His Price (7 page)

His cologne floated up into my senses, the musky air filling my brain. A warmth formed deep inside my gut, spreading down to my panties. His smell, his muscles, his tender touch; all of it sent tingles rocketing through me.

Shaking my head, I finally regained control of my legs. Quickly I stepped back, eyes fixed upon the hard stone of his. “I need to go. This isn't what I thought it was,” I said, turning to walk out. I wanted to get away, grab my phone and call a cab. I didn't want to be there anymore.

The sheer desire that started to press my insides, the fire he was starting in my belly; it was too much. I was a dancer. No matter how hot this guy was, I needed to keep this professional.

But I wasn't sure if I could.

Hegan gripped my wrist, yanking me back. Pressing me into his chest, the firm hold set me in place. My fingers dipped over the ridges of his stomach, each muscle flexing as he inhaled. “You can't leave yet, look outside. The weather is shit, no planes are flying in that. Stay tonight and we can talk in the morning.” His eyes flicked between mine, looking inside me.

I couldn't stop staring at him. The small glimmer sitting behind the glass of his eyes, the firmness of his arms as they wrapped around my waist; he was sucking me in. I let myself fall into him, let him grasp me so tightly he was holding me up.

The butterflies began to swarm, a storm of nerves tore through my lungs. My lips parted and I wanted to tell him to let me go, to not touch me. But I couldn't speak.

Hegan had twisted me up so tightly I almost forgot why I was there.

The cut of his jaw was bold, I could see the light shadow hanging across his skin. He brought his mouth close to my face and the heat off his lips sent chills through my body. “I need— I need to go to bed. It's been a long day.” Breaking the lock he had on my eyes, I looked down at the floor.

I knew he was right, I couldn't really go anywhere right now. I was stuck there, and since I hadn't actually been paid yet for the job; my pockets were empty.

The tips of his fingers gently ran up and down the small of my back. “Go get some rest and I'll see you in the morning. We can discuss the arrangements for this weekend over breakfast.”

Arrangements? Arrangements for what?
I was hired to give a show, nothing more. Gloria knew I wasn't a girl who's going to give their body up to some stranger for money. It seemed like that's what he wanted, but he wasn't going to get it.

I felt his arm loosen from my waist, and my body swayed as his support was lifted. Hegan turned and walked back to the window, returning to watching the snow fall. Looking over his shoulder, he nodded towards the door. “Go. Before I change my mind and make you stay up all night with me.”

Grimacing in his direction, I whipped around and scurried out. He was an arrogant prick. I'm not his damn toy that he could do what he wanted with, and I was going to keep reminding him of that.

Making my way back to my room, I closed the door and clipped the latch to lock it. I didn't want Hegan trying anything stupid during the night. If he'd thought at all that he got the impression I'd give in, I couldn't be sure he wouldn't try to sneak in here and take what he wanted.

I let my body fall weightlessly onto the bed. The mattress closed in around my shoulders, my eyes felt heavy and hard to keep open.

Hegan was sitting in my thoughts, his face repeatedly flashed like a strobe light. The way his muscles draped every inch of his flesh, his touch and how it sent electricity through my nerves; I wanted to hate him, wanted to think he was a piece of shit for trying to force his control on me.

Instead he filled me with excitement, curiosity; all the feelings that a guy like him should never make me feel.

But he did.

That single delicate touch of his fingers caused more emotions to flow through me than I'd experienced in a really
really
long time.

What the hell Noella! He's a spoiled brat! A dick! He just wants to get what he can't have. You know this!

Hegan was everything I despised in a man, I could read him like a fucking book. He didn't get what he wanted the first time, so now he's stepping it up. He was trying to make me fall into his trap. But I won't.

I'm not a gullible little girl who sees only money and power. I needed more than that. And Hegan... he doesn't have it.

He's a manipulator, a man on a mission. I'm a game to him, one he thinks will be easy.

But, I don't care about his money. That doesn't make me wet in my panties, or want to bend over for him to fuck my brains out.

Yes, he was sexy and hot as hell itself, but that was all. I could bet a thousand dollars he was your basic, generic guy. He was looking for a piece of ass; and when he was done he'd wave his hand, and send you on your way.

I'm all set with that.

Hegan

T
he darkness of my eyes began to fill with light. The sun had crept in between the curtains, wrenching its nails under my lids. With one eye cracked open, I rolled onto my side, stretching my arms up.

The throbbing inside my head beat against my skull. Gripping my temples, I forced my eyes open.

Deciding to finish the entire bottle of scotch had been a bad idea.

Tugging the blankets down, I slid my legs free and stumbled towards the window. The cool glass sent chills over my bare chest as I pulled the curtains back. Looking out, the courtyard was a field of sheer white.

This is perfect. There has to be three feet of snow out there. Copper wouldn't even be able to leave if I let her.

Lucky for me, that wasn't an option to begin with.

I knew that the woman I needed was finally within my grasp. She was now one step closer to being under my control. Running my hands through my hair, a devilish smile spread across my cheeks; it jolted my nerves to the core.

This is finally happening! I'm so close now, and just in time too.
Each thought felt like elephants stampeding through my mind. I needed a coffee, it was the best way for me to fight off this groggy fog stirring across my brain.

Making my way down to the kitchen, I turned on the coffee pot. The comforting smell of brew began to fill the air, even just that scent started to pull up the mask.

Copper's door was still closed, I figured I'd give her a little longer before I woke her up. She had the shock of her life last night and I hadn't even shared the best part.

But the sight of her when she saw it was me, that was worth a million bucks. Her eyes had grown three sizes, the ivory of her skin went ghost white. She definitely had no idea what she was walking into.

Nice job Gloria.
The trickling sound of liquid made its way into the pot, mesmerizing my eyes as it filled.

I had the quick thought this morning that maybe Copper had tried to sneak away last night; called a cab and begged them to drive out here and pick her up. But there were no footprints in the fresh snow outside, no car tracks in the driveway. I checked. She was definitely locked up inside that room.

Temptation had crept in during the night. I stood outside her door, fist raised up ready to knock. I wanted to fuck her so damn bad, feel her wet pussy around my cock. But I stopped myself, she wasn't ready yet.

Good things take time, and she was worth a little wait.

I wasn't going to drag this out much longer. I decided last night in my drunken state that I was just going to lay this all out for her, there was no point in making it a guessing game. The sooner she knew why she was really here, the sooner I could start screwing her.

Originally, the idea of teasing her and keeping her guessing was exciting; but honestly, my time was running out. I needed her to get pregnant. That was it.

That was the only reason she was here.

The smell of the fresh liquid started to fill my nose, and the instant it stopped dripping, my fingers tore it from the base. Sipping the hot drink, it warmed my throat.

The caffeine's effects had set in the second I swallowed. The chill crawling across my body started to fade along with the headache. The heat pushed back the goosebumps rippling across my bare flesh, each small bump sinking back into my skin.

There was nothing like a good cup of coffee after a night of hard drinking.

The soft patter of feet echoed through the hallway.
She's awake, good.
Smirking against the mug, I stared out the window over the sink.

The ocean waves crashed against the sand, slowly melting the snow with its touch. The crests folded over in a white foam, the water's hands reaching out and stealing away everything in its wake.

I heard the crack of the front door.
Is she trying to go already? She won't get far.

A muffled voice floated into the kitchen Her tone grumbling under her breath as she slammed the door shut. She didn't sound as happy to see the snow like I was.

For me it was a welcome sight. A moat around my castle keeping Copper from running off. From the sounds she was making and the slam of the door; to her it was a sight from hell.

The sound of her feet grew closer to the kitchen. Leaning against the granite, I waited for Copper to come into view. Rounding the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes fell over my naked torso, enlarging as they reached my basketball shorts.

My cock firmed beneath the fabric the minute she stepped into my sight. I stood silent, taking in and absorbing how she looked so early in the morning.

Copper was dressed in a tight pair of jeans, snug around her hips, a loose-fitting flannel shirt covering her tits. The beam of sun from the skylight drew down across her face, hitting her cheeks just right. Their roundness blooming in an array of different shades of crimson. She looked beautiful.

“Good morning,” I said, as she made her way into the kitchen. Standing next to her, she seemed much shorter than I remembered. I was towering over her, looking down on her head. “Did you shrink?” I asked her, hovering my hand above her scalp.

Clearing her throat, she said, “That's the magic of heels, any coffee left?” Tugging her fingers through the tightened curls, she tried to smooth the wisps flying around the edges.

Holding my mug out to the side, I said, “Help yourself.” I watched her hips sway as she walked over to get a cup, her delicate feet padding the floor without sound. “Did you sleep good?” Leaning, I eyed her ass. The tight round mounds dipped in at the seam, creating a perfect outline of her cheeks.

“No.” The words shot off her tongue. “And it looks like there was a blizzard last night. So, today sucks too.” Her eyes tossed me a nasty glance as she filled a mug. Watching her lips softly wrap the edge, all I wanted was to feel them around my cock.

“Oh, come on now. It's not that bad.” Twisting to face her, I ran my fingers over the smooth counter. “I'm here, so your day looks good already.”

“Really?” Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “When does my flight leave to head home? I'm ready to go. This job was bullshit.”

A deep chuckle rolled through my lips. “I'm paying you better money than you've ever seen. If you leave now, you get nothing.”

“Excuse me? I at least get paid for yesterday, that's in the contract. I was here for day one.” Her hand fell to her waist, shoulders pulling back. Her chest began to lift faster, breathing in deep gulps of air.

“No, sorry, Sweetheart. Our contract is a little different than the usual one. Did you even read it?” Narrowing my eyes, I lifted one brow.

I watched the realization sink in. Her eyebrows shifted up, light crinkles pulled across her forehead. Her lips turned razor thin as the wheels began to turn.

She hadn't read the one I sent to Gloria. And I had been really hopeful she wouldn't. Gloria hadn't told her anything about this agreement, so why would she think this deal would be any different than her usual gigs?

“What do you mean? Why is it different?” she asked. Slowly, she lowered the mug down, hands opening wide against the counter.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you.” Copper's eyes held firm as I spoke. “You belong to me now. Gloria set a fairly steep price for you. But money wasn't really the issue for me, I need you for something bigger.”

Her lip curled up instantly, knuckles whitening as her palms pressed against the hard surface. “What do you mean? You can't buy me, I'm not a piece of property.”

“Sorry, Sweetheart. You're my property now.”

She looked enraged. Her entire body began to shake, lifting her arm she tried to swing it at my face. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her in close, wrapping my arms around the live wire.

“You don't own me! I'm not an object!” Her body twisted and thrashed against mine as she yelled and tried to break free.

“Calm down! Copper, calm down!”

“Don't call me that! That's not who I am! I'm a real person, one that isn't for sale, Asshole!” Her nails dug into my flesh, clawing at my forearm.

Squeezing tighter, I felt her entire frame shaking. “Look, when this is over and I'm done with you, you can go. But for now, you're mine.”

“I won't give you what you want. Fucking Gloria, that bitch. How could she do this to me?” The tension in her body released. I felt her shoulders slump forward as a heavy breath of air escaped her lungs.

I had the overwhelming urge to kiss her. The way she resisted me, her strong willed nature to stand by her morals. All of that sent a surge of desire through my nerves.

“Money talks, Copper—”

Cutting me off, she hissed, “Don't call me that.”

“Then what should I call you?” I twisted her shoulders to face me. Searching the empty holes of her eyes, the blackened gaze filled with confusion.

Dipping her head towards the floor, her eyes drifted side to side. “It doesn't matter. You don't deserve to know my real name.”

“Fine. I don't care to know that anyway. All I need is your fucking cunt, that's all I care about.”

“I'm not having sex with you, I won't.” She lifted her head quickly, the tousled hair whipping over her cheeks. The flushed red was now a burning color running over her body, every inch of her was on fire with rage.