Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Sure… I could have had her in the mornings this week. Could have gone to the office late, taking my time with her in my bed. She wouldn’t have said no.
But that’s not what our arrangement is. I hire her—pay her—to go to a sex club with me. It’s gone a little beyond those boundaries for sure, but now everything is changed and I can’t expect anything from her.
Which is why it’s an absolutely great time to end it with her. Probably tonight after I bring them home.
I’ll give her a job in my company, far removed from me so I won’t be tempted. She’ll still have the same salary, health benefits, and 401K. It’s the least I can do for the hours of pleasure—and dare I say happiness—she’s brought to me these last several weeks.
Yes, that’s what I will do. Hannah and Hope can start a new life together, and I will go back to doing what I do best.
Being alone.
The front door to Hannah’s house opens. I lean farther back onto my car, crossing my arms casually as I watch her. She steps out looking fresh, amazing, and happier than I’ve ever seen her. A little girl comes out next, and she’s a fucking “mini-me” of Hannah. Same chestnut hair and smooth complexion. Nose, eyes. There’s not a hint of Nelson in her at all.
Hope has her head tipped up to Hannah and is chattering about something. They hold hands as they walk down the porch steps. Hope has on a frothy pink dress with translucent golden wings attached to her back. She’s carrying a plastic orange pumpkin bucket to collect candy in.
When they hit the sidewalk, Hannah’s head comes up and she sees me. Hope continues to talk to her mother, but Hannah is frozen in place as our eyes lock.
I enjoy her surprise for a moment before she starts moving toward me again. Hope, who has now also seen me standing there, follows along. Pushing off my car, I wait for them to reach me.
My attention goes to Hope, who looks at me with uncertainty. No clue how to fucking talk to kids, but I imagine it can’t be that much different than adults.
Right?
Bending slightly, I smile at the little girl. She is totally fucking adorable as she tips her head back to look at me with wide eyes.
“You might be the most beautiful fairy princess I’ve ever seen.”
Hope shyly ducks her head, pressing into Hannah’s leg, but she manages to tell me, “Thank you,” in a soft voice.
I straighten, bringing my attention to Hannah.
“What are you doing here?” she asks curiously. There’s no anger there, which I half expected since I’m here unannounced and uninvited.
“I couldn’t in good conscience let you two ladies walk around this neighborhood tonight. It’s just too dangerous.”
Hannah’s tone is amused and skeptical. “So you are what? Going to walk with us to protect us?”
I shake my head and laugh, turning to the rear passenger seat of my car, where I open the door with a flourish. With a charming grin, I announce, “Of course not. I’m going to take you to a super-safe gated neighborhood. Because everyone is rich as sin, they’ll have the best candy.”
Hope’s eyes light up and she peers up at her mom, tugging on the bottom of her thin sweater. “Can we, Mommy?”
Hannah regards me a moment, and I can’t believe my fucking heart starts racing in fear that she might decline. But then she glances down at Hope and smiles. “Sure. But let me introduce you first. This is my friend, Mr. Knight.”
Hope smiles, still a little shy, but totally charmed by the prospect of premium candy. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I reply, and then to Hannah. “Let’s get in the car and go.”
“We need to get her car seat,” Hannah says as she points to her car in the small driveway. “Or we could just take mine.”
Grimacing, I shake my head. “Not a chance.”
It takes us no time at all to get the seat transferred to my car. The hardest part is getting Hope buckled in around the five million layers of fairy princess dress, which is covered in glitter that immediately sheds off onto my seats.
Once we’re underway, Hannah asks, “Where are we going?”
“My dad’s neighborhood,” I say. “He hates any holiday so he’ll be hiding inside, but we can park in his driveway and walk from there.”
“Cool,” Hannah says before twisting in her seat to see Hope. “You okay back there?”
I can see her in my rearview mirror, and Hope gives a toothy smile of adoration to her mom. I knew Hannah was beyond happy to have her daughter back, but it’s clear the feeling goes both ways.
Hannah fills me in on her search for a new house in a safer neighborhood. By the time I make it over to my dad’s neighborhood, I’ve resolved myself to pay Hannah more when I move her over to Knight Investment Group so she can afford even better than what she’s considering right now.