Alex nodded. “Yes. I want to know you’re safe. Otherwise, I’ll spend all my time worrying about you.”
“Really?”
“Really. So we’re agreed? You’ll move?”
“Ahh, I guess so.”
“Great.” He stood, feeling energized. “I have this great apartment. It’s ten minutes away, fully furnished and it’s currently empty. We’ll move your stuff in tomorrow.”
“Wait, what? An apartment? Near here? That’s where you want me to live?”
He glanced over at her. “Yes, unless you have something against this area? If you do I’m sure we can find something else. I thought you’d protest moving into an apartment I own. I’m glad we’re on the same page.” He smiled at her happily.
Tara managed a weak smile. “Right. Only thing is I don’t have a job.”
“Which you don’t need to worry about since I’ll be paying for the apartment and utilities.”
This had gone far easier than he’d anticipated. He would set her up in an apartment he owned. The tenants had moved out a month ago and he hadn’t let the rental agency put anyone else in. Then his conscience would be clear. She wouldn’t have to work if she didn’t want to. She’d have everything she needed and he could sleep easy knowing she was safe.
Chapter Seven
Tara was silent for a long moment. She was an idiot. Had she seriously thought he was asking her to move in with him? He’d already made it very clear that he didn’t want a commitment.
Still, for a minute there she’d kind of hoped…and now she couldn’t exactly tell him that she’d changed her mind. How would she explain that?
Oh, I thought you were asking me to move in with you, not put me in an apartment like a mistress.
Yeah, hadn’t her day been humiliating enough without admitting she was an idiot?
“Now you have time to find a job you really want. You’re tired, you’re stressed and you don’t need anything more to worry about. I like knowing you’re safe and taken care of.”
He wanted her close and available to him.
But not too close.
“Once I get a job, I’ll start paying you rent.” She did have some pride, after all.
“Of course.” His quick agreement soothed her pride.
Once things ended between them she’d have to move. But at least she’d have a roof over her head until she got another job.
“How did it go with the sketch artist today?” Alex asked.
“Oh, I didn’t get time. I’ll go in tomorrow.”
Alex frowned.
“I promise. I will definitely go in tomorrow.” It wasn’t like she had anything else to do.
Alex cupped her face. “Good, make sure you do. I want this guy off the streets. Now, before we get on to more interesting things, like the spanking I owe you for sneaking out the other morning, we need to talk about the contract. Wait here.”
Tara sat back on the plush sofa and wondered what the hell she’d just done. But he looked so happy and she’d do just about anything to please Alex.
Alex left the room, returning with some papers. “Here’s the contract I’ve written up. Most of it is standard. You’ll need to fill in the checklist at the back and we’ll add anything we need to.”
Tara took the papers. She knew having a contract was probably a good idea, but couldn’t help feeling it was so cut and dry. A business transaction, rather than, well, romance, attraction, lust.
She swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. Tara stared at the contract, the words blurring in front of her.