"We shouldn't; your son is my fiancé." I said it in a hushed, resentful, uncertain voice. His brilliant blue eyes, the same ones he had only moments before watched me undress, studied me intently before he softly tipped his head to the right. "Darling, I really don't give a fuck right now." The deeper his voice got, the more his chest rumbled. My thighs became more clenched together, and my hands continued to cover my exposed breast. I wanted to feel him deep inside of me, and the only thing separating us were his sweatpants hanging over his muscular body and his forgotten loved ones. At that point, I made the decision to raise my hands so he could see my entire body. It felt so appropriate, even though he is my dad's greatest friend and my soon-to-be father-in-law. Talitha has always been the ideal child-she has never disobeyed her parents and has always complied with their regulations. Talitha appears flawless in every way, yet behind closed doors, she becomes a complete mess. Bodhi Rhodes has always been fond of her and has been wanting her for a while. However, didn't he think it strange that she was seeking a relationship with him after her family filed for bankruptcy? His father returns to the city after their engagement in the real world. Kaz Rhodes is a 47-year-old prosperous businessman who is also Talitha's father's close friend. When they encounter each other, everything changes-skin to skin, tongue to mouth, commit flies out of the room-but for how long? Her family's reputation will benefit from her marriage to Bodhi, but if her father learns the truth, he will never pardon her for her transgressions.
Chapter 1 Money
As he violently rolled off of me, his chest heaving up and down, I lay flat on my back, expressionless. To be honest, I never found sex to be enjoyable; it was a dull act. Maybe happiness in general, or maybe that's what I'm lacking in life. I got up, picked up my silk robe from above my couch, and went to my enormous glass window. Today, the city was silent, and the lights shone brilliantly, resembling stars.
I detest living in a city because of how loud it is all the time and how the dense people prevent you from ever seeing the stars.
"What's wrong?" I wanted to answer everything when Bodhi asked, but then my father's words kept repeating in my thoughts.
"Money is a price you'll have to pay with your body this time."
I pretended to smile before turning to face him again. He was leaning on his elbows to support himself while he was lying on the bed. There's no doubting his heat, yet despite the white sheets hanging around his toned chest, my body doesn't find him attractive.
"Nothing, bebê." With a purr and a fluid hip-swing, I observed my body as if it were a temple, and he gazed at me. His dainty hands gently dragged me down by my tiny waist as I slowly ascended to the top of the bed on my knees.
He's always had his eyes on me; I simply didn't realize it until my father went bankrupt, at which point I began to give him some thought. It was cruel, and my father made the decision to pursue me rather than me. My dad is from a wealthy family, and because my fiancé's father is his best friend, he knows a lot about the Rhodes.
Naturally, I felt awful for using him as a kind of bargaining chip, but I was forced to do so by my family.
"Isn't it crazy how our wedding is literally around the corner?" In his tone, he seems to be shocked at how quickly time is passing.
I'm marrying you without even knowing your middle name-isn't that crazy?
"I can't wait." I sighed dreamily and grinned.
The sex, the smiles, the feelings-everything was staged. I had no feelings at all for this man, not even the tiniest touch of camaraderie.
"Are you excited to meet my dad?" I wanted to jump off the balcony and never come back, he asked.
"Of course, he's my father-in-law." I forced another smile out of me.
I feel that my dad's insistence that I get into a relationship with him and give up my body and dignity has much contributed to the reason why I detest Bodhi; I find it repulsive to have sex with someone I know I'll never want to. You would think that he would notice someone after his money, but love has clouded his mind so much that he doesn't see things clearly. All I want is money; I don't want personal or close relationships.
I pressed myself into his chest, kissing him all the way down his abs as my hooded eyes darted up to meet his. His head cocked back in seduction. I swept my hair over my shoulder and sank my teeth into his flesh. With a loud, pained groan, he leaped to his feet, and a sinister smile formed against my full lips.
Mankind has always been so feeble; he glares at me and says, "Ow, what the hell, Talitha?" I apologize; I was simply wanting to have a little fun." I furrowed my brow slightly and fluttered my lashes at him.
He brushes it off and saunters up to try to kiss me. I saw the change in his countenance when I turned down his kiss. Kissing is intimate and something I cherish greatly; thus, I won't let my first kiss be with someone I don't love.
I was forced to kiss since it's the only thing about sex that I can control and that my dad cannot take away from me.
"Just get dressed, alright." He gets up and lifts his boxers, and I give him a nod before he leaves our room.
I approached my body mirror and caressed the side of my face in an attempt to make myself happy. I kept practicing my smile until I finally got the hang of it, but it wasn't working.
Inhale Tawila
After taking a long, hot shower that was much needed, I felt refreshed and prepared to go. I was wearing both my massive engagement ring and my regular gold jewelry. I will never get used to wearing a diamond this size. I took out one of my beautiful dresses that Bodhi had given me. I hate to say it, but his taste is excellent. It was a tiny, orange leather dress with pearls on the back straps. A tiny cutout next to my left leg displayed my tan thigh.
My hair was already curled from this morning, and it just barely covered my buttocks. Just to give myself a little more volume, I put on some white heels and doused myself in perfume.
Before leaving my room, I put a smile back on my face and noticed Bodhi by the door, adjusting his tie in the mirror. I cleared my throat, and he turned to face me, a broad smile just barely visible. Not only do my parents and my fiancé keep me on a strict diet, but I found it annoying that he relished the thought of flaunting me like I was some kind of prize.
While waiting for my parents downstairs, Bodhi was too preoccupied with inspecting himself to realize that I was beginning to feel anxious. I gave my mom's cheek a gentle peck before reaching over and giving my dad a kiss once they made it downstairs, and he finally stopped staring at himself in the mirror.
Inaudibly, he took hold of my elbow. "I want you to be on your best behavior tonight." He gives me a sharp whisper in my ear, and I swallow before brushing it off with a tiny smile.
He spoke to me in a tone that indicated he was serious about tonight, as in, if I did something wrong, he would punish me.
We all headed to the car, and the entire drive was made up of terrible jokes and fake laughter.
I had everything a little child could ask for growing up-I was cherished by both of my parents and shielded by my elder brother. Back then, everything was wonderful; we were all together and content as a family, but these days, nothing is the same as family. My brother began using drugs to erase his troubles, my mom began drinking her worries away, and Dad began gambling and gradually began to lose every penny of our money.
If you're wondering where that leaves me, I have an abusive father, a poisonous mother, and a sibling who betrays me.
"My dad already has a table inside the restaurant for us." My mother chimes in happiness, Bodhi says.
I don't know how much longer I can look out the window without getting annoyed enough to roll my eyes. The restaurant oozed money, so I intertwined my fingers with my fiancé's, and we stepped inside. Everybody was decked up in elegant attire, including their pets, and the restaurant was completely covered with diamonds, including the patrons.
As we rounded the corner, my parents were waiting for us, clearly embracing my fiancé's father with their arms spread wide. I was unable to see anything in front of my parents since Bodhi let go of my hand and moved directly in front of me. They welcomed our guest in such a dramatic way that I rolled my eyes and took a step back.
His dad doesn't seem to care.
Instead, I fixed my gaze on the location, and although I've been to numerous upscale restaurants, I wasn't impressed, and it was starting to get monotonous. Just then, I noticed someone clearing their throat, and I quickly looked back. At last, my parents and Bodhi stood to the side.
My gaze gradually followed the figure who stood before me-it was unquestionably not Bodhi. This guy had a large dahlia flower against the top of his hand and words tattooed across his knuckles. As I followed my gaze up his dark blue suit, I noticed another tattoo over his neck: a small-lettered version of his name, Bodhi. As my gaze finally locked with his, his piercing gray eyes nearly sent me into a new century.
I have never seen a man quite like this one, and there aren't enough adjectives to express how amazing he is. I had briefly considered being gay, but after seeing this god in front of me, I'm not sure. A moment before, air was pounding through my lungs, but now it was rushing up to my cheeks, making me blush slightly.
"You must be Talitha." His thick southern accent made me uncontrollably clench my legs together.
He extended his massive, heavy hand to shake mine. The image of his hand around my throat made me gag. I turned to look at my father, who was giving me a hard look and nudging me to get over there so we could shake hands. I turned to face Bodhi's father and forced a smile to come to my lips before putting my hand in his; his skin was warm compared to mine, which was frigid.
"What gave it away?" With a trace of fun in my voice, I asked.
"My son said you were drop-dead gorgeous; that's what gave it away." His remarks seemed intelligent, as he grinned. I nearly forgot that this man is going to be my future father-in-law for a little while as my eyes lit up with mischief as I considered all the ways he could chastise me.
"And you are?" With my eyebrow slightly lifted, I posed the question to him while our hands remained linked.
He raised my hand to his velvety lips. "Kaz Rhodes, darling." I felt shivers run down my spine as he whispered against me.
I should enjoy this.
Other books by Bella Kay
More