“I’m not. None of the New York families are.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank God.” He cocks his head to one side, curiosity clear in his gaze. “I took an interest in it after what happened in Vegas. I volunteer at a local support center—or I guess I did,” I add, realizing I will have to call the manager and let her know I am no longer available.
“When things settle down, I am sure you can find another center locally or find other ways to help. It’s something I feel strongly about too.”
I can tell he means that, and it reassures me. “So, if you’re not involved in trafficking, what kind of sex do you sell?” Bile swirls in my mouth as I remember that seedy club I visited with Tony when I was pregnant.
Ben takes my hands in his. “High-end sexual services through our network of casinos and clubs. It’s not like that place you stumbled on in Queens. I got rid of all those shitholes. All our clubs are upmarket, and we only cater to the rich and powerful. We don’t have dealers or hookers on streets anymore. We supply high-quality drugs to VIP member clientele who frequent our clubs and casinos. We also use those establishments to wash money. We have a team of women who service our clients either by prior private appointment or at one of our sex clubs.”
He laughs at the look of shock on my face, and my cheeks heat. “Are you really that shocked?”
“I hadn’t given it much thought. I see you wearing your designer suit, and sometimes it’s hard to remember you’re not a regular businessman.” On some of the occasions Ben visited Rowan, he had come straight from the office. The sight of him in a suit is enough to set my ovaries on fire. Seriously. The man is a bona fide sex god when dressed in a suit. I squeeze my legs together, ignoring the sudden ache pulsing between my thighs.
“I’m a regular businessman, most of the time. And, to be honest, a lot of ‘regular’ businessmen, with no mafia ties or connections, are more corrupt than me or any of the other dons. You’d be surprised.” A funny look crosses over his face, but before I can probe him on it, he continues talking.
“My mom was a hooker, and I saw the shit she had to put up with from pimps and johns. I make sure our girls are treated well and with respect. That’s why we have a waiting list a mile long for vacancies. We only hire the best women, and they are carefully vetted, as are the clients. A bodyguard accompanies every one of our girls on private dates, and security is tight at all the clubs. The girls are well paid, attend regular beauty appointments, and have medical checkups every month.”
A horrid thought enters my mind, and I spew the words out. “Do you fuck those girls?”
“Never.” He pulls me onto his lap. “I don’t fuck employees. It’s a hard and fast rule that is part of the employment terms and conditions for all staff who works at our clubs. Similarly, staff is not permitted to take drugs, and we run regular drug tests. I run a clean establishment. I have HR departments and teams of people who ensure everything we do is the same as any other professional company.”
“Wow. You really have made a lot of changes.”
“It doesn’t stop there. We have a couple of private security firms, and our soldiers make up ninety percent of the employee body. They still undergo initiation. That’s one tradition I will never be able to change. But they attend initial training in one of our high-tech training facilities, and then they move to the security firms to pay their dues.” He chuckles. “I have to laugh when I see some of our guys on camera working charity events and doing security at concerts and gigs and movie premieres.”
“You have infiltrated every part of society.” A shiver runs up my spine with that acknowledgment.
“Yes.” He tweaks my nose. “And it’s all legit and above board.” His hand lands on my thigh, and I jump at the unexpected contact. “Do you have any more questions?” he asks, brushing my hair aside and nuzzling my neck. “Or can we retire to bed?” His voice drops a couple of octaves, and the gruff husky tone does funny things to my insides. He drops a slew of drugging kisses up and down my neck, and I’m having trouble breathing.
“Just one.” I press on his shoulders, urging him to stop. I can’t think clearly when he is touching me, and this is serious. I have already given him my heart, but before I give him my body again—before I hand him control of my pleasure—I need to know I can trust him. That he will be faithful to me.
He must sense that because he stops kissing my neck and straightens up, eyeballing me. “Shoot.”
“I want to be with you. I want to have a real relationship, but that will only happen if you are faithful to me. Other women are a deal-breaker, Ben.”
He cups my face in his palms, peering deep into my eyes. “You are the only woman for me, Sierra. Since Vegas, it has only been you.” His gaze probes mine. “This might surprise you, but I have not been in a relationship since I left Chicago.”
That does surprise me. “But what about those women in pictures with you on the web? What about Chantel?” I want to get it all off my chest so that we can move forward with a clean slate.
“None of those women were my girlfriends. It was only ever sex.”
“And they knew you were only using them for sex?”
“Yes. I was always up front though it didn’t stop some of them from thinking they could sink their claws in me. They used me too, Firefly. Being on my arm at key society events helped to elevate their status in those circles.”
I have been raised in a similar world, and I understand that’s how things happen, but it still sickens my stomach. I’m not sure what my expression betrays, but it encourages Ben to go further.
“None of them meant anything to me.” He brushes his thumb along my lower lip. “None of them stood a chance at ever claiming my heart because I had already given it to you that night in Vegas.”
“You did?” Disbelief radiates in my tone.
“I did.” He nods, leaning in to press a brief kiss on my lips. “I didn’t know I’d lost it that night, but it became obvious over time when I couldn’t get you out of my head. Reconnecting with you confirmed everything I had been denying.” My heart is jumping in my chest at the intense way he’s looking at me. “I love you, Sierra. You are the only woman for me. Now and forever.”
I can barely speak over the emotional lump in my throat. “I love you too,” I whisper, fighting tears. “I always have.”
He kisses me again, much harder this time, and I fall into him, wrapping my arms securely around his neck as I squirm on his lap.
“And to answer your initial question, yes,” he says, trailing his lips down my neck. “I will be faithful to you. Always.” Lifting his head, he peers deep into my eyes. “You can trust me. I will never cheat on you. I could never do that to you, and I have no interest in any other woman, now or ever. You are the only woman I desire in my bed and in my life.”
