Letting Him In

by Izzy Sweet

  Another hundred is pulled from his wallet and I can’t help but sigh. Revealing myself and my life for money feels just as degrading as removing my clothing at this point.

  “It’s complicated,” I finally answer.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  I shake my head. I don’t have the time or inclination to date.

  “A husband?”

  I almost laugh at that. “No.”

  “Any children?”

  “No.” Thank God. But my brothers, who are only seventeen and eighteen, still very much need me.

  “So there is no one who would be harmed if you were to spend the night with me?”

  Now it’s my time to jerk in surprise. Is he further propositioning me? “You mean besides me?"

  His eyes narrow and I can tell I’ve offended him when he says very seriously, “I would never hurt you. I’m not the kind of guy who gets off on hurting women.”

  “What kind of guy are you? What do you want with me?” I ask quietly. He said he would never hurt me, and I believe he means it. I believe he wouldn’t hurt me intentionally.

  His face softens and he leans towards me again as if he’s going to kiss me. I can’t help but lean away, and he chases me until my back hits the settee. As he closes up the space between us, I become more aware of his size. He’s bigger and wider, his body blocking out the dim light and eclipsing me.

  The collar of his white shirt popped open, my eyes hone in first on his throat and how it moves with his quickened breathing. Up, my eyes slide along the smooth expanse of his neck and the strong line of his jaw to focus on his lips. They’re moist and pink and slightly parted as they come down on me.

  I turn my face at the last possible second and his lips slide across my cheek.

  He chuckles, and I breathe a small sigh of relief. His hand touches my cheek, his calloused palm cupping it tenderly. Gently, he applies pressure, guiding me until we’re face to face.

  “Whitney,” he says huskily. “There’s something about you that calls to me. You looked so uncomfortable out there, so fucking beautiful, but out of place. I had to rescue you. But now that I have…” He shakes his head and grins ruefully.

  “But now that you have?” I ask, every part of me needing him to finish that phrase.

  His gold-tipped lashes lower and his eyes darken. “Who’s going to rescue you from me?”

  Squirming beneath the intensity of his gaze, I find myself looking away. He hasn’t answered either of my questions so I repeat, “What do you want from me?”

  “Stay the night with me.”

  I feel myself both revolting and elating at the request. Does he want to sleep with me? If he does, I’m beyond flattered but only if he asks me without involving money.

  “I can’t…” I start but don’t get to finish because his thumb presses against my lips, stopping me.

  “You need money, and I need you. There’s no reason we can’t come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial to the both of us.”

  His thumb strokes across my bottom lip patiently as I consider how to respond to his outrageous request. “Surely, staying the night with me is better than taking off your clothes for a bunch of strangers?”

  There’s just no pretty way to put it so I state it plainly. “I’m not a whore. I can’t prostitute myself for money.”

  “No, you are not a whore,” he agrees and confuses me. “I’m not proposing I pay you for use of your body. I will only pay you for the time you spend with me.”

  “But you expect me to sleep with you.”

  “No, it is not expected.”

  “It’s not?” I frown, finding his proposal hard to believe.

  “No, it’s not. The only thing required is your attention and your time.”

  Why? I still want to ask. Why me?

  Instead, I lick my lips and the desperate girl inside of me asks, “How much money?”

  His eyes gleam, he knows he’s got me right where he wants me. “Two grand for the rest of the night.”

  I can’t breathe. Two grand? Two thousand dollars? For one night of my life? I’ve never had that much money at one time…

  “Seriously?” I squeak.

  His head dips and his lips capture mine. Mouth slanting over mine, he pulls, patiently coaxing my lips into opening. And when I finally do, parting my lips and allowing his tongue to delve in, he rewards me with an appreciative groan that resonates through the very core of my body.

  His taste is overwhelming. Musky, sweet, and something that’s a little spicy. It drives me freakin’ crazy. I feel like I just can’t get enough of him. He kisses me until I’m breathless and squirming, my body flushing with heat. Until I’m rising up, offering myself to him. Until I’m willing.

  Finally, he breaks away, leaving me trembling and weak with need. “Seriously.”

  I pant beneath him, regaining my senses and trying to think. I shouldn’t accept, I shouldn’t. He claims he only wants to pay me for my time, not my body, yet the way he kisses me…

  “What will it be, Whitney?” he asks impatiently.

  I peer up at him, feeling as if my will is being sucked out by the intensity of his bright gaze.

  Tenderly, his fingers stroke down my cheek.

  “I shouldn’t,” I say softly but can’t look away.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he murmurs reassuringly. His head dips down, capturing my lips once more but this time kissing me gently, sweetly. “Let me take care of you. Spend the night with me.”

  “Just tonight?” I ask, feeling myself weakening.

  “Just tonight,” he confirms, his mouth dropping to my neck to place little wet kisses there.

  “If I want to leave, you’ll let me?”

  “Yes,” he answers as his nose nuzzles against my throat, then he pushes back up to stare down at me. “But I will do everything in my power to make you want to stay with me.”

  I find myself agreeing, the word “Okay,” slipping past my lips.

  “Okay?” he asks, his brows lifting.

  I nod my head. “Okay. I will stay with you, but just for tonight. And I want to see the money first.”

  Chapter Four

  After reluctantly peeling himself off of me Colt exits the room to clear my departure with Ray. Unfortunately, we can’t just leave together without earning Ray’s ire. He demands to be paid his dues, pretty much acting like my pimp tonight in exchange for the opportunity he’s given me. When I was first informed of the rule I didn’t think much of it, clearly not planning on leaving with a guy tonight. But now that I am planning to leave with Colt, I can’t help but feel shame and resentment over the entire situation.

  Each second that Colt’s gone, I feel my resolve crumbling. What the fuck am I doing? How many times have I asked myself that tonight?

  Picking up the bottle of champagne left on the table, I drain it. I guzzle down two glasses worth before Colt returns with my bag and his jacket in his hands.

  “Ready?” he asks, pausing in the doorway. He eyes the empty bottle of champagne and then me with a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

  I nod and wobbly get to my feet. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that last glass. Up until this point I’ve felt more disoriented than anything after drinking. Now I definitely feel a buzz warming my blood and throbbing in my ears.

  Colt strides over to me. I can’t help but notice how just the way he walks, the way he moves oozes confidence and masculinity. He carries himself in that self-assured way, like he knows he’s a god amongst men. He steps around me and drapes his suit jacket over my shoulders. Straightening it until it hangs just right. I feel even smaller, dwarfed by the size difference.

  Stepping to my side, he offers me his arm. “Ready to blow this joint?”

  I nod and tug his jacket closed, grateful to finally have some covering. It’s so long, it hits my thighs. Definitely longer than the tiny plaid skirt I’m wearing.

  By the arm he leads me through the door and through the main floor. It
’s the only way we can reach the exit.

  The party appears to still be in full swing despite our absence from it. The music is blaring, the women are dancing, breasts bouncing and hips swaying. A few jeers and catcalls are thrown our way but we’re walking too quickly for anyone to stop us. I try to ignore the scene, only catching glimpses of depravity here and there out of the corner of my eye.

  I let Colt propel me forward until I catch sight of Brianna.

  My heels dig into the floor of their own accord. I watch for a stunned minute as Ray buttons his pants up. He’s sitting in one of the chairs shrouded in shadows, and Brianna is kneeling at his feet. She must sense me or something. She casts a quick glance over her shoulder, our eyes lock and her body freezes.

  “Bri?” I squeak, but another guy steps forward and Ray leers at me.

  Ray pushes Brianna’s head towards the other guy and the guy begins to unbutton his pants eagerly.

  Oh my god.

  I knew this was a private party, and they were bending the rules for the all the football players and celebrities, but I never guessed it would go this far. It’s actually my worst nightmare playing out right in front of me.

  Colt nudges me forward.

  “You don’t belong here,” he says quietly, and after everything I’ve seen tonight, inwardly I have to agree with him. But not because I think I’m better than the other girls, or look down on what they’re doing to earn a living. No, I can’t do that. Who am I to judge? I don’t belong here simply because I haven’t hit that point yet, and thanks to Colt, I’m not reaching that point tonight.

  Did Colt know this was going on? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. He’s too handsome, too desirable to waste his time with a girl like me. He’s not going through of all this trouble because he’s that desperate for a woman. If he wanted a prostitute, he could hire a professional like a high-class call girl. Or he could have grabbed any other girl here and had his way with her.

  He’s doing this to save me…

  And even though he’s paying me for my company, I feel like I owe him.

  Tonight I’m going to give him his money’s worth.

  * * *

  Stepping out of the club and into the cool, quiet of night is a relief, but it also brings a whole new level of surrealness to what is occurring. The sky is clear and dark, not a cloud to be seen. The stars glitter and sparkle, a dazzling backdrop against the city skylight. The moon looms large and bright, giving us just enough light to see by. I think it must be a little after midnight, the party will probably go on for hours.

  Colt pulls me closer to him, wrapping his arm tightly around my waist as he leads down the sidewalk to his parked car. There seems to be no one but us out at this time of night. We’re in the old business district, an area that acts like a border between the outskirts of the city proper and the middle-class suburbs.

  The sidewalk is well lit and the street lights are in good repair. Most of the businesses in this section close before dusk, just as all the respectable people return to their homes from work. The strip club itself is unassuming, dark and dormant during the day, only coming to life when the rest of the district is falling asleep. The dancers are encouraged to remain indoors at all times to avoid drawing the attention and the ire of the locals. Inside the club is a special smoking section for those who feel the need.

  The sound of my clicking heels against the concrete echoes loudly, like a crack breaking through the silence. Colt and I don’t speak until we reach his car. I think we both must feel that more words aren’t needed at this point.

  Reaching into his pocket, I hear the small click of a button being pushed before a little red sports car to roars to life. He leads me around the back of the coup and to the passenger side, pulling the door open and holding it for me. I murmur my thanks as I slip in. Like a true gentleman he waits patiently as I get settled into my seat before shutting the door and coming around, sliding his big body behind the steering wheel.

  “Do you mind if I let the top down?” he asks while fastening himself into his seatbelt.

  I shake my head. “I don’t mind.” The fresh air will feel good, and maybe it will drive away the ache forming in the front of my head.

  With a grin, Colt hits a button and the top retracts. I lean back, peering up at the sky as it’s revealed inch by inch. I’ve actually never ridden in a convertible before so there’s a novelty for me in this experience. In fact, the entire night has been a novelty for me.

  Just go with it, I tell myself as the sky and its enormity never fails to make me feel small and unimportant. I’ve already made my decision, and there’s no going back now, so I might as well try to enjoy myself as best as I can. And I seriously need to get that last glimpse of Brianna out of my head.

  That could have been me, and it almost was me. I’d still be in the club, taking my clothes off or suffering Ray’s wrath if Colt didn’t step in. Instead I’m here, in his car, with his jacket warding off the chill. And who knows if I’ll ever get to ride in a little red convertible with a super-hot guy again? How many other girls do I know who would give their left tit for this chance? I’d be a fool to squander this experience, a fool to waste my time with this man.

  A turn of the key and Colt pumps his foot, gunning the engine. I think he’s showing off just a little bit. Seconds later he’s flashing me a grin and we’re zipping down the street, heading for the towering skyscrapers nestled in the heart of the city.

  The breeze tugs at my pigtails until it becomes too much of an annoyance to ignore. Reaching up, I yank out the elastics and tuck them into the pockets of Colt’s suit jacket. Combing my fingers through my hair, I push it behind my shoulders so that it trails behind me, fluttering in the wind.

  “Beautiful,” Colt says appreciatively and reaches over, capturing some of my flying tresses in his hand.

  He wraps my dark locks around his fingers and plays with it while he drives. Winding it around his fingers, he rubs his thumb against it then presses it to his lips. The looks he shoots me are full of desire, full of hunger. It’s not long before he’s releasing my hair, detangling it from his thick fingers and reaching over to squeeze my thigh instead.

  I lean back and relax, enjoying the breeze in my hair and his touch against my bare skin. There’s something exhilarating, something freeing about cruising through the dark with the lights of the city streaking by in a neon blur. Something exhilarating about just being beside him.

  Let it go, let it all go. I tell myself as I try to become one with the wind. Giving it all up, I completely unwind that ball of tension I carry inside me. Tonight I don’t need to worry about my brothers, they’re safe at home where I left them. My mother, she can take care of herself. And now I don’t need to worry about putting food on the table or how I’m going to cover rent.

  Colt won’t hurt me, somehow I know that. There’s just something about him that instantly makes me feel like I can trust him. He protected me tonight. He’s protecting me right now. For whatever reason I seem important to him, at least for the moment.

  Don’t squander it.

  By the time we reach the tower that houses his apartment, I feel like I’m tingling with anticipation. There so much possibility hanging between us, and I want it. I want to forget. I want just one night, one night where I don’t have to be myself. I can be someone else. I can be anyone I want to be with him.

  But as the bright lights of the garage hit my eyes and the car slows to a crawl as he navigates through the tight corners, some of the magic is dispelled, and reality threatens to barge its way back in.

  I can’t let it.

  Just pretend this a date and you can get through this, I tell myself as Colt parks the car. You’re not really selling yourself for money. You met this handsome guy in some ritzy dining place, and after a bit of friendly banter and an expensive meal he’s invited you back to his place for a drink. It’s just like a TV show or something. He wants you, he’s interested in you, and there’s no r
eason you can’t enjoy yourself with him…

  With a push of a button the top of the car begins to unroll and Colt jumps out, rushing over to my door before it’s even finished. Opening my door for me, he grabs me by the arm, holding on to me as he leads me over to the elevator.

  Is he still afraid I’m going to try to bail on him?

  He jams the button for the elevator like a child, as if it will somehow make it arrive faster. I steel myself, sucking in a deep breath, and inwardly strengthening my resolve before we take this last step. It’s going to be all or nothing once we’re inside his apartment. When Colt casts a curious glance at me, I smile at him but some of what I’m feeling must be showing on my face. He pulls me closer, securing his grip on me, and then drags me into the elevator car before the doors are fully open.

  As the elevator goes up, my stomach feels like it was left on the floor. No, don’t think. No thinking for the rest of the night. Just let go… I press myself against Colt and he welcomes me with a murmur and a hand on my ass. He feels so good, so warm. He even smells good I realize as I lift up on my tiptoes, nuzzling my face into his neck.

  The elevator dings then I’m whisked through a brightly lit hallway. There are a few quick beeps as Colt presses the buttons of a keypad. A door opens and I’m rushed in. The door slams behind us with a loud bang. Colt takes a step back, putting space between us.

  Everything is quiet except for the soft sounds of our heavy breathing.

  “You don’t have to…” Colt starts to remind me and I know if I don’t stop him he’s going to ruin my illusion.

  Stepping forward, I press my fingers against his lips. “Sshh, I know.”

  “Whitney…” he says against my fingers but I pull down his face and press my lips against his.

  My tongue thrusts into his mouth, and my hands grip him. He groans deep in his throat and I press up, molding myself against his chest. He can’t resist me; he must want me as bad as I want him.