Too Late to Love Me

I lowered my head and watched Alora Sheffield's pale, delicate fingertips graze my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.She still smelled like liquor, and her delicate neck was covered in purplish-red hickeys. Soft and obliging, I wrapped a blanket around her cold shoulders. "I'll do as you ask."Alora laughed so hard that she couldn't catch her breath. "Oh, gosh, you make a good lap dog."I pretended not to understand the implication of those words. I made sure she took the pill, then turned and grabbed the cooling, soothing ointment from the medicine cabinet. She rubbed the top of my head and let me touch her body over and over.She didn't like it when others left marks on her body, but she'd sometimes get so caught up in the moment that she'd forget. So I learned how to apply ointment and give massages, allowing her to maintain her usual formidable image as Ms. Sheffield the next morning.Alora was fast asleep by the time I finished applying the ointment.I quietly picked

Alora snubbed her cigarette and asked in a particularly detached tone, "So, why do you want to die?"I took in her neatly styled hair, delicate makeup, obviously expensive ensemble, and dazzling high heels. She did the same with me—appraising my loose, threadbare short-sleeved shirt with stains that could never be washed out, and the broken-soled canvas shoes on my feet.A soft chuckle escaped her. "You just need money, right? I can give it to you."She fished a couple of cards from her purse and tossed them at my feet like trash. "There, I've given you money, so what can I expect from you in return? You've got a pretty face. You can repay me with yourself."Alora angled her head to the side as she stood under the hazy moonlight, looking brighter than the moon itself.She took me back to her place that same night. She told me that if I did as I was told, she'd give me everything I wanted.From that day on, I willingly followed Alora and became her secret lover.Alora made good

Everyone was discussing who might have held Alora back. After all, she was the iron figure who'd shown up for every meeting without fail over the years.She finally arrived when the meeting was nearing its end, accompanied by a man in a suit. I could tell right away that the man was none other than Logan.Alora was grinning from ear to ear as she introduced everyone to Logan. "This is Mr. Fuller. He'll be one of us from today onward."Logan had graduated with honors from a business school abroad and boasted top-tier professional skills. He looked like the perfect match for Alora as they stood side by side.Some of my co-workers recognized Logan from the picture Alora kept on her desk and immediately burst into loud, enthusiastic applause. Everyone teased Alora and tried to pry more information out of her, but she smiled through it all.A few others glanced at me. I'd been with Alora for seven years, and anyone could tell that my relationship with her was unusual. But under the cir

Alora opened the conversation by asking Gemma and me how far along we were in our relationship.Gemma's smile was a little forced as she cut me a look out of the corner of her eye.I finished slicing Gemma's steak, then answered slowly, "We're still getting to know each other."Alora probably just wanted to know whether I was following the path she’d planned for me. So I decided to give them the reassurance they wanted.Logan remained expressionless as usual. He sat at the table and listened while we talked, occasionally checking and replying to messages on his phone."The both of you look good together. You should consider taking the relationship further.” Alora stared at me evenly, her words heavy with implication.I nodded. "I should thank you for introducing me to Gemma. I'll make this opportunity count."Confusion flickered in Gemma's eyes. She crumpled the napkin in her hand, then lowered her gaze to the sliced steak on her plate.Logan answered a phone call and excused h

I hailed a cab right away and headed to the company.It was only eight in the evening. The lights in the company were still on, and some of my former co-workers were working overtime.The lights in Alora's office were still on, too. Almost without realizing it, I found myself standing outside her door. Was she working overtime? She was always working too hard."Just be honest with me, Alora. What is your relationship with Elliot?"It was Logan. He was seated on the couch, and his eyes were rimmed with red.Alora had her back turned to me. All I heard was her voice as she replied, "Oh, him? He's just a pet I picked up and toyed with when I got bored. Don't tell me you're jealous."I peeked through the gap in the door and saw Logan's stormy expression. Grinning, Alora pounced on him like a playful kitten and kissed the corner of his mouth. "He's nobody. All I did was give him a bit of pocket money, and that was enough to make me his god."It's all your fault, anyway. I'd never hav