"Ten thousand."
I pulled away and stared at my dad, astonished. “Wow … women will pay that much for sex?"
“They pay that much for my company. Sex is a bonus … for both parties."
"I see … And these women, why do they do it?"
"I don't get into the reasons why they do what they do.” He paused, deep in thought. “Sit. I'm feeding you while I tell you about a client I don’t see anymore, but she was very special to me. I want you to understand that not all my clients are what society perceives them to be."
I sat. Connor would have to wait. This.This right here was huge. Dad was finally showing me a glimpse into his world.
He scooted the plate of food toward me before getting himself his plate. I started to eat and looked expectantly at him as he sat down. He took a couple of bites before speaking.
“Leah was ..." He rasped her name, refusing to look me in the eye. “Well, you've met her. Do you remember?”
I dropped my fork, the sound vibrating through the room as it hit the table and fell to the floor. Connor's mom. Leah was Connor’s mom.
My dad quickly bent down and reached around my chair to retrieve my fork for me. "Five second rule.” He winked.
In a daze, I took the fork back.
“When Leah first contacted me, it was four years after her husband had left. That bastard left a note on her nightstand while she was still sleeping, letting her know he was leaving her and never returning. He was the sole provider, so life was hard for Leah and her son. She had no one to turn to, and after the ordeal she’d had to endure, she chose not to bring another man into her life. But, of course, she still craved the touch of a man. Her desire hadn’t died, so she contacted me.”
“Wow.” Anger simmered for Connor’s dad as my heart ached for Connor’s mom.
"I never thought another woman could affect me the way your mom did.” He took a deep breath. “She was fierce and so damn passionate about everything.” His gaze dropped and his body shagged, his heartbreak showing all over him.
“Dad, I understand now,” I said, placing my hand on top of his. “You were mourning mom when you got into your business and now you’re mourning Leah.”
Until he found love again, my dad would never stop.
“I’m only going to continue until you are done with school, then your dad will travel the world and cross off your mom’s bucket list … something I promised I would do for her.”
“I want to go with you to some of the places, her most favorite ones.” I smiled with tears in my eye. “Dad, go on your trip and have the best time of your life. But before you go, you are dressing up in costume and having a scary movie marathon with me while we pass out candy on Halloween, deal?”
“I’ll leave that day clear on my calendar.” He grinned.
I scoffed down my breakfast. “Dad, I gotta go. See you next week.” I bent down and hugged his shoulders, resting my head on the top of his.
“Love you, baby. Be good.”
“I will.” I kissed the top of his head before I walked to the door.
The next time I saw Connor, I would hug him harder and longer than I’d ever hugged him before.
Chapter 8
When I arrived, Emma was in the classroom with Connor.
Alone.
They were both at his desk, Emma standing and Connor sitting in his chair working his jaw and twisting a pen in his hand. He was obviously unhappy. They both looked at me as I walked in and closed the door.
“Hi, Vida.” Emma smirked. “I guess I should go and leave the two of you alone.”
“Emma, there will be none of that nonsense in my classroom. Please leave now,” Connor ordered in a low voice, standing up.
“Watch how you talk to me, Mr. Tomlinson. I’ve seen the two of you together. I get it. We all want to get those good grades to get into the best colleges. I surely don’t want Vida to lose her dreams by having to stay here and continue to watch her dad whore around. Right, Vida?”
I slapped her hard across the face, snapping her head to the side with my hand.
“You fucking bitch!” she screamed, holding her cheek. “You’re all going down! I won’t stop until I’ve ruined your lives!” She pushed past me and scrambled out of the classroom, still holding her face.
Connor dropped back in his chair, his head in his hands. I stood where I was, trembling. What had I done?
He lifted his head, his blue eyes icy, all tenderness gone. “I need this job …”
“Connor, I’m sorry…”
“I was going to handle it … all of it. I was going to handle it, Vida. Nothing was going to jeopardize my career or your dreams. I don’t blame you. Actually, I’m damn proud that you did that.” He sucked in a breath. “But it has changed things …”