Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (31 page)

“Yes, again, Seth.
 You are hearing what you want to hear instead of what I am saying.”

I couldn
’t help but to smile slightly at the annoyance that flashed in her eyes. I liked the little glimpses of fire she had buried behind that shy persona.

“Well, try saying something that I want to hear,”
 I countered. 

Calida started to say something but stopped
herself. Instead she let out a heavy sigh. I reached out to stroke her cheek then moved my hand around to the nape of her neck, bringing her closer to me.

“You
’re not taking me home tonight are you?” Her voice was soft as she reluctantly accepted her fate for the evening.

“I told you I wanted you to stay,” I replied, slowly trailing kisses down her neck and along her collarbone.

She moaned beneath my touch. I felt her nipples instantly harden as I pulled her deeper into my chest. I smiled against her skin, feeling her body respond to me.

“So you
’re staying, and I’ll get you home in time for work tomorrow.” 

I nibbled my way along her jawbone, slowly making my way towards her supple lips.
 Her tongue flicked across them, wetting them in preparation for my kiss. My tongue traced the outline of her lower lip, tasting her lipgloss and feeling my pants tighten the closer my mouth came towards hers. I leaned back slightly, much to her dismay. Disappointment flashed in her eyes but quickly vanished when my arms tightened around her waist.

“That show you so graciously took me to has given me a few ideas,”
 I whispered against her lips, and before she could respond, I finally took the kiss my mouth so hungrily desired.

***

Seth slept peacefully with his head resting on my chest, his arm draped across my waist, and his leg laid across mine, effectively pinning me in place while he slept. Meanwhile I lay awake, too troubled to sleep. Absently, I rubbed at my wrists. They weren’t sore, but I feared they would show marks. 
How would I be able to explain that to Macy if she asked?
 
Seth wanted to try kinky, tie me up sex thanks to that show you roped me into taking him to.
Roped
.  

I placed my hands over my mouth to stifle the hysterical laugh that threatened to escape.
 
Oh god, I let him tie me up
. I’d protested, I’d told him no. However he disliked me telling him no even more than he disliked my use of can’t. In the end, I let him have his way, and to my surprise, part of me enjoyed it.
What was wrong with me?

I glanced down at Seth who looked so calm. I was very confused over his behavior the last few days. His attitude about my job and the baby possibility was so unexpected. His anger was unnerving. How was the same man that looked so at peace in this moment the same one that had
me so nervous and tied up in knots figuratively and literally just a few hours ago? 

Settling down in an attempt to get more comfortable, I tried to
will myself to sleep.
It was just a few bad days. Things would get back to normal.
Whatever normal meant where Seth was concerned.

Chapter 27

“Okay, Mitch, I need a guy’s opinion. Do I look plain and unattractive?” 

The thought of going with Patrick tonight still made me uneasy.
 Seth’s words kept playing over in my head.
“Funny, I thought you were a secretary not an escort.”
Even with his apology, I couldn’t forget the look in his eyes. Shaking my head a bit to clear the thoughts away, I waited on Mitch’s reply. 

Patrick had let me off a few hours early so I could have the extra time to make myself
‘presentable.’ I was already on the bus before I called Seth to let him know so he wouldn’t be waiting for me. His contempt over the situation came through loud and clear even though he only spoke three words to me.
“Thanks for calling.”
Then he hung up on me. He didn’t react this way the first time I went out with Patrick. Hell he’d even helped look at dresses. So what changed?

“Is this some sort of trick question?”
 Mitch asked, uncertain of how he was supposed to respond.

“No,
Babe,” Macy chimed in reassuringly. “Lee has to go out with her boss and doesn’t want to attract too much unwanted attention.”

“Ah, okay.
 Well, in that case, no, you aren’t screaming sex goddess, but you’re incapable of being plain or unattractive,” he replied with a warm smile. 

I rolled my eyes at his comment.
 
Great. Macy has him trained to say only good things.
 
That isn’t helpful.

“Aww, Mitch, how sweet,”
 I said, pretending to swoon over his words. “But you can tell the truth. You won’t get in trouble,” I added, winking at Macy.

“Well, that is a relief,”
 he replied, pretending to wipe sweat from his brow. “So truthfully then…,” he continued, getting up from the couch. I tried not to wince as he made a show of walking around me to size me up. “…I stand by my original statement.”

“Thanks Mitch,” I replied, realizing that asking him was a waste of time.

“So where is the boss taking you on this hot date?” he asked. 

“It
’s not a date,” I answered quickly. “We’re going to a housewarming of one of our clients. You know, for new business, networking, that sort of thing.” 

I knew he was only joking, but I was still flustered as Seth
’s voice popped back into my head. 
“An escort.
” 
No, escorts get paid for sex. I’m not having sex with Patrick Thorn. I’m not an escort. This is for business. 
Even as I tried to reassure myself, his nagging words were still there.

“And you wanted to go to this thing for the experience or the free food?”
 he asked teasingly. 

I cleared my throat nervously. “Um, neither.
  It’s sorta part of my job description. I have to attend certain work related events on occasion. Although, I feel Patrick would have preferred to have hired someone who isn’t so…lacking. But he’s making do with what he has for now I suppose.”

“Wait, is that even legal?” Mitch asked, looking at me then at Macy.
 I shrugged my shoulders in reply.

“I know a good lawyer if you need to sue his ass for getting out of line.”
 

“Thanks, Mitch. I
’ll keep that in mind.” I gave Mitch a warm smile. He was truly a great guy, and I was beyond happy for my friend. 

“Lee, I think you look fine,” Macy added.
“Cute, but professional. Perfect.”

“Thanks, Macy.”

When Patrick arrived, it was strange to have him in my house. It felt too much like he was picking me up for a date. I didn’t like it, but there wasn’t much I could do. He was polite to Macy and Mitch, and I was hopeful that he would be able to go the evening without insulting me.

“I hope the interior wasn
’t a showcase of your skills,” he said once we were in the car.

So much for not being insulted.
“No,” I replied, not looking at him. “I haven’t done the main room yet. We started with Macy’s room first because it was the worst. I completed my room a little while ago, and this weekend, we have plans to start stripping the wallpaper in the main room. After that, we’ll work on the kitchen and bathrooms. We’re saving those for last because they’ll be the most costly.” 

I realized I was babbling nervously, but it was better than sitting in an uncomfortable silence.
 I glanced briefly in Patrick’s direction. He was staring straight ahead, and I wasn’t even sure he listened to my reply to his question.

“Did you take before and after shots?” he finally asked.

“Yes.”

“Bring them in with you on Monday.”
 

I wanted to smile at the thought of Patrick Thorn being interested in my work.
 It was nothing like the projects he did because I worked off of a much more limited budget. I wanted to be happy, but this was Patrick Thorn. The thought of him seeing or critiquing my house, my work left me somewhat apprehensive. There was no more small talk. When we reached our destination I felt a weight settle in the pit of my stomach.

***

I’d watched as Thorn checked his reflection in his rearview mirror. He seemed a little too eager when he’d stepped out of his car. Twelve minutes, twelve minutes he was inside her house. What were they doing? Did she offer him a tour? Did she show him her room? Did they sit and talk like old friends? 

I wanted to knock on the door and forbid her from going, but I didn
’t. It wasn’t my style to make a rash play like that. So I’d waited. My hands clenched the steering wheel when I’d saw them appear. His hand was on the small of her back as he led her to his car. Even from a distance, I could see the lust rolling off him. He said something to her and my stomach knotted as she gave a slight smile in response. 
Why would she smile if she didn’t enjoy his company?

I
’d done a quick observation of her attire: casual slacks with a button down shirt, her hair was in a simple braid. I was mildly relieved she hadn’t worn it down for him. I’d wanted to follow them because I needed to know if she was as uncomfortable around him as she claimed or did she secretly enjoy the attention. I’d wanted to follow, but I didn’t. She would tell me everything. 

She
’s yours and needs to learn her place. 
“That she does, and she will.” 

There was no doubt she would learn quickly.
 In the meantime, I had a distraction at home to clear my mind of the frustratingly disobedient Ms. Alexander.

When I got home, I changed and headed directly to the cellar. Pet sat on the bed with her knees drawn to her chest.
 The once flawless makeup job was now streaked and stained with dried tears. She quickly approached the door when she saw me.

“Please, please let me go.
 I won’t tell anyone, I swear. Just please let me go.”

“Did you sleep well?”
 I asked, ignoring her pleas.

“What? No.
 I didn’t sleep at all. Please let me go. I just want to go home. I’ll do whatever you want. Free of charge, just please let me go,” she continued to beg.

 
I let out a heavy sigh. A beggar, I didn’t want to deal with a beggar. Gagging would be in order.

Last Pet was so much better. She didn
’t beg, not so quickly anyway.
“Step back from the door.” 

Immediately she complied.
 
A beggar, but obedient
.

She stood with her back pressed against the far wall as I entered the room.

“Come here,” I said, extending my hand to her. 

Hesitantly, she stepped forward and placed her hand in mine.
 She was shaking, terrified of what I might do, yet I didn’t enjoy her fear.

“So, if I let you go, you won
’t tell anyone about me?” I studied her face, a glimmer of hope shone in her eyes.

“No, no I won
’t say a word. I swear it.”

“And how can I trust you to keep your word?”
 I asked, smoothing her hair back. 

She looked at me, eyes wide with fear.
 
She can’t be trusted. She lies to get what she wants. They all lie.  

“Because I…I wouldn
’t. I just want to go home and pretend this never happened. Please!”

“Even if we play a little first?”
 I asked, giving her a cold grin. 

She nervously licked her lips before nodding.
 She thought it was going to be sex, but I didn’t want to have sex with her. She was used. The thought of playing with her didn’t bring me any real excitement. My thoughts drifted to Calida, and that anger is what fueled me. The thought of her out with him.

“Good girl.
 Now turn around.” 

Not really wanting to take her eyes off me, she reluctantly complied with my request.
 Slowly I undid the zipper. Her hands were clenched into fists at her side; she fought to control the trembles over taking her body. The chiffon material slid off her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

I let my fingers trace the smooth plane of her back before I unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor on top of her dress.
 I heard little sobs escaping her lips as I slid down her thong.

“Close your eyes.”
 I took her hand and led her from the room. “Keep them closed tightly.” 

Fresh tears streaked down her cheeks as she stumbled behind me.
 I placed her in front of the old hospital bed then gently pushed on her shoulders so she knew I wanted her to sit.

“Lay down.”