Free The Parlour (VDB #1) by Charlotte E Hart Page B

languishing within.”
    I quite believe it, and it hurries my next step forward until I’m sliding into the seat and pulling on my seatbelt for some security as I slam the door.
    In other circumstances, I’m sure I would be flattered that this man wants me. I’m sure I would be hitching up my dress again and possibly mounting him at this precise moment. Unfortunately, I just feel forced into it. Like I have no other choice, which is fundamentally the truth.  I can’t stop the rush of discord consuming me as the car pulls away. I just wanted to come to New York and make something of myself. Not for anyone else, just for me, so I could show those bullies that Lilah James could do it, that she was someone and could make a go of her life. Instead, I’m sitting here in the back of a limo with a Dominant who’s going to fuck me, use me, teach me some lessons, and then send me back to make him some more money. What a wonderful thought.
    “What do I call you?” I ask quietly, keeping my eyes away from his. I’m definitely not getting attached to him in the slightest. This isn’t love, is it? It’s a business transaction, maybe his way of making sure he gets the most bucks for me. I suppose Roxanne’s right – the more he shows me, the better I’ll become at allowing the rutting kinky society their pleasures. I’ll just do what he says and then I’ll be ready to make money. Money I need to get out of here.
    “Sir,” he replies, trying to hand me the champagne. I don’t take it. This isn’t a date, for God’s sake. I shake my head at him and look out the window. Sir? What has he done to deserve my respect? Other than be excruciatingly attractive.
    “Why?” He laughs, and continues laughing. It’s worryingly addictive. It has that warmth about it that makes me want to join in. I keep my head slightly bowed and stab my nails into my hand to remind myself that this isn’t real – that he doesn’t actually like me in any way. I’m just a fuck toy for him, yet another unnoticed nod at stupid Lilah James, probably a good fuck, but not worth getting to know, or trying to understand in any way.
    She’s certainly not good enough to keep.
    “It has been some time since someone has asked that question. I find myself unable to answer you, I’m afraid,” he says with another small chuckle as he finds his composure again.
    “No, you don’t need to answer that. I’m sorry. You deserve your respect, I’m sure. It’s just I’ve never done this before, and I don’t know what to do or say,” I reply, still jabbing my fingernails in and hoping I don’t sound like an utter idiot.
    “Where were you when Jacob found you?”
    “Up on forty-fifth somewhere.”
    “How long had you been running?”
    “I wasn’t running. I lost my job, then my home. I had nowhere to go. That’s all. I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind. It’s hardly relevant, and neither is this conversation. Just tell me what you expect and we’ll get on with it.”
    “It is more relevant than you would think, my dear. How do you expect to give me your all if you do not disclose your past, hmm?” he says as he turns my face towards him with his cane. I flinch at the contact and try to pull my head away again. “I will fuck you in every way possible, but if you refuse me access to that delectable mind, I cannot break you entirely. We must all break to become whole, my dear. It is inevitable.”
    “You don’t need access to my mind,” I reply, tentatively moving the cane from my face. “From what I gather, if I fuck well enough then I should make you plenty of money. That’s all this is about.” He raises a brow at my outburst and then narrows those green eyes.
    “You are quite direct, my dear.”
    “I’m just not fussed by trying to make this something it’s not, Sir.” He smirks at me and places the cane down at my side with yet another amused lift of his lips.
    “You do not condone my world, hmm?”
    “I know