Page 9 of Tempting Frankie
“So, what exactly are you offering, then?” I ask, my voice embarrassingly breathy.
His lips brush my ear as he growls, “Exclusivity. I'll pay off every cent of your debt. Handle your rent, bills, whatever you need. I’ll pay for your time. All of it.”
My cunt clenches at his possessive tone. Fuck, the things I want this man to do to me…but anger flares hot in my chest, cutting through the haze of lust.
I shove him back, glaring. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? You want to buy me like some prize poodle?”
His eyes narrow. “That's not what I?—”
“Save it,” I snarl. “I'm not some toy for you to own. I don't need a sugar daddy or whatever the fuck this is.”
“Francesca,” he says, voice low and dangerous. “You're not thinking clearly. Do you have any idea how risky that app is? The kind of men who use it?”
I laugh bitterly. “Oh, you mean entitled assholes who think they can buy whatever they want? Gee, I can't imagine.”
His jaw clenches. “I'm trying to protect you.”
“I don't need your protection,” I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I know they're a lie. My hands are shaking, and I hate how safe I feel when he's close.
Alexander steps forward again, crowding me against the car. His hand cups my cheek, surprisingly gentle. “Let me help you. No more juggling jobs, no more sleazy dates. I have more money than I can spend in five lifetimes, Francesca.”
My traitorous body responds, clenching at his words. I want to give in so badly. But I can't let him see how much he affects me and how easy it would be for him to wear me down to a yes.
I meet his gaze defiantly. “Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not interested in being your kept woman or whatever the fuck this is. You literally just gave me shit for using Infinity and you’re essentially just like any of the men from it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to go home and get a decent night’s sleep before my date tomorrow.”
I try to push past him, but he grabs my wrist. His grip is firm but not painful.
“The hell you do,” he growls. “I'm not letting you whore yourself out to some random fuck on that app.”
Before I can think better of it, I slap him hard across the face.
“You don't own me,” I snarl. “And I'm not a whore.”
For a moment, he looks stunned. Then his eyes darken with a hunger that makes me throb.
“You're right,” he says, voice dangerously low. “You aren’t and I don't own you. Yet. But I will and then the only man you'll ever smile for again is me. Do you understand?”
The way he says the last part sends shivers down my spine.
He steps back and lets me go. I look at him for a second longer than necessary before I open my door and climb into the car. He grabs my door before I can slam it shut.
“Goodnight Francesca. Do make sure you don’t accept that booking.”
I don’t get a chance to respond before he’s closing the door and walking away toward the valet.
I start up my old Honda, the engine sputtering to life as I pull out of the Rosewood's staff lot. My hands are shaking on the wheel, adrenaline and anger still coursing through my veins. Who the fuck does Alexander Steele think he is?
I reach back and grab my phone, hitting “Accept” on the Infinity booking before I can think better of it. Fuck him. I don't need his charity or his bullshit.
The app chimes with the confirmation, and a smug satisfaction blooms in my chest. Take that, you rich jackass. I'm not some toy he can buy and own.
Merging onto the highway, doubt starts to creep in.
I shake my head, trying to focus on the road. But it's useless. All I can think about is Alexander's hands on me, his voice growling filthy promises in my ear.
I want to pull over and fuck myself with my fingers, but I resist the urge.
Instead, I turn up the radio, trying to drown out the litany of filth running through my head. It doesn't work. By the time I pull into my apartment complex, I'm a mess of conflicting emotions. Horny and furious and scared all at once.
