Nodding, he adds, “There is something about you that intrigues me. Interests me. Makes me want to break the rules and push boundaries, as you can see. But I knew it wouldn’t be fair to ask that of you—and paying you for sex is wrong.”
“Hey, I’m totally okay with that, too.”
“Are you though?” he asks, his rough tone throwing me for a loop. It makes my chest feel weird. “Maybe you are now, but for how long?”
“Look, no offense, but I’ve done the friends with benefits thing for a long time with a couple of people, and I’ve never had to worry about feelings. I’m too busy for feelings, Harmon. I have a family to take care of. I have two sisters that are my full responsibility, and trust me, they’re like having kids.”
“If you’re sure—”
“I am,” I say, leaning forward and taking his hand. I stare him right in the eyes. “If I wasn’t, I would tell you. I’m not trying to make a mess for either of us.”
“And how do you feel about the contract?” he asks, his voice raspy.
“Should I feel a certain way about it?”
“We’re breaching it. I’ve never done this before, and I’m not sure how to navigate it. I want you to be comfortable while being taken care of. I can’t add all of this into it, that would be wrong, but breaking it isn’t any better.”
I sit back, nodding and thinking over what he’s said.
“Okay, yeah. I get that. So—oh, I know. How about we do this? We will stick to the contract on the schedule listed, but any other time, it’s a free for all.”
His lips turn up on one side. “Free for all?”
I shrug.
“That could be difficult,” he says. “But it does make sense. Perhaps when we renew the contract we can shorten the hours?This way you have time for that family of yours.” He gets to his feet, straightening his blue tie. “Because what I have in store for you won’t be quick.” He gives me his back, walking out the door. “Get dressed so I can feed you breakfast.
The conference room is like a football field and not at all what I imagined it would be like. I expected a long table with lots of chairs and bright lights. Coffee and businessmen and snacks.
The only thing I was correct on was the first two, though there aren’t nearly as many of them as I thought there would be.
“What is this?” I ask as we walk into the room.
“Ah, Mr. Stone. I hope you made it in okay?”
A man with bronze skin, blond hair, and a bright, toothy smile walks up to greet Harmon, holding his hand out to shake. He’s the only one in the room not wearing a suit. In fact, his outfit is a little…extra—cream tailored trousers cropped just above the ankle, a sheer silk shirt left casually unbuttoned, and a pair of designer loafers so bold they look more like a statement than a shoe.
“We got in last night, thank you. This is my associate, Cassius Carr.”
I almost laugh atassociate.It’s the second time he’s called me that now.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” I say, offering my hand.
“Julio James,” he says, shaking my hand and looking me up and down. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Enough, James. He isn’t interested,” Harmon says firmly.
“What? I’m always in need of models.” Julio shrugs.
“Models?” I question.
But that goes unanswered, just like my first one.
Harmon walks toward a group of men, so I follow behind him. He told me to stay close and pay attention, so that’s what I’m trying to do.
“—Harmon Stone, the CEO of Stone Timeworks. If there is anyone in this room that you should impress, it’s him.”
Everyone chuckles, except Harmon. And me.