Chapter 15

I know I shouldn’t start off this little arrangement on the wrong foot, but something tells me bringing his good-time girl up here after making me wait this long was more of a power play and a message than anything. Carrero is a devious one, and he’s trying to put me in my place.

I really do toil over whether I should suck it up and play nice, or tell him where to get off. Stuck for a moment in deciding what to do. I have always been the game player and never had to second guess my actions because I am being played; this is all new for me and has me doubting my own decisions.

‘’Sure … Whatever. Something stronger than wine. I have had my fill tonight and I could do with a nightcap.’’ I cross the floor, letting my robe fall loose so it reveals all moulded lace and definite peeking of nipples through the thin material, because I am not about to go easy on him when he just threw down a gauntlet at me. I may be backing down and having a drink, but I will play it my way, in a semi-transparent negligee and lack of underwear.

I always have a plan.

I slide onto the couch in the middle, so that wherever he chooses to sit he is going to be near me and watch that strong back and shoulders flexing as he makes drinks silently. He’s discarded his jacket somewhere and is still in a white shirt and black trousers, which are a little fitted to his mass form and completely bewitching. He seems completely comfortable in this space and knows where everything is, so I assume he spends more time here than he initially let on.

Alexi wanders back casually, stopping to hand me a glass of brown liquid and ice, and sits about three feet away from me, stretching his legs out to meet the square glass coffee table that nestles in the centre and gets comfy. He scans me briefly with those wolfish eyes and makes no comment on my inappropriate attire.

‘‘How are you settling into the apartment?’’ He looks at me with a closed off expression, confident in just taking over this space and takes a drink, resting his arm along the back of the couch so his fingers are almost level with my shoulder. Nothing in his manner to suggest he even cares that I might be annoyed with him.

‘’Completely at home and settled. I’m someone who is used to adapting to new surroundings quickly, and you have good taste, it’s a very nice apartment.’’ I cross my legs letting my peach coloured nightwear slide up as I do so, and don’t bother fixing it; my robe falling completely open. I have a nice figure and naturally large bust and I have no doubt that he is not completely immune to me and catch a flicker of appreciation cross that squared face briefly.

‘’Good; it’s handy having you staying over the bar, especially once this place starts to change and you can be close by if need be. I aim to stick around to see this done over the next couple of months and I’ve cleared my schedule to be here. Lucie understands that things are changing; he won’t be an issue anymore.’’ He takes another drink, and this time I follow suit and almost choke on extremely potent Brandy. It’s never been a drink I enjoy and just reminds me of someone I would rather forget; that stench was all that ever oozed from him, and when he drank a lot of it his perversions swayed into the sadistic.

I shiver as I push the memories away and focus back on the here and now.

‘’So, are you going to be more specific in what I am here to do, apart from help design your club and find you sexual objects for misuse?’’ I get straight to the point bluntly, still simmering with annoyance and losing that edge of seductive charm I’m normally oozing.

He smiles at that, a small amused smile and tiny laugh into his glass as he drinks it down.

I don’t know what’s so funny and he just irks me more.

‘’You’re my hostess, my go-to girl. You will be the one that makes sure the evenings go to plan and everyone is catered to. That’s what you excelled at before and I want it done here. Keep my clients happy, and the money will start rolling in.’’ He leans back and relaxes into looking my way once more. Scrutinising me, sizing me up and I can see it. Not hiding it at all.

‘’So, I am not expected to join in the sex sessions then? Perform favours for your benefit?’’ I raise a brow haughtily with sarcasm, my stomach churning with apprehension, making it clear I am in no way about to agree to that shit regardless of my past, and he shakes his head. Thankfully, as it’s a deal breaker for me and I want to make that clear from the get-go.

I’m an ex- hooker, not a current one and never will be again.

‘’As far as my clients will be aware, you belong to me. They won’t touch what’s mine; you do your job and nothing else.’’ Said like he means it, and I can’t help the small weird warm feeling rising in my stomach at those words and shake them away quickly. It’s not pleasant, a reminiscent ‘you belong to me’ running through my mind and push it away.

‘’So, I belong to you now? In name or in duties too, and what does that ownership mean for me exactly?’’ I always learned if you do not ask then you will never know, and I want all my cards on the table before I get any further into this with him. It sounds like this is a deal with benefits, but his statement downstairs contradicts that.