Chapter 9
9
MADISON
B lake arranged for Chrissy to meet with us on Friday afternoon. She hasn’t attended class since Monday, so I’m guessing she’s pretty confident we’ll give in to her stupid demands. This whole situation makes my stomach turn, and I just want it to be over.
When I first joined Club Sin, I immediately became obsessed with the mysterious master flogger everyone was talking about. I thought if I was brave and had a bit of luck, I’d be allowed to join him on stage and get to be one of his models. It took me almost the whole summer to summon the courage to approach him, but I never could’ve anticipated that he’d offer me a private session, one that would lead to so much more than I could’ve ever imagined. And never in my wildest dreams did I think Master Blake would turn out to be my college professor.
But now, I’m in love with him. Head over heels, can’t stop thinking about him, soul mate type of love. Which explains why my heart has ached since that confrontation with Chrissy in Blake’s office on Monday.
He may be independently wealthy, but he loves his job. He cares about his colleagues and his students, and I can see how passionate he is about teaching. It would break my heart to know it was my fault his job was taken away. And, sure, he might be able to find another one, but who wants to hire a math professor known for sleeping with his students? Well, just one student to be accurate, but I hardly think that will matter to other universities.
And what about my father? He’s never seemed to care that much for me, but his role in our community has been of the utmost importance to him and my mother. She’s spent the last two decades helping him become a successful man, investing her own life and making numerous sacrifices. Despite our strained relationship, I still love my parents.
How could I ever forgive myself if I were the reason they were hurt?
All this stress and anxiety is giving me a horrible headache as I walk to Blake’s office with him after class. I realize how reckless we’ve been and there’s no one to blame but myself. It was really only a matter of time before someone caught us, and if it wasn’t Chrissy, it would’ve been someone else.
At least, my grade is an accurate reflection of my math skills and not based on what I can offer my professor in the bedroom. I’m not like Chrissy. I would never expect Blake to give me an A just because I’m sleeping with him. I have a solid B in his class, and earned that on my own merit—though I’m sure outsiders wouldn’t see it that way. They’d think the worst of me. I’d fail the class, and then I wouldn’t be able to graduate on time.
God, what a mess.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Blake ushers me inside and closes the door behind us. I’m surprised to find Chrissy isn’t waiting for us like she was on Monday. But I’m sure this is all part of her mind games, trying to keep us guessing.
“This is all my fault. I put everyone at risk and didn’t consider the consequences.”
“You know that’s not true,” Blake disagrees, his concerned expression pleading with me to believe him. “This is just a bump in the road. Maybe it’s a big bump, but we’ll get past it. C’mon, little one. Don’t let her ruin what we have.”
“It’s not just her, Blake.”
But before I can share any more of my thoughts or concerns, the door flings open and Chrissy struts in, looking like a plastic doll in her tight pink mini dress that shows off her long legs. Her expensive sunglasses sit on top of her head as she blows a huge bubble with her grape chewing gum.
Her nonchalance annoys the hell out of me, and I glare at her as she walks inside, closing the door behind her. She has the nerve to wink at me, and I grind my teeth, worsening the ache that threatens to make my head explode.
“I guess you’ve come to your senses,” she says to Blake before turning her spiteful gaze on me. “Not sure why she needs to be here for this.”
“Shut up, Chrissy,” I snarl.
She opens her mouth, likely some snarky retort on the tip of her tongue, when Blake cuts her off. “I’m not letting you blackmail us,” he tells her as he reaches out to take my hand.
Fury flashes on her face, and I pinch my lips together to hold back a smirk. “So, you’re prepared to lose your job… for this chubby slut?” Her eyes flare with anger.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Blake warns.
Chrissy turns up her nose and crosses her arms over her chest. “Fine, have it your way then.”
“Oh, you aren’t turning us in.” His smile is smug as he clarifies the situation for her.
“Oh, yes, I am.” She pivots in my direction while pointing a finger in my face. “Have fun explaining this to your family.”
She spins on her heel, ready to leave, but Blake’s next words stop her in her tracks. “Chanel Barbie 02.”
Chrissy freezes in place, her shoulders bunching up as she sucks in a sharp breath. Her face has drained of color by the time she turns back around. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.” Blake rises to his full height, appearing more intimidating than usual. “That’s your cam girl name, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She denies what we already know is the truth, but her facial features are twisted with fear.
“Really? You saying you haven’t had that account since you were eighteen years old?” His smirk is everything, while the corners of my lips tip up into a mocking smile. “I only skimmed a few of the videos, but they are quite… scandalous. Seems strangers pay you a lot of money to perform all sorts of kinky shit in your bedroom.”
I almost laugh out loud, but hold it back. Blake isn’t one to judge people, let alone on the basis of their sexual preferences and tastes. If anything, he encourages it and would never shame someone for being kinky. But the fact that Chrissy has kept this a closely guarded secret confirms that she doesn’t want anyone to know what she’s been doing on camera. She comes from a wealthy family that runs in the same circles as mine. They’d be outraged and ashamed if they knew what she was doing. And heaven forbid any of their friends discovered her extracurricular activities. Elitists are often the most judgmental.
“No one knows about that. No one,” Chrissy exclaims with none of her previously exhibited cockiness.
I take a small step forward. “And I’m guessing you want it to stay that way.”
The sour look on her face is answer enough, but Blake isn’t done yet. “If that’s not enough incentive for you to back off, then let’s talk about your mother.”
“My mother? What does she have to do with anything?”
He relaxes his posture, leaning a hip against the front of his desk. “You’re not the only one keeping secrets.”
“You don’t have anything on her,” Chrissy sneers.
“I don’t?” He raises his eyebrows as he smiles. “So I don’t have screenshots of text messages between your mother and your landscaper? The bushes out front aren’t the only ones he’s tending.”
“Ew!” Chrissy’s expression pinches with disgust, and I can no longer keep from giggling. “Shut up, Madison!”
I ignore her until Blake shoots me a look from the corner of his eye. He’s amused as well, but trying to keep things serious, so I stifle my laughter.
“Whatever. Lots of wives have affairs. My stepdad probably already knows.”
Blake crosses his arms over his chest. “Think he knows about her offshore bank account? Several actually.”
Chrissy’s mouth opens and closes like a goldfish. “What?” The confusion in her eyes is genuine, and I’m not surprised she’s not aware of her mother’s private money matters. She’s probably mad she isn’t getting a cut of it.
“Mommy dearest has been hoarding cash from your new stepfather for the past twelve months. Seems you’re not the only gold digger in the family,” Blake explains, seemingly pleased with the sudden turn of events.
I can’t blame him. Chrissy brought this on herself when she threatened us. She should’ve done her homework and realized that he’s not a man to be played with. Blake isn’t just some stuffy college professor with his head in his books all day.
He turns to me with mirth glimmering in his eyes. “I wonder what her new stepfather would think about all this. What all his country club friends would say? The partners at his marketing firm?”
I nod my head, going along with Blake’s spiel.
“It’s bad enough he’d have to explain why his stepdaughter gets paid to be naked on camera and… What did you do in that last video?” He pretends like he’s thinking as he taps his index finger on his chin. “Oh, that’s right. You fucked yourself in the ass with a Kraken tentacle dildo.”
Chrissy’s eyes are as big as saucers as her mouth gapes open.
I look at her and shake my head. “Poor Bob will never live that down with his golfing buddies.”
She quickly shuts her mouth and pinches her overly-glossed lips together.
Blake returns his attention to her as he continues. “But how will ol’ Bob explain the cheating new wife with multiple foreign bank accounts? Swindled by a money-hungry tramp. Tsk, tsk, tsk. ”
Chrissy gulps, and a wave of satisfaction rolls through me. I have to hand it to Blake’s friend. I was skeptical at first, especially when he told me a man named Maverick was going to help us out. But he got everything we needed to shut her up, and she’s one less headache we have to worry about now.
Worry is etched on Chrissy’s face as tears well in her eyes. “You can’t tell anyone about this. He’ll throw us out and… and…” Her tone is panicked and I almost feel sorry for her. But then I think about me and Blake and my parents, and how casually she threatened to destroy everything I love.
“Then I suggest you keep your whore mouth shut about whatever you think you know,” I snap, and Blake looks at me, seemingly surprised by the coldness of my tone. He’s never seen me this angry before, but it’s almost as if he likes it.
“You can leave now, Chrissy. We’re done here.” He dismisses her with a wave of his hand. “And don’t even think about breathing one word of this to anyone. Or you’ll find out just how cruel my wrath can be. I promise you won’t like it.”
“ Fine ,” she hisses through gritted teeth while stomping her foot like a petulant child. Then she turns around and storms out of the office, dramatically slamming the door against the wall.
We watch her leave in silence before Blake crosses the room to lock the door. He stands there for a moment, taking a few deep breaths, the tension slowly releasing from his tight shoulders, before he approaches me with a wide grin. “Crisis averted, little one.”
My smile is weak, and his eyebrows scrunch together with concern. He thinks all our problems are solved, but they’re not.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, and my heart clenches in my chest as I stare into his big blue eyes.
“This was too close of a call,” I explain, forcing the words past my tight throat. “We can’t do this again.”
“She won’t say anything. I guarantee it. And we’ll be extra careful until you graduate in May. That’s only six months away and you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
“We’ve barely been together for six weeks and we’ve already been caught.”
He grabs my hips and tugs me into a tight embrace until our bodies are flush against each other. His muscular arms surround me while his warm, heavy palms span the width of my back and hold me in place. He presses his forehead to mine, and my breath hitches as my chin begins to wobble.
“We can’t take the risk,” I whisper, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
“No, no. Don’t do this, Madison. You can’t leave me, little one. I won’t let you.” His gaze burns into mine and nothing but agony reflects back at me.
My chest aches, but I have to stay strong. “Your career and reputation are too important to me. My father’s plans are on the line. It’s not worth the risk. I’m not worth the risk.”
Blake lifts his hands to cradle my face. “Don’t ever say that again. You’re worth everything to me and I’d give it all up today just to have you. I love you.”
I place my hands on his chest and gently push myself back a step. “But it’s not just about us, now is it?”
He looks so pained, and for a moment, I’m tempted to give in. But other people’s lives are at stake and I can’t afford to be selfish. I won’t be responsible for that, no matter how much this hurts.
“Madison, I?—”
“Let me go. You’ll forget all about me soon enough.”
Blake reaches for me, but I step away again. “No, I won’t?—”
I cut him off, saying the one thing I know will make him stop. “Bananas,” I breathe, and Blake looks at me like he’s been slapped. I don’t stay a second longer, not wanting him to see me fall apart. I just broke my own heart and I have to get out of here before I do something stupid and change my mind.
I rush to the door, but pause after I push it open. I don’t dare turn back to look at him or my resolve will break. I lower my head and close my eyes, letting my tears fall freely as I feel his intense gaze burn into my back.
Then I whisper, “I love you, Daddy,” before I run from the room. I can’t contain my sobs as I pass other students, who all stare at me with varied expressions. But I don’t care.
I don’t know how I’ll care about anything ever again.