Nat's POV
I gaped at Rhett in shock, unable to believe he'd made such an audacious proposal. Even worse was my shame at the knowledge that our prior interaction had led him to embarrass me like this— right in front of Nick too.
Stomach fluttering with something I hoped was apprehension, I glanced at my husband to see his reaction and found him frozen right next to me, gaping at the man like he had grown two heads.
To my chagrin, Rhett strode forward closer to us and the fluttering in my stomach increased. He kept his eyes trained on Nick, a smirk on those full, firm-looking lips of his.
"What say you Nick? Mind giving me a turn with sweet ol Nat for a million-dollar check?" His words broke through the haze over my eyes as I stared up at him and realization struck me all over again.
I knew Nick and I were struggling right now, but what gave this egocentric rich guy the right to waltz in here and act like he could buy me from my husband? Who said I was even Nick's to sell? I was a grown ass woman for god's sake and I wouldn't be condescended to like a child. Or worse, a pet.
"How dare you try to buy me like I'm some cheap whore?"
Rhett arched an elegant brow at me "Come now Nat, one million dollars for a night is hardly cheap."
The moment the words came out of his mouth, I did what any self respecting woman would do in that moment; I slapped him. His head barely turned so I knew it wasn't much of a blow, but that irritating little smirk disappeared from his face and it was enough for me. At least for now.
The crack of my palm against the billionaire's cheek seemed to finally wake Nick up from his dumbfounded gaping and he grabbed my arm, drawing me back and putting some distance between us and Rhett. I glared at him, an uncharacteristic hatred burning deep within my chest at the sight of him.
"I'm sorry about that Mr. Remington." Nick apologized on my behalf and I whirled unto him with my mouth agape, nearly smacking him too in the process.
"Sorry? He—"
"To be fair, you did deserve it for propositioning my wife like she was a hooker." Nick added quickly and it mollified me somewhat. I turned back to Rhett with another glare.
"I'm not for sale. My marriage is not for sale. My relationship is not for sale, or for your silly little games."
I spat at him, pointing wildly as I spoke. Thankfully, Nick held me back before I assaulted him again.
Rhett stepped back, his face a distant, polite mask once more.
"I apologize for any insult perceived then. I meant no ill will of course. To you, your husband or your marriage." He said solemnly and for some reason, I didn't believe him at all. I was sure not apologizing for hitting him, after the stunt he just tried to prove.
"Please don't hesitate to enjoy the rest of your evening as my guests. My assisstant Jacques will show you to your rooms."
He said gesturing at the corner with only two fingers and a tall, thin man appeared out of nowhere.
"T—Thank you." Nick muttered and cleared his throat, as if he was still not sure how to play this part and I felt disappointment well up within me.
Rhett's eyes swung to me and my breath caught in my throat, another one of those odd tingles running down my spine.
"I would advice though, that you slept over my offer and talk to me again tommorrow. A million dollar opportunity doesn't come twice in one's life." He said solemnly, with all the seriousness of a man proposing a business decision. Before either Nick or myself could say anything else, he turned around and left.
Jacques simply nodded to us, his face impassive "Shall we?" He asked and after exchanging a wary glance, we let him escort us out of there.
The hotel room Mr. Remington had reserved for us was expansive and beautiful. If not that I knew he was only doing all of this so he could get into my pants despite knowing that I had a husband, I would have been amused.
Nick and I didn't talk for a moment, each of us stuck in our own head. I for one couldn't believe Nick had let a man talk to me like that, then actually apologized to him after I'd handled it the best I could. I whirled around to him, righteous fury on my face.
"What the hell was that Nick! Why didn't you back me up in there?"
"Back you up into what? A law suit? Come on Nat." He said defensively and I gaped at him.
"How can you say that? He had no right to talk to me the way he did."
"No, he didn't." Nick agreed with a frown. I scowled.
"Then why did you apologize!" I queried with a pout and Nick scoffed "He's a freaking billionaire. Trust me, we can't afford to pay damages for you striking that face. I get why you're mad I just… think we should consider our moves here carefully." His tone was cautious and I was hesitant to ask him why, unsure I would like the answer.
"I'm not sure what's there to consider." I said after a long, uncomfortable moment of silence.
"Well… I mean, it was a little outlandish and he probably shouldn't have been making the offer to me instead of maybe to both of us but…" He trailed off going silent, a discomfited look on his face.
"That's what you think of another man offering you money to fuck your wife for a night."
"Nat, he was offering US money. Not just any type of money, one million dollars. He's an asshole and a smug bastard, but he is right about one thing. The opportunity to get this kind of money… it won't come again."
I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. I'd always known Nick was a bit of an avoidant when it came to confrontation, but I'd been so sure he would at least defend me. If only a little bit, instead of freezing up for a while then trying to take back the actions I'd utilized to defend myself.
"What are you even saying Nick. I'm not gonna stoop so low as to sell myself to that brute, just because I need some money. I don't care how much he wants to pay."
With that, I turned around, storming away from him so I could get to the bathroom. To my great annoyance, he followed behind me, still talking.
"I don't like the idea either Nat." I whirled around to face him again
"Then are you trying to convince me to whore myself for him! You're my husband!"
"Don't you think I know that!" Nick snapped, his gentle, pleading tone replaced by frustration. "I'm your husband. I'm supposed to protect you from creeps like this. But I'm standing there and all I can think of is how I've failed you. I kept tracing dreams, I got us in debt, I'm causing the real possibility of our house being repossessed. I've failed you so much that another man is offering money to fuck my wife and I'm actually considering it because I have no fucking clue what else I can do!"
His voice raised with every sentence until he was practically barking at me. I didn't feel afraid though; I just felt sad.
"I don't want this. I hate that I'm thinking about it. I hate that I'm trying to convince you to do this. But with one million dollars, we can take it easy for a long time. Pay off the mortgage, talk about having kids. Everybody gets their one big break, and this is ours. I really think we should take it."
I went silent, thinking about what he said. I hated to admit it, but he was right. If we walked away from this, it was going to hurt us. I'd lose my parents house, we wouldn't have a place to live. What were we going to do? Move to his parent's place?
I ignored the little voice in my head that whispered how I didn't hate the idea of being with Rhett so much as the principle. He was an attractive man. Confident, albeit a bit too arrogant for my tastes, strong and always in charge. I found myself imagining what it would be like to be with him and I hated myself for realizing it wasn't entirely unpleasant.
I couldn't seriously be considering this. Could I? Sleep with a man I just met? For money nonetheless?
"Come on Nat. Just this one time and we'll never speak of it again. Okay? I won't judge you. I won't bother you about it. We'll go back to normal. Pay for the house. Maybe even take a little vacation."
I bit my lip. I wanted to refuse but here was my husband, willing to make such a sacrifice. What would it hurt? I thought and shook my head, unable to believe I was even thinking that. Still, the thought stayed.
"Okay." I said, after a long while and Nick drew me into his arms. "Okay. It'll be okay. I promise." He whispered into my hair, stroking it's lengths down my back. I nodded into his chest.
We went to bed then, deciding that Rhett Remington and his offer could wait till tomorrow. I made love with my husband, trying to remind myself of how much he meant to me. And if the entire time we were together, I found myself thinking of Rhett, I didn't mention it. We went to bed cuddled in each other's arms and the next day, when we were called for breakfast with Rhett, we were ready.
Rhett's eyes devoured me as I strode into the dining room. He rose, staring at me, not a care in the world for my husband.
Deciding to drop all pretenses aside, I strode directly up to him and looked into his dark eyes, Zack firmly behind me.
"One night." I said by way of confirmation. Something dark and dangerous glinted behind his eyes and I shuddered. "Just one night." He whispered nodding slowly.
"With only you. No one else. Nothing else. Just me and you for one night."
"You're free to draw up a contract to that effect, or if you want, I'll have one of my lawyers draft it up."
Nick shook his head. "We'll handle the contract. I'm just making sure the terms are clear to both of us." Rhett looked at me yet again before looking back to my husband.
"Just me and your wife. No injuries, no extreme gaze. She still has fool autonomy to stop anytime she wants to. One night and you can have the money." Nick and I exchanged a look the
n turned back to him.
"Then we accept your proposal."