After we finish up in the bath, I apply the lotion to her cheeks, taking care not to press too hard. The three welts look good; the skin is intact without any signs of bruising. She’ll heal nicely in the next couple of days. I lay down next to her, propped up on my elbow so I can see her expression while she waits for the lotion to dry. “What is it? I know you’re dying to ask,” I say, chuckling at her fidgeting fingers.
She hesitates for a moment, then blurts, “Why do you need relationships to be transactional?”
What?!
I’m floored. This is what she wants to know? What she wants to discuss at this very moment?
Fuck me.
“Why do you want to know?” I draw out slowly.
“Because I want to understand. I want to get to know you.”
Talk about going for the jugular. I was expecting an easy question, not asking me to unload past trauma. I’m tempted to blow her off and change the subject, but when she looks at me like that, raw and sincere, I can’t deny her anything.
“Okay.” I sigh, reluctant to fall down the rabbit hole and reopen past wounds. I scrub my hand down my face, feeling the memories bearing down on me.
“I met Mia when I was in college. She was intelligent, funny and had this wild streak to her. Nothing and no one could tame her, dampen her fire. We fell hard for each other.” I swallow the knot in my throat, and Hailee nods in encouragement.
“We started experimenting together, discovering what we liked sexually and what we didn’t. We realized our kinks were a perfect fit: I liked to dominate and be in complete control, whereas she liked to relinquish it in the bedroom. Mia didn’t come from a wealthy family, but that didn’t bother me. It wasn’t even a consideration until I wanted to propose.
“When I mentioned my plans I got a lot of push back from my family, especially from my dad. He didn’t want me to marry her, saying she didn’t come from ‘good stock’ and wasn’t good enough for me. James, my best mate, didn’t like her either, though he wouldn’t say why. I figured he kept quiet because he knew how crazy I was about her. And unlikeeveryother teenager, I actually listened to my dad and decided to hold off on the proposal.” I hesitate, considering how much to share. She’s silent, waiting for me to continue. I decide to skip over a few details.
“I’m glad I did listen in the end because she became obsessed with getting married and becoming my wife. Our relationship became strained, and eventually I ended it. She didn’t take it well at all—she got really bitter and vindictive. She went to the press, telling them I abused her, that I was into kinky shit, and I coerced her into it. Given who my dad is, it was newsworthy, and our competitors had a field day with the story. Everything we did was one hundred percent consensual. But I had no proof; it was my word against hers.”
“God, that pisses me off. Women like her make it hard for other women who haveactuallybeen assaulted to be heard and believed,” Hailee remarks with frustration. I lightly run my fingers up her spine, enjoying the sensation of her soft skin beneath my touch.
“Yeah, well, now every sexual encounter I have is documented. Everyone signs on the dotted line to express their consent, and everyone signs an NDA. I can’t go through something like that again. It nearly destroyed me.” The weight of the past is still heavy on my shoulders.
“Thank you for sharing with me,” she says softly.
“You’re welcome,” I reply, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “Plus, it’s only fair if you share your ass with me that I return the favor.” I wink at her.
She covers her mouth to stifle a yawn. “Time for sleep,” I order, pulling the covers over us as I spoon her from behind. She wiggles her ass into me, which causes her to hiss in pain. I bite the inside of my cheek to smother a laugh. She forgot her ass has just been punished and is still plugged.
“Can you please remove the plug?” She looks back at me over her shoulder with a sweet and innocent expression.
“I’ll remove it in the morning. I shouldn’t need to remind you, but just in case, no touching my pretty pink pussy until I say otherwise.” She groans in frustration.
I don’t plan on making her wait long for relief, though. I know she’s dying for it. She just doesn’t know that yet. With a smirk, my eyes drift shut as we settle in for the night.
Chapter sixteen
Hailee
“Later,Kev.”Igivea small wave as I pass the front desk.
“Have a lovely day, ma’am.” His eyes crinkle with a gentle smile.
Leaving the apartment building, I’m excited to have a busy day ahead. I’ve missed Cora; I haven’t seen her much since she left Eden. In fact, I haven’t been in contact with anyone from Eden since I moved in with Dameon a month ago. Cora’s idling out the front in a brand-new black BMW convertible, looking every bit the goddess she is. This lifestyle really suits her.
“Get in, bitch, we’ve got money to burn!” She slides on her sunglasses. I shake my head and drop onto the soft leather passenger seat.
“Cute outfit, by the way,” she comments, eyeing my lacy pink crop top.
“Thanks! Where’re we going?”
“I’ve got the whole day planned. Shopping, followed by lunch at Ivy, and then finishing off with full body massages.”
