Buying Love Teaser

She got up, pulling on my arm. I let out a small yelp since the angle at which she tugged on me caused my shoulders to ache.

“What’s wrong?” she questioned, her eyes big and filled with concern.

“I strained my shoulder,” I explained. “Esme had me move some furniture around and I …” Bella narrowed her eyes. “You don’t like her, do you?”

“Esme? Fuck no,” Bella snorted. “She has you on a short leash, so to speak and her rules are …” Bella held up her hands, her head shaking angrily. “There’s something about her that I do not trust. She sent over this contract for our agreement and there are so many loopholes for her to break it.”

“Can I see it?” I asked, curious as to what these loopholes were.

Bella nodded, walking to her office and handing me a hefty document. It was well-highlighted and written on with questions, concerns and snarky comments. Bella sat next to me, flipping to a page that was covered with a lot of her writing. “I mean, on here, Esme can end the contract if you are late back to the Buying Love offices. There’s also a stipulation that there can be no out of town dates. I put the kibosh immediately, telling her of the weekend for Jacob and Seth’s wedding in Napa. She begrudgingly agreed, charging more for that trip.” She looked at me. “How much of what I pay for you do you get? What percentage?”

I wanted to tell her the truth. I got nothing except for the tips. However, I didn’t want to incur the wrath of Mistress Esme. I gave her the programmed response that I told any of my clients who asked that question. “A little more than half.”

“I don’t believe you,” Bella snorted humorlessly.

“Believe it or not, it’s what I get,” I snapped. I got up and walked to the window, pinching my nose. I was so tired and my stomach was aching from hunger. I shouldn’t have snapped at her, but I couldn’t have her snooping around. Bella’s words from our first date came back to haunt me. Our relationship was a farce. Esme would always control me. My wants and needs were inconsequential. I didn’t want to lose what I had with Bella. Esme, however, could easily rip it away, as obviously shown by the insane contract she drew up for our exclusive escort relationship.

Bella walked behind me. Her arms slid around my middle and she pressed her cheek between my shoulder blades. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have pushed.”

I closed my eyes, one lone tear falling down my cheek. I wiped it away. “I’m sorry about snapping. I am more tired than I thought. When I’m tired, I get cranky,” I muttered, turning in her arms and enfolding her into a hug. I leaned my cheek against the crown of her sweet-smelling hair. “Can we make a promise?”

“What’s that?”

“Not to talk about Esme or the true nature of our relationship?” I asked. “It’s the only time we tend to argue. I don’t want to argue. I don’t want you mad at me.” I don’t want to lose you.