got paid a visit last night,” I tell him and open my eyes. His sepia eyes glimmer with rage. “Friendly reminder I’m still due to repay on Friday.”

  “That is why you’re here?”

  “Mostly,” I say. “There is another reason though.”

  Liam takes my hand. He pulls me to the bathroom he tried to lock me in just yesterday and starts the bath. He drizzles different soaps in and small bubbles form. Once he has it the right temperature, he turns to me and grips my panties. Watching my eyes, he pulls them gently over my thighs, crouching to pull my feet out. Liam takes my hands and helps me into the bath, and I sink down in them, my stomach twisting in little knots. He shuts off the valves, grabs a bottle of shampoo, and starts to wash my hair. Massaging my scalp and watching my face.

  “I bathed before I came here,” I say. He remains quiet, continuing his task of washing my hair and rinsing it. Liam grabs a cloth and sponges my shoulders and back, all the while not saying a word. Keeping his touch gentle and oddly not sexual.

  “Why are you back here, Jess?” Liam asks finally. “Is it out of fear?”

  “Half and half.”

  “Who is asking for money?”

  “It’s my mother’s debt,” I say and look down to the bubbles.

  Liam pulls my chin up. “Don’t be ashamed of something that is not your fault.” He drags the cloth over my back again. “She owes money and they are using you to get it?”

  “Kinda.”

  Liam sighs. “Who is it? I’m going to ruin their fucking life.” />
  Pft. Good luck with that. I open my mouth to tell him, but then realize if I do, it may put him in danger as well. Chuck mentioned he knew about the guys here, but I’m not sure if he knows who yet. Liam’s loaded and if word gets out he’s taken a liking to me, this could be used to try to swindle him out of money. Not to mention he visits a paid sex den. Big Boss is behind this. If he found out—oh no. No matter how much money and clout Liam has, he’s no match for the mob of Miami.

  “Just some scumbag,” I lie. I’m a good liar. I’ve been trained in the art since I was first able to speak. Hell, before I could form words. “She has several addictions.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

  I shake my head. “It’s too much.”

  “You said twenty-two.” Goddamn, he throws numbers out there like they are meaningless.

  “It was originally thirty,” I tell him. He lays me back, pulls a leg from the bath, and starts to wash my foot. “But, I managed to drum up seven thousand.”

  Liam grabs my other foot, running the cloth over my leg. “Was?”

  “After my visit last night—” Fuck. I can’t tell him.

  “Tell me.”

  I pull my leg away and sit up, pulling my knees to my chest. I need to keep my mouth shut. How does he do that? I start rambling whenever he asks me a question.

  “Jessica.” His hard tone makes my belly clench, but I hold his gaze. He called me Jessica. “Tell me who your mother owes money to. I’m not an idiot. You wouldn’t be this scared if it were a low-life loan shark or dealer.”

  I glance down to the water; the bubbles are fading, revealing my naked body in the murky water.

  “Don’t make me ask again.” He uses his Sir voice and my nipples tighten.

  “The guy saw me come in here yesterday.” I keep my head down, not wanting to see his face. “He said the money is now up to sixty since he caught wind of Madam’s plans.”

  “Shit.” It’s not angry, more like ‘this fucking sucks’. “So he is a member?”

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “Jess.”