Page 2 of Duped

Tarek swallowed. This wasn’t going at all how he expected. He was the one being seduced. A Phantom rolled to a stop at the curb. As Portland opened the passenger side door of the more than half a million-dollar car, Tarek questioned his every life choice. He chewed his bottom lip as he stepped from the curb and climbed into the passenger seat. There was nothing stopping Portland from murdering him now. He should have taken the stack of cash and called it a day. His roommate had been trying to teach him how to become a sugar baby, but he hadn’t given any lessons on how not to end up in a shallow grave.

Portland kneeled and set his leather bag on the ground. He buckled Tarek’s seatbelt for him. “Don’t look so scared. I promise this is just dinner. You’ll make it home safe.”

Tarek forced a smile to his lips. “Sorry. This is my first time accepting an impromptu date like this.”

Portland cocked his head to one side and studied Tarek. “I find that hard to believe. You’re stunning. But what made you decide to accept this one?”

“I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”

With a laugh, Portland grabbed his bag, stood, and closed the door. Tarek took a calming breath. He could and would do this. No way in hell would Tarek spend the rest of his life crashing with his best friend and hoping for the best. Tarek might not have much, but he had looks. He had to use the commodities life handed him. Portland Wales was as good as his.

A dark cloud hung over Portland, setting his teeth on edge. He opened the trunk and stashed the bag of cash he had collected earlier in the night. Over the years, Portland had gotten very adept at hiding behind a congenial smile. Tonight, he had honestly believed, would be the night the world saw behind his mask. Portland wasn’t as sure now.

The valet waited at his open driver’s side door. Portland quietly slipped him a tip before climbing behind the wheel. The man closed the door, leaving him alone with his new friend. While Portland had been busy stashing his latest collection, Tarek had been busy as well. In Portland’s absence, he had flipped down the sun visor and fluffed his hair into a sexy mess. Portland watched as he swiped some tinted lip balm across his lips. He dropped the tube in his bag before going to work, rolling up the long sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows. Portland could have started their drive to the restaurant, but he was too mesmerized. There was a tattoo that began just above Tarek’s wrist. It was a forest scene that encircled his arm, going halfway to his elbow.

Tarek turned his head and flashed Portland a smile. His eyes were now highlighted by dark eyeliner. In a span of five minutes, Tarek had gone from clean-cut twink to a sexy bad boy. It was almost as if Tarek intentionally showed his true self to test Portland. Portland had invited the clean version of him to dinner. This was obviously the real him. If anything, Portland was twice as turned on now.

“Are you ready? I’d hate to drive off and mess up your makeup.”

A bright smile lit Tarek’s face and flashed in his eyes. “Yes. Sorry. I just needed a quick refresh. You don’t want to be seen with a guy in his work clothes.”

Portland looked away and put the car in gear. He pulled away from the curb. “I’ve never cared what anyone else thinks, but I’d be proud to be seen with either version of you.”

“Good. You’re a gorgeous guy. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.”

The clouds parted. A weight lifted from Portland’s chest. He had started the night ready to ruin lives and leave bodies in his wake. The man he’d desired and chased for literally years had married someone else. Portland had been completely unprepared for the news when it had dropped less than an hour ago. When Portland had first spotted Tarek, his plan had been to punish him for Court’s sins. Court was—or had been—a high-priced escort that had entertained Portland many nights. Portland had been slowly cornering Court into being completely dependent on him before Court had slipped through his fingers. His gaze slid Tarek’s way when he stopped at a red light. The light from a nearby streetlamp highlighted his perfect skin. Portland inspected him on the sly. He was flawless. Portland needed to know more. It was possible Tarek could be the exact replacement Portland needed. He didn’t believe in love. Portland believed in power and total control. He didn’t want a partner. Portland wanted a slave, on his knees and completely beholden to him. Anyone less wouldn’t tolerate his secrets.

The light turned green. Portland nearly snarled at the interruption. He needed to thoroughly research his new acquisition. Portland forced himself to be patient. He still had to learn more.

“I hope you like Greek.”

A quiet laugh caressed his ears. “I actually love Greek. My mom is from Greece originally. That’s basically what our daily menu consisted of growing up.”

“Interesting.” Tarek had opened a door. The closeness of his family mattered. A tight-knit family was a place to run home. Portland couldn’t have that. “Are you close with your family?”

“Mhmm.” The humming sound made Portland smile for real. Tarek chuckled. “I’m not sure where to start with that one.”

“If you’d rather not talk about it, it’s fine.” It wasn’t. “I’ll understand.” He wouldn’t. “I'm only trying to get to know you.” That much was true.

Tarek made a dismissive motion. “No. It’s fine. They currently live in Biloxi, Mississippi. I don’t see them often. When I turned twenty-one, I got a job at a casino. Nothing pays well there, except the shipping yard or the casinos. Obviously, I’m not built for the shipping yard, but they were not pleased. Good Catholic boys don’t do all that.” Tarek laughed. He did that a lot and Portland enjoyed the sound.

“Now you’re in Atlantic City. I can’t imagine that went over well.”

Tarek made another humming sound. “It probably wouldn’t if they had any idea where I am.”

Portland’s hopes raised. “I sense a story.”

From the corner of his eye, Portland saw Tarek’s hands rise and fall. “Are you sure you want to hear all this? I’m not sure this is first date material. Surely this is a three months in and surprise. I have no family.”

Despite himself, a genuine laugh escaped Portland. Tarek had a way of saying things that made his confessions sound humorous rather than traumatic. “I’m a lot older than you. We move faster at my age.” A thought hit him. He fully intended to have Tarek investigated, but he still liked the idea of asking all the questions. “Speaking of which, how old are you?”

“Twenty-six. How old are you?”

“Forty-seven.”

A bark of laughter burst from Tarek. “You said that so darkly, as if you expected me to leap from the moving car. Forty-seven isn’t old.”

“Not that I remember much about being in my twenties, but I’m fairly certain I thought forty anything was old at that age. But I pulled you off topic. What happened with your parents?” He wanted that info.

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