35

I run into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. When I catch a glimpse of my messy face in the mirror, I cry harder.

What am I doing?

I just allowed him to humiliate me for forty thousand dollars. It was horrible.

Turning on the sink, I quickly splash water on my face to wash off his come and my tears. I continue to

cry, horrified at my actions as I scrub my face clean. I’m just turning the sink back off when I sense his presence.

“Go away,” I sob, unable to meet his stare in the mirror. “Look at me.”

I shake my head, sending more tears flowing down my cheeks. “No.”

He grips my hips and twists me around to face him. His expression is pinched slightly, an unusual one on his normally cool features. With a clean towel, he dabs at my face, drying it. I meet his blue eyes and get lost in them.

I don’t understand this man.

I thought I could play in his league, but I am so out of my depth here.

“You’re brave,” he murmurs as he drops the towel at our feet. “And beautiful.” His fingers brush back my messy hair. “And mine.”

My bottom lip wobbles. I have nothing to say to him. His words mean nothing to me.

He unclamps each nipple clamp, tossing them to the ground. My nipples throb, but I refuse to wince with him staring holes into me.

“Time for bed, little one.”

He takes my hand and guides me out of the bathroom. I hate that my heart flutters a little at his gentleness. The overhead light has been turned off in the bedroom, the box and toys are gone, and the phone is no longer recording. He’s already pulled back the covers, and the soft bedside light is the only light in the room. I fall for his stupid tricks, because my heart skips at the way he’s taking care of me. Once I’m in the bed, he pulls the covers over my naked body. The butt plug feels strange, but I’m already getting used to it.

“Goodnight, Ash.”

“Can I sleep in your bed?” I blurt out, my eyes burning with tears.

He tenses, his expression turning cruel again. “That’ll cost you more than you can afford.”

Like a ghost, he vanishes. The door slamming shut signifies his exit, making my entire body shudder. I turn off the light and give in to my sadness. Gut-wrenching sobs leave me as I wonder what the hell I’m supposed to do right now. I feel so . . . used. I feel dirty. I’m so tired. I’ve only known Winston a few days, and he’s drained me of everything while he fills my bank account up. I’m not sure the tradeoff is even worth it.

I’m almost asleep when the door creaks open. Soft footsteps pad into the bedroom. The covers pull back and then his large body sinks into the bed with me.

“Come here,” he instructs. “I can’t sleep with all that crying.” I hate him right now.

I hate myself even more for rolling toward him and curling my naked body around his almost naked one. His strong arm wraps around me, hugging me to him. As I breathe in his masculine scent, I relax in his hold. He lazily teases at my hair.

“Tomorrow, I need to leave,” I whisper. “I can’t do this.”

“I wanted you because you’re tough, Ash. Don’t grow soft on me now.” More tears leak out. “I’m not as tough as I look.”

“What do you need, love? Kind words? Those won’t come for free. It’s another piece of this game we can negotiate though.”

“I have to pay you to be nice to me?” I scoff. “Asshole.”

“There’s my fiery girl. Come to work with me tomorrow as my personal assistant. Be prepared to do actual business. Promise me this, and I’ll give you what you want.”

I hold my breath wondering if I can do this. Finally, I exhale and nod. “Okay.” “Good girl,” he croons. “Such a dutiful, sweet girl.”

His stupid praise that I basically had to pay for washes over me like a cleansing rain. He rolls me onto my back, and then his urgent lips are on mine. Each kiss is sweet and gentle. I hate how it thaws my heart toward him. It’s all a stupid game to him, and yet I need it every bit as much as he needs to humiliate me. We both have our kinks.

“So pretty. So perfect. So mine,” he murmurs between kisses. “I want to keep you forever.”

We kiss for what feels like hours as he whispers assurances that somehow make me forget every horrible thing he said and did to me. When I’m relaxed and content, he pulls away, kisses my forehead, and then leaves the bed once more.

This time, rather than crying, I fall asleep with his kisses lingering on my mind.