Page 19 of Valentine's Slave

“Are you entirely certain that you’re willing?” he asks. “You can still back out now.”

It’s like he’s daring me to do it. But I’m scary calm, as I am when I go into logic mode.

“I’m sure,” I say, smiling sweetly. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I sign my name on the dotted line and hand him the contract to do the same.

And just like that, I’ve been sold.

I feel a little empty inside, but the empty space is full of spurring energy, and the cold logic turns into swarming emotions.

“I should be heading out,” I say, getting up, bringing my plate to the sink.

“Of course. I’ll send you home in an Uber. What’s the address?”

I give him Janelle’s address as I’ll be there for a couple more nights. I’ve been trying really hard not to bother Hailey because she’s got so much on her hands, but I had to put my phone on silent. She’s been pinging me constantly since I sent her the last message, about me going back to Valentino’s place. I assured her that I was alive, but I haven’t said anything else.

Valentino walks me to the door. He’s tall and broad, but he walks lightly and easily, shoulders back, perfect posture.

“Rest up,” he says. “You’ll need all your energy, let me tell you.” He flashes me that smile, his beard making him look both classier and more dangerous.

I just chuckle. “Sure thing. Have a good night.”

He shows me out, and I head downstairs to my Uber waiting outside on the street.

I’m not sure how to feel about the whole situation, but I definitely need to call Hailey, because now she’s switched from messages to calling. I just smile, deciding to put a positive spinon things. For once in my life, I’m actually going to be doing something ‘festive’ on Valentine’s Day.

As soon as I get home, I give her a ring. It’s nearly eleven by now.

“Explain,” Hailey demands as soon as she picks up the phone. She has a habit of going ‘mom’ on me, even though she’s only two years older. I told her about Valentino as a safety precaution because I didn’t have anyone else to tell, not because I really wanted to let her in on my dirty little secret.

“It’s nothing, Hails. You don’t have to worry,” I say.

“I thought you said the sugar daddy thing was a joke, that you weren’t actually going to do it?”

A joke because all the daddies were old and gross, and a part of me knew that being a vanilla baby would never work. Nearly all of them would require real sex.

“Like I said, this guy isn’t exactly a daddy,” I begin, trying to tell the story without making it sound creepy.

“Sounds like a psycho stalker to me,” Hailey says. “Why did he want you at his house?” I’ve always been open with Hailey. We’ve told each other everything since we were kids, and for the most part, we don’t judge each other. This, however, might be the exception.

“He wanted to give me a ‘taste’ of who he is so I knew what I was getting into before signing the contract,” I say.

“You signed it already, didn’t you?” Hailey asks.

“Yes. It’s fifty grand, Hailey. Think of how far that can go.”

“I don’t care if it’s a million. You shouldn’t have to sell yourself for sex.” And then she pauses. “Ava, how badarethings? You told me you were struggling, but what were you holding back?”

“You know I lost my job,” I say quietly. “I can’t sign a lease without one, and I’ve been crashing at friends’ places.”

‘Friends’ is a far stretch, more like co-workers and Good Samaritans who lend me their couch for a couple nights.

“But I haven’t been forced into this,” I assure her. “I feel a lot more comfortable with Valentino than I would with any of the creepers from the site.”

Wild and unpredictable as he is, there’s something about Valentino that I trust, though I wouldn’t admit it to him.

“You should have told me,” Hailey says quietly. “You could have crashed on our couch. Hell, Ava, why didn’t you say something? Who have you been staying with?”

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