Chapter 24

**Hannah**

We hurried back to Emma's car, neither of us speaking until we were safely inside with the doors locked.

"What a fucking creep," Emma said, starting the engine. "I swear, if he looked at your boobs one more time, I was going to knee him in the balls."

I let out a shaky laugh. "I appreciate the restraint. I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible."

"Well, at least it's over now," Emma said, pulling away from the warehouse. "You never have to see that sleazeball again."

"Thank god for that," I muttered, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Vincent was paid off, and I still had money left over. For the first time in months, I could breathe a little easier.

Emma turned onto the main road, glancing at me with a mischievous smile. "So... now that your loan shark problem is solved let's talk about something more interesting. How's your daddy? Is he good in bed?"

I nearly choked. "Emma!"

"What? It's a legitimate question! I mean, the man is paying you ten grand a month. The sex better be mind-blowing."

My cheeks burned. "I'm not discussing this with you."

"Oh come on!" She playfully slapped my arm. "We always share hookup stories. Why is this different?"

"Because it's... complicated."

Emma stopped at a red light and turned to face me fully. "Hannah Mitchell, you're holding out on me! I can see it in your face. He must be incredible. Is he all dominant and controlling? I bet he is. Rich guys like that always want to be in charge."

I stared out the window, trying not to smile and give myself away.

"Oh my god, he is!" Emma squealed. "Look at your face! You're practically glowing! You're getting great sex from your dominant daddy, aren't you?"

"Can we please change the subject?"

"No way. This is too good." She accelerated when the light turned green. "Seriously, if sugar daddies come with this much money AND great sex, I might need to consider it myself. Old guys are always more experienced, anyway. They actually know what they're doing, unlike college boys who think jackhammering for two minutes is the height of sexual prowess."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're terrible, and he is not that old."

"I'm honest! And clearly, your daddy knows exactly how to fuck you right."

"If you did this," I said, trying to deflect, "you couldn't go for casual hookups anymore. No more random guys from bars."

Emma pursed her lips, considering this. "Hmm, that's true. I do enjoy my freedom. Maybe I'll keep the sugar dating idea on the back burner for now. Consider it my emergency backup plan if my financial situation ever gets as bad as yours."

I laughed, shaking my head at Emma's casual approach to everything. "Emergency backup plan? You make it sound like signing up for roadside assistance."

"Girl, it basically is roadside assistance—just for your bank account instead of your car." Emma winked, making a sharp turn that threw me against the door. "And clearly, the service comes with some very appealing perks."

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," I said, watching the city blur past the window. "But seriously, thank you. For suggesting the sugar dating thing and setting up my profile. I know it's kind of a bad idea—"

"A bad idea that got you a penthouse, a Mercedes, and fifteen grand to pay off Creepy Vincent," Emma interrupted. "Plus regular orgasms from a hot older guy who clearly knows what he's doing."

I felt my cheeks flush. "Yeah, well, I didn't exactly have many options left. My bank balance was getting so low I was afraid to check it."

"How's that coffee shop job going? Are you keeping it?"

"Moonbeam? No, I'm quitting. I called Jerry this morning to let him know. He was surprisingly cool about it."

"Smart move. No point making minimum wage slinging lattes when you've got Daddy Warbucks paying your bills." Emma drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. "Meanwhile, my bar gig is actually going pretty well. The tips have been amazing lately. Some drunk investment banker left me a hundred-dollar tip last night just because I laughed at his terrible joke."

"Wow, that's great," I said, genuinely happy for her. "The bar job suits you."

"It does. But what about you? If you're quitting Moonbeam, what will you do with all your free time? Besides the obvious daddy-related activities." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"I'm going to focus on my career. I will use the extra time to work on my fashion design portfolio and maybe take that advanced fashion design course I couldn't afford before." I felt a little thrill saying it out loud. For the first time in ages, I could actually pursue my dreams instead of just scrambling to pay bills.

Emma glanced at me with a softer expression than her usual mischievous grin. "Look, I'm just teasing you about all the daddy stuff. You know that, right? At the end of the day, your life is what matters most."

"My life?" I laughed. "You mean the one where I'm regularly getting mind-blowing orgasms AND a monthly allowance?"

"I'm being serious for once!" Emma protested, but her lips twitched. "Focus on your career more. What happens if the sugar dating ends? We finish post-grad in a few months, and then what? You'll need to get a real job again."

I sighed, watching the buildings blur past the window. "You're right. I know you're right. I'm not planning to make this a permanent lifestyle."

"Good, because as hot as your sugar daddy sounds, I want you to be Hannah Mitchell: Fashion Designer Extraordinaire, not just someone's baby."

"Wow, look who's being all responsible adult today," I teased. "Did you hit your head or something?"

Emma flipped me off without taking her eyes off the road. "I have my moments of wisdom. They're rare, so enjoy it while it lasts."

I laughed, then became more serious. "I will try to get a job while learning fashion design—something that won't interfere with my classes or portfolio work."

"Good girl," Emma said in a deep voice, clearly mocking Leonardo's tone.

"Oh my god, stop!" I smacked her arm but couldn't help laughing. "You're the absolute worst."