Free The Arrangement 5 by H. M. Ward Page B

table where Henry is waiting for me.
    “Are you ready to go?” Henry stands and offers his hand.
    I take it in mine. I lean in close to him and run my fingers over his shirt front, letting my fingers slip between the buttons. “I can’t wait.”
    Henry squeezes my hand and we head out to the car. He remains a gentleman all the way up to the hotel room. He doesn’t try to kiss me or do more than hold my hand. He smiles like he’s happy to be with me and holding hands in enough. But I’m not that naïve. I said I’d do anything he wanted once we were in the hotel room. For all I know, he might be as twisted as Sean.
    My heart pounds a little harder as Henry opens the door. I brush past him slowly, making sure I’m a tad too close. My chest brushes against his. I smile as I do it. Henry sucks in a jagged breath, and steps inside, letting the door close behind him.
    He finally looks at my cleavage and his eyes wander over my smooth satin dress to the bumps where the silver rings are located. “Are your nipples pierced, Miss Stanz?” A surprised smile lines his lips.
    “Sort of, Mr. Thomas. You’ll have to wait and see for yourself.” Henry knows me as Allison Stanz. Half of the time I don’t respond fast enough when he says Allison. I need to act like I want this. I need this job, I need Henry to want me so badly that he’s willing to triple his payment to have me a third time, assuming I get through this tonight.
    Henry makes a content sound in the back of his throat and steps towards me. He hesitates for a second and then dips his head and presses his lips to mine. I lift my hands and tangle them in his hair, but he breaks the kiss before it gets going.
    Holding out his arm, he says, “There are some things I want to know about you first.”
    I’m knocked off balance, but try to hide it. I smile at him and sit down in a chair. Henry sits next to me. His eyes are on his hand, which he places on my thigh.
    I touch my hand to his and say, “It’s all right. I’m yours. You can do anything you want.”
    Henry presses his lips together and looks up at me. “That’s just it. You’re not mine, Allison. This is an illusion; I’m not naïve enough to think it isn’t. For all I know, you’re not even into guys like me, but the thing is, I’m really into you. I wish I could ask you on a date. I wish I knew you, the real you, and not this version.” He laughs and pulls his hand away. He stands and walks over to the bar. Pouring a glass of Jack, he turns back to me and says, “I’m a fool. I’ve paid an exorbitant amount of money for a beautiful woman who will do anything I want, and I say things like that.”
    I stand and walk up behind him. I touch his shoulder lightly. “Is that why you’re being so careful? Are you afraid I won’t like you?” I turn him toward me and take the Jack out of his hand and put it on the dresser behind him.
    “Here’s the truth,” I manage to spin a web of lies that sounds so convincing even I believe it. I have to believe it or I won’t be able to be with him. “I think you’re incredibly sexy. The moment I saw you, I wanted to wrap my arms around your chest. And, the way you acted at dinner the other night was incredible. I am attracted to you. I would have gone on a date with you, and this did feel like a date. A really good date.” I slip my arms around his neck and press my breasts against his chest. “It’s up to you how it ends.”
    My heart is pounding. I want this and I don’t want this. Henry is older than me with a runner’s lean body. He’s all hard muscle. I can see that, but he doesn’t turn me on. There’s no spark.
    We stand still for a moment. Henry looks down at me and sighs. “Is this the only way to have you?”
    I smile slowly. “For now.”
    “It’s cruel to give me hope, Allison, but I’ll take what I can get.”
    I nod. I’m Allison. I keep forgetting that.
    Henry dips his head and kisses me. My hands find the sides of his face as I