by London Casey
“Sadly, nothing. I wish my background was more interesting, a bit dangerous even. I just…” She felt as if she were starting to sound a bit pathetic. Switching to her professional voice she turned a steely gaze on him. “If I was you, I would wonder what sort of person would answer an ad like this; it’s insane. The kind of woman that would agree to this would have to be… well the point is I’m not that kind of woman. Today is as much an interview for you as it is for me. I want to know who you are, what sort of work you do, what sort of life my-our baby would have.”
Ethan was taken aback. “You know, you are the first applicant today to ask me a single question about my life.” He thought for a moment and deciding on a course of action pushed forward. “I think we should move on to the next phase of the interview process.”
“Which is?”
“Dinner. Arrange it with my secretary, she’ll see you’re taken care of.”
Ethan rose and offered his hand. She took it in her own; he shook it gently. His hands were soft, well-manicured and large. His thumb softly brushed her palm before releasing her hand. It sent a small shiver up her spine.
Standing so close to him she found herself analyzing the landscape of his face. He had a strong jaw line, pale skin, a scruffy dark beard like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days and a slight bump on his nose as if he’d broken it in a fight.
His features were classically handsome, even a bit pretty, but there was something in his eyes that gave him an edge. He may have been born rich, but an aura of world-weariness hung about him.
His eyes never left hers. His gaze was hypnotizing, she couldn’t make herself leave his office.
A creeping tingling sensation rose deep inside her; she felt a combination of excitement, anxiety and arousal.
A sudden urge to take him right there on the couch overwhelmed her. She knew it was a bad idea. She needed to wait, to find out who he was first.
Besides, if she gave in to temptation now, he might think she’s easy or manipulative. Something needed to happen soon or she wasn’t going to be able to control herself. Thankfully, Ethan’s secretary walked in at that moment. Her cold appraising gaze fell on Selene.
“Miss Suh-lean?” There was a disapproving shrillness to her voice that reminded Selene of grade school. It was like she was being called out in front of the class for forgetting her homework.
“Yes Mrs. …?”
“Ms. Miller. You may come with me now. If you’re finished.” Her stern eyes scrutinized Ethan.
“Yes, thank you for coming,” Ethan said nodding to his secretary. “We’ll be in touch.”
Selene followed Ms. Miller out the door and awaited instruction. There were two other women in the lobby; Ms. Miller quickly dismissed them.
“Now,” she said turning to Selene, “this won’t do.” She was alluding to her clothing. “Do you have anything more appropriate for your dinner date?”
“Uh…”
“ ‘Uh,’ is not an answer. I know a place. They’ll take care of you.” She scribbled an address on a piece of paper and handed it to Selene. “Listen to their advice and remember you want to impress Mr. Cole.”
Selene assumed she was referring to Ethan. Ms. Miller came across hard, but Selene detected a protectiveness about her. It was as if she was looking out for Ethan. The way he had blanched in her presence made Selene smile.
“Are you listening? You look like you’re day dreaming.”
“No, of course not. I mean – yes I’m listening, no I’m not daydreaming.”
“Good, I’m scheduling your dinner for tonight at eight. Will that be enough time?”
“Uh…” she could sense Ms. Miller’s disapproval, “I’ll make it work.”
The boutique was lit like a museum. Dresses lined the store, lit from above like works of art on display. Selene was feeling the soft fabric of a ball gown when a sales girl approached her from behind.
“May I help you?”
“I was told I could find a dress here – the store was recommended by Ms. Miller.”
“Yes of course you must be Selene. The staff is at yours and Mr. Cole’s disposal. Now, what sort of dress are you looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“A dinner date. I want something simple and pretty.”
“For a date with Mr. Cole?” The salesgirl stared at her incredulously. “No, honey, simple won’t cut it. I know the perfect dress.”
After pressing a glass of champagne into her hand and ushering her off to a dressing room, the sales girl went to hunt down the dress.
Selene stood alone staring at her reflection in a mirror. She set the champagne down and placed her hands on her face. She imagined her face covered in wrinkles, her hair thin and gray. She pulled her skin back tight; it made her eyes look pointed like a cat. The clock’s ticking away, she thought.
The door was thrown open by the sales girl, startling Selene. She handed her the dress and closed the door. Selene squeezed herself into the dress it was tight and red with a plunging v-neck.
When she stepped out of the dressing room the sales girls gasped.
“I told you. Is that the one or what?”
One of the other sales girls nodded her head in agreement.
Selene dreaded the question but she asked anyway, “How much is it?”
The girls looked up in surprise. “How much?” one asked. “It’s taken care of by Mr. Cole. We’re to see that you have whatever you want. Now about the shoes…”
When she arrived at the restaurant Ethan was waiting at the bar. One look at Selene and he nearly choked on his drink. Her dress hugged her curves and propped up her breasts in a way that took ten years off her age.
“Selene, you look stunning.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. His beard tickled her skin sending a fresh wave of shivers through her body.
He held her hand and stood, then led her to the table. It had been a long time since a man had held her hand. The small gesture left her weak in the knees.
For a moment she let herself hope that their relationship might grow to become more than just professional.
Ethan pulled out her chair and she sat down. He ordered a bottle of wine, then silently watched her. Selene suddenly became nervous about the arrangement, it was all too good to be true.
“What exactly would my responsibilities be?” she asked.
“You will be required to undergo a medical examination. I’ll also need a full family history – their health: mental and physical. Then, if everything checks out, we conceive a baby.”
He paused and smiled.
The whole situation was a bit surreal, but she couldn’t help smiling with him. The thought of having his child filled her with a warmth she didn’t know was missing.
“You will of course be the child’s mother,” he continued. “You will have full rights. There is an apartment attached to my home where you may live. You will also receive an upfront fee as well as a monthly stipend. I will provide for the child’s expenses. I would like to be a father to this child. I didn’t have a father. I want him or her to have what I didn’t.”
“How is it you couldn’t find a girl on your own? I mean, you’re perfect.” Ethan laughed. Selene could feel her face grow hot. “Well not perfect I mean – well you know what I mean.”
“I am far from perfect,” he said it morosely. In a tone that seemed to suggest he wanted to change the subject he added, “And of course there’s the money. I’m thirty-three years old. The trust fund says I must have a child before my thirty-fifth birthday.”
“How would we – um you know?”
“Conceive the child? Well I’d hoped the old fashion way,” he smiled ruefully at her. “Unless that makes you uncomfortable, we could use in vitro fertilization.”
“No, I like the old fashioned way.”
“Oh do you?” he said teasingly.
Selene rolled her eyes and took a long sip
of wine. “Does this mean I have the job?”
“If you want it.”
She paused. This was one of those moments when life turned on a dime. “When do we start?”
“Well, there’s paper work we both need to sign, then we can begin.” There was tone of wonder in his voice. Selene realized this was a turning point for him as well.
He took her hand and stroked it gently with his thumb. “This is going to work. I don’t know how, but I have good instincts. I can feel it – we’ll be good together.”
Selene felt warmth spread throughout her body. His strong, sure voice, his soft touch it kindled a fire in her she thought had been long extinguished.
She fidgeted in her seat. When she moved, her foot brushed Ethan’s leg. Instead of pulling away she let it linger.
His gaze never left hers as she moved her foot up and down his leg.
She slipped out of her high heels and worked her foot up the cuff of his pants. She could feel the hair coating the hard muscles of his legs. She wanted to feel more of him, but was restricted by his pants.
She removed her foot from inside the cuffs.
Stretching across the table, she placed her foot between his legs. It was the only time Ethan’s gaze faltered. He licked his lips and looked down at his wine.
Selene could tell by the look on his face he was aroused.
She moved her foot along his thigh slowly, until she came to his crotch. Her toes gently explored his bulge. Just as she was working her way up to his cock the waiter brought there appetizers.
His sudden appearance made both Ethan and Selene jump. It startled her so badly she banged her knee on the table, sending Ethan in to fits of laughter. The waiter looked bewildered.
“We’ll take our food to go please,” Ethan said to him.
The car ride back to Ethan’s home was long. The ride was silent. Selene stared at his face silhouetted in the dark: his strong jaw and high cheek bones, he was handsomer than she had first realized.
Her eyes weren’t drawn away until they pulled up to his house. He lived in the country on a sprawling estate. It was hard for Selene to imagine he was having financial difficulties, his home reminded her of a hotel.
He led her inside and offered her a drink. Selene declined and said, “Show me your room.”
The house was like a labyrinth. They walked up the stairs and down a series of hallways before coming to Ethan’s bedroom. The room was large, but sparsely decorated.
Ethan walked over to a large canopy bed and sat on the edge. He removed his shoes, socks and coat.
Selene approached him slowly, she didn’t know whether she should make the first move or wait for him to.
He stood and met her in front of the bed. He brushed her hair out of her face to better see her, then ran his hands over her shoulders and down her side. Watching her expression, he stopped at her hips and asked, “Is this okay?”
Selene laughed and stepped towards him. She pressed her body firmly against his, then took his hands and moved them over her ass. His hands gripped her firmly. Selene slowly grinded against him. She could feel his cock grow hard.
Ethan bent down and kissed her once. He pulled away. An emotion crossed his face, but Selene couldn’t read it.
“I wanted-” he began and stopped.
“Wanted what?” she asked.
He looked away, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Forget it.”
He kissed her again. This time the kiss was long and deep. His tongue parted her lips. A groan escaped from somewhere deep inside her. Ethan took it as a cue to move to the bed.
“Shouldn’t we-” use a condom, she was gong to say before she remembered their arrangement.
“Hmm?”
“Never mind.”
Selene laid down, her legs dangling off the side. Ethan pulled her dress up and parted her legs.
A shiver of anticipation shot through her body. Ethan saw her tremble and smiled.
Sensing her excitement, he decided to prolong his own gratification. He pulled her across the bed towards him.
He kissed the inside of her thighs, playfully biting at her soft flesh. Selene spread her legs wide, encouraging him to continue.
He ran his tongue up her thigh to her vagina. Without hesitation, he buried his face between her legs. His tongue was long and thick, it entered her perfectly.
She writhed on the bed as his tongue passed over her clit, then in and out of her vagina. Her hips moved involuntarily provoking him on. His mouth sucked at the lips of her vagina as his tongue tickled her.
Selene cried out and arched her back, desperate for the moment to carry on.
Ethan moved on top of her. Selene wrapped her legs around him, hungry for his cock.
A greedy thirst overtook them both. He unzipped his pants and plunged deep inside her.
His cock was bigger than she had imagined; it was thick, long and straight, hitting its target without aide or assistance from her.
Selene thought her arousal was at its peak when Ethan was performing oral sex on her, but her fervor now exceeded its previous heights.
He moaned and fucked her roughly. Selene felt her lust reach a breaking point. With a final cry, she came. Shortly thereafter Ethan followed. He collapsed on top of her, his cock still hidden away inside her vagina.
They laid in that position silently as they tried to catch their breath. Ethan lifted his head and looked into her eyes. Selene smiled and kissed his forehead.
“Earlier,” Selene’s voice was hoarse, “you said, ‘I wanted…’ then stopped. What were you going to say?”
Ethan kissed her chin and closed his eyes. He rested his face between her soft breasts and sighed. “I wanted this to be a contract. That’s what I was going to say.”
“What did you mean?”
“I wasn’t expecting to feel… well to feel anything. There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
The sound of a door closing in an adjacent room made Selene jump. “Who else is in the house?”
Ethan held her tight, as if she was afraid of losing her. “My wife.”
Chapter Two
“Your wife? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Selene-”
“No, don’t speak.”
She was laughing now; a hysterical impulse brought about by the absurdity of the moment.
Ethan was laying on top of her. The hard body that had once felt comforting and warm now felt like a dead weight. She pushed him off her and rose.
She began gathering her clothing and dressing. The tight red dress she had so coveted earlier was now hindering her escape. She turned the dress and stretched the fabric, it was as if had shrunk two sizes in the preceding twenty minutes.
Ethan stood in front of her his arms wide, desperate to make her understand. Understand what, she wasn’t sure.
“Wait,” he pleaded, “you were okay with this arrangement when it was just business. Can’t we go back to that?”
It was a pathetic move on his part, but Ethan wanted Selene in his life. He was convinced that if he could calm her down she would listen to his reasons.
The ceiling above them creaked with the sound of footsteps: someone was in the attic.
“Who’s that?” Selene asked, “Another girl? You keep a harem around here?”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
A part of Selene realized he was correct. This had started out as business, but she had convinced herself it would lead to something more. Hell, Ethan told her his feelings for her went beyond the contract – a contract she realized with a sinking feeling, they hadn’t signed yet. What if she was already pregnant? Would he disown the baby? No, she thought, he couldn’t, would he?
Taking a deep breath she sat on the edge of the bed. In a forced calmness she turned to him, “First who’s in the attic?”
“My w-,” he paused and cleared his throat, “My wife. She has a loft in the attic. It’s where she prefers to sleep.”
“You don’t share a
room?”
“No, she’s not well. It’s a complicated situation.”
“Complicated, is one way of describing it.”
Ethan sighed, then cautiously sat down next to her on the bed. He was waiting for her to run away or slap him; he found either preferable to her silence.
“You shouldn’t have said you had feelings for me,” Selene said. She tried to stay firm, but her voice came out weak.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He rubbed his hands together in front of him. The fact that he was still completely nude hadn’t escaped her attention.
“I was going to explain the situation when we sat down to sign the contract. Then, this happened. I do have feelings for you, that’s why I couldn’t wait.” He searched her eyes and thought he saw a hint of reprieve. Perhaps he could persuade her to stay.
“Does she know about our arrangement?”
“It’s hard to say. I tried to explain, but she’s not well – mentally.”
“Is she dangerous?”
“God no! I would never put you or my child in danger.”
Selene thought for a moment. Her mind wondered back to the small home she was underwater on (she owed more on it than it was worth), her student loans, the stress of work, her idiot boss, her lack of a meaningful relationship. She rubbed her temples. At least with the money she could start over, wipe the slate clean, maybe even find a boyfriend outside of this arrangement. She knew she had to put her feelings aside and endure. She always endured, but this time she would come out ahead.
“Fine,” she said, “let’s talk money.” She shifted gears quickly. “The contract: I want double my original fee regardless if I conceive or not. I also want my legal rights to the child explicitly drawn out.”
Ethan nodded his head in agreement. “The original fee was five million, ten million can be arranged.”
Selene hesitated. They hadn’t discussed an actual dollar figure before. She had no idea he was originally planning on paying her so much. She would be a millionaire. The thought didn’t even register with her it felt surreal. She tried to maintain her cool.
“Yes, ten million,” her voice quivered slightly over the million, she hoped he hadn’t noticed. “What about the babies inheritance?”