Tuesday Andrew surprised me by calling on his lunch hour. I was halfway into one of the new books I'd gotten for Christmas when the phone rang, making me jump. "Hello?"
"Hey beautiful. How are you?"
I smiled just from the sound of his voice. I'd missed him so much the last few days, more than I ever imagined. "I'm all right. How about you?"
"On my lunch so that's always a plus."
"True."
"What are your plans for tomorrow night?"
"Nothing, why?"
"How about I kidnap you and hold you hostage at my place?"
"Sounds good." I still had no idea why he was willing to date a prostitute, but I forced those thoughts away. "What if no one comes through with the cash?"
"Well then, I guess I'll have to take it out in sex. Either way I win."
"Good point."
"I'll pick you up after work tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah."
"I miss you."
"Miss you too."
"Love you."
"Love you, too, Andrew. Bye."
I hung up and felt at loose ends. I had a client coming in later, I knew that much, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Lori claimed it was just a job but she was wrong. It was a whole lifestyle. And although I couldn't complain about the pay and benefits, I was really starting to hate it. I hated having bad sex with people I didn't know and having to lie to my family.
I was starting to wish I'd listened to Cathy after all.
I sighed and got up to find something to eat. I decided on a frozen dinner. While I was waiting for it to heat up in the microwave, a knock on the door made me jump a little. I went to answer it, steeling myself for Beverly or Will. Thankfully it was Lawrence.
"Hey Marri, how's it going?"
"Okay. What's up?"
"Bringing your outfit. And a Christmas present."
"A what?"
"Belated present, I know, but it's the thought that counts, right?"
I felt my cheeks grow hot. "What?"
"Trust me. You'll like it."
"Okay?"
I took the garment bag and looked back and forth between it and his face. He just kept smiling and shaking his head. I pulled down the zipper and saw what looked like a fairly normal outfit. I saw a pair of brown cargoes and a green sweater with a matching set of off-white bra and panties. I raised an eyebrow and he held up his hands in a warding off gesture.
"Just... Trust me, okay?" He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Merry Christmas."
He left and I brought the bag into the apartment. I showered and pulled on the outfit. No shoes. Well, that was interesting. I went to the couch and mindlessly flipped through some channels until the intercom rang. "Marri? Your client is here." Will. Great.
I went downstairs and tried to put a smile on. Most clients weren't happy if they didn't feel welcomed. Took away from the experience. Or something. I got to the lobby and my fake smile disappeared, replaced by a real one.
"Frank!"
He smiled back and left Will behind without a backward glance. "Let's go." He grabbed the back of my neck and marched me up the stairs, down the hall, and back to my room. He shoved me through the door and pulled it shut behind him. I stood quietly in the center of the room, waiting for him to tell me what to do. To my surprise, he just sat down and stared at me.
After a few minutes, I started to shift back and forth, moving my weight from leg to leg. "Frank?"
"Hush."
"Sorry."
More time passed. I could see his erection through his pants. I was so confused. I was about to talk again, but something was thrown over my face and I was yanked backwards. I yelped and nearly fell, crashing into a broad body from behind. The hood, or whatever it was, was gripped tightly and pulled hard against my throat. I grabbed at it out of instinct.
"Don't bother," Frank said, his voice close to my ear. He grabbed my wrists and pulled them down, cupping and mauling my tit with his other hand. I tried to slow my breathing as I was pulled backwards toward the bed. The hood was tightened even more and my wrists were dragged upward and snapped into the cuffs on the bed. I tried to draw up my legs out of instinct and raise my torso, but I was pushed back down by four hands.
Four hands?
What the hell was going on?
"Frank! Stop!"