30

Isis had the best night’s sleep she had in years. She felt so safe in Gage’s arms. This man who had been so cruel to her quickly became her one desire. His private world intrigued her, and she wanted to be his one and only. From him showing her inner beauty, she saw a new side of him. Maybe it had been there all along.

When Isis woke, she saw Gage sitting on the balcony, drinking coffee. He had laid breakfast out on the table in the hotel's suite with a single rose on her side of the table. Isis got up, pulling the sheet around her, cold from being nude in the early morning air. A cool breeze blew from the open balcony door, swaying the curtains, and she took a deep, refreshing breath.

Hearing her moving around and without looking her way, Gage called to her. “There’s food on the table. I went to your room and brought over your things. You can shower and dress here. Something simple would be nice like you were wearing last night. You looked pretty in that pink dress. I want to see you, not the stage version. We’ll spend the day together, but I have meetings later. Then we will go to my home in Chicago. Tell your watchdogs Cyrus and Wraith you’re going to be working with me at headquarters.”

Isis sat and ate her food quietly. She had taken notice that he had the hotel prepare her favorites. It was a reminder to her about how he said he liked to take care of his woman. In a moment of boldness, she exited the room, going to his side. Leaning over, she gently kissed the top of his head, showing her appreciation for the night before.

Gage didn’t get her in his bed, even though it was obvious it sexually aroused him. Most men would have tried to take advantage of her exposed state. He was gentle and showed restraint, focusing only on her true beauty she didn’t see in herself. For the first time in her life, she felt sexy in the most loving way.

As Isis turned to go to shower, Gage grabbed her fingers, pulling them up to his lips, kissing them gently. “That’s my good girl. Showing some gratitude, finally? Now sweetheart, go get dressed. We have a busy day today.”

Isis hurried to the shower. His simple touch set her on fire again. With the water rushing over her, Isis could feel herself getting turned on. Thinking about him watching her touch her body ignited something inside. Nothing like it had ever happened before. She couldn’t help but feel his arousal pressed against her as they drifted to sleep the night before. From what she could tell, he was endowed and more than any man she had been with. She had only been with a couple of guys in the past, but none that came close to Gage.

It made her chuckle, thinking about how he would joke about the size of his member on the IWX show in older segments. Even his stage name tagline insinuated it. He wasn’t lying. His body was amazing, and she remembered the many times she pleasured herself, thinking about having Gage inside her.

Isis felt her fingers drifting across her body in the same way she had the night before. Remembering what he told her, she exited the shower. She hesitantly went to the mirror, wiping away the steam, and stood to look at her reflection. Her hands followed the curves of her body as she realized for the first time she was beautiful. How did she not see it? She was feeling at that moment confidence in herself she never knew before. Not her old reflection, but the woman she is now was looking back.

Gage stood at the door, watching her with a light smile. “You see? You are beautiful. Don’t doubt it anymore.”

She turned to him, smiling. “Can I speak now?”

He shook his head yes.

“I’m scared and intrigued. I hope you can let me in because I want to explore this. I need you to be patient with me. The last time I lost control, I almost lost my life and who I was. It was a dark place I don’t want to go back to again.”

“That’s vastly different, Isis. You were going through a hard time. From now on, I will make you happy. No more hurt. I have you. Let me have control so you don’t have to. I want to take care of you. Now, sweetie, get dressed. We need to talk.”

He walked out, leaving her wanting his touch. She yearned for it.

Once done with some primping, Isis adjusted her dress. She chose a simple flirty ruffled mini boho dress. One of her favorites that made her big eyes sparkle. Isis wore her hair up in a high ponytail and light pink makeup, feeling pretty and soft. On stage, she didn’t even look like the simple woman she was looking at in the mirror now. She then realized this person was just as good, if not better.

***

Making her way to the couch, Gage was checking his phone. Looking up at her, he smiled with a wink. He seemed peaceful. She couldn’t help but blush while looking at his sweet smile and sexy, kind eyes.

“Have a seat. You look wonderful.” Gage kissed her cheek as she sat down.

Isis crossed her legs at the ankles and hands over her lap. Her ballet experience gave her perfect posture and graceful gestures that warmed his heart. She was so different from the groupies. This was who he had been searching for.

Gage leaned over, picking up a packet of papers from the table in front of them. Handing it to her, she looked at him with confusion. It looked like a contract.

“Isis, you said you want to try this. After last night, I think you are ready to understand a very private part of me. From the start, I knew I wanted this with you. You’re just so damn headstrong I figured it wouldn’t work. Until you said you wanted to learn, I was losing hope. I guess in some sense I have been grooming you for this moment. I know you’re not this controlling woman you pretend to be. You’re a natural submissive. Even in protest, you end up doing as I say.”

“That’s what my cousin Holly says.”

He took her hand in his. “In that folder is a contract. I am going to tell you something about me you may find shocking and maybe even a little exciting. We will get to all that, but I need your full disclosure. That is a contract that says you will never speak of this. Not that I don’t trust you, but I have a career and family to protect. Some people don’t understand these things, and it would be hard for my family if it went public.”

Isis picked up the folder with an approving nod.

“What happens from this point on is between us. I have a very private life outside of IWX. From my family to my personal life at home. I want to keep it that way. You have every right to decide not to be part of this. It’s not only for my privacy but for yours. You don’t seem like the gossipy kiss-and-tell sort of woman, but I want to cover my bases. This is something I keep between myself and the one I let into this world. Do you understand?” Gage explained.

She shook her head yes.

“Good. You can read the contract. It’s a basic non-disclosure. Once you sign, we’ll talk about what this is. You’ll be free to ask me any questions you may have. I’m sure you’ll have plenty. I’ve only had one other person involved in my world to this degree. She wasn’t willing to stick to the rules, so we ended it.”

“All right. Give me a second to read this over.” Isis read the contract and signed it. She knew she was going to sign it, anyway. She had to know more.

“Good. Now grab a bottle of water. You may need it.” Gage chuckled.