I, Porn Star(52)
I emerge from the jaw-droppingly stunning marble and slate bathroom five minutes later none the wiser. A quick search for my things leads me to a dressing room. All my clothes and shoes from the loft are hung and arranged in neat rows. My backpack is in a small closet and a dressing table is set out with make-up and new accessories.
I grab a pair of lounge pants, slip them on and return to the bedroom. Heavy, half-closed curtains conceal floor to ceiling windows on both sides of the room. I push one side and peer outside.
Dark sand and pebble beach gives way to an unfettered view of water. Although the sun’s shining, the dark-colored water makes me think we’re still in the East. But the truth is I don’t know.
Dropping the curtain, I turn and examine the room. The cream and gold decor is studded with expensive art and chandelier lamps that reek of elegance and class. It’s everything an exclusive whore purchased for a million dollars would want.
Except this whore can’t shake the notion that she was drugged and brought here so she wouldn’t know where she is.
Insides beginning to quiver, I hurry across the room and throw the bedroom door open.
The soft exhalation that emits from a nearby speaker freezes me to a stop the moment I reach an arched hallway.#p#分页标题#e#
“Lucky. You’re awake. Welcome to my home.”
18
KANSAS, NOT KANSAS
My head jerks around, although I know it’s highly unlikely Q would reveal himself if he’s still choosing to talk to me through his speakers.
“Your home?”
“One of many, but yes.”
I continue down the hallway, noting that he has a serious love of art. Each of the three properties I’ve seen so far have had a masterpiece or ten dotted around the place. I reach the landing and stop. “Where exactly am I, Q?”
“You’re here, with me. At last.” His voice is low and throbs with enough anticipation for me to reach for the steadying support of the bannister. He may have possibly drugged me to stop me from finding out where he’s brought me, but his voice still does disgustingly filthy things to my insides.
“You know what I mean.”
“How would knowing where you are change anything? You’re not thinking of running, are you?”
I can’t deny that the thought didn’t cross my mind when I was in the bathroom. “I just want to know, that’s all.”
“All you need to know is that you’re safe and will be well cared for while you’re under my protection.”
“And does your protection include drugging me? Because that’s what you did to me on the plane, wasn’t it?”
“Lucky—”
“Please. Tell me the truth.”
Silence throbs for a minute. “You were given a light sedative to help you relax.”
My heart lurches. “Why?”
“To calm you. My pilot reported you were slightly…agitated.”
Anger ramps up my spine. “So your answer was to knock me out?”
“It wasn’t supposed to. But combined with the alcohol—”
“It still wasn’t okay.”
“You were never in danger.”
“That doesn’t matter.” My free hand slices into my hair in a futile effort to calm the soup of emotions bubbling through me “This situation isn’t a normal one for me. But as fucked up as it is, I want…I need to be able to trust you on some basic level.”
“I understand.”
“Do you? Really? Somehow I find that hard to believe.”
“Why is that?”
“I can’t help thinking you’re the type of guy who just takes what he wants.”
“I am. But I never take by force. I haven’t harmed you in any way, have I?
I laugh. “So what was last night? A little harmless drugging between employer and employee? What happens the next time I have a complaint?”
“You will be reminded of what you agreed. Your body, your acquiescence in return for a million dollars.” There’s an edge to his voice, blades sliding into place.
But I can’t let this go. “That didn’t include being drugged. I’m most definitely not on board with that. And I want you to admit that it wasn’t okay.”
He remains silent for a long time. My gaze darts around the space, searching for where the speakers are hidden. I don’t find any. It’s like he lives within the walls.
His soft inhalation drifts out before he speaks. “That was not okay. You were only meant to sleep for the duration of the journey, not pass out for eight hours. Accept my apology.”
My breath expels the relief locked in my chest, although there’s a lingering sense of incompleteness in the apology. “Thank you. I accept.”#p#分页标题#e#