Contracted For Pleasure

Chapter 4

The morning began with a mind-blowing aroma. Coffee... Coffee? Coffee!

Opening her eyes, she stumbled into the attentive gaze of the man sitting in the chair.

- Good morning," I whispered in a sleepy, hoarse voice and reached for my watch.

Holy s**t! Fifteen to five!

- Do you always get up so early? - I couldn't resist asking a perplexed question.

- Do you want coffee? - My partner ignored my surprise.

I wonder where Eren got it? Does my hotel really have such amazing service?

I reached out, took the cup, and sipped the flavorful drink. Divine. What's italian for? Perfetto! Belissimo! And something else, I think.

- I didn't know this place served such great coffee.

- I ordered it from one of the coffee shops. The owner is an old acquaintance of mine," Eren replied nonchalantly.

I sat up more comfortably in bed, tucking the pillow under my back, and inhaled the tart, bitter aroma with pleasure. I knew you couldn't find coffee like this at the hotel.

- Aria, I have to go now," the man got up from his chair. - We're not likely to see each other during the day, so you're free until the evening.

- А...

- I'll find you myself, don't worry," Eren prefaced my question.

Well, if you do it yourself... It's easier for me.

- Bye, Aria," Eren said softly as he headed for the door. - Don't forget our agreement.

He walked out and I was left sitting there with my mug in my hand, trying to gather myself to the pile. Oh, my gosh! I hooked up with an awesome guy! All by myself. The first night.

She took a sip of coffee, closed her eyes, and smiled contentedly. After yesterday, my body felt pleasantly sore, my head felt blissfully empty, and my soul, where resentment and pain had been simmering for the past few months, felt surprisingly calm. No, I was smart! I had chosen the best medicine of all possible.

My thoughts returned to my newfound lover. He's good. He's good! Where do they make such men? The memory of his strong arms holding my weight with ease made me clench my toes and arch my back. But the hot coffee splashing on my chest quickly brought me back from erotic reverie to reality. I hissed with pain, put the mug on the nightstand and rushed to the bathroom. There was nothing to dream about, Aria!

The cool water cooled the burning skin. A thin layer of cream took away the redness and pain. That's great! By lunchtime, there won't be a trace of the burn.

I glanced in the mirror, smiled at my reflection, and scrutinized myself from head to toe. Not a bad-looking girl. Eyes lit up, lips swollen from kissing, a blush on her cheeks. Uh-huh. And the stripes from the pillow. She's beautiful!

I grinned, splashed my face with water, looked dubiously at the shower, shifted my gaze to my ointment-covered breasts, and realized I shouldn't bathe just yet.

Blissfully stretching, I spit on everything and went back to sleep.

My second awakening was not so exotic. The clock read nine, the sun was shining through the window, and the voices of vacationers were coming from the street. Why couldn't they sleep? To me, after a day's work one can sleep for twenty-four hours. And if I imagine that my colleagues are now sitting in cold classrooms and learning tedious scales with their students... This feeling of "doing nothing" and complete relaxation is doubly pleasant.

I lazily reached for my phone, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a card lying on the table. What's that? Oh yes, Eren had said something about me being able to use it.

I hummed, twirled the plastic rectangle in my hands, and tucked it into my wallet. I didn't think I'd need the help of a "sponsor," but I'd keep it handy. Basically, I had to pay my partner for the most stunning s*x of my life. Although, it was better that Eren didn't know that.

***

I spent the time until evening in a useful way. A long breakfast, a trip to the sea, lazy contemplation of the waves lapping on the shore, warm sun rays caressing my skin, a comfortable sun bed.

Also, the strict guidelines I gave myself. What do you mean, attitudes? More like one, but global. Fundamental, so to speak. Don't fall in love. Absolutely not. Not on any pretext. s*x. Just s*x and nothing else. We don't need a broken heart, Aria. And we don't need problems. Two weeks of pure physiology. And then.

No, I didn't want to think about later.

Thoughts lazily drifted to the identity of the temporary boyfriend. Sounds like a good one! Boy-fre-ee-end.

I wonder who he is. Profession, life, beliefs? Well, it's understandable that the macho man is not poor. A watch alone is worth it. I remember James dreamed of having one of those. He talked my ear off. Stop. We're not thinking about James. Enough. Eren. Eren. Seems he's not used to restricting his own whims and knows his worth. What else? Profession? That the man is engaged in some kind of business, that's clear, but what kind of business? Judging by the endless phone conversations, to which I fell asleep last night, something to do with transportation of something somewhere. Here, as he said himself, also on business. That's a business boyfriend.

No wedding ring on the finger, but what wealthy man wears one? Not even wealthy men. They're tight, they torment men, they get in the way. It's like an old wife.

Okay, Aria, stop. We're not discussing this side of life anymore. We're done.

What else is going on with our macho man?

As a lover, he's top-notch. I'm still shaking inside just thinking about that crazy night! How he took me right off the bat! No sentimentality whatsoever. I never thought I could do that with a stranger, letting off the brakes, forgetting everything, even the rubbers. Oh, yeah. That was a bust. I didn't expect my brain to completely shut down. Wouldn't want to catch some chlamydia-herpetic crap. Oh, Ella didn't lecture me enough. Not enough. I should go to the pharmacy, buy the necessary prophylactics. And on the other hand, I'm used to James without anything, so I'm confused. If Eren asked me to help him put on a condom, I wouldn't remember which end to start from.

The realization of my own inexperience made me slightly stunned. So much for the seductress!

When I get back to the room, I will definitely open the package and take a closer look at the rubber product. I'll be sure to open the package and take a closer look at the rubber product.

On the way to the hotel I had to blow off a couple of unexpected admirers. Where have you been, you sickos? I'm busy these days. Busy.

In the elevator lobby, I ran into a closeted big guy. Clearly someone's security guard.

- Excuse me," the black-suited security guard mumbled, giving way.

- It's nothing," I squeaked, diving through the open metal doors.

I don't like huge men. I have this phobia. When I see one, I just want to run away. I don't know why.

The electronic scoreboard lit up with the number five. My floor.

I adjusted the slipping strap of my sundress, slung my beach bag on my shoulder, stumbled out of the elevator, and froze in surprise. Next to my room was a clone of the remaining downstairs thug. Mom! What is this, a security convention today?

I made a confident face, raised my head, and strode leisurely to my door. I took the card out of my bag, slipped it into the lock... And my hands were shaking! And her palms were soaking wet. Not good, Aria. Not good.

Trying not to pay attention to the treacherous trembling, I was about to enter the room, but then the jock was absolutely unnoticeably near me, and, having looked at me with an attentive gaze, said:

- Eren asked me to tell you that he'll be waiting for you in the restaurant.

- А...

- He also hopes you'll wear the dress he picked out for you.

- А...

- Business dinner with partners.

- А...

- You have half an hour to get yourselves together.

I slammed my mouth shut, never managing to ask a single question, nodded silently, and entered the room.

It's clear. The macho man decided to be safe, not to rely on my taste. All righty. It's easier for me!

There was a large flat box on the bed. Next to it was a smaller box. And on the floor was a medium-sized box, like the ones they sell shoes in.

That's it, Aria. Get dressed and go to work on your nightly pleasure!

I threw the beach bag on the floor, glanced at the closed door, and popped the lid of the flat pack. Just as I thought. A dress. An expensive cocktail dress. Thin straps, weightless silk, deep neckline. And my size. What an attentive brute I found! He's good at s*x and knows a lot about women's clothes. He's a dream.

Hiding a slight shudder behind the usual irony, I tidied myself up, put on the dress I had been presented, put on high stilettos - not just any stilettos, but Jimmy Choo's, by the way! - and scrutinized her reflection in the big mirror.

Strangely enough, the revealing outfit didn't look vulgar. All the strategic places were covered, the sandals made my feet look endless, and the red lipstick I found in my small, beaded purse came in handy-my makeup bag had never had such luxuries.

Uh-huh. There's a reason they say that a real woman must have red lipstick. I never thought I'd go for such a rich, bright shade. But no! It does, and how! Even my eyes are shining!

As soon as we left the room, a familiar security guard was standing next to us, nodding silently at the elevator doors. Two steps and we were already in the elevator. Suppressing a slight panic, I raised my gaze and looked into the face of the bulky man. Attentive gray eyes met my interest impassively.

- And Eren didn't pass on anything else? - I asked a provocative question.

- Except for the three boxes and the order to take you to the restaurant, no," the security guard replied gravely, but I caught the faint irony in his voice.

- And you?

- I'm Alexander, Eren 's head of security," the man understood my question correctly.

Stereotypical perceptions of security guards as dumb, inconsiderate jocks were crumbling before my eyes.

- Well, if you're the boss, you must have a few more people under you? Is Eren such a big shot? Or does he have reason to fear for his life?

- I think you'd better address that question to Eren himself," Alexander answered nonchalantly and was the first to leave the elevator.

How rude! Actually, ladies should be allowed to go first!

But when I saw the jock's keen gaze on the foyer, I realized that he was acting according to instructions. Yes, Aria, it's obvious that you're not used to being guarded.