Page 11 of Just a Bit Captivated

Aiden laughed again. Jesus, this man was filthy rich. “Wow, I’m so glad that at least I’d be a very expensive whore.”

“You’ll also get more freedom,” Zain said, ignoring his snide remark.“You’ll get a better room, with windows. You’ll be allowed to go outside. If you’reverycooperative, I might let you accompany me off the island or even allow you trips to Dubai by yourself—accompanied by bodyguards, of course.”

Aiden chewed on his lip, considering it. It was tempting. Very tempting. Being able to leave the island meant more opportunities to escape or at least to contact his family. He might not be locked up in his room anymore, but Aiden knew he would go crazy if he remained confined in this house for a year. He wanted to go outside. He wanted to go home. A year of this seemed like forever right now.

“Fine,” he said, even though a voice at the back of his mind whispered that he was selling his soul to the devil. He quashed that voice. Being stubborn was stupid. Principles wouldn’t get him home. Gadiel wasn’t repulsive or anything. Maybe he could make it work. Maybe.“I’m willing to cooperate. What do you want me to do?”

Zain took a sip of his tea, his eyes glinting with mild satisfaction—the bastard didn’t look surprised by his acquiescence at all, as if he had expected it. It made Aiden’s fingers itch with the urge to smash his fist against that arrogant face.

But there was also something else in Zain’s eyes, an emotion Aiden couldn’t quite read. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Zain was also displeased. Which made no fucking sense. How could he be displeased and satisfied at the same time? Why would he be displeased at all?

“Gadiel wants to see you soon.As expected, his supposed human decency stood no chance against his inability to keep it in his pants.”

Aiden’s stomach knotted up.

Leaning back in his chair, Zain heaved a sigh. “But you had a point: your inexperience might be a hindrance. My brother is…” He grimaced.“He’s a horny idiot who thinks with his dick whenever he sees a handsome man. It will be hard for you to keep his interest since you lack the skills. But you will do it.”

Aiden blinked, wondering if it was the language barrier.

“I will?” Aiden said with a laugh.“And how am I supposed to do it?”

Zain’s expression was unmoved.“I don’t care. I just want results. There are… rumors around. About Gadiel’s inclinations. I couldn’t entirely quash them, so he’s going to be under increased scrutiny until his marriage.Gadiel is not to evenlookat other men that way this year. You will have to become the perfect little sex pet of his dreams, so perfect that his attention doesn’t stray.”

Looking down, Aiden realized he was gripping his knife too hard. It was blunt and useless against anything but fruit, but the temptation to throw it at the dickhead’s face was becoming nearly irresistible.

“A perfect little sex pet,” he repeated slowly, trying to keep the rage that was choking him out of his voice.“If you wanted a perfect little sex pet for your brother, you should have bought him one. You can’t buy a poodle and then expect it to guard your house.”

Zain’s bland expression didn’t change.“The poodle will have to learn,” he had the gall to say.“So are you going to cooperate or not?”

Aiden let out a sigh through his gritted teeth.“You might be used to getting your own way every time, but newsflash, Your Highness: you can’t just order someone without any experience with men to suddenly become a pro at keeping another guy’s attention solely on him for a year. Even the high and mighty Sheikh Zain ibn Mustafa Al Rahim can’twillthose nonexistent skills into existence.”

For a long, charged moment, they stared—glared—at each other, at an impasse.

Aiden almost cheered aloud when Zain was the first to look away.

“Fine. I’ll help. You can ask me anything about him.” Zain’s tone was short, clipped, as if every word pained him. “I’m aware of my brother’s tastes.” His lips twisted.“More aware than I ever wanted to be.”

Aiden scoffed.“How is knowing his sexual preferences going to compensate for the complete lack of practical experience?”

Zain looked at him dispassionately.“Knowledge is power. A well-informed lover is better than an ignorant whore. Every man has a weakness. Luckily for you, I know my brother’s.” Glancing at his watch, Zain got to his feet and headed toward the door.

Aiden frowned. “Wait, you’re going? You didn’t—you didn’t tell me anything useful!”

“Later. I’m late for my meeting as it is. My helicopter was supposed to leave five minutes ago.”

“Right. As if you can’t tell your pilot to wait for you.”

“Of course I can,” Zain said without looking up, typing on his phone.“If I had something important detaining me.”

Aiden vividly imagined curling his hand into a fist and smashing it against the asshole’shaughty face.

The fantasy gave him a visceral satisfaction, but as soon as the door closed after Zain, Aiden felt a peculiar sort of emptiness, his insides pulsing with hatred that needed an outlet—needed its target.Badly.

Christ, he’d never felt such hatred. He wanted to chase after Zain and make that dick look at him, pay him some real attention, make Zain treat him like a fucking person and not a thing that was at the bottom of his priorities.

Fuck him, fuck him,fuckhim.

God, Aiden hated him so much. So much.

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