Chapter 4: The Arrangement

That night, just to be safe, Tyler was tied to the bed. As fiercely as he’d fought during the day, he was just as quiet at night. I figured he must have accepted his fate.

The bedroom was bigger than my whole apartment, with blackout curtains and those fancy memory foam pillows. The sheets were so soft I almost sank right in. The air smelled faintly of cedar and expensive cologne. My heart thumped like crazy.

I was a bit excited, rubbing my hands together. Just think—a six-foot-tall ascetic heartthrob, tied to the bed, letting me do whatever I want. And I’d get paid for it! The thought alone was enough to make my heart race.

"Um... I have no experience. If I hurt you, let me know, okay?"

I quickly stripped off my clothes. Tyler blushed so hard his face looked like it was on fire, his eyes darting everywhere, trying to find something to say:

"Aubrey."

He said my name so soft, it almost sounded like a prayer.

"Yeah, I’m here."

"Do you... have someone you like?"

My mind went blank. Was this some kind of test? Or did he really care?

My hand paused mid-undress. Remembering my worker’s code: always take the boss’s requests seriously. I thought for a moment, then shook my head firmly: "Nope."

Tyler sighed: "I do."

Ah... well then...

I was down to my underwear, but suddenly I couldn’t go on. He has someone he likes—would it really be okay for me to do this?

Tyler glanced at me, blushing even harder: "Why aren’t you... continuing?"

I climbed on top of him, feeling conflicted: "I didn’t know you had someone. If you don’t want to, then let’s forget it." It’s just a deal worth tens of millions... sob sob sob... But a person should have a conscience.

My voice came out small, but I meant it. Somewhere deep down, I hoped he’d stop me.

Tyler’s face was about to combust. He coughed: "It’s fine. Go ahead."

I ripped open his shirt, still polite: "So, your partner doesn’t mind?"

"If it’s you... it’s okay."

Wow, his partner is so open-minded. I took off his pants. We were both exposed, but I kept fumbling, unsure what to do next.

Tyler panted: "Good girl, untie me, I’ll take care of it."

No way! Even with my worst performance, twins per pregnancy means at least four million. If I untie him, what if my four million runs away?

I tried for a while, finally found the right angle, and with a push—ouch! It hurt so much I almost screamed.

Tyler sucked in a breath: "Good girl, untie me, or you’ll hurt yourself like this."

I did as he said. Because, damn, it hurt too much. Turns out, making money is hard, and suffering isn’t easy either. A four-million salary is not so simple to earn.

The headboard thudded as he moved. I suddenly remembered to breathe. Earning money should come with hazard pay.

As soon as I untied him, Tyler flipped over and pinned me down. Lights off, business done, officially starting my first day on the job. By the end, I was so dizzy I had only one thought left: Tyler Bennett? Total control freak in the sheets. I barely survived round one—guess the rumors about weak men were just that.