Chapter 10

Nicole

On Tuesday night, Ricky had the guy outside tell me to be ready by nine thirty in the morning. I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling. I didn’t know what to expect. I tossed and turned as the hours dragged, trying to focus on the TV so I could fall asleep.

I think I’d just closed my eyes when there was a knock on the door. I blinked, rose to walk to the door, and looked through the cracked peephole to see Bennett standing there. I opened the door and let her in with a yawn as she looked me over. “Morning?”

“I heard we need to get you dolled up for your fiancé?” Her voice was curious as I groaned.

“I guess.”

“I brought coffee and donuts. Take a shower and let’s do this.” Bennett set two bags down on the bed. I wandered into the tiny bathroom, looking around the room for the last time before I stepped under the weak shower spray. I cleaned off and washed my hair as I took several deep breaths. I was leaving today. That is what mattered.

I got out, and she dried my hair for me then straightened it with a flat iron as I sat silently on the bed. “I wonder what he’s going to be like.” I smiled weakly.

“I hope he’s great,” Bennett said. “We should keep in touch.”

“I’d like that.” Somehow in this, we’d become friends. I valued the time that she spent with me here in this sad, little room just keeping my spirits up. She worked on my hair as I wrapped my arms around my knees and listened to the morning news show on TV.

Once my hair was done, she did my makeup. It was better than that first night and subtle for the daytime. I laughed and told her that there was no way she was going to cover up the circles under my eyes as she gazed sympathetically at me.

“You’ll be beautiful. Besides, he already picked you.” A frown crossed her pretty face. “Ricky sent that fucking belt with me. He wants you wearing it when the guy picks you up. Disgusting.”

I pouted and closed my eyes as she put liner on my lids. She took her time, and I savored this moment since I had no idea what was to come next. I hoped to see my sister as soon as I could.

Bennett looked at me as her eyes lit up. “Your phone!”

She reached into one of the bags and pulled out my little Samsung, handing it to me as I grinned.

“Amazing how much you get to depend on these little suckers.” I powered it on and was relieved to see that Ricky had just shut it down as soon as he got it, judging from the juice left. I read Noelle’s panicked texts, skipping the many voice mails. She sounded so scared. I sent her a text telling her that I’d be leaving soon and if I didn’t get home right away, I’d call her. I know that I was supposed to be engaged to this guy but in reality, we didn’t even know one another.

She responded with several smileys and hearts that made me smile while at the same time my eyes filled with tears.

“Your sister?” Bennett asked.

I nodded. “I hate being away from her. I’ve always been around to protect her.” I sighed.

Bennet dragged a finger under my wet eyes. “Your eyes are green. How does that happen?” she asked.

I laughed. “When I talk about things that I love, they change color. I wish I could say that it happened all the time.”

“They’re gorgeous.” She dabbed gloss on my lips and smiled at me. “I applied for some makeup jobs on the strip.”

“Good for you!!” I told her, hugging her.

She finished and reached into the bag to pull out some clothing and the chastity belt. “He’s an asshole.”

“I know.” I put on the fresh bra and underwear set before she secured the belt around me and slipped the key into the pocket of her jeans. I pulled on the low-cut plum dress, finding that it was obscenely short as I tried to keep tugging it down. “Damn it. I guess I should be lucky that I’m wearing clothing at all.”

We finished the outfit with some black heels, and she helped me bag the clothes that she brought me before looking at the clock. “Guess we should walk over there.”

We left the room after it was cleaned up, with the bodyguard walking close by our sides. I didn’t realize how close the hotel was to the bar before today and looked around as the sun lit up the industrial lot. I was facing the back of the bar and saw a little blue car parked near the door and two men talking. We kept walking, and after he looked over at us, I realized it was the man who bought me talking with Ricky.

I’d recognize those blue eyes anywhere.

He stared over at me as I walked slower, and the bodyguard grabbed my arm to drag me along. “You’re not going to stop this by moving slower.”

I hurried along so I wouldn’t trip, and the man stepped forward to secure his arm around my waist. “Don’t ever touch her that way again. You almost made her fall.” His eyes flashed.

The skin of his arm was hot on my waist and his body taught beside me. I stared at him.

“He paid up so I suppose it’s your turn,” Ricky sneered at me as he reached into his pocket. He counted out a few bills and handed them over. I took them, still pulled against the man’s muscular body. “In fact, I’m ordained in the state of Nevada. I can marry you kids right here and now.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “No. I don’t want to do it like that.”

“We’ll do it in a few months. She probably needs some sleep and food,” the man said.

Ricky leaned toward me, stopping when my ear was near his mouth.

“Shut up, you stupid bitch. This is a big payday for both of us.” I yelped as I was pulled back and leaned against the man’s chest.

“I assume we’re done here,” he said. “Come on.”

“Hold on,” I said, hugging Bennett tightly for a moment. We’d already exchanged numbers, and she smiled at me before she turned to walk to a black car parked a few feet away, saying nothing to Ricky.

The man watched her as she walked away, then asked who she was as he led me to the blue car. “She helped me,” I replied, nervously glancing his way.

“I’m Allen,” he offered as he reached his hand out to me. I shook it when we both heard Ricky say something. I looked over to see Bennett handing something to him before he walked over to us.

“You’ll need the key,” Ricky told Allen proudly as he beamed at me. “Show him.” I blushed and lifted my dress enough to display the bottom part of the belt as Allen narrowed his eyes. Ricky handed him the key and looked at us as if he expected Allen to take it off right here and now.

“I’ll do that later if you don’t mind,” he said, looking at me. Allen kept walking us towards the car, asking if I was okay with that.

“Yeah, I haven’t been wearing it this whole time. A few more minutes won’t hurt.”

“What’s your name?” he asked.

I listened closely to his voice, smooth and rough at the same time. I looked over at him as he opened the door, seeing messy, blond hair and those eyes. He was in great shape and handsome, and I slipped into the seat carefully, trying to decide how much older than me he was.

Probably just a couple of years.

“I’m Nicole.”

He looked down at me with a warm smile. There was already something I liked about this guy. He got into the car and asked if I was hungry. I shook my head. I was too nervous to eat, and the coffee from the hotel room was making me feel sick. Allen started the car and pulled out of the parking lot as I glared at the club and motel, fading away in the distance.

“How old are you?” he asked.

“I’m twenty-eight.” I peeked in his direction.

“I’m thirty-one. Have you lived here a long time?”

“I just moved here with my sister.” This was so awkward, and I shifted in the seat uncomfortably.

“Do you like it in Vegas?” His question was curious.

“I’ll like it better now that I actually have some money.” I glanced his way again.

He winced at what I said and turned down a neighborhood street. Allen drove to the end of the street and into a driveway as I looked at the neat, white ranch style home.

“This is my house.”

“It’s nice.” I didn’t know what else to say.

He parked in the garage and came around to my side, helping me out and getting my bag. He led me through a door into a spacious kitchen as I looked around. He must have a decent job. Allen set my bag down on the black leather couch and then took me around so I could see the whole house.

“Want me to take that off?” Allen was looking at my waist.

I blushed as I pressed my lips together. I nodded and clutched the dress in my hands, lifting it as he watched with the sun shining on me through a high window. I felt him hold onto one side before inserting the key and turning it as warmth gushed between my thighs. There was something so hot about this. Maybe it was him or the unusual taboo situation, but I was feeling aroused as he slipped the belt off my body. I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes as he tossed it to the couch and dropped the key beside it.

“I never want to see that fucking thing on you again.”

I nodded with a weak smile.

“Want to go get some things at your place? I thought you could stay here, and we could get to know each other.” He smiled. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Nicole. I just want you to be safe.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. That made sense but I was so scared to be near him. I already wanted him and that made me nervous.

We drove to the apartment, and Noelle tackled me when I walked through the door. I hugged her as Allen watched with amusement and closed the door.

“You’re home!” She yelled as she spun me around before noticing Allen behind me, pausing as she took him in with a tilt of her head. “Hi.”

“I’m Allen,” he offered his hand to her, and she shook it.

“I’m Noelle, her baby sister.” She gave me a curious look.

He told her that it was nice to meet her as she reached for my hand and pulled me into the bedroom. “You didn’t say that he was so gorgeous!”

“I didn’t remember all that well. He wants me to stay with him for a while to get to know each other. Should I?” I asked her in a whisper, knowing that this was a small apartment.

“Do you trust him?”

“I think I do.” I stared at my sister, memorizing her beautiful face.

“I do already. He seems like a decent guy. Try it and keep in touch!” she said.

I hugged her tightly and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to leave her again. I reached into my bra and took out the money, giving it to her. “I got this. I want you to take it but try to make it last. I might be home.”

When we got back to the house, I went right to sleep in the guest room, emotionally and physically exhausted.