Page 28 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“Never.” She’s as serious as a sickness. My heart actually aches.

I sit back down on the bed and caress her cheek. “You’re mine now. And a lot of things are going to change.”

“A lot of things have already changed,” she admits meekly.

“It’s just the beginning,” I assure her with a warm smile. I don’t know what horrific things have happened to her, but I can promise, while she’s under my roof, no one will ever hurt her, scare her, disrespect her, abuse her, or make her feel like she’s anything less than a treasured human being.

“Relax, I’ll be back.” I tap her nose, then leave the room.

I HATE BEING CALLED BEAUTIFUL.

Shortly after someone used that word to describe me, my life changed drastically. And every time it was used after, it’s always been connected with a seedy undertone. Sometimes I wish I were ugly—deformed—so the world would shun away from me and leave me in peace.

Tonight was the first time a man called me beautiful and I didn’t cringe. He actually sounded like he meant it. Like it was genuine. Like he saw a woman, just a woman. Not an object or a slave or a prostitute. Which is everything I am.

Nothing. No one.

I have no idea what to make of Jett. I don’t understand his strange ways or kind demeanor. I understand his dominance. I understand what he wanted from me tonight. That makes sense. But not his sweet touch or pleasantries afterward. I’m always just dismissed. That’s what I’m used to. That’s how it should be.

He can have my body. Do whatever he pleases to it. Share me with every single one of his friends. Tie me up, beat me, fuck me. But don’t be kind. Kindness isn’t real. It’s just a fucking ploy.

Whatever his game, I’ll play it and prepare myself for the worst. Because evil is inevitable.

Depravity, that’s what’s real.

WORD OF OUR NEW SUPERSTARhas spread like wildfire. London has been here one week, and her bookings are already out of control. Good for business, sucks for me.

I stare at my inbox, filled with requests. I can go about this two ways. Work her like a dog and forgo stealing time with her myself, or make her an elite and charge an extra fee for a session with her. This will weed out the cheap garbage and free up her schedule and the holy ground between her legs.

Shit. I rub my cock. Just thinking about her gets me excited. I haven’t touched her since last Sunday. Just sat back and watched as client after client indulged in her. Getting more than their money’s worth.

I shouldn’t be jealous, but I am. It’s childish. But dare I say it, London is special. And I don’t mean just to me. It’s her whole persona. The way she presents herself. Her quiet strength and muted humility. Her unsurpassed beauty and sharp intelligence. The vulnerability in her eyes contrasting with the confidence in her speech. She’s a silent storm I want to drive straight into. The problem is, so does everyone else.

Including Kayne.

He’s called on her twice this week, which is unheard of for him. But I knew once he was exposed, he’d go back. That’s how it works. I help break the ice with a new woman. He takes it from there, although he usually prefers working out his aggressions on a punching bag instead of a pussy.

Not in this case, I guess.

I can’t really blame him. If I were more of a douchebag, I wouldn’t give a shit how many men she fucked on any given day as long as I got to sink inside that hot cunt too. But that’s not me. I’ll sacrifice.

Wait my turn. Wait for the right time. Because when we are together, it’s going to be all that much sweeter. Hotter. Combustible.

“Hey, asshole.” Kayne barges into my office without so much as a warning knock.

“What’s up?” I glance at the screen dismissively.

“This came yesterday. Forgot to give it to you.” He drops a medium-sized brown package on my desk. I spy the return address and know exactly what it is.

“Thanks.” I hit send on my email and then give Kayne my full attention.

“No problem.” He crosses his arms and looms imposingly. It’s not him trying to be a dick; that’s just the way he stands.

“Still no word from south of the border?” I ask.

“Nothing. But I’m confident he’ll contact us.”

“You ever going to tell me what you did to instill such confidence?”

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