Stop Acting Like a Whore

Aurora Brooks POV

"I might be able to give you the happiness you are missing. Or maybe a simple life, like the one I live."

He shook his head in refusal. Then he held my jaw gently.

"You are the one who will live my life. I am not ready to live some soft pink dream like the one you imagine."

He tapped my cheek lightly. The touch tickled my skin. Then he finished firmly.

"Life is not pink, Miss Philosopher. It is cruel. It shows no mercy. And it does not give happiness for free."

I nodded slowly. His words were so true that I almost cried.

"You are right. But that does not mean we should lock ourselves inside a circle of sadness."

He murmured while sliding the back of his fingers down my neck. With every inch his skin touched, my lips parted with a soft breath that matched his rhythm.

His eyes turned dark. A sly spark appeared in them.

"It is enough for me to lock myself inside your features when they stand so proudly."

A messy laugh escaped my lips. I stepped away from him.

I had no idea what kind of spell this man carried. Maybe I only wanted to forget. Just for a while.

"Your house is impressive. The decorations scream that a captain lives here."

I lifted my head and looked up at the massive golden chandelier.

"Can I explore the upper floor too?"

He turned to me with deadly glances that slowly softened when he saw my excitement.

"You can."

I ran upstairs. He followed behind me.

Inside a wide hallway, I saw a large portrait of him wearing a black captain uniform with golden stripes. My hand flew to my mouth in shock at how handsome he looked. I moved closer and touched the painting.

"Do you like it, little one?"

I turned and saw his muscular body right behind me. His breath brushed against my face.

"Very much. This uniform shows your body in a very… tempting way."

I rose on my toes and ran my hands over his broad shoulders in the painting. Then my fingers moved to his lips in the picture.

"But your mouth does not..."

He grabbed my wrist suddenly. The force shook my balance. His massive body pressed against mine, trapping me against the wall.

His voice trembled against my ear.

"Stop these whore tricks. I will not touch you."

Even with the pain in my back, I could feel his hard masculinity pressed against me.

"You misunderstood my actions. I was going to say that this mouth never smiles. That is all."

He caught my earlobe between his teeth and bit it slowly. A wave of shivers ran through my entire body.

He whispered with a torn awareness.

"Why do you care if I smile or not? Are you a clown?"

I moved my head away and he released my wrist.

"You are painful."

He hissed deeply.

"If you knew what was painful about me, you would not talk so easily."

Without shame, he slapped my ass. A cry escaped my lips.

"Do not touch me again if you truly do not want to get close to me."

I walked into a large bedroom. A classic bed stood in the center and a bookshelf filled with different books rested along the wall.

I noticed a white uniform placed over a leather couch. I picked it up.

Before I could turn, he spoke with sharp authority.

"Help me."

I counted the golden stripes on the uniform.

"Help you with what?"

His cold hands wrapped around my bare shoulders. The touch sent a shiver through my body.

"Stop me from doing forbidden things to you while you act so innocent in front of me."

A wide smile spread across my lips.

But he continued.

"There is a distance between you and me as wide as the east and the west, Aurora. You are clear and bright. I am dark."

My smile faded instantly. I stepped away from him. His way of speaking made my heart tremble.

"You speak in riddles, Mr. Alexander."

I hugged his jacket tightly, suddenly afraid of his words.

I watched his broad chest lean back. He looked like a king on his throne.

I tossed the jacket aside and picked up his white captain hat.

"This hat is beautiful. Can I try it?"

He waved his hand slowly.

"Everything here is yours."

I ran to the mirror and placed it on my head.

"Is this how you wear it?"

He rubbed his lips with his thumb.

"Not like that. Come here."

I walked toward him. He grabbed the hat from my head.

I stood in front of him when he ordered coldly.

"On your knees."

Annoyance crossed my face. Still, I knelt down so he could fix the hat.

"Obedient girl."

I raised my eyebrow playfully.

"What do you mean by that?"

He pushed the hat properly onto my head, pressing it down slightly.

"Nothing. Clean that mind of yours. Now you look right."

I placed my hands on his knees and smiled widely.

"Oh my God. My head looked huge when I tried to wear it alone. How do I look now?"

His mouth stayed straight. But the brightness in his eyes betrayed the smile hidden inside his heart.

"Captain beauty."

I slowly stood up and walked toward the mirror again.

"It got bigger."

He murmured softly.

"What got bigger?"

I laughed.

"It is just a secret word I tell my sisters when they compliment me."

He replied harshly.

"You are walking toward a stone mountain. Change your direction."

"But I do not see any mountain in front of me."

He pushed his black hair back, revealing his handsome face.

"You are lucky you are an optimistic philosopher… and a hot dancer."

The word hot stabbed my heart.

"Thank you for reminding me I am a dancer. But I told you it is the only place where I could make money."

He answered with a dark frown.

"I will fire you."

I turned to him.

"By what right?"

He dropped onto the bed, looking tired.

"Because I want to. And because it is my bar. My place."

A hysterical laugh burst out of me.

"Excuse me, sir. Are you crazy? Did you just tell me you are my boss? You must be joking."

He rubbed his eye slowly, almost half asleep.

"The boss of your boss."

My voice rose sharply.

"You cannot fire me. I support my family."

He placed his hand on his forehead.

"Work in my house if you want. Be my private dancer."

I slammed the hat onto the couch, my nerves exploding.

"I am not your whore and I will never be one. I am here because I have nowhere else to go."

He looked at me with a calm, disturbing gaze.

"If you want it… you will be."

I turned toward the mirror. Pride burned in my chest as I spoke coldly.

"Then keep dreaming, you sick man."