“I—” He cuts off the moment his mouth opens, then it closes and he looks at me even more confused. “I guess I didn’t think about it.”
“I’m not into degradation. Praise is more of my thing, and I will tell you that physical praise is one of my favorite things. In fact, it is a requirement.”
“It’s not a problem, I… I guess reading all this, it’s hitting me what this means. You know, all the details?”
“And if it’s too much, you will tell me,” I say firmly.
“It’s not that it’s too much, but it’s a lot to wrap my head around all at once. You were right… I wasn’t thinking this through. Now I am. It’s… a lot to take in, is all. I don’t hate it, I’mjust trying to understand.” I open my mouth to speak, but he speaks first. “I amnotchanging my mind.”
“Very well.”
He holds my gaze. “Is there a trial period?”
“No, not exactly. Both of us are free to end this at any point, no questions asked.”
“So, if I do this for a day and realize I hate it…”
“Then you are free to never come back, and I will pay you a full week’s worth for your trouble.”
“Five grand for one day?” he gasps.
I don’t say anything for a few moments, just study his surprised face.
“If five grand will solve all your problems, I’ll gladly write you a check right now for this inconvenience. If that’s all you want, I’d rather you tell me now, than going through the rest of the paperwork and wasting my time.”
His jaw drops, and that adorable little squeak escapes him again.
Chapter Seven
Cassius
Five grand would do me good. It would get Chrissy her meds, but it’s only a band aid. That’ll last about a month? Then we will be right back where we were. Besides, we have no idea how long this insurance thing is going to be a problem for, so it’s possible I’ll have to get Chrissy’s meds next month too.
I need to be smart about this, but it feels weird. No, not weird, unreal. How can this man be willing to pay so much to pet me? He has to want something more. There has to be some hiddenthing, right?
I sigh, running my hand through my hair. His gaze goes to it, staring at the messy mop on my head long after my hand is back at my side.
“Mr. Stone—”
“Harmon,” he says, his gaze going to mine. “I’d prefer it if you calledme Harmon.”
“Okay… Harmon.” I clear my throat. “I appreciate your generosity, and even though five grand right this moment would help me out a lot, this isn’t just about the money for me.”
I am getting way too good at lying. It’s starting to make me sick.
“It’s not?”
“I mean, the money is a big deal. It’s going to help more than you can imagine. I’m sure you have no idea what it’s like to struggle, but it’s what I do every day, and this is… it’s a huge weight off my shoulders. But it’s more than that, too.”
He leans forward, clasping his hands together, his gaze going darker.
“Explain.”
“I guess I’m… curious.” Okay, that is not a lie. I am curious. He is hot as hell. And though he says sex is off the table, a lot of these things are sex-aligned. “I didn’t think I would be into any of this stuff.” I gesture to the packet of papers. “But after reading through it, well, I want to know more. I want to experience this. You said it’s like therapy? Well, maybe it could be that for me too.”
“That is one of the best perks of it, I’ll admit.”
I nod in agreement.