“It will work out Papi. You need to focus on being healthy. You have three days. Right?” I grab his hands and squeeze them tight assuring him. “I am sure Tristian will see reason.”
“I want you to stay away from him. Promise me Isa, you’ll let me deal with this. He isn’t a man you need to be associated with.”
“But he was good enough for you to borrow money from?” I know that was low but it slipped out before I could take it back. Why I feel the urge to defend Tristian after his behavior, I don’t know, but I want to for some strange reason.
“Isa,” my father stresses my name warning me this isn’t up for discussion right now and I guess this isn’t the appropriate place.
“Yeah, sure Papi,” I concede though this isn’t the end of the conversation. I drop it only because I don’t want to add to his stress. It’s the last thing he needs from me right now.
The nurse comes in to take his vitals and move him to a private room for the night. There is nothing more I can do and no reason to scare my sisters. I will call them once Papi is home and resting.
“Go home Isa, I’ll see you back here in the morning.”
I peck his sun kissed cheek and leave knowing he will be all right for at least tonight. When I get outside the building, it is well past ten and the sky has darkened to night. I am debating on walking along the bicycle trail back to the store or trying to phone Ariala for a lift, when I see him—Tristian, waiting in the parking lot.
My anger at him for stressing my father at a time such as this returns full steam at the sight of him. He’s leaning next to his bike smoking a cigarette, appearing like a villain intent on stealing my virtue. Maybe that would appeal to him—my virginity.
I march straight over to him and offer what is only mine to give.
“If you’ll leave my father alone, you can have me.” I don’t know if it is bravery or stupidity but the offer is out there. My palms are slick with sweat and I can feel my embarrassment creeping down my neck and spreading across my chest.
“No offense princess, but I have plenty of women who will fuck me for free. I don’t pay for pussy and you don’t strike me as a good time,” he declines, wounding my pride.
I don’t know why his turning me down angers me but it does. However, I recover quickly from his blow. “You think I want to screw you? I meant I will come work for you to pay off my father’s debt,” I cover my wounded pride with a new offer.
He looks me over like a piece of meat or prized heifer. He grabs the waist of my dress and pulls it tight to my body assessing my form. “Too skinny to dance in my club, too young too.” He shoots a look over my shoulder at my butt. “Can you cook?”
“Yes,” I answer and this time without any attitude. I need him to accept my offer.
“Tell you what, my housekeeper retired a few weeks ago, she had always worked for my father, he took good care of her in his Will so she took off. You can start after your father has been discharged. I will expect you to come ready to work. I don’t give any free rides.”
How can he speak so calmly of his father’s passing when it was so recent? I’d be devastated.
“You have a deal.” I hold my hand out for him to shake.
When he takes my offered hand, I expect his skin to feel as cold as his personality but he is surprisingly warm and gentle in our exchange. He pulls me in close and sniffs my hair. “You smell pure, like you fell from heaven.”
His lips linger at my ear, his breath teasing against my skin. I should pull away but I can’t. I like the way his being so close makes me feel. Soft, velvety lips brush the shell of my ear and I moan aloud.
“I like the sound you just made. I look forward to hearing it often Isa,” he warns and his tongue trails down the curve of my neck to my collarbone. His rough hand shoves the neckline of my dress off my shoulder and his teeth graze my clavicle.
I feel breathless and unable to tell him to stop. I don’t want him to. Warmth pools in my belly and spreads further down my body to my most delicate of spots.
Grabbing my hair, he tugs the strands gathered in his hold. “I look forward to working with you.”
I can’t reply, my head bobs offering the only response I can give right now. He loosens his hold on my hair and kisses my cheek.
“Get on. Told you I’d drive you home.”
And drive me wild.
Finding my voice, I agree, but ask him to drop me at the store.
The ride goes by entirely too fast. I can’t stop imagining him pushing me further out of my comfort zone. And taking what I first offered.
When he drops me off at the store, unexpectedly he cuts his engine and escorts me to the door. “One last thing, you’ll be moving in with me.”
“Um, wait...what?” I ask confused. I assumed I would be going by his house a few days a week to straighten up.