Page 28 of Debts and Desires
Carter returned not more than five minutes later, now wearing his sweats and a black tee that clung to him like a second skin. His hair was damp and he looked a little more relaxed than when he first arrived. He grabbed his beer, taking a swig before digging into the food. His eyes fluttered closed at the first bite, a soft moan pouring from his lips.
“Is it good?” I asked. His eyes met mine.
“You kiddin’? It’s fuckin’ amazin’.” My face heated, but I smiled proudly.
“Well, good. I’m glad.”
“Oh, shit. ‘Fore I forget,” he said, leaning over and putting his hand in his pocket. “This yours?” he asked, pulling out a phone. I could’ve cried.
“Yes!” I answered. He held it out for me to grab and I snatched it. The screen was black, and I thought it had died at first. But then I hit the power button and it lit up. I anxiously awaited all the notifications that were bound to be waiting; texts, calls, social media, etc.
Nothing.
Not a damn thing.
I took a deep breath and pocketed my phone. Carter’s eyes were already on mine when I looked back up. I knew my cheekswere probably red, but I refused to let him see anything more than that. Mac gave a small whine in solidarity and nuzzled my leg some.
“Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile. Carter nodded before taking another bite. “I take it you talked to Tyler then?” I asked, ignoring the weird feeling I had in my stomach. Why didn’t Carter take me? Why was he so weird about me leaving the house? But it also made me feel tingly. He went out of his way to get it for me. I was surprised it was even there and made me wonder if my purse was there, too.
“Yeah,” he answered, pulling me from my thoughts. We ate quietly for a few. The food was surprisingly good and I was proud of myself for making it.
“Was my purse there? I know I didn’t ask about that, but maybe they were together?” He shook his head.
“No. I can go back and see, but this was dropped off by someone.”
“Oh,” I said, looking down for a moment. I let out a small sigh.
“Sorry, Em,” he said, voice soft. I looked back up. I liked when he called me Em, too.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not.” He wasn’t wrong. I ignored it, clearing my throat and changing the subject.
“So, uh, I thought we could talk a little about my hours and what I owe. I did some math today and wanted to make sure it lined up with yours?” He gave a nod, prompting me to continue. I broke everything down with him, going over the total owed. Then went over what I already worked off—the days I’d been here and the sex. Then I asked, “And whatever you would you consider the cleaning worth?”
“Another hour.”
“Figured as much.” I was a little disappointed, but I’d anticipated it. “That means with everything I did, and the day added, I’ve worked off twenty hours.”
“Seems right to me.”
“Plus, uh, me making dinner from now on? If you’re okay with it? I mean, it’s one less thing you have to worry about when you come home, at least for a while.”
“One hour for dinners.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “That puts me at twenty-one hours worked off, then.”
“Twenty-two after tonight,” he added. I felt my cheeks flush.
“Yup,” I smiled. “That means I have one-seventy to go after today is done.” I did my best not to look bothered, but the thoughts from earlier kept swarming until I finally brought it up. “I also had a proposition for you.” He looked up. “Do you get any days off?”
“No.”
“Are you able to? I mean, it’s your shop, right?”
“It is.”
“What if we took a whole day—or maybe a weekend—and I worked off the whole twenty-four or forty-eight hours?” I met his eyes. “Where you would use me whenever, like free use or total power. You snap your fingers and I get on my knees, no questions asked. Or whatever you wanted. Complete power over me with no say.” Carter’s eyes darkened and became hooded as he looked me over. His hand moved under the table to, what I assume, adjust himself. He let out a soft groan.
