Page 14 of Wildest Desire

Chapter 8

Lexi

My date with the guy from the club was horrible, so I called the girls to go out for the night. Then he was there, watching me like a predator, trying to stake his claim. One dance and he had me. He could have kissed me and I would have kissed him back. He acts like he's better than everyone else, but when he touches me, my body betrays me.

I can’t stop thinking about Ethan and how he has come into my life and turned it upside down. I still haven’t looked at the papers. I needed to be in the right frame of mind to look through what Ethan and Ms. Jackie wanted from me. Now I'm sitting on my sofa with a glass of wine and the papers in front of me. The first set of papers is the original contract between Jackie and Ethan. The same contract every client signs, but this had an addendum to it that was solely for Ethan and me.

Addendum to Original Contract with One Call between Lexi Jackson and Ethan Knight Lexi Jackson will not be able to work for any other clients during her agreement with Ethan Knight. She will be readily available on short notice. She must attend events and meetings, even if they're out of state. She will no longer need her personal mode of transportation. She must live with Ethan Knight and they will be mutually exclusive as a couple during the totality of this agreement.

Signatures:

_______ (Ethan Knight) Date _______ _______

(Lexi Jackson) Date _______ Witness: _______(Jackie Collins) Date _______

What the fuck? I don’t think so. I like my other clients, and there's no way I'm giving them up. Mr. Williams will be heartbroken, and I won’t allow that.

Losing my temper, I throw the papers on the table and grab my phone.

Lexi– How could you agree to this?

I cannot believe that Ms. Jackie was okay with this. Where would my clients go? They would have to get used to one of the other girls.

“What an asshole,” I shout into the empty room. I want to hit something. Throwing the blanket to the side, I run into my bedroom and change into my running clothes. If I sit here for one more minute, I'll drive myself crazy.

Coming back from my run, I can tell how much calmer I am. I really needed that run to get some of the rage out of my system. I walk over to the fridge to get a bottle of water, then check my phone.

Ms. Jackie– He will pay you everything the other clients would have, so you won’t be losing any money.

Again, there's something she isn’t telling me, but is it important enough to push the matter and risk losing my job? I can’t go back to cleaning tables, and I won’t go back to the life I lived before this.

Lexi– It’s not about the money. See you on Thursday x

Ms. Jackie– You had a delivery at the office today. I put it on your coffee table.

Walking over to the sitting area, I look at the bag. Who would have sent me something? Mr. Williams always gives me his gifts when I’m with him. Pulling out the shoe box, I turn the card over.

I can buy you every Jimmy in the world.

Ethan

Opening the lid, my mouth drops open as I stare at the Romy 100 shoes. With shaking hands, I take them out. They're lined in leather and finished with black lace. If shoes could give a woman an orgasm, then these would do the job.

I’m not able to take my eyes off the them as I walk into my bedroom. Is Ethan trying to buy me? Placing them with the rest of my shoes, I take a quick shower as I think about the reason behind Ethan’s gift.

Can I be bought so quickly? He’s a client, and I’m a professional. I know how to work with people like him. I won’t agree to all his terms, though. He’ll have to meet me halfway.

Getting my notepad, I start jotting down everything I want to cover on Thursday. I won’t back down on any of my demands. If he wants me bad enough, he’ll just have to agree. It may come down to a battle of wills, because he seems like a man who likes to be in control of everything. The problem with that, is I refuse to be controlled, and I won’t let him bring me down.

* * *

I spent every minute of every day re-reading those stupid papers to make sure I have everything written that I want to say. I spoke to Helen about it as well. I needed someone else to tell me I wasn’t going crazy and overthinking this. She told me to stick to my guns, and to not back down with my demands. I still didn’t tell her Ethan was Ms. Jackie’s godson, but I could tell she thought there was more to this whole thing than she was being told.

I walk into the Italian restaurant Ms. Jackie always uses for meeting with clients. I decided to wear a simple blue dress today, and paired it with some black pumps. I thought about wearing my new shoes, but I didn’t want Ethan to believe he had impressed me with them.

I see Ms. Jackie talking to Ethan. Crap, he’s early. “Hello,” I say to Ms. Jackie as I lean down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Ethan stands and pulls my chair out for me. “Thank you.” I smile at him, but he ignores me and returns his focus on Ms. Jackie. I roll my eyes and shake my head.

“Are you ready to order, Jackie?” the waiter asks, taking his pen and pad out of his apron.