BeauI felt as though I'd been beaten and hung out to dry.At that point, and since my lunch with Zoe, I'd been denied for two small personal loans and my credit cards were maxed out. It was official; the financial pits of hell were dead set on dragging me under.Doing the right thing was hurting me.At twenty-three, I lived on my own and paid my own bills. Understood that my parents deserved a break. That taking advantage of their generosity wasn't fair.I should be able to solve my own problems.I should be able to afford college even if it meant I'd be paying back the government until I retired.I should, but couldn't. Not when every single door was being closed in my face.Becoming a stripper was beginning to look very appealing.Jesus, that kind of money would come in handy right about now. Just a few nights a week; I could do it. A decent club in Miami wouldn't be hard to find. On the beach would be my best bet.My tits were perky and ass tight. Being a brunette, green-eyed co-
Beau"Honey, sit down." Dad stood up then and gave me his chair. Squeezed my shoulder as I walked over, and he dashed inside to pull out a stool for himself. He came back out before I could sit down with his seat in hand and a bottle of water for me. "Food should be out soon. Hungry?""Always." His mustache twitched at my response. Always claimed my sister and I ate like men. No shame. "And thanks for the chair.""Hush, kid."Once situated, I made sure Aubrey was comfortable before getting back into the conversation of her schooling. "So, you were saying about this school?""It's a privately run academy where our main focus is children with disabilities. Our program runs from Pre-K to 12th grade and works with a large array of social, behavioral, and learning impediments. From Autism to Dyslexia. We work with everything in between.""Impressive, right?" Gloria preened beside him, and I felt as though I was missing something important. What was the catch?Because if it seemed too good
HendrixYour attendance is requested.We're honoring your commitment to the greater city of Miami Development, Architecture, and Construction Association.Don't forget to R.S.V.P!My finger hovered over the delete button.It'd be so easy. Just check off one little box highlighting them all, and it'd all go the fuck away."Leeches," I hissed through my teeth before slamming my laptop closed and staring off into the warm waters of the Atlantic. None of these people were my friends - people I might even consider a colleague.Most had never been on a job site, much less gotten their hands dirty in their life.Just your average snob with money to spare and who loved to make themselves feel important. This wasn't for charity or to raise funds for the city.It was to rub elbows, kiss ass, and show off: three things I didn't give a flying one about. Thousand-dollar plates and an open bar were not my idea of a good time.As if you remember what that is.Ignoring my own self-deprecating though
Hendrix"Come again?" Walking back outside, I grabbed my open laptop and made myself comfortable on a lounger. The night was a bit chilly, but welcomed after the over one-hundred-degree day we'd just had. Felt good to be outside."I'm going to put this in a simple/vulgar way for you, Hendrix. That way you understand once and for all." He took a sip from his drink, the sound of him swallowing loud in my ear. "She - the girl you choose - will not suck your dick unless she wants to. Her choice to let you fuck her or not."I choked on the sip of beer I'd just taken. "What the hell, man!""The contract is very specific," he continued as if I hadn't just yelled. "Once you've chosen the one that catches your eye, a meeting will be held. All of this with her safety in mind, she will decide the where and when. Not you. Never you.""You are very protective." And that was putting it mildly. Fucker sounded about to have a coronary."I love Crystal and won't have you offending her. Best friend or
HendrixI tossed and turned that night.Thinking. Analyzing. Trying to make sense of why this slip of a girl had caught my eye. And through her pictures, nonetheless.I'd memorized her entire profile.From top to bottom: height, weight, and color of hair. The small speckles of gold in her eyes in one of the pictures - a close-up of her face. How she smiled at the lens with a carefree look.What kind of outdoor activities she preferred.Even her favorite ice-cream flavor would be forever ingrained in my head.What the fuck was wrong with me?This need that bubbled up inside was dangerous. For her. For me.I didn't do relationships or any of the other shit attached to titles.Running an agitated hand down my face, I tried to calm my agitation. "Fucking Jax and his bullshit. Didn't he realize the kind of future he was thrusting upon Beau?"Jesus, I paused there. Everything around me felt out of place.There was no us. Would never be anything other than a mutual exchange of benefits and
Beau"The nerve of that man." Running a hand through my hair, I pulled on the ends in frustration."Dick pic or obnoxious?" Zoe asked from her perch on my bed the morning after we'd set up my account. She looked so out of place. Nothing like the well-put-together chick from school; she was in sweats and an old tank top, having spent the night. "Bet you twenty bucks it was both. Am I right?"My mature reply, I flipped her off. "Shut up."We were eating breakfast from a bagel place down the street while she helped me navigate the mass of messages I'd accumulated since last night. Not even twelve hours into my sugar baby journey, and I was overwhelmed.Felt like cattle on display for the highest bidder. As if I had "fresh meat" tattooed onto my forehead.So far, I had looked at ten invites to connect, and all were creeps.Three pictures of small dicks offering a good time.One serial clinger who'd begun to plan our wedding.And six pompous I own everything jerks.All wrong and turned me
Hendrix Parker"Guess he took care of my mini meltdown for me," I muttered, not quite knowing how I felt about that. There was something sexy about a man that took charge, but this situation called for me to keep myself level-headed.Hendrix, no matter how handsome he seemed from his profile picture, wasn't following the rules."Stop moping or second guessing, Beau. At the very least, the guy is hot. You'll have a great lunch and if it doesn't pan out...bye bye, hottie."She had a point, and looking at his picture once more solidified it. I'd have a nice lunch with a man that personified tall, dark, and dangerous to my ovaries.With jet black hair in a slight pompadour style, a square jaw with a nice five o'clock shadow, and tiny smirk on his full lips...the man was sinful.But it was those light hazel eyes my own came back to time and time again. There was something there beneath the slight crinkles around his orbs that pulled me in.Made me curious.Without rational thought, my fing
Beau"How do I continue letting her talk me into these things?" I muttered under my breath while walking toward Tap42's entrance. My hands pulled on the short skirt of my dress, careful not to expose too much up top.I was stuck for the next hour or two in an innocent-meets-slutty look which Zoe declared only I could pull off.She dressed me in a simple, off-white strapless summer dress that reached a little above mid-thigh. The outfit was cute with a lace overlay which added to the soft innocent look she wanted to achieve. Add in a brown belt around my waist, the tan wedges she put me in, my red lips, and I looked trendy with a sexy edge.Problem was that my legs were on full display and so was half my chest. My C-cups were barely contained in this, but I'll admit that I looked good."Welcome to Tap42," the man at the hostess stand called out the moment I stepped inside. His tone was that of someone bored, until he looked up and met my eyes. From head to toe, I was checked out and I