Chapter Five
Tobias couldn’t wait to spend his money on Adora. Most of the women he dated were only after his wallet, so it was refreshing to spend time with a sweet girl. My girl. He led her into the boutique, ready to spoil her before their date. Her clothes were cheap, and he wanted to see her wearing the very best. The mother of his child wouldn’t want for anything.
“You don’t have to buy me clothes, Tobias. I can go home quickly to change, or wear what I have on,” she said, stalling at the entryway.
He shook his head. “Not happening.”
Her reluctance was uncanny. He practically had to drag her into the shop. As soon as they entered, she dug her heels in and looked around with a childlike wonder.
“There’re chandeliers,” she said, barely above a whisper.
She was getting under his skin. How could she be so fucking adorable and sexy at once?
“I told you. I only like the best.”
The white polished floors shone to a flawless finish. It reminded him of a dance floor, the clothing racks on the periphery. There were no other shoppers, but at this hour on a weekday, and with these prices, he didn’t expect any different.
“Can I help you?” A tall, thin blonde walked toward them, her heels clicking on the stone tiles.
Adora held his arm, keeping close. He loved that she looked to him for comfort. She was his to protect and care for now. The new responsibility grounded him.
“We’re looking for an evening gown, something she can wear to a nice dinner,” said Tobias.
The blonde looked Adora up and down. She looked like she’d just sucked on a lemon, and it pissed him off. “I don’t know if we have her … size.”
“Then get a fucking tailor here,” he said. “Have him at the ready.”
Her mouth fell agape.
“Adora, take a look at some dresses you like, and then you can try them on together.”
She looked up at him with pleading eyes. Didn’t women like to shop? He prodded her to check out the racks of dresses, finally getting her to select half a dozen dresses and some heels.
They entered the fitting area at the back of the store, a massive circular room with countless mirrors and vaulted ceilings. He sat on one of the sofas, taking a quick look at his watch. They had plenty of time.
The saleslady approached him, bending over to whisper, “Our tailor is unable to come on short notice. Extensive alterations require at least a week turnaround.”
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
She shook her head.
He pulled out his wallet and handed her a card. “Tobias Bennett, Bennett Corporation. Call my assistant. She’ll have a tailor here within fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.”
“Now, I want this changing room closed off until we’re through, do you understand?”
“I’ll be sure no one enters. If you need anything, please let me know.”
Once the main door to the changing room clicked shut, Tobias smiled at Adora. She’d been standing nearby, looking at the dresses she’d selected.
“Take off your clothes,” he said.
“What?”
“I want to see what I’m buying,” he said.
“You heard her, Tobias. These are way too small for me,” said Adora.
“Don’t worry about what she said. She doesn’t know anything. We’ll fix whichever one you like best.”
She carefully took the first dress from the rack and started toward one of the smaller changing rooms.
“Ah-ah,” he said. “Right there, baby doll. I want to see it all.”
She looked like a deer in the headlights, but didn’t argue. It surprised him. She hooked the dress back on the rack and pulled her sweater up over her head, her ponytail swinging down over her back once it was off. Then she slipped off her shoes and wiggled out of her pants. Once she was in just her bra and panties, his cock grew harder than the stone floors. He ran his palm over the front of his pants, trying to get comfortable.
“What if someone comes in?”
“They won’t,” he said. “Untie your hair.”
She pulled out the elastic holding it back, her thick hair fanning out once released. It reached her ass, and she looked like a fucking angel. He’d chosen well. Adora had wide hips for child bearing and lush tits to nurse his baby. Just thinking about filling her with his seed made him feel like a horny teenager.
Adora wiggled into the first dress, a deep purple number. She couldn’t do up the side zipper, but it hugged all her curves in just the right way.
“How fancy is this restaurant we’re going to?” she asked, looking at herself in the mirror. When she glanced at the tag hanging from the dress, she gasped. “Tobias, do you realize how much this dress costs?”
“Let me worry about that.”
“But—”
“You’re worth it, Adora.” It would take a while to get her used to being spoiled. And he didn’t like her lack of confidence.
She tried on a few more, falling in love with the fourth one. It was black, form-fitting, with a deep plunging neckline. Her cleavage was killer, and he knew every man would be drooling over her tonight. The saleslady had been overdramatic, and the dress would only need some minor alterations.
“Are you sure you like it?” she asked.
“Come here.” He patted his knee, and she tentatively sat down. Tobias cupped her cheek and kissed her once on the lips. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Don’t say that.”
He growled in irritation. “I can have any woman I want, Adora, but the second I saw you, I knew it had to be you.”
“I’m so confused,” she said. “I should be happy. I mean, I feel like Cinderella right now. But I want more.”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t care about money. I want to fall in love with a man who loves me back, not one who blackmails me to have his baby.”
He didn’t know what to say. The one thing she wanted, he couldn’t give her. How could he offer her love, something he’d never been exposed to growing up? He’d been taught to be strong, to be the best at everything. Love was a weakness. He’d been drilled to bottle that shit up. He wanted Adora, but couldn’t offer something he was incapable of.
“You’re right, this isn’t a fairy tale. It’s more complicated, it’s real, but it doesn’t mean I’m not giving you my all.”
She fiddled with his tie. “It’s just that my father never wanted me, and it hurt knowing that—more than you know. I had to watch my mother struggle, and had to live my life feeling unworthy. I’m an adult now. I want more.”
“I’m not your father, Adora. He was an asshole to walk out on your mother. I’m nothing like him.”
“You’re more like him than you realize,” she said. It sounded like Adora may know the identity of her real father, and it was something he was in the process of narrowing down.
He shook his head. “You don’t even know me.”
Tobias didn’t even know himself. He’d been programmed to succeed, but at what cost? He couldn’t help but remember why his brother took his own life. Most people needed more than dollars and cents—did he?
“But we’re having sex tonight.”
“Yes, we are,” he said. “That’s non-negotiable.” He ran his hand up her thigh. “We’ll have all the time in the world to get to know each other after tonight.”
“What if I tell you I’m scared?”
He couldn’t help but smile. “I promise I won’t hurt you. We’ll go nice and slow. I’ll take good care of you.” He gave her leg a little squeeze.
“I’m not worried about my body.”
Tobias had a lot to prove, and it was all unfamiliar territory. But if he wanted to secure his legacy, he needed a woman. A wife. The longer he spent with Adora, the more his physical attraction morphed into genuine affection. It terrified him, this new vulnerability. His first reaction was to fight back and put up walls. He hoped he didn’t fuck this up.
“One thing at a time,” he said. Tobias slid his hand up her dress, holding her hip as he kissed her shoulder. “No more worrying.”
“I haven’t told my mother about us. About our date.”
“You’re doing it again. Tonight’s about you and me. I’ve been looking forward to it all week.” He kissed her deep, holding her close. When her tongue slipped into his mouth, his eyes rolled back in his head. Never had a woman had such a profound effect on him.
****
Last week, Adora had been satisfied with her lot in life. Putting herself through college wasn’t easy, but she was determined to make something out of her life. The studying, the working, the struggling—it would all be worth it one day.
Everything had changed.
In one week.
Adora was falling in love with a man twice her age, a man seemingly perfect in every way. She knew it was a mistake to go along with any of this, but she couldn’t convince her heart otherwise. His words, his affection, and the way he stood up for her, everything kept pulling her in, and she was starting to change her hard-set views. Maybe things could work out. Maybe he’d grow to love her?
“If we don’t stop now, I’ll be taking you right here on the sofa. I don’t think you’d want that.” His voice always sounded rough and deep, having a direct effect on her libido.
She wanted to tell him that she didn’t care one way or another. There was something about Tobias that demanded obedience, and she was helpless against it. She wanted him, wanted him to take control of her body in every way. Was she selling out? Putting her fears above her ideals? She didn’t want to admit it, but even without the blackmail she wouldn’t have been able to turn him down.
“I still say the dress costs way too much,” she said.
He gave her that same evil smirk that made her body fire hot. “You can thank me tonight.”
Adora slipped off his lap, and changed back into her clothes. Tobias carried her dress to the front of the store. There was an older man in a suit waiting for them, a soft measuring tape around his neck.
“Carlos, thanks for coming by. Seems we have a bit of an emergency.” Tobias winked and tossed the dress into his waiting arms, continuing on to the checkout counter. Adora followed behind him, but the tailor stopped her.
“A few measurements, please.”
Adora obliged him as he quickly took all her measurements, then took the notepad to a wooden folding table with everything a tailor could need. She couldn’t believe how much pull Tobias Bennett had. It made her feel special that he’d chosen her.
When she joined Tobias at the counter, he’d just swiped his credit card, tucking it back into his wallet. She couldn’t even imagine how that would feel—buying anything he wanted, never feeling financially insecure.
“Give him a few minutes, then you can change. Are you hungry?”
She nodded.
“Where are we having dinner?” she asked.
“La Ballezza. Do you like Italian food?” He brushed some loose hair off her face, and she remembered it wasn’t pulled back. The way he looked at her made her feel beautiful, like the only woman in the world.
“I love it,” she said. He must have made reservations early in the week. La Ballezza was one of the most expensive restaurants on the downtown strip. All the celebrities and high rollers ate there. She never dreamed she’d see the inside firsthand.
“Excellent.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”
The lady from the store was only feet away behind the counter, but Tobias wasn’t embarrassed or shy in any way about expressing himself. She liked that about him. He was confident and didn’t care what anyone else thought. Adora wished she had a fraction of his self-assurance.
As soon as the tailor was done, Adora changed into her dress and shoes. The gown fit like a glove, hugging her curves like a second skin. She felt awkward being so formal, and walking in heels wasn’t as easy as it looked. Before she had a chance to reflect and close in on herself, Tobias had his arm around her waist. He led her out to his car, opening the passenger door for her like a true gentleman. She wanted to hate him, but he made it so difficult.
The interior of Tobias’s car was pure luxury. She sank into the lush leather seat, and watched the cityscape flash by the passenger window. The soft purr of the engine was the only sound in the car, and it unnerved her.
“Tell me something about yourself,” she said.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Your family, things you like to do … besides work.”
His jaw twitched, his eyes focused on the road ahead. “There’s not much to tell. I only see my parents on occasion, the less the better. Besides the odd game of golf, it’s pretty much the office.”
“You work too much.”
“I built the business into what it is today. I like to have my finger on the pulse.”
“There must be more than business. Didn’t you have dreams when you were a boy?” she asked.
He scoffed. “To be the best. That’s all that mattered. My parents demanded it, and I delivered.”
There had to be more to Tobias. His life couldn’t have been so cold.
“Siblings?”
“No.” He cleared his throat. “Tell me about Adora. I want to know about the mother of my child.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. It seemed so clinical, so unloving. She didn’t want to be his baby-maker, she wanted to be his everything. “I lived with my mother until last year when I moved to be close to college. I’m an only child, and you already know my mother raised me alone.”
They pulled in front of the restaurant. The valets were already moving in, but it didn’t appear to give Tobias any sense of urgency. He leaned over and tilted her chin up, looking her directly in the eyes. “It all changes now, baby girl. Today’s the first day of better things.”
She nodded just before her door was opened for her. Part of Adora wanted to argue, to tell him that setting her up in a condo while she baked his bun in her oven, was not an appealing prospect. She didn’t care about money, not even security, if it meant a loveless life.
They walked up the steps to the massive glass doors, and two doormen opened them as they approached. Adora held onto Tobias’s arm in fear of falling in her heels.
“Mr. Bennett, welcome to La Ballezza,” said the hostess. “Would you like a table for two this evening?”
“Something private.”
“Yes, sir.”
They followed her into the restaurant, and Adora was fascinated by the mix of old world and modern architecture and décor. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting as they walked. The restaurant was as impressive as she’d imagined. The hostess led them to a small, private alcove at the back of the room with a circular bench. A candle flickered on the table.
“This is really beautiful,” said Adora as she took as seat on the padded seat in the booth. She expected Tobias to take a seat opposite her, but he sat right beside her, their legs brushing.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
Was her face as flushed as it felt? She swallowed hard, not used to this level of attention. “Did you have reservations?”
“I don’t need reservations.” He continued to stare at her as if amused by her discomfort.
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Always.” He wet his lips, and she could envision the wicked things he was thinking. Her pussy tingled, the wave of need taking her by surprise.
“How old are you again?” She tensed after asking, wondering if she’d crossed a line, but he’d told her last time they’d seen each other. He was forty-five, and she was twenty.
“Is that important to you?”
She shrugged. “I guess not. I’m just wondering why you’re not already married.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m very picky.”
“So you pick me?” She nearly choked on a laugh. Adora wasn’t blind, and knew she was far from a ten.
“You’re too hard on yourself. I’m not sure why, but it needs to stop,” he said. “There’s something about you, Adora. You bring out a part of me I thought was dead. Maybe your innocence, your beauty—all I know is I’m not letting you go.”
“So, I’m your prisoner?” she teased.
It felt right to lighten the mood. Tobias was scaring her with his intensity. Yes, she wanted him to be real, but her own emotions were a mess.
“Is it so bad?”
She couldn’t answer. So far, he’d only spoiled her, making her feel like a princess. She wished he’d handled things differently, maybe dated her without demanding a baby. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Fair enough. Tonight, I’ll show you just how good things can be.” He rested his palm on her thigh under the table, sparking every cell in her body to life.
She briefly closed her eyes, savoring the wave of need washing through her. Adora wanted to touch Tobias, to run her fingers over the stubble on his jaw, to unbutton his fancy shirt and feel those hard muscles firsthand. Maybe tonight she’d have the nerve to take what she wanted in return.
The waiter stopped by, introduced himself, and gave them menus. She was looking over the choices when she felt Tobias’s body tense next to hers. He sat up straighter, staring at the other side of the restaurant. She couldn’t see what he was looking at from her position in the booth, but she hoped it wasn’t another woman. Maybe it was an ex-lover. Adora wanted to block out all the stories her mother had shared over the years. She wanted to be the only one for him, and the thought of him mentally comparing her to those beauties didn’t sit well with her.
The new wave of jealousy surprised her, making her realize just how deep she’d invested herself in this venture. That’s the only name she could give their relationship because it was completely unorthodox, but she knew she was all in at this point.