Chapter 11

“Ah, Ms. Jane Bryden. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation,” Brad smiles, as if this were just another business deal. He hands Jane a flute of champagne.

Sitting down across from him, she notices his jawline is stern and steady. His dark eyes show authority, but there is also a gentleness to them. He has a confidence and a comforting presence somehow all at the same time.

Jane feels a bit awkward sitting across from him, remembering how they made out at the bar two nights before. She wonders what he really thought of her and isn’t sure if she should be embarrassed about her behavior or flattered by the attention.

The fact that he invited her here and offered her a million dollars probably says a lot. Now that she’s sitting across from him, she feels a wave of anxiety, wondering if she really could sleep with him. She knows she wouldn’t be as exciting in bed as she hopes to be, and is terrified of disappointing him.

Snapping out of it, Jane is a bit stunned at how easy going he is about all of this, as if he has done it with other women before. She’s now getting the picture, and she’s really not sure if she should trust him. It could very well be that he sees her as some skanky girl and has hired her for sex.

Jane looks around at her options. The door is still open and she could leave if she wanted to. She starts sweating a bit under her arms and asks if she can use the washroom before they take off.

Brad gets up and shows her the way, trying not to be obvious as he looks at her cleavage. Her breasts look so delicate and soft.

“Right over there, Ms. Bryden,” he points. He can see she is feeling jittery and uncertain, and wonders what has set her off.

Jane goes into the bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror to try and gain strength. She talks to herself in her mind. Look here, Jane, you may have gotten yourself into a pickle. There’s still time for you to leave and not get hurt. Just be straight with him.”

Jane flushes the toilet, pretending she used it, and washes her hands. She opens the door, ready to confront him, but Brad beats her to it.

“So, Ms. Bryden, you are probably wondering what you are doing on this plane and why I’ve offered you a million dollars,” Brad states directly.

“Well, it had crossed my mind,” replies Jane, with a bit of a sarcastic tone.

“Well, you see, you remind me a lot of a budding talent I knew years ago. She looked a lot like you and even danced as elegantly as you do. She had your same stature, and had a more natural appearance than most of the other girls. You see, I like that. You have personality, and you stand out from the rest. I want to support you in your career, and at the same time, see if there might be a spark between us. I know we need some time to get to know each other, but I’m sure you felt it the other night at the bar. Am I right?” Brad asks, matter-of-factly.

“Well yes, now that you mention it. I found it to be a satisfying experience,” Jane says, blushing and looking down at the floor.

“Well, all I ask from you this week is to join me at some key events, and we’ll have our meals together. I’ll be giving you a mystery note every day with instructions. None of it will ask you to perform anything sexual, unless you feel moved to, which I would willingly accept of course,” Brad explains, again without a blink of an eye.

Jane’s suspicion grows stronger, and she is feeling more agitated.

“Mr. Halliwell, I need to ask you something, and I’ll warn you, it may seem direct,” Jane speaks up.

“What is it, Ms. Bryden?”

Brad leans in with his legs splayed open, exposing the huge bulge in his pants.

“Have you done this before? Offered a young woman a lot of money to go away with you?”

“Oh, you mean like an escort?” he responds easily, apparently not offended in the least. “No, I actually have never done this kind of thing before. There is just something about you, Jane. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, but it has caught me up in a way I don’t understand,” he replies honestly. “I would love it if you would join me for the week, but only if you feel comfortable, of course.”

Jane smiles and looks demurely out the window, blushing. She has never had a man show such interest in her before, much less give her the chance to choose whatever she wants.

“Does that answer your question, Ms. Bryden?”

“Jane. You can call me Jane, Mr. Halliwell. And I will gladly accept your offer,” she replies.

They shake hands and he holds hers longer, the warmth of the gesture setting her heart at ease.

“Please call me Brad.”

Brad signals to the pilot to go-ahead for closing the door and getting on with the plan. The pilot goes to the cockpit and soon they take off for Brad’s private island in the middle of the Caribbean.

“You’ll be arriving in three hours, Mr. Halliwell,” announces the pilot.

“Perfect. Everything is working out just perfectly,” responds Brad.