Chapter 16
Joanna’s mind raced, her body tense. “Why do I need a shower she wondered, shaking her head. “I don’t need a shower she said.
Kenneth glanced down, his tone icy. “Fine, we’ll do it first, and you can shower afterward.
Confusion clouded Joanna’s face. “Do what?” she asked,
“Maying dumb, Ms. Mayfield?” Kenneth moved closer, a hint of cedar wafting from him. “In the dead of night, a man and a woman alone in a hotel room. What else is there to do besides sex?”
Joanna’s breath hitched when she noticed the raw desire in his eyes.
“Ms. Mayfield, you’ve been all over me today, complimenting my moves, wanting this meeting. Now you’re here, alone with me.” He paused, his eyes boring into hers. “We’re both adults here. Let’s cut to the chase.”
Joanna’s cheeks flushed as she realized her intentions had been misread. “Kenneth, I’m here to talk about something important.”
“Whatever it is,
tis, we can chat later,” Kenneth replied nonchalantly, his fingers already working on the knot of his robe
Joanna quickly reached out to stop him, her grip firm on his arm. “No, wait,” she said, her voice wavering. “I’m here for serious stuff, not for that.”
Kenneth halted at her touch, his expression cooling. “Joanna, are you fooling me?”
Her throat went dry, and she found herself backing up until her back met the cool wall. “No, I’m not,” she insisted. “It’s you you’re getting the wrong idea!
Kenneth watched her closely, his face stem. After a moment, he turned away and gave her some space.
Joanna exhaled, feeling the tension ease. She collected her thoughts before speaking up, her tone serious “Kenneth, I’m here to propose a deal.”
Kenneth ignored her, nonchalantly flicking a lighter and drawing on a cigarette. His face was a blur behind the rising smoke. “You know what I was thinking the last time we said goodbye?” he asked, a hint of threat lingering
Joanna’s heart raced as he said, “I was thinking, you better hope you never cross my path again.”
Realization dawned on Joanna–her relief had come too soon. Kenneth wasn’t going to be an easy sell on this deal
“Alright, spill it. What’s this deal about?” Kenneth asked, his desire momentarily banked. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it
Joanna’s heart clenched, feeling like it was in his grasp. She hesitated, the words sticking in her throat. “I want to… buy you,” she finally forced out.
“Come again?” Kenneth said, so surprised he almost laughed in disbelief. After waking up with amnesia, he’d pieced together his past from what he’d read in documents.
Since losing his memory, he’d tamed his fiery temper, learned to leash his darker thoughts, and played the gentleman. But as someone accustomed to power, his natural authority was something that couldn’t be easily shaken.
Joanna didn’t back down. “You’re a gigolo, right? Isn’t this what you do get paid to be with someone?” She met his gaze steadily.” pay you 30 thousand dollars a month, for two months. Half up front, half at the end.”
This time, Kenneth actually laughed as he advanced on her. “Ms. Mayfield, you’ve got some real balls,” he said, his voice tight with restrained fury. So much so that he felt a twitch in his hands, like he could choke her
Kenneth’s looming figure put Joanna on edge. She squared her shoulders and pressed on with the deal. “If the price isn’t right, we can talk money.”
Brielle’s birthday was coming up next month, and Edmund, swayed by Rosalie, always favored her. While Joanna’s birthdays were quiet affairs, Brielle’s were always a big deal, with a grand party every year.
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Chapter 16
Now that Brielle was of age to entertain
every family friendly with the Mayfields made sure to show up for her calebratio
Brielle was smitten with kenneth to the point where she’d fum down any other suiter. This year, the’d definitely invite him to her birthday bathr Intended to steal the show by parading Kenneth around, making their relationship public–a slap in triedle’s face,
it would leave Brielle humiliated, tasting the agony of losing someone she cherished.
Brielle had ended Lillian’s death and then conspired with Susan in destroy Joanna But Joanna wasn’t about to sink to their level. She wouldn’t orchestrate some vile act like having Bulelle assaulted. This plan was her retaliation.
Brielle had never shown an ounce of guilt for her actions, always belittling Lifan as “the mistress”
Joanna thought, “Let’s see how Brielle handles it when the guy she adores is with another woman, Will she still want Kenneth then?
“And telling her that her own schemes put me in Kenneth’s bed–that should really break her. Kenneth is the key to all this. Ha’s the perfect tool for my
“Last time it was ten grand, and now it’s thirty, Ms. Mayfield, do you solve everything with cash?” Kenneth sneered,
If he were an actual gigolo, it might make sense. But he wouldn’t bother picking up 30 thousand dollars if it was thrown at his feet. The idea of her paying to “buy” him was just ridiculous..
Joanna, unsure of his reaction, ventured a question. “Are you in?”
Kenneth held a cigarette between his fingers, the tip glowing softly. He asked, “You’re buying a man–does your husband know about this?”
Joanna considered the situation. “He must be wondering about me, a married woman, offering to keep him. Even as a gigolo, he should know better than to mess with a married client,‘ she mused, her thoughts drifting to her own loveless marriage.
To close this deal, she decided on a small lib. “My marriage is practically over–we’re divorcing. He’ll be my ex soon.”
Kenneth’s eyes narrowed, a glint of suspicion in them, “So, it’s been a while since he’s been with you?”
Joanna, uneasy with the personal turn of the conversation, dodged his gaze and gave a small nod. “Yes, he’s into someone else. It’s been a long time since we’ve shared a bed.”
With a satisfied nod, Kenneth’s icy facade cracked a bit. He reached over and pinched Joanna’s cheek, making her mouth pucker. “Ms. Mayfield, I’m not interested in your cash. Let’s renegotiate.”
Joanna winced, her eyes watering from the pinch. “What do you have in mind?” she asked.
Kenneth took a sharp drag from his cigarette and dipped down, capturing her mouth with his. It was like a wolf asserting dominance over vulnerable prey. He exhaled smoke into her mouth, causing her to cough and her eyes to water.
Kenneth had never been into women, but now, even after sex, he found no real pleasure. Yet, as he loomed over Joanna, pinned beneath him, a dark, destructive urge swelled within him.
“I want you to submit, to give in to whatever I want in bed,” he said.
Kenneth’s demand hit Joanna like a bucket of cold water. Her expression hardened as she shot back, “No way.” She clarified quickly, “I’m just paying for your time, not sex. It’s a business deal, plain and simple. And while you’re with me, no other clients.”
Gigolos often had complicated love lives and could pick up diseases easily. The thought made Joanna’s stomach turn. She was sure her offer was fair. As a gigolo, he should be jumping at the chance.
But Kenneth’s face stayed blank, his whole vibe chilling. “Ms. Mayfield, your sincerity’s missing.”
“Kenneth, wait-” Joanna started.
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11:44 Sat, 31 May G
Chapter 16
“I’m turning you down. Now get out.” He cut her of
Joanna was taken aback, words catching in her throat. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned things, Drawing a deep breath, the upped the ante. “If you’re
looking for sex, I’ll give you 200 thousand dollars in total. That should cover any woman you desirect
“Either strip or get out,” he reped, his tone harsh and unyielding, offering Joanna no wiele room.
