Chapter 10

That evening, she slipped into a white skirt and a blush-colored top. Her hands trembled as she applied her lipstick, a shade of soft pink. She couldn’t quite understand why she was so anxious about seeing Steven again.

It wasn’t as if he’d done anything wrong, other than the way he’d looked at her. She decided to let it slide. Perhaps tonight would be different. After all, his wife would be present too.

Her gaze shifted to Kyle as he entered the bedroom. Just the sight of him stirred a flutter in her stomach. There was something about a man in a dark suit that was undeniably attractive.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Regardless of what she wore, she was stunning. With her long, slender legs, her petite waist, and her firm, perky breasts, she could have easily been a model.

He still found it hard to believe his luck in finding her and having her all to himself for a month. “You look so beautiful. I know I say that a lot, but it’s true.”

She blushed. She approached him and adjusted his tie. “Kyle, thank you. But you don’t have to keep saying it.

“Also, I have to say, you look so handsome in a suit, or even just in jeans and a shirt. I see how all the women look at you when you enter a room. They’re practically drooling over you.”

“Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?”

She glanced at him and then quickly averted her gaze. “I have no claim on you, so I’ve no reason to be jealous.”

There was an awkward pause before he spoke. “I guess we should go to dinner now.”

Despite her words, he could hear the hint of jealousy in her voice. He wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or concerned about it.

Steven rose from his seat when Kyle and Kiera approached the table. He shook Kyle’s hand and, leaning over, kissed Kiera on the cheek. His hand lingered on her arm.

“Kyle, you know my wife,” he said, then turned to Kiera. “Kiera, this is my wife, Pauline.”

They all took their seats, and the waiter brought over a bottle of wine, pouring them each a glass before taking their order. The men engaged in business talk while the women chatted about everyday matters.

“Kyle, so tell us, how did you two meet?” Pauline asked.

Talk about being put on the spot! He decided to stick with the same story he’d told his sister. “We met when she came to work for me as a waitress in my hotel. We started dating, and here we are.”

Steven’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never seen you there,” he said, scrutinizing her.

“Now, Steven, you don’t pop in that often, and perhaps when you did it could have been her day off.”

“You’re right,” he conceded, nodding.

The meal arrived along with another bottle of wine, and after eating, they declined dessert.

When Pauline started showing Kyle some pictures of her trip to Spain, Kiera excused herself to use the restroom.

So far the only bad vibe she got from Steven was when they first arrived and his hand lingered on her arm, but since then he barely looked at her.

She exited the restroom to find Steven waiting there.

She backed up when he approached her. She wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but after looking into his eyes, she felt a wave of fear wash over her.

He got close, uncomfortably close, and smiled at her.

“I find myself drawn to you,” he said as his eyes dropped to her chest. “Kyle is such a lucky man to have you. I bet you’re a hell of a firecracker in the sack.”

Not wanting to be alone with him, she pushed past him. “I have to get back to Kyle.”

“Don’t rush off, kitten.”

She stopped and turned to face him. “What did you say?”

He moved up to her and, placing his hands on her arms, pushed her up against the wall. “I know all about you, that you’re from the Sex Kitten site.

“What do you think will happen when Kyle’s family and business associates find out he hired a slut to have sex with him? It could ruin his reputation.”

“What do you want?”

He looked down at her chest. “I think you know what I want. What I want is a few hours alone with you. “So this is what you’re going to do.

“You’re going to slip him a sleeping pill. And when he falls asleep, you’ll come to the room I’ve already booked. It’s just around the corner from where you’re staying now.”

He took out a white pill and shoved it in the tiny pocket on her skirt.

“When I’m done with you, then you can go back to him. If you prove to be as good as I think you are, I’ll call the site and book you for a few nights.”

“You’re disgusting.” She spat at him.

“Room 106. Be there around ten.”

“What about your wife?”

“I’ll make sure she’s fast asleep way before then. I’m warning you, don’t tell Kyle, or I’ll destroy him,” he said, then he stuffed some money down her top and inside her bra.

“This is just part of your tip for services rendered.” He then walked away, heading back into the dining room.

She leaned against the wall, struggling to hold back her tears. She felt like she was going to vomit when his hand went down her top and she felt his fingers touching her breasts.

She needed to calm her nerves before returning to the table. She wasn’t sure how she was going to bear sitting at the table with Steven there.

Knowing she was taking too long, she returned and sat down, moving closer to Kyle.

“You were gone a long time,” he said when she sat down.

“I’m sorry. I was feeling a little queasy. I’m all right now.”

“It’s getting late. We should go back to our room. Then you can get some rest.” He turned to the others and reached for his wallet.

“It was a lovely evening. Maybe we can get together again before our vacation ends.”

“Put your wallet away, Kyle. It’s our treat,” Steven said, smiling over at Kiera.

The moment they stepped into their room, he could tell something was off. She was unusually quiet, avoiding his gaze. He gently cradled her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“I can tell something’s bothering you. Talk to me.”

“It’s nothing,” she replied, pulling away from his touch and retreating further into the room.

He trailed after her into the bedroom, watching as she began to unbutton her blouse. “Did something happen at the restaurant?”

She spun around, her eyes wide with fear. “What?”

“You’ve been quiet since you came back from the restroom. And you were gone for a long time.” That’s when he noticed something peeking out from her bra.

He approached her and, reaching into her bra, pulled out two one hundred-dollar bills. “What the hell is this? Where did you get it?”

She had forgotten about the money and was taken aback when he retrieved it.

His anger was palpable, and for the first time since they’d been together, she felt a twinge of fear. She bit her lower lip, unable to meet his gaze.

“TELL ME,” he roared, causing her to flinch.

“Steven gave it to me. He was waiting for me outside the restroom.”

His gaze flicked between the money and her, anger burning in his eyes. “I was wondering where he had disappeared to.”

A realization dawned on him. Waving the money in the air, he snapped, “Oh my God. What did you do to earn two hundred dollars?”

She understood his insinuation, and it brought tears to her eyes.

“I didn’t do anything, especially what you’re suggesting. How could you even think that?”

She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her arm, holding her in place.

“Then explain. Why would he give you this money? I mean it, Kiera. Tell me now, or I’ll take you straight back to America and hand you over to the Sex Kittens.”

She couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. Sobbing, she confessed, “Steven said not to tell you or he would ruin your reputation.”

“I don’t give a fuck what he said. Tell me now.”

“He knows you hired me from the Sex Kitten site.”

She recounted everything Steven had said and done, even during the wine tour, and showed him the sleeping pill she was supposed to give him.

“If I give him a couple of hours, he won’t hurt you.”

He tossed the money onto the bed and pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

“I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve any of this. But you should never hide something like this from me. And he can’t hurt me.”

“If I don’t show up at the room by ten, he’s going to tell everyone about us.”

He pulled back, cupping her face in his hands and wiping away her tears with his thumbs.

“You’re not going, and he’s not telling anyone.” He let go of her, picked up the money, and started for the door.

“Kyle, where are you going?”

“I’m going to pay him a visit and return his money.”

She grabbed his arm. “I don’t want you getting into trouble because of me.”

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself. Now, where were you supposed to meet him, and what’s the room number?”

It took some coaxing, but she finally told him. He gave her a kiss before leaving.

He exited the hotel and rounded the corner to where Steven was waiting for Kiera. He was in for a surprise.

Five minutes past ten, he knocked on the door to room 106. As soon as the door swung open, Steven’s jaw dropped. Kyle pushed him back in, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Kyle, what are you doing here?” he stammered, backing away.

“Who were you expecting?” he retorted, shoving him back.

“Kyle, wait. It’s not what you think,” he pleaded, raising his hands in defense.

“Really? Then explain. Were you expecting Kiera? You sick bastard. How dare you try to force her to come here.”

He pulled the money from his pocket and flung it at Steven’s face.

“I’m warning you, stay the fuck away from her and me. Our friendship is over, and don’t you dare set foot in my hotel and casino ever again.”

“Kyle, when your time is up, anyone can hire her, and I plan on asking for her. She doesn’t belong to you. I just wish I’d seen her profile before I wasted all that money on those other whores.”

His temper flared. His blood boiled. He lunged at Steven, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall.

“Listen to me, you little shit. You won’t be calling and asking for her. If you try, I’ll tell your wife about your escapades on that site and how you’ve been paying for sex.

“We both know if she finds out what you’ve been up to, she’ll divorce you, and since it’s her money that bought you the casino, you’ll lose everything. Do I make myself clear?”

Steven coughed, struggling to breathe as he clawed at Kyle’s hands, trying to pry them off. “Yes, it’s clear,” he choked out.

He released him and stepped back. “I thought we were friends, but I didn’t realize what a sick fuck you were.”

“I swear I’ll stay away from her.”

“You better,” he warned, heading for the door. He could feel Steven trailing behind him.

“Kyle, I don’t understand why you’re so worked up. She’s just a dirty whore.”

He wished he had kept his mouth shut when Kyle’s fist connected with his face, sending him sprawling on his ass.

His hand was already on the doorknob when Steven spat out the word whore. He spun around, his fist connecting with Steven’s face, sending him sprawling. He stood over him, his gaze burning with fury.

“Don’t you dare call her that again. If you do, I promise you, a punch will be the least of your worries,” he warned. With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out, making his way back to his hotel.

His anger was still simmering, so he decided to stop by the bar before heading up to his room. He ordered a double scotch, hoping it would help cool his temper.

He’d never thrown a punch over a woman before. But hearing Steven spew such filth about her, he’d lost all control. It was in that moment he realized she was more than just a plaything to him.

He tossed some bills on the counter, downed his scotch in one gulp, and made his way back to his room.