Taken (Dark Desires 1)

"Like you said. We're all adults here. We don't need permission or approval. I'm just talking about a good time. An adventure. From what I've gathered just sitting here you're a girl who likes a little adventure."

Now the odds of this situation going in the direction it did were so much in my favor it was almost like cheating. I had no doubt in my mind that if money could be put on this kind of bet I’d make another billion within seconds. I would tell my future protégé that when presenting a girl with an option, any option, she will either be thrilled or disappointed. Be prepared with a response for both.

The wheels were turning in Diamond's mind and I could see she was contemplating my offer. But, as I had expected she let her false morality and faithfulness to her friend win out. Without another word to me she grabbed her jacket and coat, slid out of the booth we were sitting in and headed out the door. Just then Natasha returned looking around for her.

"She and I exchanged words." I said.

"What? What did you say to her?" Natasha looked angry. It was that false feminism that crept into every woman now and then when they think they know what they want. The truth is no woman no matter how independent, will not accept her place lower on the totem pole if it means a lifestyle free of worry. I was a man who could actually make good on that kind of offer.

"I told her how I felt about you and that it might mean you won't be seeing much of each other in the future."

"Why would you say something like that?" she sat down but didn't cozy up to me as she had before. “That shouldn’t make her just leave without saying good-bye.”

"Well, I’ll tell you why she left. Money.”

“You’re crazy. Diamond isn’t like that.”

“Really, have you ever loaned her money?”

“No. She’s never asked for any.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Because I never have any.” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

“No. It’s because asking a friend for money is a sure way to lose that friend.”

?

??Well, she didn’t ask you for a dime.”

“Not yet. But trust me, Natasha. It’s not because she doesn’t love you or want you to be happy. She does. But money, and I’m talking about my kind of money, it changes people.”

While I watched her look around the room as she tried to figure out how she was going to feel about this new development I studied her lips. They were full and pink and I had to lean in to her and kiss them gently. To my surprise she kissed me back. I would have enjoyed a little fight. A little withholding of her touch in a silent protest to what I was telling her. It would have made future attempts at physical contact that much more exciting. But, the Universe doled out my pleasures as it saw fit.

“I also told her that if things continued you were going to be expected to spend more and more time at my side.”

“More time at your side? I’m not a dog, you know. This is getting a little overwhelming and I think maybe…”

“I'm falling for you." I hate to admit this but part of what I was saying was true. Natasha was the kind of girl who could be trusted. Not because she was this wide-eyed "see the good in everyone" kind of girl but because she was suspicious. She looked for the catch, the exchange knowing full well that nothing comes for free. But, if she felt the truth was what she'd get in return then only a mutt pulled out of a rainstorm and given a can of Alpo could be more faithful. And to a guy like me that kind of dedication was worth its weight in gold.

I wanted to say more but I didn’t. I watched as the weight of my words sunk in. It was a delicious cascading affect that could be seen in the eyes. Me. The money. The lifestyle. It all showed in the eyes. Like a fire suddenly burst to life in a furnace.

You can imagine how surprised I was when Natasha’s eyes stayed the same cold blue. What was she thinking? I was feeling more and more attracted to her by the second.

"Natasha, my lifestyle is a little different. I want to make you part of it."

"Please don't tell me you’re a swinger. I can't handle that kind of lifestyle no matter how good-looking you are." she joked.

"No. Nothing like that." I said shyly. "But people will be jealous of you. I’m sorry to say even your very best friend. I've seen it happen before."

"I'll talk to her. She'll be fine."

"Will you? Will you do that and smooth things over?"

"Yeah. Who knows, maybe it was the champagne. It doesn't agree with everyone."

I threw back the last few drops in my glass and then proposed an idea.