Chapter Six

Liam

Even with my eyes closed, I can feel her staring at me, willing me to talk so we can get to know each other. After tonight, this is all I can handle. The debacle of events is more than I want to deal with. More importantly, it’s something I’ve never done before. I don’t adjust any deals. When a deal is made, that’s it. There are no adjustments. No special requests. If the deal can’t be met, then there are consequences.

Something tells me Chelsea’s going to be more than I bargained for. I’m not used to women wanting to talk and know more. It’s refreshing.

I release a heavy sigh and open my eyes, taking in a long drink, and swallow the dark liquid so it smoothly slides down my throat. The dull crackle of the fire is calming me. Calming the tension in the room.

I glance over at the girl I took and she’s holding an empty glass. “Shall I get you another?”

“Please.”

I get up and take her glass along with mine, pick up the decanter, and pour our drinks. She’s comfortably sitting on the leather chair, her knees pulled to her chest, and her arms tightly wrapped around her legs. Her eyes watch the fire, as though she’s trying to summon some sort of answer for what’s going on. Answers to help her understand why she traded herself to save her parents. It’s admirable. Honorable. I can already tell I’ll grow weak when I’m with her.

She’s the youngest woman I’ve ever had an interest in. We’re almost twelve years apart, and that fact alone should stop me. She’s not even of legal age to drink, yet here I am, feeding her whiskey so she’ll be calm.

When I sit back down on the chair and hand her a drink, I decide we should talk. Get to know one another. The whole concept of being a couple is foreign to me. With my booming business and constant travel, I don’t have time to put in any sort of effort to be in a relationship or have a girlfriend. When I meet a woman, I take her to a hotel, fuck her, and leave. I don’t stay to cuddle. I don’t stay for round two. They never know where I live or how to get in touch with me again. It’s easier to leave and forget the woman.

With Chelsea, it’s different. She screams innocence with the way she’s huddled in the leather chair. The little boy inside me wants to keep her forever, and keep her shiny so no one else can play with her.

I want to be the only one.

“Tell me more about yourself. I’ve heard stories from your parents through the years.”

She sighs, rubbing her face and running her fingers through her hair. “I’m nothing too special. A typical twenty-year-old who can’t stand college. I have dreams and aspirations. My friends are everything to me, and I have no idea what I’m even going to tell them. I mean, can I tell them anything?”

“That’s up to you. In the eyes of my associates, clients, and friends, you’ll be my girlfriend. Someone I deeply care about.”

“Oh. So since we’re adjusting the deal then that means it’s not final.”

“Yes. Our deal, in many ways, is final. I’m open to adjustments if you see that it needs to be done.” I move in closer until my hand rests on hers. “I do care about you, Chelsea. Let’s take this time to get to know one another since you’ll be here for an uncertain amount of time.”

“I’m not sure where to start, Liam. I mean, this is all so new to me. I’ve had a few boyfriends before, but nothing like this.”

“What do you mean?”

I see the hesitation in her face. Her brows are knit together and she avoids eye contact with me. “Your expectations are most likely more than anything I’ve ever done.”

“Are you a virgin?” I let the question slip, and now that it’s out, she probably feels obligated to respond.

“Yes,” she answers without hesitation. “Yes, I am.”

A virgin. What the hell have I done? She won’t be capable of handling me. I don’t know how to go slow. Fucking is what I do best—when I’m not in the office. This isn’t a project that I wanted, nor do I need it. I’ve become a damn babysitter.

But wait a second… I pause my racing thoughts. I’m the one in control, and she’s well aware of that. So…

My cock perks up when I examine her body. She’s petite with an athletic frame and curves to die for. Her tits are at least a C cup, and they look soft and full. My mind takes me back to seeing her ass, and my hand twitches with the urge to spank her and see my bright-red handprint on her butt cheek. Long, curly, blonde hair hangs loose over her shoulders. My gaze travels toward her face and I take in her heart-shaped, pouty lips, small nose, high cheekbones, and compelling, clear light-blue eyes. She’s watching me the way I’m watching her. Is she wondering the same thing I’m wondering? Is that one important question burning her up inside like it is me? Does she long to know…what are the next steps, and what do we do next?