6. Pearl
Pearl
Ididn’t need to think it over.
I knew I was going to say yes regardless of what was written in that contract.
The contract she’d already drawn up and had on hand because she knew I would call.
But, lo and behold, I didn’t call.
I looked her up, found her company, and snuck into her lobby to wait for her. I would have gone up to her office on the twentieth floor if I thought I’d get past security.
I caught her off guard. I wanted to use the minuscule bit of control I had to make her work for it. Even though I knew where this was going.
I would be hers. Her sex toy. Her slut. Even if there was no contract, I'd still let her do whatever she wanted to me.
I was desperate for her in a way that was downright obsessive. Every free moment I had I fantasized about what it would be like to be hers. To be ravaged on every flat surface available.
Bent over that table in her office. Pushed against the wall of that elevator. Riding her fingers in her car.
I need to get a grip on those fantasies if I want to make her wait.
Back in high school, Emerson seemed to have the entire school on a leash. Whether students or teachers, everyone acted as if she was in charge. It didn't matter that she was a student or a minor. Whatever she said, people listened.
She was used to having everything go her way, and there was no doubt in my mind that’s how her company had grown so fast. She would never take no for an answer, and when she set her mind on something, she would get it. Even if she had to force others’ hands in the process.
But I was older now, and I saw the contract for what it was.
She wanted me, and she was willing to pay for it, but I didn’t need the money. Not anymore.
But I wanted her. As fucked-up as it might be, I wanted Emerson.
And now that I could finally see her, I knew the contract meant she wanted me to.
That gave me power, and maybe I was enjoying myself a little bit too.
I floated through my shift, not caring about the looks my coworkers were giving me or the rude customers. All I could think was Emerson wanting me. She was waiting for me.
I was so ecstatic I couldn't stop myself from giggling multiple times during my shift just at the thought. It was the happiest I'd been in years. And, after everything, I felt like I deserved it.
Once I was done with work, I got my stuff and headed out the front door only to pause when I saw Emerson waiting for me outside.
She was leaning against her car, her tie had been loosened, the suit jacket opened, and the first few buttons of her shirt had been undone. Her reddish-brown hair was pushed back like she had run her fingers through it one too many times.
She looks… wild.
My heart stopped in my chest as heat rose up my entire body and excitement ran through me.
I walked to her, and just as I expected her to say something, she simply opened the passenger door and motioned for me to go in. Like she knew I wouldn’t say no.
Emerson had always been that way. An unshakeable confidence. It had always caused my insides to melt, but in this situation, and after she’d thoroughly destroyed me, it was that much hotter.
It brought out something new in me. A playfulness.
“Well, good evening to you too,” I said as my hand tightened on my bag. Her hand came up to touch the small of my back, and I stepped into her car.
I might have bent over a bit too much, unnecessarily, while doing it, which lifted the skirt of my dress. I wanted her to see. Wanted to test just how far I could push her before her hands were on me.
I loved the involuntary groan from Emerson before she walked around to the driver side. It let me know that I had her right where I wanted her.
I had been in Emerson's car once in high school.
Her Honda Accord. On the night she drove me home and accused me of having a crush on her because I knew exactly what car she drove.
She hadn’t been wrong. Back then, I was shy. I longed for her to touch me. To be mine. But I didn’t have the strength to make my advances as obvious as now.
Even though this one was far more luxurious, with its custom interior, leather seating, and all the advanced tech money could buy, it still smelled like her.
She pulled away and started driving us down the street.
“I didn't take you for a tease,” she commented, her eyes not leaving the road.
“I just wanted a few days to look over the contract,” I said and shifted so my bag was on my lap. I made a point of brushing up my skirt as well, showing more thigh for her.
Arousal shot through me until it settled deep in my belly, warming my body.
Emerson glanced at the bag, and quick as lightning, she grabbed it and threw it in the back. Her sudden movement had me gasping.
“Don't bullshit me, Pearl.”
Her tone was sharp, angry. It had my heart racing and my palms sweating.
“What's wrong with waiting, Emerson? You know I'd sign anyway.”
Her eyes glanced briefly at mine before they were back on the road.
“No, I don't know that.”
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. She didn't look at me this time, so I had all the time in the world to look at her. Her jaw was set.
She’s not angry. She’s… worried?
“I was just practicing what people call delayed gratification. You know, it’s so much sweeter—”
“I know what delayed gratification means, Pearl.” Her voice was raspy when she cut me off. “I’ll remind you of how so much sweeter waiting is when you’re begging me to make you come.”
Another burst of heat ran through me.
Yeah. Well, that backfired spectacularly.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, noting that we were not going to my apartment.
“Your new home. Did you not read the contract?”
My nails dug into my thighs, and my face flamed. She wanted to move me from my apartment to her own place, but if I did that, I would be with her twenty-four-seven during the course of this contract, except for when I was at school.
What if… What if Emerson finds out she doesn’t want me around that much? There was a difference between seeing each other every so often for a fuck and suddenly intertwining our entire lives.
What if she sees something she doesn’t like?
“I read it.” I answered, knowing there were other things in it that I didn't quite like. Things I was nervous to bring up with her, but I would have to.
“Tell me what’s on your mind, Pearl.”
The command in her voice was clear, and while it sent a shiver of desire down my spine, I had to come clean.
“It just suddenly feels real now,” I said, peeking out at her through the corner of my eye.
She had a smirk on her face that made my core flutter. I wanted her even more now that I’d gotten a taste. It wasn’t so bad when Emerson only lived and starred in my fantasies, but now?
God, I am down bad for her.
“It didn’t feel real when we were in the club together?” she asked.
My eyes were glued to the way she drove the car. There was something so hot about how easily she handled it.
She’d done the same to me back in that room. With precision and control, she’d driven me over the edge multiple times. She was calm, cool, and collected the entire time, and I couldn't help but want to know if there was ever a time when she wasn’t.
When I didn’t answer, she continued.
“It didn’t feel real when the million dollars hit your bank account?”
“It was a little less,” I said, my voice wavering at the end. Her gaze shot to mine. “I mean, with what the club takes and all that. But it was… it was pretty good…”
I cringed at myself.
“Pretty good, huh?” She chuckled. “Well, this should be pretty good as well. No club to take a cut. You’ll live with me, eat with me. The money will be yours to spend however you want.”
“The money doesn’t matter to me.”
Her jaw tightened.
“No,” she murmured. “I didn’t think it would.”
Silence spread between us, the tension heightened in the car.
I was hit with a stronger huff of her cologne then.
Earthy, a bit woodsy, with a sensual twist. It fit her.
I wanted to bathe in it. It shot me back to the bonfire.
I had taken a flannel from her back in high school—well, she offered, I just decided never to return it! —and the scent had long since worn off.
Maybe when I’m at her house I can spray some of it there again.
I squeezed my thighs together, trying to ignore my pulsating need for her.
“You don’t have to pay me so much,” I said after a moment. “A million dollars a year—”
“Is nothing compared to what I’d be willing to spend… on you.” I noticed her hesitation, but her voice was hard when she spoke again. “But I knew you wouldn’t accept any more than that. I will make it up to you in other ways.”
My heart thundered in my chest. Suddenly, I felt lightheaded.
“You know me,” I whispered. “You don’t need to do that. I’ve never been one to enjoy pampering.”
More like I’ve never been pampered. At all. But she doesn’t need to know that.
She didn’t speak again until we were inside the underground parking lot of what I supposed was her building.
“You’ll have time to go to school, but you should be with me the rest of the time. You’ll be introduced as my new assistant—”
“That’s one thing I wanted to amend,” I interrupted. “I can work some days as your assistant, but I want to keep my job at the steakhouse.”
She parked the car and turned her whole body to face me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You want to stay in that awful job? You realize you don’t have to with what I’m paying you?”
I nodded. It wasn’t about the money, but maybe that wasn’t getting through to her.
“I just want… something to fall back on, you know?
She looked at me like she was trying to read me.
“You’re afraid you can’t do the job?”
My skin heated.
“I… read online that you don’t usually keep an assistant very long,” I whispered.