by B. B. Hamel
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “Sorry. I just realized I have another appointment.” I push back from the table.
He looks surprised. “Wait, hold on. I thought this was going well.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Price,” I say. “I don’t need a new client right now.”
“Wait.”
I start to walk away as fast as I can. This was a mistake. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid. If I kiss this guy, or do anything inappropriate, that could get back to my other clients. That would totally ruin me.
I hurry outside, but I only take a few steps before he catches up with me. He falls into step and speaks just loud enough for me to hear.
“Two million for a week,” is all he says.
I slow and come to a stop. I turn to face him, frowning. “Excuse me?”
“If you’ll be exclusive with me for one week, I’ll pay you two million dollars.” The cocky smile is back, the tilt of his head, his eyes staring at me. “That’s more than your normal rate, right?”
“Much more,” I say softly. That kind of money…
It could pay off my loans. It could pay for law school.
I could quit this job and start my real life, finally, after working so much.
But why the hell would this guy want that? I mean, I’m not a hooker. I don’t think he’s going to get what he wants from me.
Then again, he said that’s not what he’s looking for. And it’s only a week…
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
“No,” I say. “I can’t do that.”
That doesn’t seem to surprise him. “I’m interested in you, Aria, and I have more money than I know what to do with. I don’t expect you to do anything with me that you wouldn’t do with anyone else. I only expect that you’ll be mine entirely, exclusively, for one week. After that, if you want to keep seeing me as a normal client, I’ll obey your rules.”
I stare at him and can’t help but bite my lip. I feel a chill run down my spine.
One week with this man. I’d be his, completely his. No sex, of course, but we’d get close in that time, intimate…
“No,” I say again. “I can’t do that to my other clients. It just… it doesn’t work that way.”
“Of course it does. Tell them you’re going on vacation. Tell them you’ve made plans, they’ll survive for a week.” He laughs gently, steps closer. “I’m bored and I’m rich. Let me spoil you for a week.”
I meet his gaze and I’m tempted, so tempted. Michael recommended him, so he must not be a total psycho or dangerous or something, but…
“No,” I say again, taking a step back. “I’m sorry.”
Before he can argue, I turn and walk away. I practically run from him.
I want to look back. I want to look at Brady, standing on the sidewalk, standing out like a god among mortals, but I won’t let myself.
I don’t know this man. I don’t know what he really wants. That’s so much money for one week, so much that I can’t trust it. I need to walk away before I let my stupid desire do something I’ll regret.
As I turn the corner, I let myself glance in his direction. Brady’s standing there, green eyes focused on me. I tear myself away, afraid that this isn’t the last time I’ll see him.
2
Brady
“How’d it go?”
I sip my whiskey, savoring the slow burn. Michael watches me out of the corner of his eye, trying not to act like he’s been dying to ask that question for the last hour, ever since we met up at the bar.
I’ve known Michael for a long time. We worked together at Quanta back in the day, and he was an early investor. We went our separate ways over a decade ago, but we’re still good friends. He’s twenty years older than me, but we’re kindred spirits, to an extent.
“She didn’t bite,” I say.
He laughs a little and I note that he sounds relieved. “I figured she wouldn’t. Aria is a smart girl. She can see through a man like you.”
I smile a little bit at that. “I doubt it,” I say. “I think I priced her time too high. Spooked her.”
“What did you offer?”
“Two million.”
His eyes bug out. “Two million? For a week? Jesus, Brady.”
I shrug. “I’m filthy fucking rich and very bored. Why not?”
“Still, two million… start a fucking charity.”
I grin. “She’s my charity.”
He rolls his eyes. “Aria is nobody’s charity. That girl will own us all sooner or later.”
“I’m sure,” I say. “I did find her… fascinating.”
That’s an understatement.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that girl since I met her in the coffee shop.
Aria is gorgeous. Thick, auburn hair, full lips, light eyes that look either blue or green, depending on the tilt of her chin. Her body is slim but full figured, almost fucking perfect.
But more than that, she has this weird way about her, like everything she does is meant to draw every eye in the room. She’s like a magnet or a web. I want to get stuck to her, caught in her. I don’t know if I’ll be able to crawl back out, but that’s half the fun.
I can see why men pay her not to fuck them. Of course, I’m going to break that rule. But I can see why the others do it.
She’s fucking fascinating.
“Well, you tried, eh?” Michael smiles, his relief palpable.
“Oh, I’m not through yet.”
He hesitates. “She said no.”
“So what? She was tempted. I’m not letting her off that easy.”
He clenches his jaw. “Brady. You told me you wouldn’t bug her.”
“I know what I said, but I don’t like to lose. You know that.”
“This isn’t winning and losing. This… this is a person.”
“Right, and I’m going to have her.” I grin at Michael. I don’t know why I’m being cruel. I know Michael is half in love with her.
He only agreed to give me Aria’s number because I begged. I caught them together, or at least I caught her leaving one afternoon. She doesn’t know it, not yet at least, but I saw her leaving his apartment just as I was going for a visit. I slowly pulled it out of him, everything about her, all that emotional companion bullshit.
And I couldn’t help myself. I begged him, practically, for her number. He reluctantly gave in and let me have it but made me promise not to bother her.
Of course, now that she’s in my sights, I can’t back down.
I mean, she’s a hooker that doesn’t fuck. I have to have her, have to fucking taste her. Especially now that I’ve actually met her.
Or at least that’s how this started. Just a little bit of fun. I was interested and couldn’t help myself.
Now though… now that I’ve met her…
I can’t just walk away. I told myself I would, if she said no. But now I can’t help myself.
There’s something about her. I’ve fucked plenty of women, more than enough for ten lifetimes, but never one like her. We barely spoke for twenty minutes and I already can’t stop picturing her body, her lips on mine, her hips in my hands, my cock between her warm fucking thighs…
“Just leave her alone, Brady.”
“I will,” I say. “Honestly, I will. But I’m going to ask one more time.”
He sighs. “Fine. Just leave me out of it.”
“I’ll try.”
“If she asks about you…”
“Be honest.”
He sighs. “You probably wouldn’t like that.”
I laugh. “Come on, I know what you’ll say. Player, asshole, all that stuff.”
“Sure,” he says, and shrugs. “But you’re also a decent guy.”
“Oh, thanks.” I roll my eyes.
“Look, just don’t be an asshole to her, okay?”
“Okay, okay.” I take a breath and let it out. “Honestly, it’s not about sex.”
“Good. She won’t sleep with you.”
“I know,” Michael says softly. “Bored, restless. I’ve seen it.”
“I thought this would be fun. I’d just try to fuck her and move on. But now I’m interested.”
He laughs and sighs. “Yeah. She does that.”
“Anyway. I’ll try one more time and stop.”
“Okay then. Good luck.”
I grin at him. “I don’t need luck. I’ve got money.”
He rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t argue.
We finish up and Michael has to leave. I stay for another drink, watching the bar and wondering.
Why am I really doing this? I keep telling myself it’s because I want to fuck the unfuckable. I keep acting like it’s just another conquest.
But there are plenty of conquests out there. The girl said no, and Michael doesn’t want me messing with her. So why am I going to keep trying?
It’s her, something about her that’s drawing me closer. I can’t help it. She’s alluring, exciting. I want to get to know a woman that can get paid just to talk to someone. I need to find out what kind of person she is.
Of course, I want to taste her, but there’s more than just that. I’ve been looking for something. Maybe she has it, or maybe I can give it to her.
It’s a sunny afternoon several days after meeting Michael for a drink. I haven’t seen Aria since that day, but I’ve been very busy.
She hasn’t been easy to track down. It took me a while and a lot more money than I like to admit before I got this address.
It’s a little apartment in the middle of Old City, one unit out of a four-unit house. It’s a very nice neighborhood, quiet and cute. I wouldn’t guess that she had a place here. I’m betting rent is astronomical.
But it makes sense. She said she keeps her personal life and her professional life separate, so she’d need a place to bring her clients. And she can’t meet them in some shitty place, not if these are men with means.
I lean up against a light pole and watch. Two hours ago, a man in glasses and suspenders walked inside, but she hasn’t been out since. He could live in there… but I’ve got a feeling about him.
After another twenty minutes of waiting, the man emerges. He looks around and starts walking swiftly away. I’m tempted to follow him, but I stay the course. I’m not here to learn about her clients.
I wait another half hour before she appears. Aria steps gingerly out of the door, looking tired. She glances around, takes a deep breath, and lets it out. I frown a little to myself as she hesitates on her stoop and closes her eyes briefly, taking deep breaths.
When she opens her eyes, she smiles, and walks down the steps. It looks like she just released a bunch of stress, all at once.
I push up off the light post and walk toward her. She doesn’t notice me right away.
“Aria,” I say, loudly enough for her to hear.
She turns and looks surprised. She’s wearing a simple outfit, jeans and a loose sweater. “Brady?”
“I was looking for you,” I say.
“How did you… what are you doing here?” She looks flustered and her eyes glance around.
I hold up my hands. “Please. I’m just here to talk. You don’t have to worry.”
“You’re not supposed to know about this place.”
I smirk at her. “Not much in this world I can’t find out.”
That seems to piss her off. “What do you want from me? I already turned you down.”
“I know,” I say softly. “I heard you. But I’m here to ask you to reconsider.”
“Why? You’ve broken too many rules already. And now you’ve followed me here.”
“I didn’t follow you. Just waited for you.”
“Almost as bad.” She turns away. “I’m not interested.”
“You will be,” I say. “For five million.”
She pauses and slowly turns back to me. “What are you doing?” she asks. “What is this, a game?”
“It’s not a game,” I say. “Look, have dinner with me tonight. Let me convince you.”
She narrows her eyes. “I don’t have sex with my clients.”
“This isn’t about sex.”
She makes a face. “And I don’t take on liars.”
I laugh a little. “Okay, fine. It’s a little about sex. Of course I want to fuck you.”
She looks surprised. “I, uh—”
“Look at you, Aria.” I step closer to her. “You’re fucking beautiful. I bet every one of your clients wants to fuck you. I’m no different. I’d change your mind about not sleeping with clients with just one taste, I can promise you that.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not what I do.”
“I know. It’s not just about sex. It’s about you. I’m… interested.”
“Interested?” She bites her lip, arches an eyebrow.
“I don’t get interested in women very often,” I admit. “Normally, I just want to fuck them, taste them, give them one good night and move on. But you… there’s something about you. I’m interested.”
She crosses her arms. “I appreciate your honesty, at least.”
“Have dinner with me. I promise I won’t try to fuck you tonight.”
“But you might later?”
I smirk. “Of course. And I bet you just might surprise yourself.”
“I doubt it.” She doesn’t sound so sure, though. I watch her and I can see the wheels turning, the uncertainty, the excitement. Finally, she sighs, exasperated.
“Fine, okay. Dinner. And after, if I say no, you’ll leave me alone?”
“It’ll be like we never met.”
“One dinner. Then we’re done.”
“Exactly. I’ll text you the details.”
“Fine.” She sighs. “This isn’t okay, Brady.”
“I know you don’t like giving up some control, but I promise, it’ll be worth it.”
Her eyes flash. “It’s not about control.”
I laugh at her annoyance. “Yes, it is. Don’t worry, little Aria. You’ll have plenty of control again soon. I’ll see you tonight.”
This time, I walk away from her. She’s speechless, and I bet more than a little pissed.
But equally interested. I can see it in her eyes. She’s attracted to me. That’s the only reason she’s saying yes to this dinner.
I know what I want from her. It’s so clear to me now. Five million for a week is nothing compared to what I’ll get in return from this beautiful girl.
I’ve needed something for a long time, but I haven’t been able to get it.
I’ve needed a woman, a strong woman, to take care of.
And I think Aria might be that woman.
I have one dinner to make it happen. But I think that’s more than enough.
By the end of it, I’m going to have her calling me Daddy.
3
Aria
I’m an idiot.
I’m a total, absolutely impossible, full-on moron.
I should stay far away from Brady Price. I don’t know why I’m falling for his bullshit. Looking for something more? Come on, please. He basically admitted that he wants to sleep with me.
And yet here I am, wearing heels and a nice black dress, a little modest but still flattering, walking down the front stoop of my work apartment. I should keep on going, ignore the car waiting for me at the curb, but I can’t help myself.
I’m curious.
I haven’t been curious about a man in a long time, not since starting all this. I haven’t really had any boyfriends or at least haven’t been able to keep any steady relationship. All of my emotional energy goes toward my clients, and afterward, I’m left drained.
But Brady is different. For some reason, I want to get to know him, not as a client but as a person.
And that’s why I’m going. If he just offered me mone
y, I’d run far away and never come back. The money isn’t a good thing, it’s a red flag.
No, this is about him. This is about the glimpse of the man I got earlier. I swear I saw something underneath that bravado, something interesting and complex. Maybe he comes off like just another rich asshole, but I think there’s more to him than meets the eye.
I can’t help myself. I climb into the back seat of the car, and I let it take me into Center City.
The restaurant is tucked down a tiny little alley a bit south of Walnut. I never would’ve noticed it if the driver hadn’t stopped right in front and gotten out to open my door. It’s small and cute, with a couple of tables out front. It doesn’t look busy or crowded at all.
I step in through the ivy-covered door. Inside, it’s dark with lots of candles and warm bulbs. Everything is wood and there are paintings all over the walls. The hostess smiles at me, a perky blonde girl that can’t be any older than fifteen.
“Reservation?”
“I’m here to meet with a friend,” I say. “Brady?”
She instantly nods. “Mr. Price is waiting for you. Right this way.”
I follow her through some intimate tables, packed close together. They’re all full of people wearing expensive clothing, mostly older, speaking low to each other. I realize that I haven’t heard of this place because it’s probably out of my price range.
Brady is seated at a prime table off in one corner of the room. He smiles as I approach and stands.
“Glad you came,” he says, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.
I feel a thrill run down my spine. “Almost didn’t.”
“But here you are.”
We sit down. “You wore me down.”
He grins. “That’s what I do best.”
“Not exactly a good thing.”
“Sure it is. Just means my particular charm takes a little while before people warm up to it.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling despite myself. “What are your particular charms, Mr. Price?”
He purses his lips. “I can’t really say,” he admits. “I was voted Class Clown and Most Likely to Succeed back in high school. I feel like that says a lot about me.”
“Does it?” I ask. “Says nothing to me.”