I hang up before he finishes.
Five more minutes tick by, the car moving steadily forward through the quiet landscape. A palpable tension hangs heavy in the air, a strange mix of simmering sexual energy and the prickly feeling of impending conflict. And once I’ve had all I can take, I break the silence.
“Want to explain to me why you were working for Jack?” I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
Ingrid nervously fiddles with the delicate lace hem of her dress, her fingers tracing the intricate pattern. “Not really.”
“If you needed money…”
“I think I can manage on my own, thanks. I don’t need a sugar daddy taking care of me.” Her words almost make me laugh.
I glide my tongue across my lips, savoring the sweetness she left behind. “Is that what you think I am? Your sugar daddy?” Her scent clings to my skin, feeding the relentless throb in my groin, making it unbearable.
Ingrid doesn’t hold back. Her voice is flat, serious. “I’m not sure what you are, honestly. You confuse the hell out of me. Everything I’ve read says you’re a man who uses women for sex and then ditches them.”
“Stop letting the internet tell you who I am,” I cut in.
“It paints a very vivid picture. I can show you if you’d like.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone. “Are you denying it? Claiming they got it wrong?”
“I’m not him anymore. That’s what I’m telling you.” Reaching over, I gently squeeze her thigh, feeling the warmth of her skin through my fingers. “I’ve been trying to prove that toyou. I can’t rewrite who I once was. Nor will I waste my breath apologizing for it. But I can promise you this—moving forward, there’s only one woman I want. One future I’m greedy for. No one else matters.”
Her warm hand cradles mine. “Oddly, I believe you think that. Although I’m not sure you know enough about me to make that kind of promise. I’m no saint, but I’m far from as experienced as you. You’re the first man who’s ever let me ride his face.” The blush that takes over her entire body is sexy. “God, did I just say that out loud?”
My hand creeps under her skirt, fingers trailing her thigh. One touch and heat rockets through me. She doesn’t stop me, but I can tell she’s nervous.
“Relax. Just your perfect thigh. Nothing else. Not while I’m driving.” I squeeze gently, then hold, denying myself the urge to explore more. I would love nothing more than to toy with her, but for now, this will do. “Tell me. Why do you need money?”
“My accounts are frozen, at least the ones with my father’s name on them. One is separate; with only my name on it, but it holds just a few thousand. Not enough to get me through the next three years. Had I finished my shift tonight, I’d have secured a down payment on an apartment. Now though? Unless I figure something out soon, I’ll be homeless.” She turns away from me, her eyes on the passing lights of the city, a wistful sigh slipping free. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“Do you?” I doubt that, but maybe she does.
“Yep. Truth is, I don’t want your money. Taking it will change whatever this is.” As she faces me, silent tears stain her cheeks. “But what choice do I have? I can’t go back and work at Kismet. No other job will pay me under the table—not the kind I can stomach. That leaves me with two choices. My friends or you. I know they’d help me out, but pride won’t let me go there. And you already know my family’s fucked up. Saves me thehumiliation with my friends, it will become public knowledge soon enough.”
“What if I offered you a job?” I let that idea hang in the air for a minute. “One you can do from home. I’m in need of someone who can help with billing and actually do some research. It can easily be done around your class schedule. You’d report to one of my guys, not me. I would pay you through our office in Hermosa Islas, so no work visa required.”
I’ve thought this through. Knew sooner or later her finances would hit a roadblock. When that happened she’d be forced to accept my help. She’d hate it. So at least this way it’s not a free handout. It’s money she’ll earn, with no strings attached.
“And Jack will pay you for the hours you worked tonight. It’s not like he can’t afford it.”
“Can I think about it?”
I’d love to say no, but this is her decision not mine. “Sure. Until then, you’ll stay with me.”
“Stay with you?” There’s a hint of unease in her voice. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
I run my thumb up and down the inside of her leg. “Why? Are you afraid I’ll drag you into my lair and never let you go again?”
Her thighs involuntarily squeeze together at the thought, a physical reaction she can’t control. “Yes, actually.”
A warm chuckle rumbles in my chest. “I won’t lie, cupcake. The image of you in my bed where I can do wicked acts to you all night long is a fantasy of mine.”
“All night long? That only happens in books and movies.” A small, almost silent snicker escapes her lips as her shoulders visibly relax. “Your arrogance will have you disappointing me long before anything ever happens between us.”
“At least you’re admitting something will happen. And don’t you dare compare me to those losers you’ve been with.” Pausing,I look deep into her eyes. “I’m not like them. I’ll spend hours worshiping every fucking inch of you. What happened back at the club was a sampling of what’s coming. You’re gonna be begging me to stop so you can breathe. That’s a promise.”
Shaking her head in disbelief, Ingrid swallows. “Time will tell. So, I guess that means we’re dropping the clause about not being friends with benefits, moving on to fuck buddies. Well, at least until you get bored, then hopefully we’ll end up as friends.”
It kills me to hear her say that. The last thing I want is to be her fuck buddy. And friends? No, we won’t end up as friends. My plan, my wish, is to be so much more.
