by J. L. Leslie
Her face drops. It wasn’t what she was expecting. Surely she didn’t think I was paying that for one night? I’d be a fucking idiot to do that.
“A month?”
“It’s a generous offer.”
“It is.” she agrees. “I just, I need the money now.”
“Do you really think I would pay you that kind of money up front? I don’t think so.”
“Half now. Half at the end of the month.” she offers. “I’ll write you a check.”
“Do you really think I would accept a check? Cash only.”
My lips tug into a grin. Only for a moment. “I’ll arrange it. You’ll need to be available whenever I need you. I understand you work, but I want you to come here as soon as your shift is over.”
“It’ll be late.” she informs me. “Not a problem for me.” “Fine.”
“This arrangement is for my pleasure. I’ll please you too, but I don’t want you to misunderstand, this is about me. Not you. If I call you in the morning or middle of the day and tell you to come to my office, that’s what you need to do. That’s what I’m paying you for. You don’t always have to be pleased. Understood?”
“I understand. I need something else.” she says, holding her head high. “When this month is over, I need a job. I don’t care if it’s at your firm or if you help me get a job somewhere else, but I need a good job.”
“What makes you think I can help you with that?”
“You’re paying me $150,000 to fuck you for a month. You live in an apartment that looks like this. Whether it’s your money or family money, you have it. That tells me you have some pull somewhere. You can help me get a job.”
“How do you know I won’t pay you half, fuck you a month, and then never give you the other half?” I ask.
“I don’t. How do you know I won’t take half, fuck you one night and then never show again?”
“I’m a powerful man, Memphis. You don’t know what extremes I’ll go to in order to find you and make you pay for betraying me.” I let my words sink in. “Do we have an agreement?”
She bites her bottom lip and slowly extends her hand across the counter. I grip it with mine.
“We have a deal.”
She slips her hand from my grasp and stands from the barstool. I notice a tremble in her hand as she grabs her purse from the counter.
“Where are you going?”
“Home. Somehow I doubt you have $75,000 lying around your apartment.
Our agreement doesn’t officially start until I get my money.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“No, you won’t.” she says, firmly. “Because there’s no reason for you to know where I live. I’ll give you my phone number and you can call me when you have the money.”
I unlock my phone and hand it to her. She keys her number in and sits my phone back on the counter.
“You can expect a call from me tomorrow, Memphis.”
“Looking forward to it, Cameron.”
Chapter 5
Memphis
I know he told me to expect a call from him, but I didn’t really expect him to call. I thought the whole night would just fade away like a bad dream. Cameron whoever-he-was would forget about me and I would figure out another way to pay Anniston’s tuition.
Yet, I’m staring at my phone at a number I don’t recognize. It could be him. Or it could be one of the jobs I applied for that hasn’t called me back yet. I can’t ignore it on the off chance that it is. I answer.
“I have your money.” His voice is smooth and confident. Sure of himself. I’m positive I didn’t sound that way when I answered. “Are you working tonight?”
“I work every night except Sundays and Mondays.” “Come to my place when you’re done.”
He doesn’t say please or goodbye. I guess the niceties are over now that I’ve agreed. He doesn’t have to say please. This is about his pleasure. He made that clear.
I call Anniston and leave a message letting her know that I’ve found a way to pay for her tuition. I don’t go into details. I know she’ll be asking me later, but this is something I won’t be sharing with her. I won’t be sharing this with anyone.
When I arrive at Cameron’s apartment building, it’s almost two a.m. It was a slow night at Ecstasy, but I did get to do two dances since Leah called in sick. That helped. Every little bit helps.
I gaze up at the apartment building, but don’t linger outside long. When I walk inside, I approach the front desk. I give him my name and ignore the strange look he gives me in return.
“You can go on up.” he says and motions towards the elevators.
I pace inside the elevator as it takes me directly to Cameron’s apartment. I know when the doors open, he’ll be there. Fear and anxiety wash over me. I shouldn’t do this. I can figure out another way. There has to be another way.
The elevator doors open and Cameron is standing there. Shirtless. A pair of jeans hang low on his hips exposing the v-line that I love so much on men.
He holds his hand out and I swallow hard before placing my hand in his. I pray he doesn’t feel it shaking. He doesn’t say a word if he does.
He leads me to the kitchen and hands me an envelope. I peek inside it and see more one-hundred dollar bills than I’ve ever seen in my life.
“It’s all there.” he comments.
I run my thumb over them just to ensure they’re all hundreds and that they look real. I shove the envelope into my purse and sit it on the counter.
“Come with me.”
I do as he says even though my mind is screaming for me to give him the money back and call this whole thing off. It’s not too late!
We walk into his bedroom. His bed is large with a headboard that looks almost rustic, wooden with individual slats. The dark, brown comforter looks soft and inviting. My eyes don’t wander far past the bed. It’s like it’s calling me to it, knowing the dirty deeds that are going to be committed there.
“Strip. I want you in your bra and panties, Memphis.”
“Okay.” I mumble.
“When I call you or tell you to do something, I want your response to be three words. Those words are ‘whatever you like.’ Do you understand?”
I give him a hard stare. “Whatever you like.”
This seems to please him. I know that’s what my goal is supposed to be.
When I don’t make a move, he approaches me and grips the hem of my shirt, then lifts it over my head. Cameron drops to his knees and unzips my ankle boots. He tugs them off my feet one at a time while I’m unbuttoning my jeans. I feel like I’m moving like a robot. No emotions. No human feelings.
Cameron remains on his knees while he drags my jeans over my hips and down my legs. I step out of them and he tosses them to the side. I feel exposed.
Despite hundreds of men having seen me almost completely naked before, I feel more exposed than ever.
I look down at him and swallow hard. His ocean blue eyes gaze up at me as he swipes his tongue over my panty-clad pussy. My breath hitches. He does it again.
Just when I want him to continue, he stands up. He sheds himself of his jeans and boxer briefs while I just stand there like an idiot.
I’m honestly not sure what to do. Kiss him? Touch him? I really don’t have that much experience. The three men I’ve been with in my life just took the lead and everything was over in about fifteen minutes. He seems like a take the lead type of guy too, but right now he’s staring at me like I should be doing something.
I step forward and rise on my tiptoes so my lips can touch his. This was such a mistake. I should’ve made the rule Julia did in Pretty Woman. No kissing. The moment our lips touch, desire pools at my core. I part my lips and urge him to do the same. His fingertips dig into my hips and pull my body flush against his.
I wrestle with my nerves as he’s lighting my entire body aflame with just his kiss. His lips move over mine with expertise. Teasing my tongue. Tasting me. I’m afraid if I don’t start showing
him I’m as sexy offstage as I am onstage, he’ll demand a refund.
I reach between us and wrap my fingers around his cock. He groans into my mouth. I keep a firm hold and move my hand up and down. Back and forth. I rub my thumb over his tip, spreading his pre-cum over his shaft. I never break our kiss.
Cameron’s hands roam over my body. Over my hips. Over my ass. Up and over my lace-covered breasts. He reaches behind me and flicks the clasp on my bra. He breaks the kiss then. He slides my bra off my shoulders and down my arms.
“Get on the bed.” he instructs. I remove my hand from his cock and start towards the bed. “Panties off first.”
I hesitate just a moment. I don’t know why. I just had his dick in my hand. I shouldn’t have an issue with nudity now.
“What do you say, Memphis?” He arches his eyebrow at me.
“Whatever you like.” I push the scrap of lace to the floor and stand before him completely nude. Just like he’s standing before me. I climb into his bed and ease myself to the middle of it.
“On your knees. At the headboard.”
Cameron
She’s nervous. Every move she makes, she’s questioning herself. And me. She inches towards the headboard and rises up to her knees. Without me telling her too, she places her hands on the wooden slats, gripping them tightly.
I walk to my dresser and pull a condom out before joining her on the bed. I toss it on the sheet beside me. I run my hands down her sides and then over the swell of her breasts. They’re a little more than a hand full. Perfection.
“Spread your legs.” I whisper.
I run my hand down her stomach and feel her tense in anticipation and nervousness. I slide my finger through her dampened folds and then push it inside while I pinch one nipple with my other hand.
I stroke and massage her body until she’s white-knuckling my headboard. Her head falls back against my shoulder. Her breathing comes in ragged breaths. Two fingers are inside her now.
“Does this feel good, Memphis?”
“Yes.” she whimpers.
“Are you going to come?” I ask, kissing her neck.
“Aaahh…yes…I’m going to…”
She doesn’t finish her sentence. Her body tightens around my fingers as I pump them into her. I release her nipple and grab the condom. I tear it open with my mouth and roll it over my throbbing length. I pull my fingers from her warmth and position my cock at her entrance.
“I need to fuck you now. Are you ready?”
“Please…”
I slam into her and feel my eyes roll back at how exquisite she feels. I hold her hips and pull her to me as I drive into her. She never takes her hands off the headboard.
“Fuck…” I grunt.
I fist a hand in her hair and keep thrusting. I’d planned to do more with her tonight. Much more. But when she stood before me with that innocent look in her eyes it stumped me. I can wait.
I have so much planned for her. This body. This pussy. All mine for thirty days.
I can’t wait to explore it.
I grip her hip with one hand and keep the other fisted in her hair. I love the sound of my skin slapping against hers. I love feeling her legs trembling against my thighs as I drive my cock deep into her warmth.
“Oh my…oh God…” she cries out and her sweet pussy starts milking me. My balls tighten and I know I’m on the verge of coming hard.
“Yes…fuck yes!” I groan and the orgasm rips through me. I hold myself against her, letting the tremors of it course through my body and pulse into her. Both of our bodies glisten with sweat. Both of us are breathless.
I withdraw from her and remove the cum-filled condom from my cock. I tie it off as I’m sliding from the bed. I hear the sheets rustling.
“We…should discuss boundaries.” Her voice is shaky. She’s nervous again.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask, tossing the condom in the garbage can by the bed.
“No, not at all. I just, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. I think I should go home, but I don’t know if you’re done with me. What I’m saying is, I don’t think I should spend the night here. Are we finished?”
I hadn’t thought about that. I know she’ll be coming over here late. I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable leaving in the middle of the night, but I don’t want her to stay either.
“Okay. Yes, we’re done. I’ll walk you down and make sure you get in a cab safely.”
“Okay.”
“Any other boundaries?” I ask.
“Just don’t treat me like trash.” she states. “I know you paid for me and all, but I’m still a human being. I’m not a whore. Don’t lose sight of that.”
“Agreed.”
We get dressed in silence and when she’s grabbed her purse, we walk to the elevator together. I’ve already called her a cab and it should be ready by the time we get downstairs.
We exit my building and it’s waiting out front. I hesitate before opening the door for her and giving the driver some money.
“I’ll call you soon.”
Chapter 6
Memphis
I step under the spray of the shower and as the water runs over me, all I can feel is Cameron’s hands on me. His fingers tweaking my nipple. His fingers plunging into me. His cock plunging into me.
Tears stream down my face. I had sex for money. I sold myself. Even worse, I enjoyed it. Being with Cameron felt so good. And so right. I can’t let myself think or feel like that. It’s a job. For one month. Thirty days. Then it’s over. I have to shut my emotions off and become a sexual robot for him. That’s what he wants. He doesn’t want me. He just wants to have sex with me.
This is no different than dancing at Ecstasy. That’s how I have to treat these thirty days. I mean, I am having sex with him, not just dancing, but I have to convince myself I’m just performing. It’s all show. I can do that. I’ve been doing that for three years now. I get all my tears out and tell myself I can’t cry about it again.
It’s done now and I have to get through it. No backing out now.
I step out of the shower and get ready for bed. Sleep doesn’t come easy and when it does, it’s restless. I wake up in the morning and call Anniston. She’s getting ready to go to class.
“I’m sending the payment in today for your tuition. Everything is taken care of.” I inform her.
“You still haven’t told me how you managed to come up with the money.” “I got a second job.” I answer. It’s not exactly lying.
“I wish you wouldn’t have done that. I could’ve taken a semester off and we could’ve figured this out together.”
“Well, it’s figured out now. Work hard. Don’t make my doing this be for nothing.” I say, silently urging her to pull through for me.
“I will. My average is improving.” she assures me again.
We hang up and I start getting ready to head to the bank. I want to get the money deposited and get a check sent to NYU. I dress in jeans and a t-shirt. The August weather is starting to get cooler.
Once the money is deposited, I feel better. I don’t like carrying that kind of cash. I start thinking that everyone around me knows I have money in my purse. It’s just a matter of time before they try to take it from me. I know this feeling goes back to my mom and her loser boyfriends always taking everything I earned from me. She would be apologizing at the same time that she would be telling them where to find it.
I push thoughts of my mom out of my head. Thinking about her only gets me frustrated. I walk into a designer shoe store, deciding to finally purchase a new pair. Stacy’s constant encouragement for me to get new shoes has finally set in.
I walk around, not really knowing where I’m going, and end up in the men’s shoes. I mumble a curse and walk around the aisle to try and find the women’s aisle. I collide with a man as I turn the corner.
“So sorry.” I apologize. “Do I know you?” he asks.
I study his face for a moment. Brown hair. Dark eyes. Regula
r at Ecstasy.
“No, I don’t think so.” I get this sometimes when I run into a regular. My eyes give me a way. I go to step past him and he steps in front of me. I keep my gaze downcast.
“You look really familiar.”
“I don’t think we’ve met. Sorry for bumping into you.”
I turn and go the other way. Instead of looking for shoes, I just leave. I hate when people recognize me. I’m not ashamed of what I do. I just don’t want people thinking I owe them more. Of course, now I’m giving Cameron more. Damn it.
Cameron
“I’ve set up interviews with the character witnesses. Blake and I will be going to interview the neighbors since you have that meeting.” I ignore the annoyed look Jim gives me and stand from the chair I’m seated in across from his desk.
“Let me know how it goes.” he clips.
I walk down the hall to Blake’s office and peek my head inside. She’s sitting at her desk with her gaze glued to her computer. My sister is the exact opposite as me. She took after our father in the looks department. Her black hair is shiny and falls in waves halfway down her back. Her eyes are also the same dark brown as his. I got my mother’s dirty, blonde hair and blue eyes. I wonder if that’s why my father can’t stand the sight of me.
“You ready?” I ask and she finally acknowledges I’m at the door. “Yeah. I can’t wait to get out of here for a while.” she grins.
We walk down to the parking garage and to my car. Her phone starts ringing the moment we get in and Memphis’s song blasts from the speakers. Blake blushes and tells whoever is calling that she’ll call them back later.
“What’s up with the ringtone?” I ask. “Oh, it’s for Langston.”
“Langston?”
“My boyfriend. You should know this, Cameron. We’ve been dating six months now.” she informs me. “He says I’m his bae.”