Devil's Bargain

Her hair is up but for one tendril that she tucks behind her ear. Although she’s wearing more makeup than she was when my men picked her up the other night, it’s still minimal compared to the women in here.

I don’t miss the eyes that follow her as the hostess leads her to me.

I stand as she nears the table. I don’t hear what the hostess says and I don’t care about the people watching us. I walk around, pull out her chair and get a look at the expanse of skin the low cut back of the dress leaves exposed. Right down to the two dimples on her lower back that I plan on licking later.

“You’re stunning,” I tell her.

“I feel naked.”

“I’m sure the men in here wish you were.”

She sits down and I push her chair in, then resume my own seat.

“I have my own clothes, you know.”

“You’ll wear the clothes I choose for you,” I say. “Term number 1.”

“I thought terms were things people discussed, not something one dictated.”

I signal for the waiter who walks over and pours her a glass of wine.

“Besides, I’m not used to this kind of dress,” she says.

“Well get used to it. I take care of what’s mine.”

“I haven’t agreed yet.”

“Haven’t you?”

She doesn’t reply, just shifts her gaze away.

I smile because yes, she has agreed. Even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

She nods, opens her menu. The waiter hovers nearby to take our order.

Melissa studies the menu for longer than I’d say is normal, closes it and looks up at me. She’s not used to this either, I can see it in her flustered expression.

“I don’t know what to order,” she says.

“Then I’ll get you my favorite. Two of the special,” I tell the waiter.

“Yes, sir.” He takes our menus.

She picks up her glass and looks around, drinks a sip then sets it down.

“Name your terms,” I say.

“I will be free to work during the days. I have a shop.”

“I know about the shop and that’s fine. You’ll be driven back and forth to work.”

“I have my own car.”

“That thing is a death trap.”

“It’s not a death trap.”

“It’s duct taped together.”

“It runs fine.”

“Is this worth a battle? Really? Like I said, I take care of what’s mine, Melissa.”

“You realize I’m a person, not a thing, right?”

“I never said you were a thing. You’re very quick to attack.”

“I told you last night that I won’t be bullied.”

“Did I bully you into putting on a beautiful dress? Did I bully you into having dinner with me? Am I not here listening to your terms?”

She exhales, shifts her gaze to her wine glass and picks it up to drink another sip.

“You won’t put me on those blocks again.”

“I wasn’t going to. I already told you that. Next.”

She looks around. “I wish we could discuss this somewhere private.”

“It’s none of anyone’s business.”

“If there’s anything…I don’t want to do…” she starts, lowering her voice. Her eyes dart around the room and I can see the effort it takes for her to meet my gaze again, to say the words. “If you force me—”

“Doesn’t need to be said, Melissa.” I choose my words carefully, but I want to be clear. “You insult me by suggesting otherwise.”

“That’s not—”

“Besides, you already know that, or you wouldn’t be here.”

She studies me, and I see that child inside her eyes again, cautious and fearful.

“And since you bring it up, after dinner you have an appointment for a check-up.”

“Check-up?”

I lean in close. “I need to be sure you’re clean.”

“I am.”

“Regardless, you’ll submit to the examination.”

“I have a doctor.”

“So do I. She’ll be waiting for you in an hour. Non-negotiable.”

“What about you?”

“I’m clean.” I give her a wink.

“You’re a jerk, you know that?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Are you going to be sleeping with anyone else during this time?” she asks.

“Anyone from my stable, you mean?”

“Your stable or anywhere else.”

“I don’t plan on it, no. Do I need to ask the same question to you? If there’s a stable of men…”

“Don’t make fun of me, Hawk. If we’re having sex, I need to be sure.”

“You can be sure. This is an exclusive arrangement.”

“Have you done this before?”

“A contract like this?”

She nods.

“No, I’ve never had the need or desire to. You’re the first.”

“Like a test-run?”

I take a breath in. She’s trying my patience and I understand why.

“You’re free to say no, Melissa. Money hasn’t yet been transferred. But if you agree, you own your part in this. You own the fact that I gave you a choice and that you chose. That you said yes.”

She purses her lips in irritation. That’s fine. I continue.

“I will know where you are at all times. If you want to go somewhere, that’s fine, but I will know, and my driver will take you. If you need anything, you ask me, and I’ll take care of it.”