Sixteen

CORA

“Two more minutes.” Everett’s voice bears an urgency I haven’t heard since the last time he called me. That night, I ended up in the hospital. I have no idea what’s in store tonight, but if Everett’s tone is any indication, it’s going to be monumental.

“Hell no,” I reply, unsure if he’s still watching. I’m not even paying attention to the chat anymore. There are so many comments, so many tips, so many demands but the only person I care about is him.

The clock in the corner of my laptop’s screen shows one minute left—one minute until I’m going to make myself come.

“Two more minutes,” he requests again.

“Nope.”

“Ten thousand,” he offers immediately. “Ten thousand dollars.”

Shit. It’s an obscene sum for two minutes, but he can afford it. He can afford anything, I’ve learned. But more importantly, he likes it: handing me cash, paying me for it.

Treating me like a whore.

Without a word, I shut off the vibrator and toss it to the side.

“Such a good slut. You have no idea how big a tip you’re getting for being such a good little plaything,” Everett murmurs, letting me know he’s watching. “End the stream, princess.”

I’m so surprised that I don’t move.

“End it,” he repeats. “I’m not fucking kidding.”

“They’re all watching.”

Everett scoffs. “Fine. You want everyone to watch me rail you until you can’t remember your own name? Leave it on then.”

This is a Rubicon. If I end the stream, we’ll fuck tonight.

I told him what it would take. Three demands. Beg for forgiveness. Become a customer. Don’t lie.

Without a word, I hit the right keys and the screen flicks to black. Within seconds, my doorbell rings.

“Answer it.”

I’ve barely knotted my robe when I open the door. He’s there with the phone against his ear, looking so tall and smug and disgustingly handsome. His eyes scan me, perusing my barely clothed body. The color green has never looked more lethal.

He steps forward and I take a step back, letting him in.

“Fuck you.”

“I know,” he replies, gaze locked as he takes another step and swings the door shut behind him.

“Seriously, fuck you,” I repeat.

“Agreed.”

“I wasn’t supposed to like you.”

“I know.”

“I wasn’t supposed to fall for you.”

“Shh,” Everett murmurs, pressing his fingertip against my lips. He ends the call and throws his phone to the side without bothering to watch where it lands.

“I don’t understand how you do this to me. We were apart for two days and all I could think about was you,” I finally manage to say.

“I know, princess.” He places his hands on my cheeks.

“It’s different with you. You’re not…” I trail off. “I told you what I needed, and you did it—and more .”

“I’d give you everything.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “ Everything . I told you that.”

I stare up at him, half-tempted to knee him in the balls but too captivated to really consider it. “We’re going to ruin each other.”

Everett blinks, brow knotted. His mind is turning, likely coming to the same conclusion mine has: We’re so unbelievably bad for each other.

…And like me, Everett doesn’t care.

“Fuck it,” he says before his lips connect with mine.