by Aimie Grey
“I meant you’d be easy to hang out with. Most women would bitch about watching football all day Sunday, but you’d probably bitch if it wasn’t on. I also doubt you’re afraid to get dirty.”
“Well, you got me there. That’s just one piece of me, though.”
“You’re raising your niece for whatever reason. That tells me you’re selfless and loyal.”
“Anyone would do the same.”
“I’ve seen a lot since I started teaching. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t care about their own kids, let alone nieces and nephews. Look at you. You obviously didn’t get much sleep last night, yet you’re here for a school carnival.”
“Not by choice.”
“You could have bailed, but you didn’t. That shows that you are reliable. You’re here with your ex, who obviously hurt you, so you’re forgiving. You were with him for a long time, so you must believe in love, which is why I’m worried you won’t accept my offer. I’m also worried it will end badly if you do accept because you’ll end up wanting something I don’t have to give.”
“You don’t believe in love?”
“Not exactly. I love my family. I love cherry pie. I might even go so far as to say I love fucking. Romantic love is a myth; it’s society’s way of dignifying lust. I don’t buy into the notion of soul mates. Marriage is an unnecessary convenience. It’s only good for tax breaks and a convenient lay.”
“Wow. That doesn’t really help your case. Why would I want to sleep with a guy when there’s absolutely no possibility of a future?”
“For fun, of course. I just wanted to be completely honest with you from the beginning, so you know what you’d be signing up for.”
“Our shift is just about over, and we have somewhere else to be.” I got to my feet and brushed off my backside.
“Can we talk about this more some other time?” he asked. “Maybe I can refresh your memory of how good it can be? If nothing else, maybe we can work on the friendship part.”
“You can stop by the house tomorrow morning around nine.” I wanted to retract the words as soon as they left my mouth. “We really need to get going.” I headed toward my little girl; it was time to visit her mother.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Madison
“Is Peyton home?” Sawyer asked when I opened the door for him Sunday morning.
“No, I have to pick her up around elev—” Sawyer’s lips slammed into mine, preventing me from finishing my sentence.
“Good,” he said as he took my hand and led me to the couch. “Where is she?”
“She goes to church with her great-grandmother every Sunday morning.”
“You don’t go with them?
“I lost my faith a long time ago.” Time to move on. “Did you just come over to get laid?”
“I thought we could hang out, not that I would complain if things took a turn in that direction.”
“You’re confusing me. Friends don’t kiss like that, and I’d imagine friends with benefits only do when it’s a prelude to sex.”
“I wanted to kiss you, so I did,” he said. “You’re overthinking things.”
“You’re the one with all of the relationship issues. You can’t pull me in and keep me at arm’s length at the same time.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have labeled it. How about we come up with an arrangement that is suitable to both of us without using a predefined term?”
“We can talk about it, but I still need time to think before I make a decision.” More like I needed time to gather the courage to turn him down. Inviting him over was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever done.
“Fair enough. We touched on my first requirement yesterday,” he said. “If we do this, there can’t be any expectations for a future. We will take each day as it comes until this thing runs its course. Your turn to tell me one of your requirements.”
“I want to hear all of yours first. Start with the stuff that has no room for compromise.”
“Okay. I insist on sexual monogamy for the duration of our agreement. What you perceive as love, or any related emotions, will not be involved. I will kiss you and touch you when I feel like it, but I won’t lead you on or lie to you about my feelings.” He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “What are you thinking?”
“If we end up doing this, I think we should both be tested.”
“Why? I obviously didn’t give you anything the first time we were together.”
“I don’t know where your dick has been since then. I realize it’s probably too late, but, at least, if we’re tested, we’d know what we’re dealing with.”
“I promise you that I’m clean, but I have no problem getting tested if that will make you feel better.”
“How long has it been since you’ve been with someone else?” I asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
“Long enough for a test to be accurate. I’d rather not discuss prior sexual encounters with the woman I’m trying to bed.” His fingers dragged along my collar bone as he brushed the rest of my hair out of the way. “So what’s the verdict?”
“I honestly don’t know. I don’t think I can agree to all of your requirements.”
“Is there anything I can do to convince you?” he asked. His lips ghosted over the sensitive skin of my neck, lighting my traitorous body on fire.
“I guess a demonstration wouldn’t hurt.” I was in a lot of trouble.
*
I barely had enough time to get dressed and tame my just-fucked-hair before I had to pick up Peyton from Nana’s house. We had hotdogs and macaroni for lunch, and then straightened up the house for Brianna’s visit.
“Bri!” Peyton yelled as she ran toward the front door. She flung it open with enough force to put a hole in the wall if there hadn’t been a door stop in the baseboard to catch it.
I stood a few feet behind Peyton and soaked up her infectious excitement. “Come on in,” I said. I hadn’t noticed Charlie standing behind his daughter on the porch until he began to follow her inside. “Hey, Charlie.” I really was happy to have him back in my life. It was wonderful to have a connection to my past with Ryan gone and my relationship with Ethan so different. He pulled me into a hug. It wasn’t awkward even after all of the years apart.
“What time do you want to pick her up?” I asked.
“Actually, I was wondering if you wanted some company. I don’t have anything else to do today.” His hopeful expression was adorable.
“I would love some company. We haven’t really had a chance to catch up.” I was grateful to have a distraction from the memory of my morning with Sawyer.
“We’re gonna go play in my room,” Peyton announced. The two little girls giggled as they scampered up the stairs.
“I’m glad they get along so well. Bri hasn’t been this excited about anything since her mother died.” Charlie’s expression fell for a moment.
“Same with Peyton. She’s mostly kept to herself since we lost Ryan.” My heart twisted as I thought about my brother.
“Maybe we can make this a regular thing,” he said. The hope was back in his eyes. “Maybe Ethan can come over when he doesn’t have to work, and the three of us can hang out like the old days.”
“I’m sure he’d love that. He usually comes over when he gets off of work, which is around three on Sundays. I’ll text him and make sure he’s coming today.”
“I’m really glad you’re back, even if it’s under unfortunate circumstances,” he said.
“I am too. I missed out on so much when I was at school.” I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed Charlie. I felt comfortable with him—safe. Spending time with him wasn’t complicated, which was exactly what I needed.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sawyer
I raised a brow at my little brother as he chewed his burger. “You’re telling me your wife wants you to go to a strip club? I find that hard to believe.” Finn’s wife was a crazy bitch, but what kind of woman actively encourages her husb
and to watch naked women grind on poles?
“She thinks it’ll earn her brownie points, or some shit like that. I wasn’t paying much attention; it’s easier to just agree with her. You’ve gotta admit, there are worse things than looking at naked chicks all night.” Finn had a valid point.
“Whatever. I’ll meet you there. Just don’t expect me to stick around very long.” I loved my adopted brothers despite their issues, but there was no way I could spend any significant amount of time around Kristy. My risk of alcohol poisoning increased exponentially with every minute I spent in her presence. “And you’re paying.” I waved the waitress over and ordered four more burgers with fries to go.
“What’s with all the food?”
“I need something to absorb the massive quantities of top-shelf scotch you’re buying me tonight.”
*
The sun was almost touching the horizon when I arrived at the upscale gentlemen’s club in the city. The large space was dim except for the bright spotlights focused on the stage that bisected the room. I spotted Thomas as he shoved a dollar into a stripper’s G-string. Of course my brothers and the bitch had front row seats. I kept my eyes down as I headed to their table.
I sat in the empty chair and pulled out my phone. I didn’t expect the message I’d received earlier to change; I just didn’t want to believe it was true.
Madison: I can’t do it. Sorry.
“See the slut humping the pole at the far end of the stage?” Kristy asked the three of us with wicked glee. Thomas and Finn looked while I studied a drink menu. “I went to school with her. She’s such a loser. The only friends she had were her brother and his girlfriend. Her boyfriend was a mega nerd.” She took a sip of her fruity drink. “I’m not surprised she’s a working girl.”
“This is a strip club, not a brothel,” Finn corrected.
“You don’t know what they do with the guys they take to the back. I booked a private ‘session’ with her later. I can’t wait to tell her about my fairytale life while she grinds her ass on me for a couple of bucks. Maybe I’ll make her eat me out.”
That was the most disgusting mental image I’d ever had. “What’s your problem with her?” Petty, judgmental bullshit pissed me off. Not to mention the outright cruelty she had planned for the unsuspecting stripper. “Jealous that no one wants to look at what you have—or should I say don’t have?” She didn’t have a chance to respond thanks to the waitress that came to take my order.
“Bro,” Thomas nudged my arm with his elbow to get my attention before continuing, “I know Kristy’s an idiot, but you really need to look at this girl.”
I lifted my eyes just in time to see a skimpy lace bra fall away from the most beautiful pair of breasts I’d ever seen. Breasts I’d seen several times before. “What the fuck!” I yelled.
“I know, right?” Kristy wore a triumphant smile. “Isn’t she hideous?” The pieces clicked into place. The Kristy that had tortured Madison growing up was the same bitch that made my life hell. Madison would probably never speak to me again if she knew I was related to her.
Thomas spoke up. “I think you need to have your eyes checked—that, or make sure you aren’t looking in a fucking mirror.”
“Did you know she’d be here?” It was clear the only reason Kristy had insisted on coming here was to humiliate Madison.
“An old classmate might have mentioned he saw her here once…,” she said with the fakest look of innocence I’d ever seen.
“Well, I think she’s fucking hot,” Thomas chimed in. I sat on my hands to keep from punching him. “You may have a huge diamond, but she has huge tits. I’m surprised Finn hasn’t bought you a pair yet. I’m sure Dad would give him the friends and family discount.” He turned to my other brother. “Hey, Finn, see if you can get a picture of her rack, so you can show Dad what you want your wife’s to look like.” Kristy’s face scrunched into a red ball.
“Quit looking at her,” I muttered through clenched teeth barely loud enough for Thomas to hear.
“What’s it to you?” I’d never hear the end of it if I answered him honestly. He studied me for a moment. “Oh. My. God. You fucked her!” Finn’s and Kristy’s eyes darted from me to Thomas and back.
“She must have a magic pussy to get you this riled up.” Thomas laughed. “I might have to go a round or two with her later.” His eyes were now locked on Madison as she hooked a long leg around the silver pole.
“Brother or not, I will kill you,” I growled.
“I can’t believe you fucked that skank,” Kristy whined.
“You need to shut the fuck up. The only skank in this room is you!” I nearly jumped across the wobbly wooden table, so there would be no misunderstanding. I stared into Kristy’s psychopathic eyes as I spoke to Finn. “You need to get your bitch of a wife out of my sight before I do something to land myself in jail.”
“Finn,” she whined, “are you just gonna sit there and let him talk to me that way?”
“Come on, we need to go,” Finn said to his wife.
“What about my private show?” she pouted.
“Don’t worry. It won’t go to waste,” Thomas said.
I glared at Kristy’s retreating back as Finn ushered her out of the club.
I pulled out my cell and dialed, grateful when voicemail picked up. “Hey, sis… Heads up, you need to prepare another speech about professionalism. Oh, and I’m getting ready to spend quite a bit of the money you gave me.” I ended the call and went to find the person in charge of the establishment.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Madison
I walked off the stage, threw on a fuzzy red robe, and picked up my private booking sheet from Bruce. I glanced at it and turned back to the manager. “This can’t be right.” I’d never seen so many boxes checked before.
“Took the order myself; the guy’s a big spender. He took quite a shine to you.”
I went out the side door to find my friend, Lisa, who always went for a smoke during our short breaks. She was like a mentor to me; I wouldn’t have survived this job without her. “Can you decipher this for me please?” I asked as I handed her my glorified purchase order.
“Wow, he went all out for you, babe.” She nodded her head with approval. “Fully nude, and he can touch you anywhere except your lower lady parts without permission.” She gave me a meaningful look. “We are strongly encouraged to give them permission. Management can’t tell you to fuck him because that would be prostitution, but you will if you want to keep your job.”
“I don’t think I can do this.” I was going to be sick.
“Don’t think about what you’re doing. Focus on how fat your bank account is going to be after tonight. The more you give, the more you get.” She looked me over. “You look absolutely green; you need to fix that before you go in there.”
I thought of Peyton and how much we needed the money. I would do anything in the world for her, which apparently included selling my body for cash. If I earned enough tonight, I might not have to go all the way again, at least not for a while.
I prayed he wasn’t a troll as I darted to the dressing room. Maybe if he was a decent lay, it would help me forget about Sawyer. I stripped out of what was left of my costume and exchanged my thick, floor-length robe for a short, silky one. I squared my shoulders and marched through the door to the private room with my head held high.
I nearly tripped over my feet when my gaze met the piercing blue eyes of the man waiting for me. “What are you doing here?” I stood with my arms crossed tightly over my chest.
“Isn’t it obvious?” His eyes drifted to the hem of my short robe as he shifted slightly in the narrow, armless chair designed for lap dances. A fire blazed in my lower belly at his attention.
“Do you frequent strip clubs?” A loud tap came from the other side of the mirrored wall behind me. I dropped my robe in one fluid movement.
“Would it bother you if I said yes?” he asked. I paused for a moment as I thought about the hypo
crisy of my reaction. I didn’t like the idea of him looking at other women, but I showed my body to anyone willing to pay the cover charge.
“Never mind,” I said. “It doesn’t matter.” I took a step toward him.
His eyes moved around the room, looking at anything except for me. “Why did you turn down my offer?” he asked.
“Because your mood swings give me whiplash.” There was no point concealing the truth. “I also didn’t think this job would conform to your requirements.”
I presented my back to him and lowered myself to his lap. I looked at our reflection in the mirror only to find him studying my face intently as he stroked my upper arms. “You don’t have to do this,” he said. He abruptly let go of my arms and gave me a slight push to help me stand.
I turned and straddled his lap. “You don’t understand. I do have to do this.” I rocked my hips against his. “Someone’s watching. I’ll lose my job if I don’t give you what you paid for.”
“Why do you work for a place like this?” he asked with a grimace.
“Why are you a teacher?” I arched my back, leaving barely any space between my breasts and his face. He sucked in a sharp breath.
“I wanted to make my mother proud.”
“That wasn’t the answer I expected… I can’t say the same.” He swallowed as I ran my fingers down the buttons of his shirt. “I’m going to turn around to face the mirror. You need to grab my boobs, so they can check that off of the list.”
“Aren’t you worried they’ll hear you?”
“They don’t listen. Plausible deniability in case I decide to whore myself out.”
“Do you do this a lot?” His voice had taken on a fierce undertone. “How many men have you sold yourself to?” His strong hands squeezed my hips almost painfully.
“None,” I said reflexively and then quickly added, “of your business.”
“I won’t fuck you, not like this.” His arms fell limply to his sides. “I don’t want to be one of your johns.”