NERTHUS
“You always spoil the fun.”
I curl up into a ball, protecting my head with my hands as Francis yells down at me.
“Why are you such a crybaby? He told me that you cried the whole time. Do you think this is fun?”
“But he… He was hu- hurting me. Wha- What should I d- do?”
I whimper as he grabs my arm to pull me up. “He paid for it, you stupid bastard bitch. What you should have done is stop crying and moan a little more.”
He lets go of me brusquely, making me hit the floor.
“If this ever happens again, you will pay for it.”
Because of the impact, I don’t get to move in time to protect my stomach before he lands his first kick.
I gasp for air as I jerk up.
Putting my hand on my chest, I take slow breaths to calm my erratic heartbeat.
All is good now. It was just a nightmare.
Slumping back down, I close my eyes and inhale deeply.
As if having a huge crush on a dangerously gorgeous client wasn’t enough, I noticed that I never had a nightmare when I woke up in his bed.
So stupid.
Dragging me out of bed, I quickly gather some of my workout clothes and sprint into my bathroom. It is amazing how good my body feels, although I’m surprised that I can move at all. After a long shower, I get dressed and grab a small breakfast-bar, before meeting Gigi at the gym.
We decided to invite Jenna after our workout for brunch, even though Gigi would have wanted her to join us at the gym too.
“Hello, you lazy bitch.” He greets her as she enters the bistro.
Letting her arms slump, she looks at me wide-eyed, making me giggle. “Well, hello!”
I stand up to hug her before she hugs with Gigi, and soon we are chatting comfortably as we go through the menu.
As our food is served, I get to ask the question that is burning in my stomach.
“Have you heard anything about Derek? I didn’t see him at the gym today.”
“Oh.” Gigi reacts, causing Jenna and me to look at him in confusion. “Didn’t you hear? He had to go to some kind of rehab after the hospital because he has some mobility issues. But I didn’t get how exactly.”
Staring at him agape, it takes me a while to finally get my words out. “You are kidding me, right?”
“Nu-huh.” He says nonchalantly, munching on a bite of cheese. “He must have been robbed pretty badly after your prince picked you up.”
I feel Jenna’s nails digging into my skin through the fabric of my jeans as I nod. “Sounds like it.”
Tapping on her hand trying to soothe her but also to get her claws out of my flesh, I try to change the subject.
Get it away from the Arawn-topic.
“I hope that will keep him from driving defenseless women to seedy places just to get head.”
Gigi gasps with a giggle, “You are horrible.”
“I know.” I shrug and take a sip of my coffee, feeling Jenna relax next to me.
Really, girl. You need to get it together.
“So, you and your prince hit it off then?”
I laugh and shake my head. “He is not my prince. He is a client, but yeah. I guess you could say that.”
“Isn’t he forcing you to work for him alone? You even resigned at the Fabulous Companion.” Jenna replies worriedly, making Gigi stare at me in disbelief.
“Yes. It is true. But I am happy how things worked out. Really!” I push out an awkward laugh, hoping to overcome the worry that is wafting towards me. “He pays well, and he treats me right. Every time I am with him, I get this incredible feeling. I feel… comfortable. And I plan to get as much out of it as I can for as long as I can.”
Taking a deep breath, I take another sip of my coffee. “Babes, I’m being serious. The sex is amazing. What am I even saying?! It is from another world! And this makes my job so much easier. On top of that, I don’t have to entertain any more creeps! And all those client acquisitions. I can simply focus on my grumpy Adonis. I’m so relaxed at the moment.”
Even though a small smile appears on Gigi’s face, Jenna still looks at me worried.
“But what if you want to get away…”
I interrupt her with a few soft pats on her knee and flash her a big smile. “All I know is that he respects me like no other man did before. He is even renouncing on something he is very keen on, just because I told him that it isn’t in my repertoire. Everything else will be a problem for the future Amber. And I’m sure that bitch will know how to handle it.”
“Now!” I say after a long moment of awkward silence and clap my hands. “Tell us about your date Gigi. Didn’t you go out with that yeller?”
He rolls his eyes and groans, making us giggle. “God, thinking about it makes me want to be hostage of the sex god of yours anytime!”
***
“Take care, okay?”
Jenna lets go of my hand, taking a few steps to the cab. “Are you sure that you want to walk?”
“Yeah!” I say, swinging my bag. “I live right around the corner, you scaredy-cat.”
We laugh, and with one last worried look, she gets into the cab. I wave goodbye after it, and as soon as it is out of sight, I let my arm drop with a sigh.
“Everything alright?”
I jump as a familiar voice startles me.
“Danny!” I squeal, finding him grinning at me as I turn around.
“Hey, Amber. What’s up?!”
“Nothing much. What are you doing here?”
“I have something for you.”
“Uuuh.” I squint my eyes at him. “Is it from Arawn?”
He nods with a big smile that makes me laugh. “Care to walk me home then?”
“Of course, my lady.” Offering me his arm, I loop mine around it.
“How did you find me?” I ask as we walk down the street.
“Boss shared your location with me.”
Gasping with a grin, I lean forward to get into his line of sight. “He is stalking my location?”
“Argh, I shouldn’t have told you that. Also, how is it that you women like such things? Hella crazy.”
I laugh, pinching his arm, making him shriek. “Hey. That hurt, bro.”
“I wouldn’t like it, if it wasn’t him and he wasn’t paying me a shitload of money.”
“Money, huh?” He asks more to himself.
Humming, I hug him closer. “Come to think of it… Maybe with Arwan and me, money isn’t so important, anymore.”
He looks at me happily, and I flash him a broad grin. “I would get giddy about him stalking me, even if all he could offer me was a bunch of field flowers every now and then.”
“So, cute.” His remark has me smiling even more and I guess it is official.
I have lost my mind.
As we enter my apartment, I don’t even mind that he, a man, gets in after me.
“Can I get you a Coke or something?”
“Sure!”
As I’m filling his glass with his drink, I see him pull out a folded document. He hands it to me, and I take it with a swing.
“Shut up! This is more than that stupid page I got before.”
“You seem excited.” He snickers as I stare at the document with sparkling eyes.
“This is amazing…”
“I didn’t look at it! I swear.”
“You liar!” I giggle as I go through my new contract.
Oh, yes, baby. Now we are talking.
Searching through my drawers for a pen to sign the contract, Danny slumps into the couch with a groan.
“Hey, how about we go out tonight?”
“Uh, like in a club? You are not old enough to go clubbing, honey.”
“Let that be my problem. I’ll show you how we get into one of the fanciest clubs in the hood, and you get to deliver that thing in person.”
Turning around, clicking the pen, I purse my lips before they widen into a broad smile. “OK. Deal!”