What's Your Price? Read online

  He hadn’t worn a condom. Not in her ass and not in her pussy either.

  As the pleasure began to dissipate, nerves filled her.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “I just gave you two orgasms and fucked your ass. I know when you’re happy and when you’re not. Why have you pulled away from me?”

  “I haven’t pulled away from you.”

  His lips brushed across her ear. “Don’t lie to me.”

  She sighed. He hadn’t pulled out of her ass.

  “We didn’t use a condom,” she said.

  “I’m clean.”

  “So am I. It’s not about being clean. It’s about getting pregnant. I’m not on the pill.” She rested her head on her hand. “I don’t want to get pregnant.”

  “Well, I came in your ass, so that should be good.”

  She chuckled. “This isn’t funny.”

  “I’m not trying to be funny.”

  “And I could still get pregnant. Pre-cum can be fertile, you know,” she said. For some odd reason, she wasn’t angry, which she didn’t understand. Not angry at all.

  “Well, whatever happens, we’ll take care of it.”

  “We?”

  “Yes. You and me.”

  “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to trade me in? Aren’t I a little old for you now?”

  “You’re just being mean.” He slowly eased out of her ass, and he flipped her over.

  She felt his cum dribbling out of her.

  “Now, let’s have this conversation. I don’t want to talk to the back of your head.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then let’s start with the easy stuff. I’m not trading you in. We’re both clean, and if you get pregnant, we’ll handle it together.”

  She licked her suddenly dry lips. “How?”

  He frowned. “I feel like that is a trick question.”

  “It’s not. How would you like to handle it?”

  “How do you want to handle it?” he asked.

  “That’s not answering my question.”

  “Laura, it’s not my body. It’s not my life. We’ve got to handle this the way you would want. Not me.”

  She pressed her lips together. “Say … I wanted to get rid of it?”

  “I’d make the arrangements.”

  “What if I wanted to keep it?” she asked.

  There was a long pause.

  “Would you want to keep it?”

  Laura nodded. “If we made a baby, I’d like to.”

  “Then I’d make the arrangements for you to keep it.” He looked around his apartment. “We’d have to find somewhere to live. You couldn’t live in your shithole.”

  “Hey, my apartment is lovely.”

  “Your apartment is lovely, but it’s tiny and no way will I allow you to raise my kid there.”

  “You grew up in places like that.”

  “Exactly. I know how bad it is.” He touched her cheek. “I don’t like you going home at all.”

  She smiled. “But I happen to love my little piece of heaven.”

  “With my baby, you’d have to compromise.”

  “I could do that, so long as you did.”

  “You’re so fucking stubborn.”

  “And you mister, are too used to getting everything you want,” she said, dropping a kiss to his lips. “It needs to stop.” She cupped his cheek.

  “No. Nothing needs to stop. You need to learn to give me what I want, and in return, I’ll give you what you want most.”

  She tilted her head to the side, smiling. “Oh, yeah, and what do you think I want?”

  “I see you. That, for you, is enough.”

  Her heart started to pound as he lifted up from the sofa. He picked her up, and she didn’t fight him as he carried her through to his bathroom.

  He was the first man to really see her, and she knew the longer she was with him, the scarier it got for the safety of her heart.

  ****

  “At least you’re not pregnant,” Gabe said. He carried the pizzas he’d just purchased to the small table.

  “Ha ha. Aren’t you going to complain?”

  “What do I have to complain about?”

  “You should send me home because this totally messes with your weekend and your policy of no clothes.”

  “Not at all. You owe me. I get to have another weekend.” He opened the boxes and grabbed a slice of pizza.

  “I don’t know if I trust this.” Laura pointed at him.

  “You don’t trust me?”

  “Not you exactly, but this. You’re … nice.”

  “I can be nice.”

  “With the reputation you have?”

  “You do have to keep this to yourself. I’m not a nice person.”

  “How many people have you killed?” she asked.

  He chewed on his slice of pizza. “I don’t count.”

  “You don’t?”

  “There’s no reason to. Death is pointless, and it’s dirty. The men and women who have disappeared deserved it.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “You ask a lot of questions.”

  She leaned forward and grabbed a pizza slice. “Exactly. Someone in your position shouldn’t be so trusting of a woman like me.”

  “And what kind of woman are you?” he asked.

  “I’m not important. I’ve told you that.”

  “You’re not important to everyone else. I didn’t say that. I consider you very important.” He took another slice of pizza.

  Laura finished off her first slice, wiping some grease that had dropped onto her breast. He’d allowed panties, seeing as she’d started her period, but nothing else. One of her hands was on her stomach.

  “Are you in pain?”

  “Just some cramps. It can get quite painful, but I can deal with it.” She leaned in to grab another slice of pizza. “It must be lonely being on top.”

  “I’m surrounded by people.”

  “Who fear you. The only reason you noticed me was because you pissed me off. Unlike the others, I didn’t back down.”

  “Now that is true. I found you interesting.”

  “And now?”

  “I still find you interesting.”

  “But?”

  “I also happen to love fucking you.”

  She wrinkled her nose.

  “You don’t like the word fuck?” he asked.

  “Love.”

  “You don’t like the word love?”

  She shook her head. “I think it gets thrown around too much.”

  He finished off his pizza. When he thought he knew everything about Laura, she’d say or do something that would just blow him away. Like now.

  “Okay, I’m going to bite. Why do you hate it?”

  She shrugged. “It’s used all the time and it’s been completely abused.”

  He chuckled.

  “Hear me out. I love to fuck. Fine. You enjoy fucking me. People say it all the time. I love shopping. I love reading. I love to cook. I love this and that and everything else. Love is this word that is supposed to be sacred, right?”

  “You’re overthinking it.”

  “I’m not. I’m being serious.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess when you live in a world where love is thrown around for every little thing but you’ve never had a single person in your life say the words I love you, I get a little irritated. No biggie.”

  He looked at her now and completely understood.

  No one had ever told Laura they loved her.

  “Do not for a single second think I’m trying to manipulate you into saying the words. I’m not. I don’t believe in love. With everything I see, I believe most people only have the power to love themselves, no one else.”

  He reached out, playing with a curl of her hair. “I think it’s sad you don’t believe in love.”

  “Do you?”


  “I believe it’s possible to love someone so deeply. I’ve seen it.” He’d seen it in a couple of his men who’d married the love of their lives. True love was rare. For a long time, he’d doubted it existed.

  “Really? You’ve seen true love?”

  “I have. Have you thought about looking for them?” he asked.

  “Who? The people who are in love?”

  “That’s easy. Just go to a park bench on a Sunday morning. You’ll see love and it will make you less angry with the world. Believe me. No, have you considered looking for your parents?”

  “No.” Not a single hesitation.

  “You haven’t thought about them?”

  “When I was a kid. Before I realized that there were parents out there who kept their babies. After you realize the harsh reality of your own situation, it doesn’t exactly leave a whole lot of doubt for anything else.” She sighed. “I really don’t want to talk about this.”

  “You need to.”

  “I don’t need to. Finding my parents will not change the fact I spent my entire life being overlooked in a foster home. It won’t magically make me feel better. If they’re having the best time of their lives, and they’re happily married with a family they actually do love, do you think I really need to see that?” She frowned at him and stood.

  She moved around the table and went toward the kitchen.

  Getting up, he followed her. “You’re angry.”

  “I’m angry that you think I need to even talk about this. This between us, this is fun, but I don’t need to be analyzed or made to believe that something is fundamentally wrong with me. I got through everything. I survived just like you said.”

  He saw the tears in her eyes and went to her.

  “What are you doing?”

  Gabe wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close.

  “Stop it, Gabe.”

  “I’ve got you.”

  “I mean it.”

  “And I’m not going to let go.” He held her tightly, feeling her body shake in his arms. His heart broke for the young girl who’d been so broken by her own feelings.

  “Stop it. I don’t like this, Gabe. Please.” Her voice shattered.

  “They don’t matter. I’ve got you. You don’t need them. You don’t need anyone.” He pressed a kiss to her hair as she began to sob.

  “This isn’t fair. You shouldn’t be trying to make me cry.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not that girl anymore. I’ve never been that girl.” She sobbed.

  Gabe wished he’d known her back then. His heart shattered for the girl in the picture and how alone she’d been. Laura was strong. She’d had no choice but to be strong. He held her even tighter, not wanting to let her go for even a moment as she let everything out.

  Twice he’d gotten her to sob in his arms. He’d taken away the pain and fear, and he loved that she trusted him enough to be so open with him.

  You can’t let her go.

  The truth was, he didn’t want to ever let her go. Laura had gotten under his skin and he knew the difference between wanting a good fuck and wanting commitment.

  He could take care of her. Give her the life she deserved. The kind of family she didn’t have to bribe or be forced to do.

  Laura collapsed in his arms, and he carried her through to the bedroom. He lay on the bed with her. Laura was curled up against his side, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  She fell asleep in his arms. Only when he was sure she was completely out of it did he leave her. Going back to his office, he made his way toward the desk.

  In the bottom drawer, he pulled out her file, grabbed his cell phone, and dialed Felipe. He arranged to have the man brought to the city. He was going to take care of the son of a bitch who thought it was okay to rape young girls, and then to continue to do so for money and security. Once that was done, he pulled out her birth certificate. This time, he put a call through to his guy in the police force. If there was any way of finding the people responsible for Laura, he was going to do it. Each and every person who had hurt her was going to pay.

  He had to do something, and sitting around as she sobbed out her pain wasn’t all he could do.

  With the arrangements made, he sat back and stared at the file. The little girl with a beautiful smile. With every picture taken, the smile disappeared until there was nothing left but a shell of a girl.

  Time and loneliness had broken his woman. He had the chance to repair the damage, but she was so strong-minded. So determined to make it alone in the world. There was only so much he could do. Only so much his woman allowed him to do.

  Running a hand down his face, he tried to think, to focus, but in the end, it was useless. He needed his woman in his arms.

  Returning to his bedroom, he slid in beside her and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his face against the top of her head. He would do anything for this woman, and he refused to think of the reason why.

  Chapter Seven

  “A hot dog?” Gabe asked.

  “You’re not going to try it?” She held out his hot dog, waiting for his response.

  He released a laugh. “Let me get this straight. You turned down an all-expenses-paid vacation with me to go to some of the best places in the world. To sunbathe on the most exquisite beaches for a wander around the city and hot dogs?”

  “Anyone ever tell you that you’ve turned into a snob?”

  “Most people who call me names often end up dead or with something broken.” He folded his arms.

  “Stop being a pain in the ass. I spent your weekend pouring out my heart and soul to you, and I had no intention of ever doing that. You’ve seen way more than I ever wanted you to see. The least you could do is enjoy a hot dog with me.” She held the hot dog up for him to take. “It’s not dangerous. He won’t bite. Promise.”

  “You’re mocking me.”

  “Come on, Gabe. When was the last time you actually enjoyed the city? Yes, we could have gotten onto a plane or a boat and traveled anywhere, but fun can still be had here.”

  “You chose to stay here because you didn’t trust me.”

  “True. I’ve watched a couple of those trafficking movies. You’re not getting me out of this city.”

  He chuckled and took the hot dog from her. “How can you watch them?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t own a TV.”

  “I used to, but when it broke, I decided not to replace it.”

  “Why?”

  “Prefer a good book, and the enjoyment lasts longer.” She shrugged. “Take a bite. Let’s not change the subject.”

  “If people could see me now.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “That’s becoming a habit,” he said.

  “Yeah, yeah, you’re going to have to spank me later.”

  “Or how about now? I could bend you over that wall. No one would stop me.”

  “You’re probably right, but there is a high chance, Mr. I’m in Control of Everything, that I might like it.” She winked at him. “Try your hot dog.”

  He glared at her, but she watched as he took a bite.

  “Good?”

  “It’s … adequate.”

  “Snob.”

  “I’m going to turn your ass red.”

  She finished off her hot dog in two more bites. She threw the wrapper in the trash and turned toward him.

  “I can’t wait to see how far you’ll go. Until then, come on.”

  She took his free hand, and together, with his men following behind him because Gabe never went without any of his security team, they wandered toward the park.

  Hand-in-hand, they walked the grounds. All the while, she was aware of a couple of people pointing toward them. She chanced a glance at Gabe and saw his scowl in place.

  The moment they had left his penthouse, he’d worn a look that told people not to fuck with him. She didn’t like it.

  Laura came to a stop. “If yo
u’re really not enjoying this, we may as well go back to your place.”

  “What makes you think I’m not enjoying this?”

  “Can you get any … stiffer? I swear I’m standing next to a dead body.”

  He finished his hot dog and threw his wrapper in the trash. “Laura, you know who I am. I haven’t tried to hide it and because of what I do and how I work, I have to always be cautious. I’m enjoying myself.”

  “But you can’t show it,” she said. “Doesn’t that like suck?”

  “There’s a price for being on top, and this is the one I have to pay. Even when I’m lo—enjoying every single moment, I have to act like I’m bored. You enjoy walking the city?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” He held out his hand.

  “It’s freeing. I know we’ve got work and commitments, but taking the time to walk the streets, to meet people, to see people, it makes me feel happy with how far I’ve come. I’m not a child they’re looking out for. I’m me. I think that in itself is a different kind of freedom. One I do happen to enjoy.”

  “You’re an interesting woman, Laura.”

  “I’m not that interesting. You are, though. With your men constantly following you. It must be hard to try to get some peace.”

  “I have peace in its own way,” he said.

  “How?”

  “I have the peace of mind that I’ve got plenty of money. I’m a wealthy man. I’ve got power. Men won’t fuck with me.”

  “And that is all you need to be happy?” she asked.

  “We all know it’s not without problems.”

  “There are always people who want to take your place. I deal with that every single day. Men who want what I’ve got. Women who want to be by my side because of the power I have. All of it.”

  “You don’t like it?” she asked.

  “I deal with it.”

  “But you don’t like it?” she asked. Gabe was a hard man to get to know. When they were alone, he was a lot easier to read. Right now, the mask was in place and he didn’t say a whole lot.

  “I do what I have to do,” he said.

  “You can be open with me.”

  He stopped and turned toward her. “Like you’re open with me?”

  “I have been open with you about everything.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I honestly don’t know what this is. You’re giving me mixed signals. If you just want to fuck, say so. I can handle that. It’s easier.”