“How much longer do you have on your parole?” I question her when an idea starts to form in my head. It’s callous and calculated, but I won’t let this girl get away from me a second time. Not when I have so many questions for her.
“Just under a year,” she answers.
“A year.” I try not to show my shock, nodding my head calmly while trying to figure out what she could have done.
“I know how it sounds and, given the position you found me in, you must be thinkin?—”
“How about you and I make a deal?” I cut her off again, because I can see this girl being the remedy to all my problems.
“What kind of deal?” She stares back at me, vulnerable and confused
“The kind that’s going to get you out of the shit you're in,” I tell her, guessing that being at a disadvantage isn’t something she’s used to when that vulnerability turns to frustration.
“Then let's hear it.” She shrugs as if she’s all out of options.
“You give me the rest of the time you have on parole, and I’ll overlook the fact you were prepared to steal eight million pounds worth of necklace from me.
“What?” Her mouth drops open in horror.
“No police, no jail. We can forget this ever happened. But your time belongs to me now. I get to use it however I see fit.” I make it a little clearer for her because clearly she’s in shock.
“Wait, you're gonna have to be a little clearer on what you mean because, like I told you, I’m not a whore. I’d rather go to jail than–”
“You can start by joining me downstairs,” I interrupt her, loving the way it triggers her frustration
“Are you crazy?” She looks at me as if I need my head checked. “You want me to be your arm candy?”
“More than that. I want you to convince everyone downstairs that we are an item. That we have been for some time, and that I’m ready to share you with the world now that I’m settled here at my new estate.”
“And you want me to keep that up for the rest of my parole sentence?" She’s acting as if I’m expecting the unthinkable.
“Unless, of course, you’d rather go to jail?” I remind her that I have the upper hand in this. “We can hold negotiations in the morning, but for now I’d say a little performance was the least you could do for me.”
“In the morning? What makes you think that once I leave here, I’d ever come back?" She tests me, and I lean forward even more, allowing the rush of having her close to consume me.
“Now, who mentioned anything about you leaving?” I smirk, stepping back so I can admire that shocked expression to stretch her eyes wide again.
“I…you can’t just…Grrrrr.” She growls in frustration, tapping her foot against the floor and scowling at me while she considers her options.
“Fine!” She tosses her hands up in defeat. “But wewillbe negotiating in the morning, and there is no way I’m sleeping in here with you.”
“I’ll have a guest room made up especially for you.”
“Okay.” She throws her arms up in defeat.
“Wonderful.” Nodding sarcastically, I offer her the crook of my arm. “Shall we?” I wait for her to take it before leading her towards the door.
“You know this is never going to work,” she hisses at me as we head out to the landing.
“You’d be surprised at how convincing I can be.” I wink, knowing that the hard work has only just started. Somehow, I’ve got to convince this feisty little thief to carry me an heir.
GRACE
“Grace. Grace, come in… what the hell is happening?” I hear Selena's panicked voice shouting in my ear as we take the stairs down to the main hall, where everyone is congregated
“I’m fine,” I try to discreetly get the message to them by bowing my head and speaking clearly into the chest of my corset; the last thing I need is for the girls outside to try forming a rescue mission. As inconvenient as the situation I’ve found myself in may be, I can’t help being intrigued by what he wants to negotiate. It goes against all my morals and standards, but the idea of being owned by this man feels oddly appealing. I may have reacted defensively when he made the accusation, but I’d have happily seduced my way out of this situation; feeling his body pressed against mine, knowing I was the reason his dick was hard, felt enthralling. I have to keep reminding myself that he’s got me in a vulnerable position.
“Did you say something?” he asks, looking suspicious as we get to the top of the staircase.
