But would I be willing to live with this man? To do anything he asks me to? Because somehow, I know we’re not going to be “roommates” or “friends.” I look into his eyes and shiver. If I agree, what will happen to me and my sanity?
6
Bruce
I wait for her to think it over. I consider, for a moment, giving her the option to sleep on it, but I’m not a patient man, and I can’t bear to wait that long. Not when this woman is within reach. Hell, I don’t know if I can wait even a minute longer.
Yet, I do.
Katie keeps looking at me. It’s no surprise because I know I’m a good-looking guy. So what if I’m forty-five? I’m still in top physical shape, going to the gym every day and putting plenty of twenty-year-olds to shame. Most days, I have to beat women off of me with a stick. Women of all ages, too, from girls barely out of their teens to grannies with walking canes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. So what’s taking this little hottie so long to answer me with a resounding yes? This should be simple. It’s a lot of money, and by the way, did I mention she’ll live rent free in one of the nicest mansions in LA? How can she resist?
Yet I can tell that Katie’s stunned. It’s written all over her face. Her arched eyebrows are hiked up on her smooth forehead. She keeps fidgeting with the hem of her dress, but if she isn’t careful, I’m going to end up ripping that thing off of her body and making the decision for her.
Enough waiting around.
Come on, Katie. You’re about to get me as your first lover. I won’t beat around the bush and pretend this is asexual, or that I’m not attracted to you. Yes, it’s phrased in terms of “business” but that’s just a euphemism. Living in the same house means that we’ll be exploring one another in the best of ways.
Frankly, I feel that most women would pay me for this remarkable opportunity. I’m not even exaggerating. I’ve been offered it before, despite turning down multiple opportunities.
The silence grows, and I start feeling desperate. I can’t risk her turning me down so I throw in a sweetener.
“Listen, if you’re uncomfortable, let me make it even easier for you. How about after the month is over, I’ll set you up with an apartment of your own?” I ask persuasively. “It’ll be completely done up with furniture, artwork on the walls, and anything you want. I’ll put my best interior designer on it.”
She doesn’t speak, merely looking at me with those big brown eyes. Getting more desperate, I add in even more incentives.
“And you know the car I promised?” I ask. “Let’s make a really nice one. A cute Alfa Romeo. How about it? All this for a month of work? Sounds good, right?”
Man, I sound so needy but the truth is that I am. Katie James has me in a bind, and now I’m bidding against myself in an effort to close the deal.
Finally, she speaks, looking me dead in the eye.
“What kind of sex are we talking about here, Mr. Lockhart?”
Okay, she’s clearly not dumb, and she’s not beating around the bush either. Plus, we’re on the same page because no way I was going to live in the same house and leave that curvy body untouched. Katie adjusts her position on the seat, drops her gaze, and continues.
“These days, there are a whole lot of kinks and freaks out there. I’m not saying I couldn’t get into something a little more than vanilla, but I’d like to be sure about what I’m diving into before I accept your proposal.”
I chuckle with appreciation. She’s a smart girl, I’ll give her that. She’s trying to cover all her bases before going into the deal – something I do myself. Plus, she’s only protecting herself. After all, I could be some kind of sick freak, and the truth is, maybe I am. I mean, I’m basically propositioning a young, nubile woman whom I just met based on her looks and keen business sense.
I smirk, lean forward, and rest my hand on the chair’s armrest so that our faces are only inches apart.
“Ok, let’s get this straight. This is not a proposal; this is a deal, sweetheart. Nothing more than that. I have an aversion to the word ‘proposal,’ as it can have more meaning to it than I care for.”
She looks right at me with those big doe eyes, her breasts heaving.
Good, now I really have her attention. “And just for the record, I’m into a lot of things that will make your body melt, if you get what I’m saying,” I growl into her ear, my lips grazing just above her neck.
