Hot Sugar

I can hear their thoughts, even if they don’t speak.

He’s with her?

Why?

She’s HUGE. He’d do better with one of us.

But my back straightens, chin lifting proudly. That’s right, ladies, this man’s with me. This devastatingly handsome, commanding and gorgeous billionaire is with me. So holding my head high, I waltz out, Mason’s broad arm around my waist.

And once we’re at the sidewalk curb, he turns my way.

“You’re mine now, Carrie,” he says quietly, the two of us in our own bubble despite the whiz of cars passing by.

“I know,” come my voice, body going soft once more. “I know.”

And then a black car pulls up.

“Get home safe,” he rasps before pressing one last kiss against my lips, hard and deep, like an imprint. My mouth feels branded, like I’m already a part of the billionaire. “Take care,” he rumbles once more, eyes knowing.

And Mason stares until the cab pulls out of the circular driveway, big form standing with his hands in his pockets, blue eyes intense.

But once we’re out on the street, my breath comes in shallow gasps, curvy frame shaking a bit. Because did that just happen? All of it? The shock makes me fumble for the check in my purse, and I stare. Oh my god, it’s true.

Five thousand dollars.

Five thousand big ones, signed by the alpha himself.

Holy cow. Did I really just have sex for money? The thought makes me cringe, heat rushing to my cheeks. Because technically, yes, that’s what happened. But somehow it seems okay and not the dirty transaction I expected. In fact, I feel really, really good, and my body is already craving more. So what if there were mixed signs? So what if the alpha runs hot and cold, one minute expecting me to be an experienced vixen, the next devouring my innocence?

Closing my eyes, I replay the look in Mason’s eyes just before he came. The alpha was overcome with pleasure, abs hard and tight, the look in those blue eyes ravenous. My inner muscles clamp deliciously re-living the scene, and oh god, but his semen seeps out of me once more, wet and hot.

But this isn’t the place. I’m still in the cab for crying out loud, and as it pulls up to my building, a deep inhale is necessary, preparing myself for the possibility of seeing my parents. Oh god, no. Not Rhonda and Jim, not now. Not during this special time, when all I want to do is re-live the past couple hours, savoring the billionaire’s presence.

But life rolls on, so my eyes flick open and I try to steady myself.

“How much do I owe you?” is my question. Oh good, the words came out relatively normal.

The driver turns, shaking his head.

“Mr. Channing covered it. Have a good evening,” he nods, and I blink, surprised. When did Mason pay? I didn’t even see. But I suppose it’s one of the things of being with a real man. He thinks of every detail, making sure I’m taken care of.

“Thank you. Have a good night,” I say to the driver after stuffing the check back into my purse. Sliding out of the backseat, I shake my head, still somewhat delirious, before making my way inside.

As the front door opens, Nicole blinks like an owl.

“Hey, where have you been?” she asks.

My little sister’s sitting at the kitchen table doing homework under flickering fluorescent lights. Suddenly, I’m reminded why I did all this. We shouldn’t have to struggle. My sister should be able to study without worrying that the electricity’s gonna go out because the bill hasn’t been paid in months.

So I fib a little.

“Just out,” I say, although it’s clear from my velvet dress that it’s more than my regular routine. “Just out,” I say evasively again.

Nicole opens her mouth to reply, but maybe my little sister realizes that it’s better not to ask. Because she closes it then, nodding and turning back to her books.

My heart breaks a little more. Where are my mom and dad? Why aren’t they here supervising? My sister needs comfort and care, and it hurts me to see her alone at a table, trying to do her best.

“It’s okay,” I say. “Everything’s gonna be okay. You and me stick together like always, right?”

Nicole nods her smooth blonde head slowly, pencil in hand. Taking another deep breath, I square my shoulders, about to march away when it comes.

“Thank you Carrie,” the words are so quiet that I almost miss them. “Thank you.”

My chest thuds. Because Nicole knows. She knows what I’m doing for us, and my heart breaks all over again. Somehow, this is too much. I don’t care if I have to throw myself to the wolves so that we can stay alive, but my little sister shouldn’t be exposed to depravities like this. It’s not right. I wish I could change the situation, make things better for us without doing what I’m doing, but I can’t.