Bartered (The Encounter #1)(3)

“Isobel,” I tried her name on my lips, unsure what to make of it. “So… Isobel… What are you doing here?”

She met my gaze, brazen and painstakingly beautiful. “I’m here to help my father.”

Ah, the old man. He was a man who knew quality, and he was certain I would get entranced the moment I laid eyes on his daughter. He knew how to bargain, I’d have to give him credit for that.

“How do you plan to help your father, Isobel?” I raised my brow, wanting to see where and how far she’d take this conversation. “Three hundred thousand euros is not a small number.”

Determined, she only lifted her chin at me. “I can work for you—be a secretary, a cook, a companion,” she rasped out. “I could be whatever you like…” She trailed off at the last bit of the sentence.

My mouth quirked when she couldn’t utter what she truly meant. No, she didn’t blush, but I could tell it made her uncomfortable. As it should. No right-minded woman should offer herself to pay off her father’s debts.

“I have three girlfriends—well, two at the moment.” I retracted the second I recalled what Dana had been up to. “I can get a woman without having to pay her that hefty amount.”

She looked confused then panicked when my words finally sunk in. “Please, Mr. Xavier—I beg you—I can fill in the third position.”

She seemed desperate, making me more curious as to why she was doing this. There had to be a good reason. “Now, why would I do that? Do you have any special skills to please me that Sherry and Chantel can’t do?”

Beautiful eyes blinked blankly at me. “No.” She shook her head dejectedly. “I do not.”

Gazing at her luminous skin, I felt almost tempted to touch it before common sense took over. “Very well. So tell me again, why should I hire you?”

“Because you’re a good man, and you’d take pity on me.” Her voice was strained. “My father is a hard man, and I’m sure you have no ounce of remorse towards him, but my brother and I—my brother most especially needs him. If father decides to cut him off from his monthly allowance from my grandfather’s estate, things could get very ugly and difficult for the both of us.”

“So you’re saying you’re willing to sell your body to secure your brother’s lifestyle and yours? Did I get that right?”

My heart turned cold. How often did I see these demure, beautiful women and think them angelic, only to be proven wrong when they turned out to be after one thing? Money was a powerful thing to behold. It turned gentle souls to cruel, ruthless beings. It bred selfishness and greed, but most of all, it propelled more evilness in this world. And yet, without it, there would be no system. It was disappointing to learn Isobel was in the same pond as the rest; however, I couldn’t really say I was shocked by her admission. After all, if your father was Constantin Callas, could one really expect more of you?

She opened her cherry glossed lips to protest, but shut them instead and made a small nod, agreeing to everything I threw at her. “I suppose, if you put it that way, then yes, I am selling myself to you.”

There was something in her voice that tugged at me, as if her sadness was something I should take notice of… care for. It was odd.

Remaining mum, I strode towards the silver tray, took the carafe, and poured myself some red wine. “Would you like some?” I offered before taking a sip, eyes still watching her, taking in every expression that crossed her beautiful face.

Biting her bottom lip, she shook her head to decline my offer before stepping closer to me, brows furrowing. “What will happen to my father?”

Precisely like the rest. Since the fool didn’t want to offer anything else apart from her, it said a lot about him and how much he cared for his children. Some people weren’t fit to be parents. But that problem wouldn’t ever be mine. I supposed I could be grateful for that.

Gazing into the remaining liquid in my glass, I paused before answering her. “He’s going to jail. As expected.”

“No. No. Please—help me,” she persisted. “Let me be at your disposal. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Very well. I shall test her resolve… “Come tonight. And no, I won’t do anything to you, but I want you to watch how I take a woman. Then you can decide if this is something you want.”

She licked her lips before nodding nervously at me.

Striding towards the door, I gave her one last, lingering look. “I’ll have someone come get you tonight. Until then… Isobel.”





Chapter 3


Hugo


At exactly midnight, she entered my bedroom, joining Sherry and Chantel just as I had requested of them. Both of my women were beautiful, but there was something about Isobel that stirred a far more formidable reaction within me. Possibly it could be due to the mere fact that didn’t come to me as a willing woman. She was desperate to fix her father’s crucial problem; consequently she had to sacrifice herself like a lamb to be at my disposal.

Be that as it may, though my principles protested, there was something about the thought of having a reluctant woman forcing herself to open up to a man she barely knew because of an obligation. It was twisted at its best, but the appeal fired my nearing boredom of my usual tastes.

Apart from her beauty, Isobel was different. My cock was certain of it.