Page 22 of Seduced By Contract

I ignore the comment. "You'll accompany me to parties and events. You'll experience places on occasional trips. And I'll make sure you have everything you need to feel comfortable in my world."

"Like what, for example?"

"Clothes, jewelry, and whatever else you desire, of course."

"Of course. Just answer me one thing: is the intention to make me 'comfortable' in your world or to avoid embarrassment by your badly dressed lover?"

For the first time, I detect a hint of emotion in her voice, and I feel bad.

Who are you, Madison Foster, that you’ve managed to make me feel ashamed of who I am, of what I've always been?

"And if I wanted something more valuable to feel 'comfortable,' like a car or an apartment? What would you say?"

I don't hesitate. "To you, I would say yes."

"An apartment for a month together? That seems a bit excessive."

"What are you getting at, Madison? I don't like games."

"No? Well, I think you've been playing with me this whole time. After all, you knew I shouldn't have danced for you in that private room, yet you let me continue."

I can't dispute that, and I'm aware that, at the moment, I don't hold the best cards, so I decide to get straight to the point. "Is all of this your way of telling me 'no'?"

"It's my way of telling you 'maybe.' I need to think about it," she says, moving closer as if she's about to touch me, but then she pulls back at the last moment. "How about a month?"

"No. You have until the day after tomorrow. Give me your phone."

I'm almost certain she wants to argue, but she ends up doing as I asked.

"Unlock it." I input my number and hand the phone back to her. "Look at me, Madison."

She does, but her face is completely devoid of emotion, making it almost like looking at myself in the mirror.

"I told you I'm honest. I'll never lie. I'm not after a romance but pleasure. To give and receive pleasure. In addition to that, I'll take you places, let you experience some of life. It's not a payment; it's an exchange."

"I told you I'll think about it," she says in a monotone, then leans her head back against the car seat and closes her eyes.

Despite the short distance between our bodies, there's an abyss between us, each of us trapped in our own thoughts.

When the driver parks on a deserted street in a very poor neighborhood, she starts to get out, but I grab her arm.

"Wait," I say.

Only after the car containing my bodyguards stops right behind us and they check the perimeter do I open my door and walk around to open hers.

She's still for a moment, surprised.

"I'll never be your Prince Charming, Madison," I say as I help her out. "I'm not made of that kind of material, but the time we spend together will be very pleasurable."

She steps closer, stands on her tiptoes, and clasps her hands around my neck. I lean down to kiss her, but the contact doesn’t last nearly as long as I'd like because she pulls away from my arms. It's enough to ignite my body, though.

"I know you're not a prince, Zeus. I've never believed in them, and even if they existed, I wouldn't need one. In my fairy tale, I'm the only one capable of saving myself."

Madison

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As I walktowards my building with my head held high, I clench my teeth so hard that I'm afraid they might break.

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