11. Never Ever
Faith
Cassius and I stayed up all night. We couldn’t get enough of each other. Finally, just before dawn, I drifted off to sleep in his arms.
It was heaven. That he’d taken me at the club again and brought me home sparked a wild hope in my chest. I didn’t want to read too much into it. Still, having so much intense sex with him made me feel bonded to the billionaire. He’d brought me to orgasm so many times in the past twenty-four hours I could barely see straight.
When he’d handcuffed me at the club and spanked me with the paddle? Holy wow. I didn’t know if I’d be into something like that—I’d never considered it. But the “punishment” had awakened a new level of arousal inside me. I’d been wild for him to enter me. And when he did? My orgasm was like a tidal wave, totally bowling me over.
We’d experimented with the paddle some more in his giant bed. He’d spanked me and fucked me again and again. Each time, he’d brought me higher. The level of pleasure I’d soared to had been insane. Afterward, we’d cuddled, which might’ve been the best part.
Last but not least, Cassius had kissed me good night. He was tender and gentle. He’d wrapped his arms around me, and I felt like his big bed was heaven. I was safe and protected. I was wanted. I belonged. I’d nestled against his chest, peaceful and complete. I love you, I thought again.
Again, I was too much of a coward to say it.
When I awoke, the early morning sun streamed through the windows. Cassius had left a note on his pillow.
Good Morning Faith,
I had to leave to meet with my brothers. Please feel free to have coffee and something to eat before returning to your suite.
Gina sent some clothes over for you. You absolutely will not be walking around in that black lace teddy. Over my dead body—or likely, someone else’s.
I enjoyed last night.
I look forward to seeing you again today.
Cassius
I shivered. He wants to see me again. I grabbed the note and held it against my chest like a lovesick teenager. Maybe he just wanted me for the sex, I didn’t know. But he was Cassius Blackwood. There was no shortage of women to sleep with, including everyone who worked at his club.
But he’d chosen me. Not only had he purchased my platinum rights—twice—he’d followed me when I ran. He drove me to Boston to see my brother. He’d stayed by my side when I faced my mother. He’d taken my virginity, but he’d given me so much in return. Money. Pleasure. Connection.
Hope.
To be fair, he’d pushed me away as much as he’d pulled me in. But time after time, Cassius had returned for me. He’d made it impossible for another man to touch me. It was awful how he’d beaten up that patron last night. I felt terrible that I flirted with the other man—I’d known that if Cassius were watching, he’d be livid. And I was right.
Still, pure female satisfaction bloomed in my chest as I remembered Cassius’s ferociousness. I didn’t want the member to get beat up, but I’d be lying if I said I hated having Cassius go bananas because another patron had his hands on me.
And then Cassius couldn’t keep his hands off of me…
Still clutching the letter, I smiled to myself. I had no idea what would happen next. Maybe Cassius would fire me. Perhaps he would send me away. Or maybe, just maybe, we could explore the new thing that was growing between us.
I didn’t even know what to call it. I had no idea how a relationship would work—we were in a crazy situation. But still, that tiny spark of hope lit my chest. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But I allowed myself the tiny spark of hope, the maybe.
Because I knew, deep in my heart, the dark truth.
I loved the billionaire.
So, a tiny spark of hope was as good as it would get.
* * *
Once I’d showeredand dressed, I snuck back to my room. Lucky for me, it was early. No one else was out. Either the patrons had left the compound early to return to their regular lives, or they were sleeping off the debauchery of last night’s party.
The employee wing of the house was silent. All the girls were still sleeping as I crept to my room. Tate was inside, sprawled out on her bed, snoring. But she opened one eye as soon as I closed the door behind me. “Where the hell have you been, unicorn? You caused a scene last night, and nobody knew where you went!”
“I was with Cassius,” I admitted.
She whistled. “He’s got it bad. He’s almost as bad as Macy’s billionaire!”
“What happened with them?” I asked. The last time I saw Macy with Elias, she’d been comforting him by the bar.
“I don’t know.” Tate yawned. “They disappeared, too.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“For fuck’s sake,” Tate grunted, “it’s six a.m.!”
“Sorry, ladies.” Gina stuck her pretty face into the room. “I know it’s early, but we need to do our weekly check-ins. Then you can get back to bed.”
“Faith’s going first.” Tate pulled the covers up to her chin. “I’ve only had fifteen minutes of sleep.”
“Fine. Faith, please come with me. It won’t take long.”
I followed the Madam back into the hall. She wore a flowing sundress, her clean hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. Gina didn’t speak until we reached her office. She locked the door, then turned to me. “Are you okay, Faith?”
“I think so.”
She blew out a deep sigh. “You look exhausted, so we can talk about everything that’s happened later. For now, let’s just do your check-in. We need to take your weight and run some tests. It’ll be the same every week, and it’s easy enough. The nurse will come in to record everything, and then we’ll meet afterward to review the results.”
“A nurse?” I wrinkled my nose. “We have to meet with a nurse every week?”
Gina nodded. “We need to ensure all the girls are maintaining their weight and health. We test for sexually transmitted infections and also do a weekly pregnancy test.”
“Why do we do that? I thought all the patrons got tested for STIs. And we all took the birth control shot, so I shouldn’t need a pregnancy test,” I said.
Part of our contract stipulated that we maintain a strict birth control schedule, which I was more than happy to adhere to. The last thing I wanted was to get pregnant. My mom had me young—she was fifteen—and it had been an unmitigated disaster. I’d remained a virgin until I was twenty because I was petrified of getting pregnant.
“Everyone—patrons and employees—got tested for STIs. But we’re testing every week just to make sure nothing changes. It’s one of the perks of the club. Our members and staff need to feel confident that it’s safe and that everyone’s healthy,” Gina explained. “And as for the pregnancy test, they’re mandatory. We’re doing them every week. The contraceptive shot is effective, but it’s not one hundred percent.”
“I know, but I just had sex for the first time a few days ago,” I said, cheeks heating. “There’s no way I’m pregnant.”
“These new pregnancy tests are very sensitive. They can detect even the slightest increase in HCG levels,” Gina said. “We paid top-dollar for new technology and equipment so that we can meticulously track employee health.”
“I can’t be pregnant,” I said again. “I had the shot, and I’ve barely had sex.”
“You still have to take the test,” the Madam gently. “Don’t worry, Faith. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
She left, and the nurse came in. She was an older woman with chilly hands and a warm, tired smile. She checked my vitals, drew a small vial of blood, and finished quickly.
“The results will be back shortly. We’ll run a screen for STIs and also, for early pregnancy detection,” the nurse explained. “They have state-of-the-art equipment here; it’s crazy. They have better technology than the last lab I worked at.”
I thanked her, and she left. I wasn’t alone for long. Gina came in a few minutes later, frowning. She had a tiny crease in between her brows.
“Oh my God,” I said when I saw her expression. “Do I have an STI?”
“No.” Gina shook her head and sat down behind her desk. “Those tests came back clean.”
We stared at each other for a beat.
“So why are you frowning?” I asked, finally breaking the silence. “What’s the matter?”
Gina frowned again. And then she said the three little words I’d never wanted to hear, the ones that would surely ruin my life.
“Faith, you’re pregnant.”
I opened my mouth, but then I closed it.
Because what the hell could I say to that?
* * *