"Sex," I chirp up with a fake smile embellishing my face, my eyes darting between Mr. Azallion and Lola who fiddles with her fingers in anxiety. "Let's have a chat about the birds and the bees, shall we?"

Mr. Azallion smirks at me in sheer amusement while Lola stares into her lap, not bothering to even look in my direction or at the man sitting in the chair next to her in my office. "The only sex education I needed was my mother's very pathetic moans," Mr. Azallion scrunches his nose in disgust before smiling at me and leaning forward smugly. "I think I'm ready for some lessons from you though," he winks.

An inaudible groan vibrates in my throat while a snicker leaves Jackson's mouth. "Lola," I avert her brown orbs from her fumbling fingers and direct them to me. "If you don't want to go through with it, just say the damn word. I cannot be wasting my time here. I need to work on the preparations for the WFG next week, not baby you around."

          "I want to do this," she spoke, hesitantly.

          "Are you sure? Because this is the last time I'm asking. I won't let you back out."

          She takes a second and declares her answer with a little nod. "Yes, I'm sure."

          "Brilliant," I smile and roll in my chair to face Mr. Azallion. "Say hello to each other for God's sake. You two are going to be sleeping together, not going to church together."

          Mr. Azallion lets out a chuckle and turns to Lola in his chair. Slowly, grabbing her hand, he places a kiss on the back of it and smiles sweetly. "I'm Eros. It's good to meet you, Lola."

          "Likewise," she smiles back before looking in my direction.

          "Finally," I huff, propping my elbows on the glass desk. "Lola, you're an inexperienced girl. This is how it works." I lift my index finger and make a fist with my other hand. "This is his penis," I wiggle the finger, "and this is your vagina," I shake the fist.

          "That's very inaccurate," Mr. Azallion interrupts, ready to spit out something smart. "Take my shoe. That's the right size of my penis," he smirks, causing Jackson to chuckle.

          "Sorry," I tilt my head to the side and pout, batting my lashes. "I think an inch represents your little chode, but I cannot cut my finger down to fit your size."

          Lola tries to stifle her snicker with her eyes on a cackling Jackson. "That small?" Jackson asks before clearing his throat when I shoot him a quick glare.

          Mr. Azallion scoffs with his eyes still trained on me. "She'll be proved wrong when she sees it."

          I gasp loudly, feigning surprise. "Don't tell me it's half an inch now, Mr. Azallion. That's a shame."

          Another bark of laughter erupts from the other two entities in the room while Mr. Azallion shakes his head and mouths 'Jesus' under his breath. "Moving on," I clear my throat, gaining their attention once again. "His little penis goes into your tight little hole like this." I violently shove the finger into the fist sideways.

"And it hurts like a bitch," I emphasize, stopping the ridiculous motion of my finger. "You bleed, you get sore, and if you're lucky, the pain may subside, if not, have fun with the crime scene."

          "You're exaggerating. Perhaps you haven't had the right man show you the good things." Mr. Azallion leans back into his seat, his hand unconsciously scraping his jaw. "Sex can be an exceptional experience with the right person."

          "Use protection," I ignore his comment, rolling my eyes. "I will not be paying for your kids."

          "Yes, ma'am," the man smiles and turns to Lola who's busy staring at something behind me. We follow her gaze which stops on Jackson who stares back intensely, both in an unknown trance, oblivious to our presence.

"Are you two done having sex or should I give you guys another minute until you both have an orgasm right here?" My scowl travels between the two culprits. Snapping my fingers, I stop Mr. Azallion's laugh while a red color instantly kisses Lola's cheeks in embarrassment. "You both will be going to Club Cater tonight, and please talk and get to know each other a little. It'll be more comfortable for the both of you. And Jackson here will accompany you guys there to only keep an eye. Nothing else," I press on that word looking right at Lola, making sure she got the message. "Now get out."

          Lola scurries out of the room at once while Mr. Azallion takes his sweet time like an old man. "She's still a bit hesitant regarding this," I halt his steps at the door and continue. "If she says no at the end of the day, you back off immediately."

          "What kind of a man do you think I am?" He scoffs, turning around in a huff. "I don't go around forcing women to sleep with me."

          "Jackson, step outside," I order him with my eyes tentatively fixed on Mr. Azallion. After the door shuts behind Jackson, I rise from my seat and walk around the desk towards the man who stands with his arms crossed over his suited chest. "I'm very skeptical of men in general," I reveal, sighing. "I don't trust easily and I don't know you well enough to decide whether you force women or not."

          "You literally know everything about me. I don't know how, but you do," he barks curtly as he steps forward, his blue pools staring into my hazel ones. "I'm into you," he declares, inching closer and forcing me to tread back until my ass is pinned against the desk with his large frame hovering over me. "I'm really into you. You've been on my mind every fucking day. I've been craving you constantly. And I know I've said some very provocative things to you, but do you see me forcing myself on you?"

          The warmth from his body blankets me in a bubble as he trudges further into my personal space. Sincerity twinkles in his eyes as they look down at me which instantly pokes the cold exterior of my heart. "Even though you're the Queen of all bitches, I like you. You've literally made me bleed, yet I can't stop my heart from going haywire every time I lay my eyes on you because," a confused look takes over his features. "I don't even know the reason."

          "Mr. Azallion," I warn. "You're getting too close."

          "I'm not touching you." He slams his palms on the desk and holds it there, trapping me in. "You wanted to kiss me in the kitchen last night and today you want me to fuck someone else. I honestly can't figure you out."

          "Stop."

          "Let me talk," he emits a low growl. "You act tough, but you cry when you're alone. What's the story behind it? Behind the fucking façade that you hold up brilliantly? What are you afraid of?"

"Losing control," I speak through my teeth, looking right into his eyes. For some reason, my mouth blurted it out and now I want him to know; to know my weakness, the thing I fear most. "I'm afraid of losing control, because when I'm not in control, my demons haunt me, they kill me, and I feel like my world is collapsing. It suffocates me." My voice cracks momentarily before I swallow the sudden lump in my throat that scratches my insides on the way down. His eyes sadden upon seeing the flash of pain in mine. "Everyone fears something, Mr. Azallion. Not having control of some sort is what I dread."

Frowning, he tilts his head to the side. Sadness and pity swims in those beautiful eyes. They pity me. "You're hurting and I want to ease your pain," he states with a hint of desperation in his deep voice. "Will you let me?"

          "Even after the pain I've caused you over the weeks?"

          He chuckles. "I sound like a desperate girl who goes back to her abusive boyfriend, don't I?"

Nodding, I smile. "Worse."

          "Will you let me help you then?" He whispers an inch away from my lips, as I try hard not to take his into my mouth and have a taste. "I won't hurt you and I can promise you that."

          "You can't help me," I smile at his humble attempt that warms my heart, but nothing can ease my pain when men who tortured me in the past are still alive.

          "Did I not help you yesterday?" He asks, shedding light onto the temporary paradise he bestowed upon me. "You felt something and so did I. Deny it all you want to yourself, but you and I both know that you felt secure in my arms." His face slides past mine, and lowers down to my ear. "Lola isn't the woman I wish to be with." Heat from his breath tickles the skin under my ear like a beautiful caress, for I wish to dive into it and swim with him in his warm, strong arms that I have an inkling would hold me up. "I want you and I know you want me too, so let's see how long it takes before you can trust me."

          "You should get going, Mr. Azallion," I whisper softly, wanting to run away from the sudden burst of wild emotions in my stomach. Nauseous is what I feel, light headed even, but I don't wish to fall prey to that feeling. However, a part of me distinctly knows that I'm falling into that pit of emotions where there's good always followed by bad.

          His head slightly pulls back to look at me and study all that my face displays, but keeping a straight face is something I've mastered over the years, yet, he still doesn't give up. "Sooner or later you'll realize that you can trust me and let me peek at all that you bury in that heart of yours. I'll wait for the day when you finally confide in me. I'll be there when you want to sob and pour your heart out. I can promise you, when that day comes, I'll catch it and never let it go." He steps back, clearing his throat and nonchalantly biting his lower lip which swirls something deep in my stomach again. "I'll see you at home, Ms. Estle. I have a girl to pleasure."

That being said, he walks out rendering me of any words. I'm... perplexed. I don't know what this is, but everything about him screams sincerity and I can't help myself admiring that considering being sincere is my worst quality. Coming across men who genuinely show that on their face is extremely rare for me or I just have a hard time buying it, for I see all men as deceitful, lying predators, excluding a select few like the men in the Bonferroni family, Mike, Vincent, and Jackson, because they're my people; people I can trust.

          Forcing all of his thoughts to the side, I fix and clear my head before strutting out of my office. "Addy doesn't recognize any man named Enrique that we have presented to her," Jackson informs, walking up next to me as I saunter down the hall.

"Why were you staring at Lola?" I turn the table on him after processing the Addy situation.

"I don't know," he answers, keeping up with my slightly wobbly steps considering my ankle is still slightly woozy. Another pill and I'll be ready to kick some ass as planned tonight. "I'm not sure. She looks very familiar."

"Who does?" Jay interrupts, walking up to my other side with a file in her hand.

"Did you get it?" I stop Jackson from answering her and halt my steps in the middle of the hallway to snatch the file from Jay's hand.

"Yup," she retorts with a certain victory dancing on her shoulders. "Every current New York Giants' footballer."

"Thanks," I say mindlessly whilst looking through them very slowly.

"Most of them fit the category of being your next toy," her usually laid back voice is slightly high-pitch which makes me want to punch her out cold.

          "What the hell are you so excited about?" I snap and shut the file, cocking my brow at her.

          "I have a hot date tonight," she smirks before her eyes dart to Jackson behind me. "I had to move on since Jackson took so long to answer my prayers."

"I've been having bad luck with women lately, Ms. Ozosky," Jackson replies monotonously, sliding into his bodyguard façade. "Hope you have a great date with the man, whoever he may be."

"It's Maddox Laird." My chest constricts at that name as she smiles wide. "He asked me out yesterday and I couldn't refuse. A girl has needs."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Jackson voices his opinion immediately, forcing her to cock a brow, rather amused.

          "Are you jealous, Jackson?" The side of her mouth quirks up as she steps closer to him and begins fiddling with the lapels of his suit. "I wanted you to take me to fuckville, but you wasted too much time. If I don't like him, I'll come back to you. I promise."

          "Have fun with your date." I pull her away from Jackson and plaster a fake smile on my face. "Let me know how it goes and what kind of a man he is."

          Sauntering away, I step into the elevator with Jackson stomping in behind me. "You can't let her go on a date with him," Jackson screams after the door closes.

          "Watch it," I warn, trying to compose my dreading heart.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Turning around, I grab his throat and slam him against the metal wall of the elevator, rage filling me up and sizzling my skin. "I said watch it. Don't make me hurt you, Jackson." I release my grip, sending him into a coughing fit. "I know what the hell I'm doing. It's the old trick in the book. Seducing for information."

"So, you're setting them up?"

"No, Maddox just made it easier for me," I push the button for the ground floor and continue. "She'll sleep with him, and unknowingly I'll manipulate her into telling me all that he blurts out to her. Let's hope that he falls in love."

"Nice, but I don't get why I have to go to the club with Eros and Lola."

"In case they get drunk and can't drive." Or maybe because I don't want him around for what I plan to do tonight.

***

(Eros' POV)

"So, how old are you?" I ask Lola after she downs her second tequila shot in a rush as I roll in the high stool to face her whilst propping my elbows on the illuminated bar counter.

"Twenty-four," she shouts over the blaring music and laughs. "Sorry. I'm very nervous. This is calming my nerves."

"I understand," I smile, my eyes glancing over to a flock of women gawking at me like a dangling piece of meat. Just a smirk their way has them giggling and soaking their panties. What really annoys me about this is that girls these days are making it so easy for men to whisk them off their feet which then makes them so susceptible to pain. Only if they could up their standards a bit to get a better guy and not fall for such stupidity, the world just may be a better place.

          Shaking my head at them, I look back at Lola. "Just don't drink too much. You want to remember everything that happens in order to write it in the article considering you want to do it tonight."

"This is my last." She picks the shot glass up and pours the foul liquid down her throat. "Holy shit!" A laugh escapes her mouth before her eyes wander off to Jack who's busy getting swarmed by ladies on the dance floor. Groaning at that sight, she turns to me. "Do you really want to do this?"

"Not really," I shrug, sighing. "I like someone else, but under the deal with Ms. Estle, I have to do as she says."

"I bet you like Athena Estle," she giggles. "I suggest you move on. She won't date a guy like you."

"Wow! Thanks, Lola," I laugh. "I was just waiting for your wise words and now that I have it, I shall die in peace." She chuckles, slapping my hand. "Do you want to do this?"

"It's about time I lose my virginity," she whispers, leaning closer to me before laughing. "Who would have thought I'd do it for an article?" Her hands helplessly fall to the side as she rolls in the stool with her back pressed against the counter, her eyes falling on the dancing crowd. "How old are you anyways? Twenty-nine?"

          "Twenty-six," I correct her, but her eyes are focused on Jack as if he's the only man in the room which makes me chuckle.

          "You must have lost your virginity around sixteen or even younger," she laughs still looking at Jack.

"I lost it at twenty," I answer with a smirk when she whips her head to me, narrowing her brown eyes at me.

"I don't believe you," she shakes her head.

"It's the truth," I snicker at her appalled reaction and continue. "I've had girls all over me ever since I hit puberty, but I didn't have sex until I was in college."

Everyone wishes to sleep with their crush and I thought I was a lucky one to lose my virginity to my crush, but it turned out to be the worst sex to this day. I've heard stories of people's first time being great and very euphoric. On the contrary, for me it was worse than anything. She was flaccid under me, loose beyond belief, and her exaggerated moans were absolute hell. It was as if I was getting punished for having sex. After that, I couldn't even stand looking at her considering she always begged me for sex saying I was the best she ever had and then going around the college fucking every decent boy she could get her claws on. Like idiots, everyone fell for her looks. I can definitely say I regret it.

When I finally graduated from college, getting a job was beyond frustrating which is why I resorted to being an escort. This taboo business was spoken of in the shadows like a secretive issue. I caught the whiff of it and somehow met Caesar, my current handler, who brought me into their office building down in Staten Island. Before I even stepped into that building, they knew everything about me; my family, education, places I worked at, and companies I applied to and got rejected from, but I didn't mind as long as I was getting the money that would pay off the bills and student loans that are still a killer.

Who knew being an escort required a lot of training with the art of seduction, foreplay, and all the other crucial sexual components combined. How to figure out the clients' sensitive spots and how to just be a good listener. Many have just been sexual clients, but a few are just cognitive clients, which means talking and listening to them and their problems silently to have them confide in us and trust us with their darkest secrets. As the training went on, I mastered being a dominant male in the shadows of the bedroom, learning arts of the BDSM community and I enjoyed it, so did all my clients so far unless they wanted something else in the room.

          After my worst first time, I never dated anyone until I met Cornelia. I liked her a lot and I met her when I was already in this business. She was beautiful, but more of a great friend though. I should have told her about my profession that I depended on most rather than cheating on her and telling myself that it wasn't the case. Anyhow, she's better off without me considering I have wild thoughts about the one and only Athena Estle now. That woman sure as hell is driving me nuts.

   Pulling myself out of the daze, I look at Lola whose eyes are still glued to Jack. "Okay, what's up with you and Jackson?"

          "I know him," she sighs, shrugging. "I can't believe he doesn't remember me."

          "What do you mean?"

          "I'm originally from Florida and so is he," she breathes out frustratedly. "I was in love with that man and he was even my first kiss, but that was six years ago before that hurricane hit the south." Her eyes sadden as they glance at me before ricocheting back to Jack. "He was from a bad neighborhood while I was a girl from a good community, but I couldn't help myself every time I saw him. I mean do you see the man? He's beyond gorgeous."

          She sighs again in admiration. "We shared some good moments here and there. I promised myself that I would talk to my parents about us, but that damn hurricane ruined everything. Jackson's neighborhood was hit hard and I heard that he lost his entire family in it. I also childishly believed he died in it and that broke my heart." A mist of tears engulf her eyes before she shakes them away.

"Cut to six years later, I get hired by the biggest magazine in the world and the man I was in love with is the CEO's bodyguard," she chuckles. "What were the chances of that happening? None, but the downside is that he doesn't remember me."

"Well, go tell him," I encourage, rising from my seat and grabbing her hand. "Let's dance and tell him." She laughs, but doesn't resist as I tug her to the dance floor. I spin her on my finger before pulling her slim body into me. "Go to him," I whisper into her ear over the thundering music and sweaty people bumping into us. "I know you're capable of much more, so make sure he doesn't forget you this time."

"Thank you," she places a soft kiss on my lips as a thankful gesture before nervously pushing past people to get to the man she desires.

I step off the dance floor and watch their interaction tentatively. Jack watches her with a studying gaze before he slightly pulls her to the side from the sleazy women he was surrounded by. Lola tiptoes up to his ear to whisper something. Just a second later, Jack scoops her off her feet in happiness at meeting a lost lover from the past.

At this point, I deserve a pat on the back for my matchmaking skills, or just rather reuniting old lovers skill. They don't need me to be third wheeling them anymore, so home bound I am. Wonder what Ms. Estle has been up to.

-------------------------------------------

Yay or nay?

What do you guys think will happen in the next chapter? What's Athena up to?

What do you guys think will happen between Jackson and Lola now?

Much love ❤️
~Reet