Page 19 of Tempting Frankie
“Where are we going?” I ask, trying to keep the nervous edge out of my voice.
Alexander just smirks, tapping on the partition to signal the driver. “You'll see.”
As we pull away from the curb, I stare out the tinted window at the bustling city. New Haven never truly sleeps, and that’s why I live in one of the outer boroughs. My mind is reeling, trying to process everything that's happened in the last twenty-four hours. How the hell did I end up here, in the back of a luxury car with my ex-boyfriend's obscenely wealthy father?
“So,” Alexander's deep voice cuts through my thoughts. “Let's talk about that contract you signed.”
I tense, my stomach doing an anxious flip. “Right. That.”
“Three months of exclusivity,” he states, his eyes locked on me. “That means no other men, period. You're mine and mine alone.”
I swallow hard, nodding. “I remember.”
“Good,” he growls, his hand coming to rest possessively on my leg. “Because I don't share, Francesca. Ever.”
The weight of his palm burns through the thin fabric of my dress. I try to ignore the way my body responds, heat pooling low in my belly.
“The terms are simple,” Alexander continues. “I provide for all your needs—housing, food, clothing, entertainment. In return, you're at my beck and call, day or night.”
I bristle at that. “I'm not some trained puppy, Alexander. I have a life, you know. A job.”
He chuckles, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “By the time I'm done with you, you won't give a fuck about that dead-end gig.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he silences me with a look.
“Your student loans? Paid. Your apartment? You're moving out today.”
My head spins. It's too much, too fast. “Wait, what? You can't just?—”
“I can and I have,” he cuts me off. “You signed the deal, remember? You agreed to let me take care of everything. Therent was paid for a year, so your sister still has a place, and she doesn’t need to pay a housing expense.”
I did, but I didn't realize…fuck. What have I gotten myself into?
“Look,” Alexander's voice softens slightly. “I know it's a lot to take in. But I meant what I said last night, Francesca. All of your time for three months and then we’ll reevaluate.”
His hand slides up, cupping my face. Despite myself, I lean into his touch.
“And what exactly does that entail?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“It means you'll be at my beck and call,” he says, his tone matter-of-fact. “When I want you, where I want you. No questions asked.”
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “And in return?”
Alexander's lips curl into a predatory smile. “In return, you get me. All of me. My protection, my resources, my attention.”
I shift in my seat, uncomfortably aware of how wet I'm getting and why the fuck am I not protesting about any of this? I’ve just rolled over and been like yes, pay my bills and fuck me you fine ass man. “And what about boundaries?”
“Smart girl,” he murmurs approvingly. “We'll discuss those in detail. I want to know your hard limits, your soft limits. What you like, what you don't. I'm not interested in doing anything you're truly uncomfortable with.”
I nod, relief flooding through me.
The rest of the drive passes in tense silence. I stare out the window, watching the city blur by, trying to wrap my head around everything. Alexander's hand remains on my thigh, a warm, heavy weight that both comforts and unnerves me.
My mind races, replaying our conversation. It's all so surreal, the way he's just upended my entire life in the span of a day. Part of me wants to scream, to demand he turn the car aroundand take me back to my crappy apartment and my soul-crushing jobs. But a bigger part…shit. A bigger part of me is thrilled, excited even, by the possibilities stretching out before me.
Also, it’s like the universe it letting me send out a big karmic fuck you to Cameron for how he made me feel and how he treated me.
Speaking of my ex, I sneak a glance at his dad. His jaw is set, chiseled and sharp enough to cut stone, his nose aristocratic leading up to eyes focused straight ahead. He looks every inch the powerful CEO. Another tailored suit, perfectly styled hair, and an aura of quiet authority. It's hard to reconcile this man with the few hazy memories I have of him from when I dated his son. Back then, he was just my boyfriend's intimidating father, someone to avoid at awkward dinners between us. Now...now he's something else entirely.
