A range of emotions ran through her mind while she waited. Each image of her client was getting more atrocious than the last, until she decided he was a repugnant person who preyed on helpless woman who needed money because he could afford to do it. She was getting angrier by the minute.
A part of her brain knew that her disgust was a smokescreen of the fear she still felt inside. She really didn't want to be here. If she were honest, she was no better than the hookers who plied the street corners in the dark. She only agreed to this because she needed the money for her daughter.
The thought of Dee helped her resolve. Just moments ago she had felt trapped, insignificant, and pathetic. However, she did say yes to Ms. Tillie. No one forced her. And she did buy the darn dress she had on, and Sheena worked hard to make her look fabulous tonight.
And, just as Ms. Tillie had said, this job would make her more money than any other work a person with her limited skills could bring in. She could send money home to mom and dad... and Dee. She would have enough to travel to Alabama for frequent visits. All she had to do was be pleasant and look good. She already knew she looked great, she just had to work on the pleasant part. How hard could it be?
Alright, Cassidy Johnson. Put on a good show for Ms. Tillie and Sheena... and Dee. Make this monster - God, I hope he drowns in the shower - laugh. Entertain him with your wit, then get the hell out of here.
With her mind made up, Cassidy felt better. Nerves made her parched and she desperately needed a drink of water. She wondered which of the two hallways led to the kitchen. God forbid she entered his bedroom by mistake, but she was thirsty and he did say to make herself comfortable, didn't he?
She turned around, undecided. Just then, the man rounded the corner from where she heard the shower earlier. She stopped in her tracks as she watched him approach, rubbing and drying his hair with a white towel that partially covered his face. He pulled the towel away and slung it carelessly around his shoulder as he looked up at her.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting … just arrived when you came in. What the fu - Cassidy?"
For Cassidy, the whole world came to an abrupt standstill. She felt as though her heart stopped beating. Her breath came in a gasp.
The man standing before her, tousled hair slightly damp, shirtless, and wearing faded jeans that hung sexily from his hips, was the last face on earth she expected to see again today.
"Tristan?"
They stood there staring at each other, hardly believing what the other was seeing.
Chapter Thirteen
The look of wonder on Tristan's face was a sight to behold as he crossed the remaining distance between them.
Cassidy stepped back instinctively, like in a dream that was slowly turning into a nightmare. Never, in all her imaginings had envisioned that Tristan would be her first date. She was appalled, frightened, angry, and hurt all at once. She'd made the biggest mistake of her life. Yes, there could only be one thing worse than getting pregnant by a man who cheated and lied, and here it was. Tristan in the flesh. His presence mocked all of her resolve. The first date had turned into an emotional horror.
A series of questions gushed from Tristan.
"What are you doing here? Where have you been? You disappeared so suddenly … I went crazy thinking something bad happened to you. I went to the coffee shop where you used to work … the manager said you suddenly resigned. What happened to you? Why did you just leave without saying goodbye?"
Cassidy heard the questions, but her mind was in such a chaotic whirl that she didn't know what to say. She was dumbstruck to see him again. All the pent-up emotions she had managed to keep at bay came rushing back like an unstoppable tsunami. The past year unraveled before her eyes: her joy thinking how lucky she was to have found someone like him, her shock seeing the videos with him going out with all those women, the secret life he lived, getting her pregnant and making her fearful about her own future. All these thoughts slammed into her simultaneously.
At the same time, she couldn't ignore the lust that bloomed in her crotch at the sight of his naked chest. Not just his chest, his entire body. The jeans barely concealed the strength of his thighs; those thighs that had clasped her body in passion. In truth, the primal ache overpowered all other emotions that were running through her. Her mind had split into two opposing sides: one side telling her to rant and rave at this loathsome creature, while the other side was telling her she wanted him to fuck her … hard.
And the way he said her name … Cass. Like it was an endearment and not coming from the lips of a sex addict. How could he stand there and look so innocent? Did he even know what she went through during those nine months that she was carrying his baby? Did he know what it felt like to push a head the size of a melon out of a vagina?
Did he? Did he fucking know?
Cassidy's fury gave her composure she typically didn't possess.
"Can I have a glass of water, please?" she asked coolly.
"Some water? Sure. Of course … anything. Would you prefer wine? I have some in the cooler."
Of course he did. He probably got women drunk before he fucked them.
"No. Water's fine," Cassidy replied flatly.
She didn't want any alcohol affecting her brain. An idea was slowly forming inside her mind; a plan that would settle the score between them.
He came back carrying a tall glass of iced water. Meanwhile, Cassidy settled herself into one of the sofas while he was gone. She crossed her legs, allowing the hem of the dress to open, exposing a leg and her thighs.
"Thank you," she smiled seductively at him, lowering her eyes as he took the seat beside her.
"You look different," Tristan began. There was a note of uncertainty in his voice.
Cassidy leaned over to set the glass on the table, making sure he had a good view of the mounds of her breasts.
"Different? How? Do you find me prettier now, or am I still the plain Cassidy you once knew? Do you prefer the sophisticated one, with make-up and silk and stilettos?"
Her voice had taken on a huskier tone. Her hand crept over his thigh and casually rested on top of his leg. His lips parted slightly as his body tensed, sending warm breaths wafting to her cheeks. Powerless to resist her invitation, he leaned in closer, inhaling her perfume.
She turned to face to him, offering her lips for a kiss. Instead, Tristan pulled away from her, a move that took her by surprise. His face was inscrutable as he folded his arms across his chest.
"You haven't answered my question, Cassidy. What the fuck are you doing here in my apartment?"
Cassidy was momentarily taken aback. She had no desire to talk about things. All she wanted was for him to fuck her, then she would be gone … for good. That was the plan, but his face was like a mask. There was no sign of the erection he showed when she first touched him.
"I … err … I'm here because … I'm … " she stammered. She was losing her composure and felt defensive.
The notion that he could still make her feel uncomfortable despite everything he'd done was upsetting to her. She was the victim of this monster, wasn't she? She drew back her flagging optimism. She couldn't lose what she had started tonight.
"I'm here because you called for an escort and the agency sent me." Her voice was cold, detached, like she was some kind of pro who did this every day.
"Agency? You work as an escort there?" He sounded shocked.
"Yes," she answered, trying to understand his surprise. "Been doin' it for a while now," she lied.
She forced herself to look at him as he recoiled at her words.
What the fuck was wrong with him? Cassidy thought. She understood his surprise at seeing her again, but to act like he didn't want to come close … that riled her somehow. What was wrong with her, anyway? Wasn't she just as good as the other girls he'd gone to bed with?
She had to make a move and do it fast. She tugged at the drawstring on her dress allowing her breasts to fall softly, revealing that she had nothing underneath except a pair of panties.
"What's wrong, Tristan?" she cooed, flitting nearer. "Isn't this what you want? You paid for a girl to be with you tonight. Well … here I am."
Tristan looked at her like she was a creature from another planet. His mouth was wide open like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Look, Tristan, you're wasting your time … and mine. I'm a working girl and need to get paid," she sneered.