1st (Love For Sale) Read online

  “I think it’s pretty obvious what he expects?” Shaking her head, she joined me at the counter digging into her tuna salad. With her mouth still crammed full, she garbled out some words, and when I returned her confused stare, she chewed and swallowed before speaking again. “I said he probably expects you to walk in and kneel at his feet.”

  “Really?” I hoped like hell he didn’t expect me to walk in his house and do that.

  “Well, yeah. You know sex slave, kneeling before him, kissing his feet, that’s what they do in those stupid-ass love stories.”

  “All I have to say is his feet better be clean.” We both got a good laugh out of that, breaking up the sudden anxiety that I was beginning to feel over this monumental decision.

  The rest of the day went by in somewhat of a blur. I changed outfits three times before deciding on a simple black dress with two-inch heels. There was nothing fancy about the dress, but at least I wouldn’t feel like a complete loser walking into his movie-star mansion tonight.

  The heels helped me feel a little taller. Since I was only five foot two, I needed all the help I could get. I put on a small amount of makeup, needed the confidence it gave and left my long hair hanging loose on my shoulders. Staring at my reflection, I knew this was about as good as it was getting and turned away nervously. What if he really did expect me to kneel down at his feet tonight?

  McKayla walked me downstairs to meet the driver and I hadn’t noticed last night that he was an attractive man. He probably wasn’t much older than I was, judging by his looks, but there seemed to be a wisdom in his grey eyes well beyond those years.

  “Miss Caitlin.” He smiled warmly, showing a brilliant white smile while holding the door open for me. Maybe my libido had finally been awakened because if I’d met this guy under different circumstance I would have found him drop-dead gorgeous.

  “Remember, if he does anything you don’t like, just call me and I’ll come over to kick his ass.” McKayla hugged me tightly then glared at the driver. “You better not fucking wreck.”

  Instead of looking taken-back by Mckayla’s attitude, the drive just winked. “Don’t worry. She’s in good hands tonight.” He was actually flirting with my best friend and obviously she wasn’t immune because the pissed off look dropped right off her face.

  I didn’t have time to think about the two of them at the moment, because my stomach was tied in knots. Sliding into the luxurious backseat of the limo, I eyed the champagne then decided against it. The last thing I needed tonight was to not be in complete control of my senses.

  Last night the driver had kept the partition up between us as he drove, tonight it was down. I caught him glancing at me in the rearview mirror and attempted a friendly smile. I’m sure I failed miserably because I really was close to throwing up.

  “You’ll be fine.” He pulled out onto the road putting his attention there and I wished I had his confidence. “I’m Joel, and Mr. Corbin has instructed me to tell you that whenever you need transportation to let me know. I’ll give you my card when we arrive at the mansion.”

  “Um. Thanks.” I wondered why Seth would offer his driver to me, but with everything else going on, it was the least of my concerns.

  “You’re welcome. I have a feeling you and I will become very good friends.” His tone seemed to be a lot less informal than what I expected an employee to have, but again I just didn’t have it in me to think about anything else. Who knew how these billionaires expected their staff to act, anyway?

  He turned on some classical song, and continued to drive leaving me drowning in my own insecurities. I crossed my legs, then uncrossed them, fidgeting to get comfortable and getting more nervous by the moment. This was a stupid idea, and I knew the smart choice would be to ask him to turn around. I didn’t, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to the security gate then driving through. I couldn’t help but feel like I was going to prison as the mansion loomed ahead, the dread leaving my already weak stomach churning.

  Joel stopped the car and walked over to my door opening it. I wasn’t getting out and stepping into Seth’s world. I just couldn’t do it. “Miss?” His hand outstretched, waiting for me to take it and I shook my head. I don’t know why I was suddenly terrified, but listening to my gut feelings seemed like the right idea.

  When I refused his hand, Joel hunched down, smiling calmly as our eyes met. “What’s the worst that could happen?” He gave me the same words I’d thought earlier and my mind went on a rampage of thoughts.

  “You tell me, he’s your boss.” I didn’t want to share my ideas of how wrong this could go. Inching back toward the other door, I knew this was stupid. Money wasn’t worth selling my soul for.

  “I can’t disclose his secrets, but what I can tell you is that I’ve never had a woman leave here unhappy.” His grin turned almost boyish in nature and for some stupid reason I wanted to believe him. Maybe it was because he seemed so confident, or that his words reminded me of what Seth and I had shared last night.

  Taking a deep breath, I moved back toward him and held out my hand. “If something bad happens I’m going to hold you responsible.” The words were a lie, but I needed to feel like I had some control over this situation. He stood and took my hand, pulling me almost carefully out of my seat.

  “You’ll see I’m right. I look forward to seeing you later.” His words seemed to hint at something other than a drive home, but the last thing I needed was to worry about anything other than this decision I was making.

  Joel let my hand go and pulled a card from his wallet, handing it over. I put it in my purse, my hands trembling. He shut the door, then leaned against it casually. I understood by his action that he wasn’t walking me up to the door, and for reasons I can’t explain the thought bothered me. Taking a few more breaths, trying to build up my confidence, I finally walked up the stairs to the entrance. I knocked after long seconds of staring at the door, and hoped I wasn’t making the worst decision of my life.

  chapter six

  Limits

  Seth looked so sexy standing in the doorframe. His thick, curly hair was damp, like he’d just gotten out of the shower and he was dressed in a dark grey pair of sweats and white t-shirt. He looked nothing like the billionaire I knew he was, and the casual dress made me feel a hundred times more confident. He held the door open for me with a look in his bedroom blue eyes that left me breathless.

  “You look beautiful, Caitlin.” The way his eyes roamed over my body made me almost feel it, and I lowered my head somewhat embarrassed by his perusal. His low growl pulled my attention back to his face, and the need written there floored me.

  “Um. Thank you.” He had to stop looking at me that way. Those eyes were smoldering in their heat, making me want him again.

  Taking my hand abruptly, he pulled me inside, startling me in the suddenness of the movement. “Let’s get this talk over, so I can enjoy you properly.”

  What? Seth was a man who could have any woman he wanted, yet here he was acting like it was me he was craving. I allowed him to pull me along like an errant child, not sure I could speak much less pull any thought out of my overwhelmed mind.

  We walked up the staircase and back into his study, and he dropped my hand abruptly so he could move behind the huge antique desk to sit. He motioned to the chair in front of it, and I followed his silent request, finding my seat.

  “I’m not going to make you sign anything, because as you reminded me, it would never hold up in court. We’ll talk and if you have any questions or concerns then now would be the time to ask them. I don’t think I need to say this out loud, but for your benefit, I will. What happens here is between us and if you speak of it to anyone, I will deny everything. Do you understand?”

  I nodded, not really understanding anything, but wanting to seem less ignorant.

  “Words, Caitlin. You will use them, and I’ll punish you if you don’t. That’s where we’ll start this. I have needs that I expect to be met, and there are times I’ll ask
your opinion. You’ll know when that is because I’ll ask a question.”

  “Punish me how?” The whole, he had needs thing, we could get back to, but I needed to understand how he would act if I didn’t do what he wanted.

  “However I see fit. I promised you that you’d leave this relationship without any lasting scars, and I never break my word.”

  “That’s a little vague.” It was a lot vague and told me nothing about the things he had the ability to do to me.

  “I suppose it is, but I’m a in the moment type of person, and I believe the punishment should fit the action. You’ll learn to trust that I’ll know what you can and cannot handle.”

  “I’m not sure I’m okay with that, but for now I guess we can talk about what you expect.” My curiosity got the better of me and I wondered what really made him tick.

  “My needs are pretty basic. Do what I tell you without hesitation, and you’ll never have to discover what punishment could be.” He sat back in his desk chair calmly, a small smirk finding his full lips.

  That was all I had to do? Without thought, I rolled my eyes and saw his facial expression change from egotistical to anger. “That’s one thing you need to learn to stop now. Rolling your eyes at me is a guarantee that I’ll take you over my knee again.”

  The spanking he’d given me hadn’t been that horrible and I found my face breaking into a grin, again unknowingly.

  “Didn’t mind that much, did you? Let me just say, I was going extremely easy on you. If I’d wanted to discipline you truly, that little ass of yours would still be stinging.”

  That wiped the smile right off my face and put one back on his. “Changes things a bit for you. A spanking can be a sensual experience, but when done to train, I think you’ll find it’s not something you’ll want to suffer through again.”

  “On that note, let’s discuss how I’ll learn what you can handle. Safe words, those are words you can use to slow down or stop an action, in the beginning we’ll use them. Once I know you better, they won’t be needed, but I think it will give you a little reassurance. All you have to do if something arises that you honestly can’t handle is use the word red. Utter that word and everything we are doing will stop so we can talk it through. If you’re just unsure, say yellow and we’ll slow down, but not completely end a session.”

  “What’s a session and why would I need to stop you? This is really freaking me out, Seth. I don’t know what kind of games you play, but the way you’re talking I’ll hate them.”

  He looked at me indulgently, or more accurately as an authority figure would a person with limited understanding. “A session is nothing more than a situation we’re in, and it’s not a game. I’m going to open your eyes to a world of sensual pleasure, but it’s nonconventional so most of it will be foreign to you at first.”

  “Nonconventional? That really doesn’t explain anything.” I was getting frustrated at the discussion and wished he’d speak plain English.

  “Telling you the things I plan to do would probably frighten you until you’ve experienced them, so I’d rather just show you.”

  “That really isn’t helping.” I honestly had no idea what he could say to me that would make me more afraid than I already was, and not knowing made my nerves feel on edge. I stood up and paced the large study, wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into. Seth was undoubtedly gorgeous, but the conversation led me to think he had a few screws loose.

  He stood up and walked over to me, grabbing both my hands. “I know this all seems strange to you, kitten, but you’ll learn to trust me. I promise if you do that you won’t regret it, unless of course, you let fear stop me from playing with you the way I want.”

  “You’re giving me so many mixed signals I don’t know what to think right now.” His hands felt so warm in mine and I wanted to melt into his mindset just so I could feel him touch me again.

  “Then let me show you my world and stop thinking. All you have to do is say yes. If you discover it’s not for you, well, then you have your safe words.”

  He made it sound so easy, and standing this close to him, I wanted to agree. “So red or yellow, and anything you’re doing stops or slows down?” He pressed against me and my body tingled in awakening, even my nipples tightened into painful little buds.

  “For now, yes. I need to earn your trust, and the safety net will help me gain that.” His hands dropped mine, and moved to my ass, pressing me against his impressive hard on. The sweatpants did little to hide his desire, and I wanted the pleasure I knew he could offer.

  “Then I accept.” My hands lifted to his shoulders. He was so tall I couldn’t wrap my arms around his neck.

  Those lips lowered to mine, and the kiss he gave was delicious, leaving me longing for even more. Instead of continuing it, he broke away and took a few steps back. The smile on his face moved back to the egotistical look I was beginning to expect.

  “So you’ll move your things in tomorrow.”

  “Wait. You expect me to move in with you? I can’t do that. Mckayla needs me to pay rent, I have a job, and you never mentioned any of that last night.” Holy crap, I couldn’t live with the man!

  “Your rent will be covered, let me worry about the job, and I expect you at my beck at call twenty-four seven, so yes I need you here.”

  “I’m not going to argue about the rent, because I can pay that back to you later, but my job? Seriously, Seth, we live in different worlds. I have to work for a living, and my boss would never let me come back.”

  “If you didn’t have to worry about the job and returning to it, would you agree to move in?” The look in his eyes was so confident, I felt like I was missing something.

  “Um. I guess so, but I know Danver. I can’t not show up for work for six months and expect him to hold my position.” He really did live in a different world from me.

  “Danver wants to retire, so I’ll just buy his business and your little friend can run it until your time here is finished. Problem solved.”

  “How could you possibly know that?” Mckayla would be living out our dream if she took over his catering business, so I couldn’t argue that point at all.

  “I made a few calls this morning.”

  The nerve of this man. “You were pretty confident I’d say yes, weren’t you?” I wanted to slap the smirk off his face and only restrained myself because I knew it wouldn’t fix anything.

  “I had reason to believe you’d accept my offer. If you hadn’t, I would have still bought out your boss. I always get what I want in the end, Caitlin. Something you might want to remember for future reference.”

  He didn’t show an ounce of remorse and my mouth fell open. The implication that he’d have been my boss one way or another wasn’t falling on deaf ears, either. This man was a master manipulator, and that scared the shit out of me. I walked over to the leather couch and sat down, trying to understand what I’d gotten myself into.

  “Don’t overthink things, Caitlin. I wanted you and meant to have you, but I do have some scruples. If you truly hadn’t wanted me, I would have found a way to be reasonable.” He joined me on the couch and I tensed.

  The reality was I didn’t know this man or what he was capable of, but even understanding that, in some sick, perverted way I was impressed. He was willing to go to some pretty extreme mean to have me. How could my ego not feed off of that?

  “I’m not sure how to feel about any of this.” I was overwhelmed, more than a little turned on, and scared shitless at the same time. The truth was this man could do anything he wanted to me, and I had very few resources at my disposal to stop him.

  “Then don’t think about it.” He pulled me over into his lap, and like a limp rag doll I allowed it. His lips found mine again, and he devoured my mouth while his hands grabbed my ass, grinding me against his erection. My dress raised leaving nothing but my panties between his sweats to separate our bodies. The delicious friction had me so wet, I moaned in spite of myself.

  Those hand
s of his moved under my dress and to the thin material of my underwear, ripping them apart. I gasped as he tossed them away and brought me back down against his crotch, grinding again. My legs were spread widely from the position, and it felt incredible to feel the coarse material of his pants against my exposed flesh.

  When he lifted me to stand and pulled down his pants and underwear, I stared at him, eyes wide. He pulled me around to the arm rest on the sofa, bending me face-first over it then drove in deeply before I could catch my breath. My cry of pleasure echoed off the walls. “That’s it, little kitten, just feel and let me do the rest.”

  My dress rested above my waist, his hands gripped my hips, and he fucked me with abandon. I was so full of him, that all I could do was feel, his body stretching me so taught. He felt so much deeper this way, as he unleashed his passion wildly, rocking me into the armrest.

  He continued thrusting until my body tightened in the beginning of orgasm, then I felt a finger probe against my other entry. I wanted to clench against that intrusion, but the rocking of his hips had me so close that I couldn’t utter a word of denial. That finger slid deep as I came undone, adding a new stimulation of pleasure that I wasn’t disagreeing with.

  He continued pumping into me, until I rode out my pleasure, and only then did I realize he was fucking me with that finger in rhythm to his cock. It felt strange, a little dirty, but somehow I liked it, and when he finally came inside me it was the most pleasurable sensation.

  His hips flushed against mine as he strained into me, and I felt the intruding finger escape. “That ass will be mine soon.” He stayed embedded in me for several seconds, before pulling out and landing a hard slap on the body part in question. “We’ll clean up, but I’m not done with you.”

  I lifted off the couch, my dress falling down to cover me once more. I didn’t know what to think about what we’d just done, but I felt a little boneless. He adjusted his pants, and I realized we’d just had sex without either of us being completely undressed. It made me feel a little cheap.