He grabbed my wrist, and led me to a changing room in the back of the private lounge. He pushed me through the doorway and kicked the door shut before swiftly turning us and pinning me against it.A gasp left my lips and I watched as he slowly grabbed one end of my shawl from around my shoulders, letting it slowly pull from my arms."If you want to stop, remember to tell me red and if you want to slow down, tell me yellow." He brought my hands behind my back and spun me around so that my cheek was pressed against the door, bringing his lips to my ear, "For more, moan my name."He tied my shawl around my wrists keeping my arms tied behind my back. It was secure and I wouldn't be able to wriggle free. I curled my toes in my shoes, anticipating what was to come next. Ellis brought his lips close to my ear, "Close your eyes for me like the good girl you are."I closed my eyes obediently. A thin strip of silk dropped over my eyes, making me flinch. I guessed it was his tie. Ellis tied it t
**Ellis POVJenny. She had to be the one who put those thoughts in Olivia's head about my social status and age. I couldn't fault her. It was a best friend's job to make sure she was with the right man. I was the right man for Olivia, and I wasn't going to let Jenny convince her otherwise. Finding where Jenny lived from the college was easy enough but she wasn't home when I showed up at her apartment. I talked to a few of her neighbors who were all too eager to please me when they took in my flashy suit and charming smile. I was no stranger to getting what I wanted.They all agreed I'd find Jenny at one of the popular college clubs nearby, blowing off steam with some friends. There was a line at the club door, the electronic dance music pumping out onto the sidewalk. I went straight to the bouncer."Mr. Peterson, we haven't seen you in a while," the bouncer greeted. He pulled back the velvet rope. "Thank you," I said with a nod. My intention was to locate Jenny quickly. I hadn't
**Olivia POVI saw Jesse approaching us with a friendly smile. I tightened my hand around my clutch purse and fidgeted uncomfortably. "Good evening, Miss Richardson," he greeted, smirking and bowing his head. It made it seem like we knew each other a lot better than we did. "And who is this?" He eyed Paul curiously."This is Paul, we go to school together," I introduced quickly, hoping that would make this less suspicious. "Paul, this is Jesse, he owns this restaurant," I explained.He gave me a look, like he was wondering why I hadn't mentioned knowing the owner in the parking lot. I sighed and shook my head, hoping that would deter him from asking questions. "Nice to meet you." Paul shook Jesse's hand. "I've heard great things about this place.""Thank you, but unfortunately I have to tell you that our tables are full for the evening." Jesse peered from Paul to me with an apologetic expression."Your hostess didn't mention that when she put our names on the waitlist," I added, narr
Ellis tapped his fingers on the bar top, the edges of his mouth turned down in a subtle frown. I twisted my napkin in my lap, waiting for him to scold me or something. It was the first time where I felt like Ellis was a parent about to punish me. And I needed to be punished! I'd been so stupid to think I could pull off an 'innocent' date without hurting Ellis or Paul. "I…" I lifted my eyes and Ellis's stern face shut me up immediately. I chewed the inside of my cheek and shifted from side to side on the barstool. I wanted him to say something, anything! Just when it felt like the silence would stretch on forever, Ellis waved the bartender over and closed out his tab. I stole a glance, hoping he was ready to talk. Ellis beckoned me with his hand. "Come with me," he ordered. I swallowed hard as his deep, commanding voice swallowed me. Unable to control myself, I slid off the barstool and followed him. He didn't look directly at me, but he reached behind himself and grabbed my wrist
**Ellis POV"I thought we had that issue cleared up?" I walked out of a highrise in the City with my phone pressed against my ear. "Didn't I ask for Dominique to take care of that?""She's doing the best she can, but Dominique isn't Marilyn," Mike explained. I hopped in my car and waited for the Bluetooth to take over the call before driving to the Red Sea. "Well, give her whatever support she needs. If she's still not working out in a few weeks, we'll reconsider her position," I declared. "You got it. I'll see you tomorrow," Mike parted. He hung up and I sighed in relief. My work never seems to end. I ordered a whiskey at the Red Sea bar. It was too stressful of a night for red wine alone. The bartender graciously opened a tab for me. A woman I didn't recognize slipped onto the barstool beside me. She ordered a dirty martini and sat there, sucking the olives on the toothpick between her puffy red lips. I gave her a quick glance. She was dressed professionally but it was clear sh
**Olivia POVWhile getting caught up on school, I hadn't been able to drop by the hospital and visit my grandmother like I normally did. So, when she called me one afternoon while I was headed back to my apartment, my stomach twisted in guilt. "Grandma Jaqueline," I greeted. "How are you?""Hello honey, I was calling to see how you were. I haven't heard from you in a while," she said. I winced, my guilt picking up again. "I know. I'm really sorry I haven't called or come to see you. I've been really busy with school. I know that's not a good excuse.""Oh, Sweetie, don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere," she stated surely, chuckling lightly. "How are you feeling? Are you starting to feel stronger?" I asked. She'd been recovering in the hospital, which is why I'd been trying to keep her company. I felt bad she was there alone without family most of the time. "I'm feeling a lot better, thank you. I've got plenty of people around here taking care of me. How are your studies?" I
**Ellis POVNo matter how many emails I answered, my inbox was never cleared. I slogged through one business email after the other. A necessity of the job, but I was much more interested in rectifying the wrong that Carl had done to Olivia and her family. Steps had already been taken to make his life more difficult, but he had yet to figure it out. There was a knock on my office door and I pulled my eyes away from the computer screen. "Come in," I called. "Mr. Peterson, I'm sorry to bother you. I just got a call from the owner of a club in town. He said he had a report that you'd be interested in," my assistant announced, poking his head through the door."Should I call him back?" I asked, arching my eyebrow at the assistant. "I got his contact information right here," my assistant gestured towards me. He stepped up to my desk and dropped a slip of paper down on it. "He said he's available all afternoon.""Thank you."I motioned to the door and my assistant backed out. I grabbed my
**Olivia POV"You… what?" I asked. Had Ellis really just asked me to be his girlfriend. When I told him I wanted to give him a gift, that wasn't what I'd had in mind. I thought I could get him a rare bottle of wine or cigars or something. Could I really date Ellis? Could I publicly be with him and have that kind of attention? Being his girlfriend meant the world would find out about us. It was more than that, though. Carl would find out about us. I had no lingering feelings for Carl, but I doubted it would make life easier once he found out I was involved with his dad. Ellis had been good to me. He'd helped me out, protected me, lavished me with fine things. Through it all, I'd had my own insecurities. He was good at flashing money around to get what he wanted and now I was what he wanted. How long would that last, though? His track record with women said that he got bored easily. Not to mention, Ellis frequented auctions where he was willing to spend money on women for his 'dung