1st (Love For Sale) Read online

  I was the last one called out and my heart dropped in my stomach when I noticed the other women standing on stage topless. There was nothing graceful about my walk out on that stage, and I seriously felt like I was about to hurl at any given moment. The table that held the client who sent me up here clapped loudly as I made my way to center stage.

  I stood there, having no idea what to do and looked around wildly until my gaze found McKayla’s. Her concerned expression calmed me instantly and the nausea receded. There was nothing in the world I wouldn’t do to make sure we had an easier life, and this was a chance for both of us. I think looking at her finally made it hit home that I was willing to go through with this.

  “Take it off for us, sweetheart. I’ve been dying to see those gorgeous tits all night.” My client was impossible to ignore and I completely froze at his words.

  With my face heating, I stood stone still, the implications of his words making the situation all to real. That’s why he’d offered me that ungodly amount of money, he truly expected me to show my stuff. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other as the group of men cheered me on loudly. There was no way in hell I could show off my breasts!

  “She’s a little shy, Seth. Why don’t you help her out?” I don’t know which man shouted the comment because I was looking at my feet.

  “Do you want to do this, honey?” Seth’s broad chest, stretched taut by his white oxford, was my view as he came to stand in front of me and I had no idea what to say. His hand reached under my chin, forcing me to look into his gorgeous eyes. “It’s completely up to you.” He smiled and I melted. I gave a slight nod, suddenly willing to do anything he asked. The situation was surreal and once again I was hit with a strange sexual pull just from being this close to him.

  His large hands moved to the hem of my shirt and slowly lifted it. “Raise your hands for me.”

  His tone was as rich as molasses, and for a moment I was completely captivated by him and did exactly as he asked. That lasted until I felt the cool breeze over my nipples as he unclasped my bra tossing it aside with my shirt. The touch of his warm hands on my breasts had my nipples tightening, almost painfully.

  I glanced up into his beautiful eyes, and noticed his glance which was directed on my chest, not my face. He lowered his hands and licked his lips, making me wonder what it would feel like to have his mouth on me there. Gasping, my arms crossed protectively over my chest and I began trembling so hard my teeth chattered.

  “Absolute perfection.” He winked down at me from his towering height and I flushed hotly. When he pulled my arms away I didn’t even think to cover myself again. For reasons I couldn’t explain, I was completely mesmerized.

  The crowds cheers didn’t even register until Seth walked away leaving me exposed to the crowd. Then only did my arms raise to cover my breasts again. I glanced down the row of women, standing proudly on the stage proudly. I’d never been secure about my body, but the way some of them smirked at me gave me courage. They weren’t any better than I was, even if they were more polished.

  “Gentleman, you have made this challenge very hard this evening. Such beautiful flesh, I have no idea how to choose just one.” Seth’s words had the men chuckling, and I should have been humiliated, but when he turned back toward me and our eyes met, I wasn’t. Instead I was completely turned on. Knowing that he found me attractive was mind-blowing.

  Chapter two

  Decisions

  “Try them out.” Someone in the crowd shouted out. “Which one really does it for you?” Another voice added in. “Pick the one with the biggest tits.” That comment from one of the men made the reality of what I was doing sink in, still I didn’t move. In all honesty it felt like my feet were glued to the stage.

  Seth walked back to stand in the center of our group and looked us all over with a calculating grin. “What do you think, ladies? Should we see which of you finds my touch the most pleasurable?”

  Knowing what these woman were here to do, what happened next probably shouldn’t have shocked me, but it did. Several of them moved their hands to caress their breasts, and a few even started pleasuring themselves in greater detail, while making sounds that could have made a porn star blush. The crowd shouted out encouragement was. I stood there in shock at their actions.

  “What about you princess?” Seth took a few steps and put himself directly in front of me again. “Are you going to give me a show as well?”

  I shook my head no quickly, and took a few steps back. I wasn’t about to fondle myself in public, I rarely did it in private so that was a deal breaker. At least I had some morals left after this insanity tonight. I turned to walk away, but was stopped by Seth’s grip on my forearm.

  “This one might need a little persuasion, gentleman. Give us a few moments.” I was guided back toward the room where the women and I had waited only minutes before. Ironically it felt like hours ago. “What’s your name honey?”

  Name. Name. For the life of me I couldn’t remember it as I glanced up at him in confused wonder. His warm hand on my flesh felt like static electricity, and I was having a hard time focusing. Then somewhere out of the blue my brain took over. “Caitlin Smith.” The sound of my voice was unintentional husky.

  My eyes memorized the strong plains of his beautiful face, caught every detail, right down to the sexy dimple in his chin. It should be a crime for any man to look this sexy. Without thought, I lifted up my fingers to push the soft, thick lock of curls away from his face, needing to touch him in some way, even knowing I had no right.

  He caught my fingers with his hand and held them against his cheek, and the smile he gave was what most people would describe as a panty dropper. My core bloom in a wave of desire unlike anything I had felt in my life. My body instantly gravitated toward his, needing to feel him against me. I was completely, utterly, compelled.

  His hand released mine, and both of his moved down to my ass, pressing me against a very impressive hard on that I could feel even through his dress pants. “Not as sweet as you look, are you, honey?” Lowering his head to my hair, he inhaled deeply. “You smell incredible. I bet you taste even better.”

  I arched my neck back, offering him my lips still under the strange spell of whatever aphrodisiac he charmed me with. I wanted him to taste me, to see if his lips felt as warm and inviting as they looked. I can say without doubt I’d never wanted to be kissed so badly.

  “As much as I’d like to accept that offer, you have to earn my kisses. Are you willing to do that, honey? Before you answer, let me warn you I’m not that easy to please.”

  He grazed my cheek with His fingers, and everywhere he touched my skin came to life. I gave a small nod, not even sure what he was asking, because I wanted him that desperately. This was so out of character for me, but there was no denying what my body wanted.

  “I’ll teach you how to answer better later, for now we need to rejoin the others.” He released me so quickly, I nearly lost my balance. I regained my step quickly and followed him back out onto the stage like an automated creature. It took the hoots and cat calls from the crowd to once again bring me back to the here and now.

  “It’s been very entertaining as usual, gentleman. I’ve made my choice. Thank you again for a wonderful birthday, but only one of you is going home with your bank account a little fatter. Milo, you win this year. Our lovely little server is definitely the perfect choice for my pleasure.”

  I assumed the man I’d been taking care of all night was Milo since he stood up and gave a bow. It hit me then that Seth had chosen me. What did that even mean? I got more than a few looks of contempt as the other women started getting dressed. Without hesitation, I reached down and pulled my shirt and bra back on, not sure what happened next.

  Seth walked off the stage, and the women walked back into the room where we’d waited. I’m not sure I would have walked off that stage if McKayla hadn’t joined me up there leading me away.

  “Have you lost your ever-loving mind, Cat?�
� She was obviously pissed, and I was still shell-shocked over what had happened. “Do you have any idea what you’ve agreed to? I swear if you weren’t my best friend I’d kick your ass!”

  It took her threat to pull me out of the cloud I was walking on. I didn’t have time to think as Milo walked over and lifted me into a bear hug. “You’ve just made my year, little lady. Take care of Seth real good for us.” He let me go and walked away with the table of his friends leaving me again with McKayla’s angry glare.

  “You’re not going through with this. I won’t let you screw your life up this way.” Her hands went to her hips, and as young as she was she looked like a mother trying to scold her child. “I want you to walk right over to him and tell him you’ve changed your mind so he can pick someone else.”

  It was the right thing to do, but then I remembered what the woman backstage told me. That kind of money wasn’t something I could just walk away from though. “How bad can it be?” I told her how much money the girl said he offered and instead of softening her anger, she looked ready to claw my eyes out.

  “Do you possibly think that all the money in the world would make up for how bad this will destroy you? I’d rather eat fucking dog food then see you live with yourself after going through with this!” McKayla grabbed my shoulders and shook them. “Damn it, babe, this isn’t what you want for your first time. Hell, I’m not sure it’s what you want ever!”

  I guess it didn’t really hit home that he’d expect me to screw him until that very moment. Was that really the worst thing that could happen, though? “It’s not like I was saving it for someone.” The words sounded as weak as they felt leaving my mouth. I was going to have sex with Seth. The thought didn’t freak me out as much as it should, and that probably should have terrified me since he was a stranger.

  “I didn’t say you were, but do you really want to give it up to a man you don’t know? Not only that, how could you look at yourself in a mirror tomorrow knowing you were paid off to fuck?”

  McKayla knew me better than anyone, and if I didn’t have this strange attraction to the man, I would have agreed with her. My eyes caught his as he stood against the far back wall, and the thought of going through with this didn’t seem like the life changing event it should be. “I know this sounds crazy, but I’m not sure making love to him would be the worst thing in the world.” The thought kind of fascinated me now that I was looking him over again.

  “You’ve picked a hell of a time to get your first turn on.” McKayla looked at me then back toward where my concentration was and shook her head. “For all you know, he’s some sick, twisted bastard who gets his kicks from beating up women. It’s not safe, babe.”

  The object of our scrutiny headed toward us and I wanted to meet him in the middle to make his journey shorter. That smile of his was so hot, I felt like my insides were melting. I had no idea what it was about him that made me want to throw caution right out the front door and just find out what he was all about.

  “Are you ready to leave?” His eyes were so warm and inviting, all I could think about was throwing myself into his arms.

  “She’s coming home with me.” McKayla put herself between me and Seth when he invaded my space, and there was no doubt at all how pissed off she was. “You can just back your ass right the fuck up big boy!”

  “Are you her mother?” Seth seemed to find her outburst comical since his smile widened, showing off its brilliance.

  “I’m the closest thing to one she has, and I’m not about to let you do something to hurt her.” She was definitely in protective mode, and that small piece of sanity left in my brain came back to life at her words.

  “He’s not going to hurt me.” There was no way I could know that, but I just felt as though I could trust him. “I want to do this.” I also wanted to reassure her, because there was no one in my life more important.

  “At least no more than she’d enjoy.” He winked at me, and the words he spoke mattered less than the thrill of sexual enticement I felt just being close to him.

  “What kind of fucked up reply is ‘No more than she’d enjoy?’” McKayla mocked his words and even I was shocked by her anger. “Listen, buddy, I don’t know what kind of pervert you are, but no one hurts my best friend. You feel me?”

  Seth rolled his eyes, and looked almost bored at her threat. “As much as I’d love standing here debating the merits of what I can and cannot do with, the hour is growing late.” He spoke those words to McKayla, then turned to me, affording me another heart-dropping smile. “Are you coming with me or not?”

  “Um. Yes. Can you give me a minute with my friend, please?” My voice fell into that needy, raspy tone again.

  “I’ll hold you to that.” He glanced me over from head to toe seductively and then pointed toward the front of the building. “Meet me out front when you’re finished here.” All I could do was stare at his beautiful ass when he walked away.

  “You know this is crazy, right? Let’s just forget this entire thing and go back home.” McKayla pleading with me, finally spoke to my heart that she was terrified for me.

  “I’ll be fine. Please just trust me on this.” I didn’t want her to be upset, but I needed to explore my insane attraction to Seth. Oddly enough, even without the thought of what he could offer momentarily, I knew I’d still want to spend the night with him.

  “You’re a damn grown woman, so I can’t stop you. I just want you to think about what you’re doing. There’s no way to go back from this once the deed is done.” Her voice was filled with worry, not anger, and I hugged her to me.

  “I love you Kay Kay, but this is something I want.” Who knew if I’d regret this decision tomorrow, but it was the first time in my life I was doing something for me. I wanted Seth Rubin.

  The defeated look in her eyes hit me like a punch in the gut, but I knew somehow I’d make this up to her. “Don’t worry. I promise I’ll call you in the morning, and everything will be just fine.”

  She hugged me back so tightly I worried she’d squeeze me to death. “At least I know where to find the fucker if he hurts you.” That was about the only blessing I was going to get from her on this issue and I forced a laugh.

  “He definitely shouldn’t be hard to find.” Danver said he’d hired him for the party, so at least we had his billing information. “I promise to call you as soon as I can.” I needed to go now while she wasn’t putting up a fight. McKayla had the ability to change her mind faster than anyone in the world.

  Finally she released me from the death grip and shook her head. “I still think this is a mistake, but I’m not going to stop you.”

  Giving her a quick peck on the cheek, I hurried off toward the front exit. My heart was pounding in my chest at the knowledge that I was truly going through with this. I’d almost talked myself out of it before seeing him lounging against his sports car on the circular driveway. The man was nothing if not pure sex appeal and any reservations I had melted away.

  chapter three

  Reality

  Reality came crashing down on me after he held open the car door and I slid inside to rest my ass on his leather seats. Everything about this car spoke of money and privilege. I was completely out of my league with a man like him. Seth’s concentration was focused on the road and the silence did little to help with my nerves.

  We drove in that awkward silence for almost twenty minutes before he pulled in front of a huge iron-clad gate and punched numbers on a security pad. Continuing on, we drove up to a mansion that made the one we just left look like a run-down house. My eyes widened as I took in the incredible stone architecture and expanse of the layout. This was a place built for a king, not mere mortals like myself.

  I didn’t even notice him leaving the driver’s seat until the passenger door was held open for me. Like I had on stage earlier, I completely froze. This was a monumental decision, and something told me if I walked up that long flight of stairs I’d never be the same again. His long-fingered, well-manicu
red hand appeared right before my face, and I hesitated before clasping it in my own.

  “Let the lion show you his den.” Seth chuckled warmly and it might have been humorous if I didn’t suddenly feel my head spinning at the decision I was making. He pulled me to my feet with one easy movement, and I tugged back as he tried to lead me forward. “Changed your mind?”

  His words were whispered and maybe that’s why I didn’t feel as threatened as I had seconds ago. “No. I just need a minute to catch my breath.” Or maybe a year, because I swear I was finding it really hard to breathe.

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of, yet. I promise.” Again he chuckled, but I really wasn’t getting the joke. What could he possibly mean by yet?

  When he pulled slightly on my hand this time, I allowed him to continue on. My eyes widened again as we walked into the huge, marbled foyer. An enormous chandelier hung from the almost impossibly high ceiling and it was like something out of a dream. Every glance I took, something elegant filled my gaze, but it all melded together seamlessly. The design work on this place was enough to make anyone catch their breath.

  The uniform I wore was so out of place here it was almost comical. I remembered vaguely that I hadn’t changed back into my other clothes. I allowed him to lead me up a staircase that would have put an Antebellum home to shame. There was nothing old South about this place though, every touch seemed to be modern and developed for the high end consumer.

  Being led down a polished marble hall, I didn’t really come out of my trance until we stood in a bedroom that could have held my entire apartment. The first thing my eyes fell on was a huge bed resting on a raised floor. The thing could have easily held five people.

  “Would you like to freshen up?” My attention was pulled back to Seth and I nodded briskly. He smiled widely and motioned toward the side of the room. “Take your time. I’ll get more comfortable.”