"Sleep with me, let me make love to you tonight and I will keep the hotel running.
Paige felt as though she was going to pass out, the room was spinning and how she managed to stay standing was a mystery to her.
"What?"
He ran his hand along her cheek. "Come back, around nine and let me make love to you and I promise I'll leave the hotel going and everyone will keep their jobs. I just want one night with you."
"I'm not a prostitute," she hissed at him.
"I know you're not. If I wanted a prostitute I would get one. I want you," he says, letting his eyes roam over her slender body.
"You sir are a depraved lunatic. There's no way I'll agree to sleep with you," she said, daring to give him a shove back.
He grabbed her, pulling her roughly into his arms.
"Go home and think about it. Trust me when I tell you that you won't regret it. I can make you feel things you can only dream about. I will touch you in a way no man has ever done. One night Paige, that's all I want."
Cupping the back of her head pulled her close and kissed her.
Her legs felt weak, her lips being crushed under his as he kissed her. It was rough, yet sensual as he devoured her mouth with such passion. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck but fought it, leaving them dangling by her side.
When he stopped and moved from her she opened her eyes. He wore a smirk on his face and in the heat of her anger she slapped him, hard across the face. Her eyes went wide when she realized what she had done, afraid of what he'd do to her. She would bet that no woman had ever dared to hit him.
To her surprise, all he did was rub his face, a small smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"You have the fire in your eyes Paige, and passion in your soul."
She hurried over to the door and as she placed her hand on the knob his went on top of hers. "Let me out," she yelled.
"You can go. But think about the deal and if you decide to do it be here around nine." He then opened the door and she bolted to the elevator.
She wiped the sweat from her brow once the elevator doors closed, her heart was beating so hard she could almost hear it.
That kiss scared her, she had never been kissed like that before and it left her weak, out of breath. God help her she liked it, she felt the wetness between her legs.
How could a man she didn't like have this amount of effect on her with just one kiss?
One thing she knew she wasn't going to sleep with him, he was nothing but a coldhearted monster.
Arriving home she thought everyone was out, so swearing she threw her purse across the room, hitting her roommate with it when the bedroom door opened.
"Hey," Kathy squealed when the purse hit her chest. "I've never heard you swear before, what's got you so worked up?"
"It's nothing," she says, picking up her purse. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you. I didn't think anyone was home." She felt embarrassed, it wasn't in her nature to lash out, let alone swear.
"Tell me, Paige," Kathy said, pulling her over to the small sofa and sat her down. "You and I have known each other for like four years now. We're friends and you know you can tell me anything and I won't breathe a word to the others."
"Well, you know about the hotel closing and how I've been working with the owner, against my will. He said he was willing to keep it open if I made a deal with him."
Kathy's eyes widened. "Deal, what kind of deal?"
"I'd rather not discuss it, it's just too sick," Paige said, shaking her head.
Now Kathy was not one to let things go and she could be very persistent, wearing one down until they started talking. She had a feeling this was going to be juicy.
"Paige, we both know when something is bothering you it's better that you get it out, it will make you feel better, and see things more clearly."
"You aren't going to let it go are you?"
"No, so start talking."
Paige looked down at her hands which was still shaking.
"He says if I sleep with him tonight he'll keep the hotel open and everyone will be able to keep their jobs. I can't do it, Kathy. It's wrong to have sex for financial gain, I'm not a prostitute."
"Of course you're not. But tell me, what does he look like?"
"What has that got to do with anything?"
"Nothing, I'm just curious," Kathy said with a smile on her face. "Really though, is he good looking?"
Paige rolled her eyes, that was all Kathy thought about, whether a man was good looking or not.
"Yes, very much so, but he's dangerous looking. His eyes are dark and cold, they hold no warmth in them. Honestly, he kind of scares me."
"Ok, let's think this through. He's a gorgeous billionaire who wants to spend one night with you and for that, you and the others will keep your jobs. I don't really see a problem with that."
Paige jumped off the sofa and started pacing.
"It's wrong, I can't sleep with a man I don't know just to keep my job."
"If you don't then you'll lose your job, then what will you do?" Kathy asked.
Tilting her head back she closed her eyes and groaned. "I don't know."
"You can always come work at the club. Earl is always looking to hire young dancers," Kathy said, knowing damn well Paige would never strip.
"Seriously Kathy, as if I would." She points to her breasts. "Besides, these aren't big enough to fit the requirements."
"Yeah, you may be right," she laughs. "One night with the man can't be that bad. And he will be going back to Italy soon and you'll never have to see him again, right?"
"Right," She nods. "What if he's into some rough and kinky stuff? What if he's violent and hurts me?"
"Then you tell him right from the start that you're not into it or the deals off."
She takes Paige's hand and drags her into the bedroom. Rooting through her closet and takes out a short black dress.
"You can wear this, you'll look so hot in it you'll have him eating out of your hands."
"I don't want him eating out of my hands."
"If you decide to do this then you must have the upper hand." She goes to the dresser and takes out a pair of red panties and bra, the price tags still on them. "You can have these, they're both too small for me but will fit you perfectly."
Taking the panties she blushed. They were so sexy and see-through, the bra was also very sheer and her nipples would be seen through the material.
"I don't know about this. I was just going to wear jeans and a sweatshirt."
"Don't be silly, you might as well look hot," Kathy said with a smile on her face. "I have to go to work now. If I'm late Earl will have a fit.
"Look hon, doing this will not make you a bad person, men have been using women for years, it's time for some payback."
With that, she picked up her purse and walked out.
Paige fought between her morals and her wanting to save all those peoples job.
Maybe Kathy was right. If two consenting adults wanted to have sex what would be the harm?
And if there was to be something gained from it is it still wrong?
In the end, she decided to go ahead and take one for the team. Well, it wouldn't be too bad, she was sure it would be over in minutes and would never have to see him again.
So jumping into the shower her thoughts went back to the kiss. That kiss showed her how powerful he was, how he took control, showing her he was in charge, not her.
Putting on the bra and panties that Kathy gave her she checked herself out in the mirror. They were way too revealing and thought about changing but noticing the time she left them on.
The dress fit her to a tee. She brushed her hair and instead up putting it into a ponytail left it down.
Taking a deep breath she puts on her jacket, she hoped no one she worked with was still there, she didn't want them seeing her. The night shift didn't know her so she wasn't worried about them.
Checking her makeup, satisfied she left her small apartment and headed to the hotel and to the devil himself.
Stepping into the elevator she started having second thoughts. What if he ignored her request not to be abusive and forced himself on her. He was a strong, muscular man, taller than her.
She was petite and had little strength, he could easily overpower her. Taking a deep breath she steps off the elevator, it felt as if she were walking in slow motion as she took baby steps towards the door to his suite.
She tapped on the door lightly, hoping he wouldn't hear it and she could leave. But the door opened immediately, and fear coursed through her veins when it was the big goon who answered it.
She didn't know his name, nor did she want to. What was Mr. Maestri planning, was he expecting to have the man join in?
"Come in Miss Mosley, Mr. Maestri will be right with you. Have a seat over there," he said, pointing to the sofa. "May I take your coat?"
"No," she said, clutching the top of her jacket. She walked over and sat down, feeling relief when the man walked out, leaving her alone. She was a jumble of nerves, though it was warm in the room she felt a chill.
When he entered the room she looked up at him. Damn, he was so handsome in his dark suit and his hair also dark, almost black, his masculine scent drifted over to her.
"Paige, I'm so glad you decided to come," he said as he walked over to her. Taking her hand he pulls her to her feet and turns her around.
"Let me help you out of your coat," he said, his hands on it pulls it slowly over her shoulders and down. "You smell so good." His mouth was so close to her neck.
"Mr. Maestri, I want you to know I won't allow any form of abuse or kinky stuff so if you plan on hurting me I will walk out right now."
Turning her around to face him he cupped her face in his hand.
"I will do a lot of things to you, but hurting you is not one of them." He ran his thumb along her bottom lip and grinned when it started to quiver. "Would you like a drink?"
"Yes," she said when he removed his hand. She inadvertently ran her tongue over her lip where his thumb had touched.
Gabriel handed her a glass of champagne and sat down next to her.
"You can stop calling me Mr. Maestri when we are alone, call me Gabriel." He watched with amusement when she lifted the flute to her lips and drank it all in one gulp.
"Can I have another one?" she asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"You wouldn't be trying to get drunk now would you?" He gets up and brings her back another, handing it to her.
"No," she answers, shaking her head.
"I'm just a little nervous. I'm not in the habit of coming to a strangers room for the sole purpose of having sex. Blackmail sex," she said before thinking.
"It's not blackmailing Paige."
She looked up at him. "What would you call it?"
"I call it two people getting together to enjoy the pleasure of each others flesh."
He takes her glass from her hand and places it on the table. He stands up, holding out his hand for her to take.