Page 10 of Monster: King of Nevada

“But you likeher,” his friend says, and I freeze, waiting on pins and needles for Mr. Lorde’s response. “Isn’t that why the girls sent her here? I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a whole lot of what you’ve been looking for in this one.” That statement confuses me because we weren’t in each other’s company for more than a few minutes.

“Doesn’t matter. They’ve sent girls before. They all run.” My stomach clenches, and my chest constricts with the hurt from his words.

They’ve sent other girls here?

What have I gotten myself into?

Without much warning, I notice Mr. Lorde bounding upstairs, and while my fight or flight instincts scream at me to run, I decide to stay put. If for no other reason than to gauge his reaction to me being out of the room again.

“Ella.” Our eyes connect, and for the quickest second, interest flashes in those storm cloud midnight irises of his. “You listened to me.” He frowns as he checks his watch, realizing I stayed up here all day. “Have you eaten?” I shake my head vigorously. This seems to disturb him because he pulls out his phone and shoots a message to someone.

We remain locked in this staring contest, neither of us making a move to reassure one another.

“Will you join me for dinner?” His question startles me out of my haze.

“If I do, will you tell me what is expected of me while I’m here?” I lift my chin in challenge, and his lips quirk the tiniest bit on the right.

“If you’ll wear a dress I had delivered for you.”

Surprise me right out of my shoes.

“You bought me a dress?” Tears burn my eyes, and I curse these damn pregnancy hormones. “You don’t even know my size.”

His eyes roam up and down my body in a slow caress that sends shivers down my spine. “I bet I do.”

Reaching out a hand for me, Mr. Lorde leads me downstairs to where a garment bag hangs on a coat rack near the door. He relinquishes my hand long enough to slide down the bag’s zipper, pull out the epitome of a little black dress, only in a lavender color, and hold it up for me to inspect.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper in awe. There’s a tag with the boutique name but no price, and that’s enough to know that I could never afford it in my wildest dreams. “So soft,” I murmur as my fingers glide across the bodice of the dress where a smallcrown is pressed into the material. “It’s mine?” I look up to see Mr. Lorde watching me with an intensity that leaves nothing to the imagination. His desire shines bright in his eyes.

“All yours.” He reaches forward to grip my chin between his thumb and pointer finger. “Will you wear it for me?” All I can do is nod eagerly like a puppy with a shiny new toy.

6

THEIAS

Ella’s eyes can’t stop wandering around the restaurant I purchased just this morning. Throughout the entire meeting, all I could think about was her. What she would think of it. How she would decorate it. Would she change the menu?

“Do you like it?” I finally ask her as she takes a sip of her cranberry and Sprite concoction.

When her gaze settles on me, a slight twinkle in it, I grow more addicted to her by the minute. Ella is far more expressive than I could have imagined. She’s nothing like the other girls Rue has sent me. There’s an innocence and naivety that wasn’t there with the other girls.

“It’s cute…could use some updates. I didn’t expect you to like a place like this. Sooooo casual.” Chewing her lip as she hesitates, I reach over and pull the plump flesh free of her gnawing teeth with my thumb. Rubbing it gently, her eyes glaze over, and she shivers as I graze the top of her bottom teeth with my finger.

“I’m more than I seem.” I keep my voice low, not wanting to break the intimate moment.

“I’m sensing that.” She leans into my touch, remaining motionless as I move my head closer, needing a taste of her lips.

“I’m glad.” Holding her stare, I watch for any indication that she doesn’t want this. Her sigh when my lips brush hers damn near makes me come in my pants.

A loud crash jolts us back to reality before I can truly taste her. That tease wasn’t nearly enough, but it’ll hold me over for now. Later, when we’re alone, I can take the time to explore her entire body.

“I bought it today,” I tell her. Her shocked mouth drop is adorable. “It’s what kept me from the house all day.”

“Just like that?” I nod, taking a sip of my favorite whiskey. “What is it you want from me, Mr. Lorde?”

Sitting back, I have a tough time telling her the truth–confessing that what I want is a woman to take care of. A woman to call my own. Someone who is loyal to me because they love me and not what I can provide for them.

“Many things, Ella. Preferably for you to call me Theias instead of being so formal.” The last thing I want is for her to place our relationship into some sort of professional zone.

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