I pick up Chinese, go home and eat in my bed. In nothing but my bra and panties, cuddled up in my comforter, watching crap TV. Not able to take my mind off of sexy Brad. The man in my foresight flashing bright red, signaling impending doom. I really shouldn’t have been so nice and offered to help. Stupid me.
Chapter Fifteen
“Get up,” Becka pushes me. “Get up lazy ass, hooker.”
“What do you want?” I whine sitting up in bed naked. Throwing off the covers. I’m sweating like crazy. Stupid hot flashes.
“I have a meeting tonight to attend with Brad and Andrew and you have that event with Joseph. I booked us at the beauticians on Astoria to do our hair and makeup. We have to be down there in an hour.”
She pushes me again. “Make sure you don’t fall back to sleep. It’s two in the afternoon woman. You slept all damn day.”
I roll my eyes and push her naked body back. “Takes one to know one, hooker,” I tease, sticking out my tongue.
“If you keep this playfulness up you’re going to awaken my pussy beast and you’re the only person in the apartment so I’ll be knocking on your door again to touch you. So stop.” She’s serious.
I push her again. “So what? You have more control than that.”
She pushes back and tackles me to the bed sitting on top of me, her wet pussy on my stomach. She grinds it down onto me. “No I don’t… feel that.”
“Maybe you should talk to the doctor about your horniness,” I smile and push her chest playfully.
“Or maybe my roommate who I’ve been trying to sleep with the past four years finally gives in and takes care of this deep seeded horniness,” she sasses and rubs more juices on my stomach. “Oh yeah,” she moans, egging me on and reaches behind her and cups my pussy with her hand.
“Stop!” I scream and buck my hips so she’ll get off but she just laughs and holds her hand to my mound with a sly smile. I glare at her.
“I could so slip into you right now and you’d have to work a little harder to push me off. I could probably.” She scoots forward so her pussy is on top of my breasts. “See, my pussy is so close to your mouth. All you’d have to do is tilt your head down and lick me.” She wiggles.
“Get off! This isn’t funny, Becka. Raping your roommate, I believe, is against the law,” I hiss.
She slides off of me, leaving a trail of her juices on my body.
“Yes, but it’s not rape once your roommate realizes she likes it too and begs to be taken.” She smiles and leaves the room, shaking her ass in triumph at me. I want to smack her so badly. But I’m sure she’d love it.
***
We go to the hair appointment. I get a fancy up do and so does bisexual Barbie. I’m still mad at her. I haven’t spoken a word since the bedroom encounter. She’s getting pushier about all this lesbian shit. I don’t want to try it. Plain and simple.
I put on my overly expensive black gown and heels, and everything else to go with my outfit. I throw on a black shawl and head to down Astoria like Joseph asked. Becka left a half an hour before me. Thank the heavens.
A limo pulls up and my sexy date exits so I can slide in. Inside the limo is filled with red roses and petals are scattered all over the floor. Champagne is chilling on ice and Enya is crooning over the speakers. How romantic. I can’t stop smiling.
“Hello my beautiful date,” Joseph smiles and kisses my cheek.
“Well hello to you too, handsome tux man.” I flick his bow tie. He’s adorable.
“So what’s this event?”
“It’s a fundraiser to raise money for inner city children’s shelters and their families who can’t afford homes. There are silent auctions with items or services that are donated. Its two hundred dollars a head just to eat at this event and they take donations and it’s a great way to help the community and socialize with all the big wigs in the city,” he explains as he places his hand on my thigh. “But I’m going because I want to take my woman with me and show her off to a bunch of powerful men with ugly girlfriends and wives. Displaying to them how hot my lady is.”
I blush. “I’m the mistress, they’ll know.”
“So what. I’m sure most of them have mistresses too and they just don’t care for theirs like I do for mine. So sue me; I like my woman.” He smiles and turns my face with his fingers and places a sweet kiss upon my lips.
Releasing my face, I pick up a few loose petals from the floor. “Somebody is making up for forgetting about my flowers.” I let them fall from my fingertips.
“Yes and the hotel room is littered with them too. I make up for my mishaps. As well as this.” He pulls a long rectangular velvet box from inside his tux jacket and snaps open the lid. A shimmering diamond tennis bracelet is sparkling back at me. I run my fingers over it.
“I can’t….”
He cuts me off. “You will take it, Ty. This another gift. You will accept it,” he demands lovingly and removes it from the box, latching it around my wrist. It fits perfectly and it’s astoundingly beautiful. I’m sure cost a fortune.
The limo pulls up outside the venue and like most big events there are cameras and tons of guests making their way inside. The driver opens our door and Joseph exits and then offers his hand and helps guide me from the limo. I tuck my arm into his black tux covered elbow and follow him into the big event room that is all rich reds and golds. It’s fabulous and screams luxury.
We find our names on the place cards and take them to our table to sit. The room is covered in hundreds of round tables with cream table linens, golden napkins and a giant gold urns filled with red roses in the center. The menus are red cardstock with velum overlay and ivory bows. No detail left unattended to.
“Let’s see what we shall bid on,” Joseph says and pulls me from the seat and proudly escorts me to the silent auction tables on the opposite side of the ballroom. The floor is a red patterned carpet with golden accents. It’s lovely and cushions the blow of my new shoes not so comfortably cradling my feet.
The auction tables are bursting with items. Gift baskets to weekend getaways, to cars and as little as a one hour massage session. It’s for every size of pocketbook. I glance over and shit! Becka is standing with Andrew and they are placing a slip of white paper into a box to bid for something two rows over from us.
“Joseph, my roommate is here,” I whisper in his ear.
“Where?” He turns around and I gesture my hand in their direction and tell him the color of her dress. “She’s with Andrew Blue?”
I nod. “Yes, he’s her regular.”
We turn around and focus on the tables trying to blend in. I’ve got the cash to bid on most of these items but this isn’t my event. I’ll leave it up to the billionaire to bid on something.
“Would you like a car?” He points to the BMW up for auction.
“Not really and I’d never let you buy me a car.” I push his arm playfully.
He kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad you came with me, beautiful.”
I smile at him warmly and tug him in closer. “Me too, sweetie.”
We pass a few more and after he offers to buy me a boat and a jet ski, I finally break him of the big purchase items. We hit the travel section and he wants to take me away on each trip but I decline respectfully. It’s not good for me emotionally to be swept away someplace romantic with a hot billionaire.
“We can’t not bid on anything, Tylah. I need to buy something.” He checks out the rest of the tables and I stumble across a trip to Disney World.
“Here, bid on this for the kids. I am sure they’d love to visit Disney and your wife would love it too.” He glances down reluctantly and writes a number on the paper and folds it up and places it into the bid container.
I get a slight tap on my shoulder. I turn around and find myself staring at not only Andrew and Becka but the extra whammy of Brad. Well, now Brad gets to meet my, for all intensive purposes, complicated boyfriend Joseph. Greeeaaattt.
Becka’s eyes droop and she mouths �
��Sorry,’ with a frown. I smile at her to make her know it’s not a big deal.
“Mr. Blue,” Joseph offers a hand and Andrews accepts it.
“Mr. Pemberly.” He nods and releases Joseph’s hand.
“Oh, Joseph Pemberly this is Brad Saunders, restaurateur and Brad this is Joseph Pemberly, CEO of Syracuse incorporated; one of the largest architectural agencies in the world,” Andrew introduces professionally.
Brad stares at me and back to Joseph and back to me again.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Saunders,” Joseph says and places his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our bodies join at the hip. “This is my girlfriend, Ty Monroe,” he introduces me. “But I’m sure most of you have already met her.” He smiles down at me lovingly, placing a sweet kiss on my forehead.
Brad grunts and turns and stalks away without a word. “Please excuse me sweetie.” I kiss Joseph on the cheek and follow Brad out of the main ballroom into a side hallway with white walls on one side and floor to ceiling windows on the other.
“What do you think you’re doing, mister?” I scold, nearly jogging after him. He won’t stop walking fast and his legs are much longer than mine. “Brad please stop. I can’t run anymore.”
He stops and turns to face me. His face is bursting red-hot with anger.
“What do you want Alexis? Or should I say Ty?” he barks. And I wince at his jeering unnecessary rudeness.
“I don’t know why you’re so mad,” I say softly. This is unlike him. He’s never had an outburst like this. Not that I’ve seen anyhow.
He points hard toward the ballroom. “That’s the boyfriend you’ve been telling me about?” His eye widen, looking for an honest answer.
“Yes, why?” My voice but a whisper.
He scrubs the sides of his face with his hands and exhales loudly with a grumble. “I can’t complete with CEOs. A baker or a chef or even some small chain store owner. But a fucking CEO? Are you kidding me?” His tone is shrill.
I’m totally lost here. What is his deal?
“I’ve been dating him casually for the past nine months. I don’t know what else to say,” I shrug and pout, pushing out my bottom lip. My eyes drooping saddened. I don’t like him acting this way. It’s not right.
“Don’t look at me like that Alexis. I can’t stand if you look at me that way.” He turns around and punches into the air hard, like a boxer. “Fuck!”
“I don’t get any of this Brad. You’re acting like a crazy man. Please calm down.” I take a step forward and reach out my hand to calm him. And he takes one back so I can’t touch him.
“Did he buy you that bracelet and that dress?” He gestures to my outfit.
I nod. “Yes, he said we were going to an event. I didn’t know it was this one. All I knew was it was fancy and he bought me this bracelet too as a gift.”
“Fuck!” His deep voice bellows, vibrating into my chest.
“Is everything okay, sweetheart?” Joseph asks, coming down the hall.
Brad turns away from him. Folding his arms across his broad chest.
I meet Joseph halfway, grab sweetly onto his arm and lean up. “Brad is a friend of mine. He’s having a rough night and I’m just trying to make it a little better. I’m very sorry,” I whisper so only he can hear and he kisses my cheek.
“It’s fine baby. I’m just making sure you’re okay. Take your time. I’ll be at our table eagerly awaiting your return.” He turns and leaves us. Sweet as ever, and Brad turns back around once he’s gone. Attitude still present.
“That mans in love with you. Are you in love with him?” He asks blankly.
I laugh. I can’t help it. If he only knew the whole story he wouldn’t be asking this. “No, I’m not.”
“Are you close?” He’s serious.
I shake my head. “Nope, not even. I like him a lot. He spoils me and treats me well even when I insist he shouldn’t. But it works for us,” I shrug.
“Didn’t you ever want more?”
I’m confused again. “More of what?”
“A lover? A partner? Someone to marry?”
I scoff a laugh and hold my belly. “Oh god, no one would want that with me. Not for who I really am. So no. I’ve given up that thought of having a normal loving man to marry and have kids with a long time ago.”
“What? Why?” Now he’s the one who appears confused. His tone calms and shoulders relax a bit.
Welcome back sexy Brad.
I can’t live this charade any longer. This is getting to be too much. Brad deserves the truth.
“Let me let you in on a little secret,” I whisper. “I’m what people call an escort.” I confess and frown. I hate revealing this. But it’s got to be aired eventually.
His eyes widen. “You mean like a woman who sleeps with men for money? Is that why you’re my friend? Is someone paying you to be my friend?” He takes a step back, his shoulders tighten again and his jaw locks.
“The first night yes, since then no. I’ve been your friend willingly. I don’t expect anything from you Brad. I’m just not going to lie anymore. That’s why only my friends know my real name. Tylah is my Escort name,” I explain and he looks a bit green.
He stands still for a moment and I can see the wheels turning and he’s locking it all into place. “So he…,” he points to the room.
“Yes, Joseph is my regular. He’s also married. So no he’s not technically my boyfriend. But he’s the closet I’ve had in my entire life,” I clarify as calmly as possible. His face is contorted and all sorts of confusion and bits of anger.
“So when you complimented me last night was that the hooker part of you or the real you?” he asks seriously.
I rear back like he’s just smacked me in the face. “I’m always honest, Brad. If I find a man attractive I don’t mind stating it. I’m not going to lie. I never lied to you. I just never came out and said directly what I do for a living.”
He rubs his eyes and scrubs his face. “So does Amy know?” His face unreadable.
I nod. “Yes, for a long time now and so does your mother.”
He chokes and coughs loud. “My mom?”
“Yep, your mom too. They love me regardless. I am who I am. Sleeping with men for money doesn’t change me. It just means my job is a little colorful,” I chuckle.
“It’s not funny at all Alexis. I liked you a lot as a friend. Now I find you utterly disgusting. No offense. Do you have diseases too?” His head rears back as the word diseases, trails from his lips.
I roll my eyes and I smack him hard in the chest. “I’m a human fucking being, Brad. Not a piece of meat. I’m not a hooker who opens her legs for anyone. I have Brian who only sticks me with high-class men who are clean and I never go without a condom. I’m cleaner than most women and tighter too. So thank you for being a judgmental asshole. So much for friendship.” I flip him the bird and stalk off in the opposite direction. And find my seat and sit down next to Joseph. Fuck Brad!
“You okay?” he asks, worried.
I’m on the verge of crying. My chest is killing me all of a sudden and I think I just died inside. I should have never told Brad. But I’m sure he’d find out eventually. Damn-it!
“I’m fine.” I cuddle into him and swipe the tears from under my eyes. I feel like shit. I want to go home and snuggle up in bed alone and cry for the next ten days straight. My life sucks right now. You live in this bubble where everyone accepts you for who you are. You don’t tell anyone outside the circle about your career path and you think that it’s the norm for everyone to love and accept you for who you are. But then you breakdown and admit the truth and you get a bad batch of fuck you and the world comes tumbling down. Especially when the guy you like is the one who’s stabbing you in the chest and making you feel about an inch tall.
Becka comes and waves me over. I get up and kiss Joseph on the cheek. He’s engrossed in some conversation with a business man at our table.
I follow Becka into the bathrooms furthest fro
m the main area so they are less congested and I hug her. The water works start pouring out in full force. She pats my back, trying to calm me. I choke back a deeper sob and I’m so thankful for water proof mascara and eyeliner.
“Brad was mean wasn’t he?” she asks softly.
I nod into her shoulder. “Very,” I cry.
I let go and dig into my small purse and pull out he credit card I was going to use to help him decorate his apartment. So much for that now. I disgust him. I hand it to her.
I pull out my phone and call Amy’s private number, not the B&B
“Hey girl,” she answers, chipper.
“Hi, Brad knows,” I sob.
“You told him?”
“Yes,” I choke and I go into the entire story about what happened including the apartment thing and helping him decorate and all of it. She listens and chimes in occasionally. I sit on the bathroom bench in a small bathroom sitting area. And Becka the wonderful best friend she is waits with me. Supporting me the whole time. I feel terrible for leaving Joseph but this is not a good time to put all this on him. It’s better to get it out now and go back to the hotel later to make it up to him with some ball crushing sex.
“I’m so sorry Alexis,” Amy apologizes sincerely. “Just come here tomorrow and we’ll make a weekend of it and have some girl time. Mama is coming so she’ll cheer you up. Mean ol’ Brad is a stick in the mud and obviously not a very loyal friend to females. I love my bro but I’ve honestly not spoken with many of his friends. He’s a loner mostly and he has serious trust issues. That all stems back from is early twenties. Anyhow, just come and we’ll say fuck men and have a good old time.” She’s upbeat and full of life. God love her. I wish I had a quarter of her positive optimism right about now. But all I see is the darkness at the end of the tunnel.
I agree and hang up. I go back out to the party and hang with Joseph who didn’t even realize I had gone. Which I’m relieved to hear. We eat our four course dinner. I don’t say much and afterward Joseph and I exit and bump into the dreaded Brad again on the way out. I can’t even look at him directly but I can feel his eyes boring into me like lasers. His body bumps into mine and he caresses my arm quickly and I jerk away, staring at the ground. Joseph protects me and helps me into the back of the limo. My phone vibrates.
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