I twisted my lips into a smile. “I apologise. Just part of the arrival process.” I narrowed my eyes, unable to decide if he was a well-concealed heathen or a respectful man who just wanted to indulge in a sexual fantasy.
His file said he had a close relationship with his son and newly wedded daughter-in-law. That he gifted them funds to build a house, set up their own nest egg, and stated he couldn’t wait to become a grandfather.
His eyes gave nothing away about a dirty bastard inside him.
Begrudgingly, I admitted he could stay.
Almost immediately, I wanted to revoke that acceptance as his hazel gaze left mine and latched onto Eleanor beside me.
Desire instantly ignited his face. His hands clutched tight around his gay-ass cocktail. His body straightened and stiffened all at once.
It took everything I had not to snatch Jinx and shove her behind my back, away from his greedy stare. I wanted to rip the clothes off my body and drape them over her to hide her beauty from this leech.
I already knew he’d request her.
What hot-blooded man wouldn’t? Even with her skin pink, hair wild, and body wrapped in a creased shirt?
It wasn’t clothing or make-up that made her stunning—it was her very essence. The power and strength, the aloofness and impenetrable nobility.
Without looking at her, I commanded, “Leave. Go back to your villa.”
“But, I—” Her gaze heated my skin. “I didn’t—”
“I said—” I spun, pinning her with all my frustration and fury “—leave. I’ll deal with your insubordination later.”
Biting her lip, she looked between me and the guest. For the longest moment, she looked like she’d disobey. Finally, she nodded and, with elegant steps and long legs, bypassed the guest, then stormed up the beach.
Slater couldn’t tear his eyes off her, drinking in her every move.
The breeze caught the back of my shirt, revealing her toned ass and long thighs.
My fists curled as the guest beside me sucked in a breath.
We didn’t speak until Eleanor had vanished down a sandy laneway. I fought the urge to suckerpunch him in the eyeballs for ever seeing a fraction of her nakedness.
Rubbing his mouth, he turned to me full of seriousness. “I booked this trip because I was assured you’d created something otherworldly. I’m already fully impressed with the privacy and quality of your accommodations, but I’m absolutely blown away by the gorgeousness of your women.” He slipped into business mode, bracing himself for a negotiation. “I would like to request that creature. I would very much like to enjoy her…eh, company in my fantasy tomorrow night.”
All my insane pieces grew fangs and prepared to rip out his jugular.
But the final sane piece begged me to be smart.
Eleanor had broken me with a simple request. If she could do that in two short weeks, what else would she do to me? We had four years together. Four years that I seriously doubted we’d both survive.
The difference between men who were attracted to women and myself was…I didn’t want this attraction. I didn’t want the weakness, the indebtedness, the connection. I wanted to remain free.
She’d already proven she could tie me into fucking knots.
I’d almost fucked her on Serigala. I would’ve been inside her and most likely drowning if it hadn’t been for—
Skittles.
The tiny parrot hatched from a hapless egg. A firm reminder of why I didn’t do humans and why I would never trust another. Friend, family, or foe. They were all the fucking same.
Skittles had almost shoved me heart first into Eleanor’s curse. But…because of her chosen affection, she’d also saved me from the worst decision of my life.
I had to keep my distance.
I fucking refused to do anything else.
And what better way to keep my distance than to remind myself and Eleanor that our bond began with a contract and ended with a contract.
When I didn’t agree, Slater did what all men did when faced with something they desperately wanted and couldn’t accept losing. “I’ll pay any extra required. I’m happy to work with whatever figure you want to ensure a night with that girl.”
My throat closed up as I fisted my hands.
Eleanor was due in Euphoria.
A week from her first experience had passed. She was a commodity who had to work to deserve her place.
She’d run from me.
She’d destroyed me.
She was owed retribution for both unforgivable sins.
Inhaling hard, I held out my hand. “An extra two hundred thousand and she’s yours.”
A figure that any rational person would baulk at.
The most expensive sex on earth.
But Roy Slater didn’t even hesitate.
His palm slipped into mine.
We shook.
It was done.
I didn’t know who would be more ruined.
Eleanor.
Or me.
Chapter Twenty-Two
MY FINGERS DUG INTO the wave-inspired vanity.
Water dripped from my clean hair. Tears dripped from my lashes. Sun and shame painted my cheeks.
You’re so stupid, Ellie.
My reflection mirrored a girl who’d tripped out of the shower. Who’d washed her burned skin a thousand times and rinsed her hair a hundred, trying to bathe away the atrocity of her situation only to slam face to face with reality.