SEND AN ESCORT

When I got to my door, I was surprised to see Rick standing there with a bouquet of roses in his hand. The sight of him only soured my mood further. Why did I keep running into chauvinists who believed they had the right to dictate how a relationship should work?

I ignored Rick and took out my keys to unlock my door, but to my surprise, he dropped to his knees and began pleading.

“Please, baby, just give me one more chance. I know I fucked up big time, but I cross my heart, it will never happen again.”

I sighed and gently massaged the crease forming on my forehead. I believed in giving people second chances, but it was a different ball game when my heart was involved. I couldn't afford to let Rick back into my life when I believed he would eventually cheat on me again. Perhaps his excuse next time would be that it was only a mental affair.

I already had too much on my mind and couldn't afford to add Rick's pestering to the list. I thought about how best to get rid of him, and an idea quickly came to me.

I forced a smile and said, “Get up, Rick.”

He refused, insisting that he wouldn't stand until I forgave him. I bent slightly and helped him to his feet.

Trying my best to sound patient and calm, I continued, “I was really hurt by what you did, Rick. I'm still struggling to get over it, so I need you to give me some time. I need time to figure things out. When I feel better, we'll talk things through. I promise.”

He seemed convinced by my words and nodded.

“Take all the time you need, baby, but remember that I'll be waiting for you.”

He opened his arms for a hug, and I reluctantly obliged. As if that wasn't enough, he pushed his luck and planted a kiss on my cheek.

I swallowed my disgust and waited until he finally walked away toward his parked car before breathing a sigh of relief.

Once inside, I went straight to my laptop and checked my emails. There was still no response from any of the four companies I'd applied to before landing a job at Star Entertainment.

I decided it was time to take the bull by the horns. The day was still young, and I wasn't about to sit around waiting for opportunities to come knocking. I would visit those companies one after another and give them a hundred and one reasons why they needed to hire me.

Jack's POV

I watched Cindy's retreating figure, my entire body seething with rage.

That woman had the audacity to slap me. No one had ever dared to raise a hand against me before. Just because she was beautiful and attractive, did she think she was worthy of challenging me?

I'd merely offered her a privilege that so many women could only dream of, yet she'd had the nerve to put herself on a pedestal and lecture me.

“Cindy Banks, consider this a challenge. I'll do whatever it takes to get you into my bed. Everyone has a weakness, and I intend to discover yours. Just you wait. Once I've had my way with you, I'll show you exactly where you belong.”

The encounter had left me with so much pent-up anger that I changed my mind about returning to the office. Instead, I called one of my agents.

“Toby, send an escort to my house. Preferably someone who enjoys a little rough play. And remember, I like them beautiful and sexy.”

Toby assured me she'd arrive in less than an hour, which was good enough for me. He was competent and efficient, which was precisely why I'd hired him to handle such arrangements.

After ending the call, I contacted my personal assistant.

“Mr. Barrows, I want to know everything about Miss Cindy Banks. Get whatever information you can find and send it to my email before the end of today.”

“Are you referring to your new secretary, sir?” he asked.

“Yes, that's right. I want every detail you can find. Send it to me as soon as possible.”

Once I'd given Barrows his instructions, I took a shower and changed into something more casual while waiting for my guest to arrive.

Before long, I heard a knock at the door. When I opened it, I was greeted by a beautiful blonde with a curvy figure and an alluring smile.

For a moment, I was reminded of Cindy, and my anger flared again.

“Are you the escort Toby sent?”

She nodded and smiled flirtatiously.

I stepped aside to let her in before closing the door behind us. She had barely settled in when I grabbed her by the hair and pushed her toward the couch.

Rather than appearing startled, she seemed accustomed to my rough behavior. She gave me a knowing smile and began removing her clothes.

I retrieved my belt from the bedroom and returned to find her waiting for me. She positioned herself over the couch, and I struck her with the belt, letting my frustration dictate the intensity of my actions.

She cried out, seemingly enjoying the rough treatment, and I continued for a while until the anger I'd been carrying began to subside.

Her skin had reddened, but I paid little attention. I was too caught up in the moment to care about anything beyond my own satisfaction.

I pulled her closer by the hair and demanded her attention, treating her roughly as she struggled to keep up with my pace. I ignored her attempts to catch her breath until I was finally satisfied.

Afterward, I stepped back and looked at her.

Whatever attraction I'd felt when she arrived had vanished. All I could think about was Cindy and how much I wanted to make her regret humiliating me.

I knew Toby must have paid her agency on my behalf, but I still decided to give her some money. I wanted her gone.

I tossed several bundles of dollars onto the couch beside her.

“If you can get out of my house right now, that money is yours.”

She wasted no time collecting the cash and her clothes. Within moments, she was rushing toward the door, struggling to get dressed as she left.

I sighed in satisfaction.

“Cindy Banks, one day, I'll make you regret ever crossing me.”

My phone rang unexpectedly. When I answered, Barrows informed me that he'd sent all the information he'd gathered about Cindy to my email.

That was fast, I thought with satisfaction.

I promised him a raise before ending the call. Then I opened my email and began reading through the details about Miss Cindy Banks.

She was twenty-four years old, blonde, and had lost both parents in an accident twelve years earlier. She had a fifteen-year-old brother who was hospitalized with lupus.

She'd been a scholarship student in college and had worked several part-time jobs to make ends meet. She was also drowning in debt.

Apparently, she had a wealthy boyfriend, although their relationship was currently on the verge of collapse. She lived alone, too.

Interesting.

So, she had a wealthy boyfriend.

I leaned back in my chair, considering what I'd just learned. If she'd chosen a wealthy man as her boyfriend, then perhaps money mattered to her more than she'd like to admit.

A slow smile spread across my face.

“I'll shower her with so much luxury that she'll be the one begging me to take her to bed.”