Dahlia's POV
I quickly realized what I just agreed to and quickly declined. "What? No! That's disgusting!"
He chuckled and the sound sent shivers down my spine.
That wasn't a nice sound. My brain warned.
"It is either that or you go back to your father and marry Silas. You have one minute to decide."
Was he timing me? Wait. This is crazy. I was the one who suggested…shit. How do I? Oh no. Good lord. Oh, Christ.
“Fifty-nine,” he counted.
"You never had any interest in me," I argued. "Why now?"
"I still don't have any interest in you. But it wouldn't hurt to give my old friend Marcus some deserving punishment."
My lips twitched into a terrified line. "Punishment? What did he do?"
"He stole from me. He cost me a business deal worth millions. He needs to learn a lesson."
Liar. My father would never…
“If you're thinking about your dad being a saint, then let me surprise you, darling. He's not,” he said coldly.
"You are evil," I whispered. "You could just help him because you were friends."
"Sweetheart,” he said, rubbing his finger on my lips. “If I helped every sob story, I would be broke.”
He looked at his watch and he smiled. “Your time is up, Dahlia.”
I gulped down hard. My body shook as he spoke. “Will you be my f**k buddy or will you watch your father suffer?"
He reached out and brushed his knuckles against my cheek. I closed my eyes. I pictured Silas, I didn't know him. Then, I pictured my father’s desperate face.
“What's your answer? I haven't got all day.”
My heart pounded wildly in my chest and I held my breath and…
"Yes," I blurted.
He leaned closer and bit my earlobe softly. "Yes what?"
"Yes," I raised my voice. "I will be your s*x toy."
"Good girl," he whispered. "Now that you said it, you can't take it back."
He straightened up and placed his phone to his ear. "Doctor, I would like Miss Vane discharged immediately."
The ride back to his mansion was silent. I sat in the back seat and watched the rain streak against the glass.
We pulled up to the house I had broken into five years ago. I couldn't recognize it. It was massive and intimidating.
Julian led me inside. The interior had been renovated. It was cold and modern and screamed money. He took me to a private study and pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
I obeyed like a dog and heard footsteps near the door.
A lawyer walked in, holding a file and placed a stack of papers in front of me.
"Read it," Julian commanded.
I scanned the document. The words jumped out at me. “Exclusive rights to you. I give you s****l favors upon demand. And I am to be completely obedient. Are you insane? That's a toy?”
“Exactly,” he said and I blinked.
“I want total obedience to only me.”
"This is cruel," I said, my voice trembling.
"How long?"
"As long as I wish."
"You are a devil."
"Your father is worse. Sign it."
"We used to be friends. You were nice to me."
"Used to be," he corrected. "Sign it, Dahlia. It is your call or…"
He looked at the door and then back at me. “I can make it worse.”
I looked at the pen. The marriage didn't seem bad. Maybe, I could run away and…
“Running away isn't possible. The second you walked in here, you lost all access to the outside world.”
I gulped again. He had read my mind.
“I know you like the back of my hand,” he added and made an eyebrow flick.
I looked at the lawyer, then the door and back to him. He had me cornered.
"One year,” I bargained. “I will do this for one year. After that, you release me."
Julian waved his hand and the lawyer left the room. He walked around the desk and grabbed my neck. His grip was firm. "You don't make the rules. I do."
A tear slipped down my cheek. "Please."
He stared into my eyes. "Fine. You are mine for a year. After that, I will release you."
I tried to hold back the tears but failed. I didn't recognize this man. I looked down at the paper and signed my name.
"Stand up," he ordered.
I stood. My legs felt like jelly.
"I would like to inspect the merchandise."
I froze solid to the spot. "What?"
He took a step toward me. "You heard me. Strip."
"You can't be serious."
"I am very serious. Take off your clothes."
I reached for the hem of my shirt with shaking hands.
I pulled it over my head. My hand slowly unzipped my jeans and let them fall to the floor, leaving just my bra and panties.
"Take off everything," his raspy voice ordered.
I reached behind me and unclasped my bra.
It fell away.
I heard his breath hitch. His eyes locked on my breasts.
I felt my face burning. My thumbs hooked into my panties and pushed them down my legs.
I stepped out of them and crossed my arms over my chest to cover myself.
Suddenly, it felt too cold.
He walked around the desk and stood in front of me. "You are quite shy for someone who was so bold years ago."
"Just get it over with," I whispered, avoiding his gaze.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Are you sure?"
I gulped.
I closed my eyes and waited for his hands. He placed a warm hand on my back, holding my waist, then began to slide down slowly.
My breath stilled. I bit my lips and he stopped.
"Get dressed," he said.
My eyes snapped open to see him already walking toward the door.
"What?"
"Get dressed. A maid will show you to your room."
He walked out and slammed the door. I scrambled to pick up my clothes with my heart racing.
My breath shook as I murmured. "What the hell was that?"
But then my eyes landed on a folder on his table. It was slightly opened. I went through it and it was a file on my mother... what the hell.
~
I showered and scrubbed my skin until it was red, hoping I had washed off his touch. I wrapped a towel around my body and stepped into the bedroom. It was luxurious but it felt like a prison cell.
A knock sounded on the door. I didn't answer.
"Open the door, Dahlia."
I ignored him. He could stay there for eternity.
I let the towel fall and then the lock clicked. My eyes widened in shock as the door swung open.
Oh no. I reached down, clutching the towel as Julian walked in.
I gasped, pulling the towel to cover my breasts.
His eyes locked on mine and I blinked nervously.
Shit!
He didn't look at me like the man who wanted to protect me when I was 18... he looked at me like a beast ready to pounce.