Seven
—
Yesterday, Graham hadn’t spoken the magic words, yet here I stood outside his door.
I’d like you to attend as my honoured guest.
His forced honoured guest.
From inside, I heard muted sounds of jazz and people talking. Knowing there were other attendants to the party made me less afraid of what to expect. I was still wary of Graham’s intentions. Who paid their guests just for showing up to a party? No-one. There had to be more he hadn’t told me and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find out what it entailed.
I waited for the nerve to ring the doorbell. My hands shook, so I occupied them by smoothing them over my dress. All Graham had told me was to show up at ten thirty, showered and dressed in formal wear. When my mother was alive, she used to say that when in doubt, wear black. So I’d followed her advice and opted for a simple black dress and heels.
It was the kind of outfit I used to wear when I worked at the staffing agency. I’d also worn a bit of makeup and had taken the time to do my hair. I’d told myself I wanted to look my best to boost my confidence but I knew the real reason. It was so Graham could appreciate me looking nice for a change. After all, both times he’d seen me I’d been wearing baggy, unflattering clothes.
Blowing out a breath in preparation, I rang the doorbell and waited. Whatever. I shouldn’t care what Graham thought of me. I’d done what he’d asked and that should be enough.
My phone buzzed with a text notification and I winced. Most likely Kim again. She’d been trying to get in contact with me all day. I didn’t have the heart to tell her the job her brother sent me to do had been a bust. I suppose when Veronica told Jared she’d failed the exam, they’d know something went wrong.
The door opened admitting music and the delicious scent of food. Graham stood before me dressed in a white dress shirt tucked into charcoal-grey slacks. Behind him, several people stood around his living room holding wine glasses, laughing and talking.
Graham swept his gaze over me, an appreciative look on his face. Inside, I revelled in a sense of victory he liked what he saw.
“Come on in. Everyone’s waiting to meet you.”
Confused and curious, I passed him into the house, inhaling a whiff of his divine cologne as I did so.
Graham led me around and introduced me to the ten other party guests. They were all couples ranging from their twenties to their sixties, and they all seemed eager to shake my hand.
“Thank you for the work you do,” said one man with greying brown hair, a blond woman standing beside him. He cupped my hand between his, an earnest, grateful expression on his face. “I’ve heard great things. I can only hope you and Mr. West can help me too.” He released my hand and curled an arm around his wife. “Help us last.”
I frowned, about to speak, but Graham beat me to it.
“You can rest assured we’ll do our best for you, Mr. And Mrs. Stanley. Now if you’ll excuse us, Julia and I must prepare.”
His hand on my back, Graham steered me upstairs to his guest bedroom.
“What’s going on?” I demanded as soon as he shut the door.
“You and I are going to put on a performance for the guests downstairs.”
“What kind of performance?”
He moved closer, a curve on his lips, his gaze dragging over my body as his blue eyes darkened with desire.
“I’m going to fuck you while all of them watch.”
Alarmed and speechless, I took a step back. Then my indignation took over, bringing back my voice.
“And you think I’m just going to let you do that to me? In your dreams, asshole!”
I spun and stormed toward the door. Graham overtook me in a few long strides, blocking my exit. I pushed against his chest to shove him out of the way, but it was like trying to move solid stone. God, he was sturdy, and if I hadn’t just learned what an arrogant jerkface he was, I definitely wouldn’t have minded being beneath his powerful body. No, that was a lie. I still didn’t mind the idea. Hell no to the live porno show, though.
“Not only are you going to do it, you’re going to love every second.”
I glared at him. “Get out of my way or I’ll scream.”
“Are you going to call the cops, too? Because I have an interesting story I’m sure they’d like to hear.”
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists at my sides.
“Is this how it’ll always be, Mr. West? You demand something from me and if I don’t obey your bidding you’ll threaten to tell the cops what I did?”
“It won’t.”
“How am I supposed to trust you?”
“Tonight, I want your complete submission and total obedience to my demands. That’s all I want from you, Julia. You will do as I say and you will not fight. And as I told you before, every time you address me you will call me sir.”
Outrage swirled in my chest and if Graham saw it in my gaze, he seemed unconcerned. Why should I fight this when I had no hope of winning? If I walked out that door and I’d find myself in a lot more trouble than being paid to have sex with a handsome man while ten strangers watched.
“What do you want me to do?” Then I added: “Sir.”
“I want you to take off your clothes.”
I hesitated before stiffly moving my hand to my dress’ zipper at the back of my neck. My face burned as I peeled the dress from my body and let it pool around my feet. It had been a while since I’d undressed in front of a man. Ridiculously, I worried about what Graham thought of my body as I removed my bra and slid my panties down my thighs.
I bent to unstrap my heels but paused when Graham spoke.
“Leave them on.”
Straightening, I met his stare. Graham’s gaze travelled over me, cataloguing every bit of me. The urge to cover myself was almost too strong to ignore, but I kept my arms rigid at my sides. Then he stepped forward and smoothed his hand over my shoulder. My pulse raced at his touch, my breath growing faster. I told myself I hated him, hated his touch, and yet I felt arousal stirring between my legs, anticipation tightening my nipples.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” His unexpected praise unbalanced me. “But there’s something missing. Wait here.”
He left the room and I contemplated grabbing up my clothes and running. Instead, I remained where I stood, obeying his order to wait. When he returned, he regarded me with satisfaction. Clearly his departure had been a test to see if I’d disobey him.
In his hand he held a leather collar with a long chain coiled around his forearm. He unwound the chain and secured the collar around my neck.
Oh my god. He’d just leashed me like a dog.
“Too tight?”
I lowered my gaze. “No, sir.”
He cupped my face and raised my gaze to his.
“Are you going to be a good girl for me tonight, Julia?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. Let’s go put on a great show.”