“Come for me,” Jackson hissed into her ear. “Come for me, baby. Scream for me. Show me you’re mine.”
The girl moaned again, shoving her hips forward. I could see that her white panties were stained with her arousal. The smell of it hung heavy in the air – musky and intoxicating, almost like jasmine.
I couldn’t help it – I moaned, too. As soon as I realized I’d made a sound, I stumbled backwards into the hallway. The girl cried out in surprise and jumped into the air.
“Oh my god!” She shrieked loudly. “Jackson, someone’s been watching us!”
Mortified, I ran down the hall and locked myself in my room for the rest of the day. I kept waiting for Jackson to break the door down, to burst in and scream at me for being a little pervert. But it never came. Even when Mom and Mitchell got home, Jackson acted completely normally.
But that night, after dinner, Jackson came up behind me in the hall. I could feel his muscular bulk moving through the air, almost like we were connected.
“Belle,” Jackson whispered in my ear. “Did you like that? Did you like what you saw?”
My eyes flew open. My face was drenched in sweat and to my horror, my fingers were inside of my own panties. The smell of my musky pussy had filled the room, and my heart was pounding with a mix of agony and arousal.
I knew then that I wouldn’t be able to resist Jackson, no matter how much I hated him. I’d wanted him for years, and this was my chance.
All I have to do is make it through one night, I promised myself as I drifted back off to sleep. Just one night, and then Mom will be fine. And I never have to see Jackson again.
Finals passed in a blur. When they were finally over, I couldn’t believe that I was already packing my bags for NYC again. It seemed like just yesterday that I’d been there last, slapping Jackson’s face in the street and vowing to never see him again.
Funny how life works, isn’t it?
This time, I wasn’t able to concentrate on a book as the train pulled into New York. My stomach was churning and I shivered every time Jackson’s face flashed in my mind. I wanted to just do this and get it over with – although that didn’t stop me from blushing each time I thought of how it would feel for Jackson to take my virginity.
Would it hurt? I swallowed hard. All of my friends, including Alexa, had told me that losing my cherry was no big deal. But then again, I didn’t exactly feel like a normal girl. I’d always been shy – hell, I’d never even kissed a guy until Jackson had grabbed me the week before. So maybe things would be different for me.
Would Jackson just yank my pants down and fuck me right then and there? Would he take his time with me? Would he bother making sure that I enjoyed myself at all?
These were all questions that I hated thinking about, but I knew I had to figure out soon.
Jackson sent me an email while I w
as still on the train. It was very curt – it was just an address and a time to be there. I figured it was some kind of hotel.
Instead, it was a grand apartment building, overlooking Central Park. As soon as I walked into the grandiose lobby, I knew I’d made a mistake.
“Hi,” I said to the concierge. “I think I’m staying here? Maybe?”
She stared at me. “And you are?”
“Belle Harrington,” I said quickly. My cheeks flushed. “Sorry – I should’ve said so earlier.”
She nodded, but didn’t reply. I stood there awkwardly listening to the clacking of her fingers on the keys.
“Ah, Belle!”
When I looked up again, she was wearing a warm smile.
“You’re a guest of Mr. Rhodes! Why didn’t you say so?”
I smiled tightly. Because he’s got me over a fucking barrel, I thought. And what? Am I supposed to tell you that technically, we’re related?
The concierge pressed a large brass key into my hand. “You’ll be staying in the penthouse,” she said kindly. “Mr. Rhodes requested nothing but the best.” She raised her eyebrows. “Are you his girlfriend?”
My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
She blushed. “Never mind,” she said quickly. “I shouldn’t have asked. This way, please!”