“You came, didn’t you? Many times as I recall.”

“You do realize you blackmailed me into sex right?”

“Keep telling yourself that,” he smirked.

“You should have stayed away,” I whispered, my eyes lowering.

“Maybe. But I didn’t. This was always going to happen, Monroe. I told you that…I made breakfast, by the way.” He changed the subject and gave me a warning look.

I couldn’t conceal the look of surprise that crossed my face. “You did?”

He stared at me blankly. “I was hungry,” he shrugged.

“Right.” Silly me, thinking he would do something nice after the night we had. But you enjoyed it too. I shook off the unwanted thoughts and turned the shower on. I stepped in and knew he was still there even though my back was turned. “Are you planning to watch me shower?”

“And if I do?” he leaned against the door and crossed his arms, watching me through the glass door. I didn’t reply, knowing he was baiting me, looking for an excuse to strike but then…he never needed one in the past.

“This isn’t the first time I caught you in the shower, you know.”

“What?” I turned around in surprise, forgetting my attempt to ignore him.

“I was the one who stole your clothes two years back.”

“That was you? I mean…I knew you had something to do with it but you actually went into the girls’ locker room?”

He rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It wasn’t the first time I’ve been in the girls’ locker room, Monroe.”

“Why else would you—oh.” My cheeks turned red and I felt a pang followed by anger but I didn’t understand why.

“You look jealous.”

Jealous? I wasn’t, was I?

“I’m not.”

“Is that another lie?” His voice lowered to a level that screamed ‘danger’.

I chose to remain silent and finished lathering my body. When his phone broke the silence, he finally left the bathroom to my relief. I quickly washed my hair before stepping out. I dressed and used some of my aunt’s makeup to cover the visible marks and made by way downstairs. When I entered the kitchen he ended his phone call and pushed a plate full of food towards me. I couldn’t deny how good the food looked and smelled.

“You can cook?” He grunted and continued tapping the keyboard, ignoring me. “I want to talk to my aunt. How do I know you didn’t have something done to her?”

“You don’t,” he replied tersely. “Do what the hell I say and you won’t have anything to worry about.”

“That’s bullshit!” I yelled.

He slowly looked up from his phone and I snapped my mouth close. When he slid his phone over to me and I picked it up cautiously. On the screen was a picture of my Aunt at an airport. “This doesn’t prove anything,” I stated.

“That’s all your getting. Let’s go.”

“But I didn’t eat my food yet.”

“Bring it with you.”

* * *

“You had an orgasm today!”

I spit out the drink I just took a sip of and shot Charlie a murderous look.

“Now, now. Don’t look at me like that with those magnificent blue-green eyes. There’s no need to be a prude about it. Everyone has orgasms and the one’s who don’t…God bless their souls.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s all over your face. Who he is? I want details and don’t forget the dirty ones.”

I didn’t quite know if it was a good idea to share my blossoming sex life with my boss but I didn’t think it would be fair to hold out. He cared so much about me finding love or as he put it “A really good stick to ride.” Charlie was as crass as he was flamboyant.

Lucky for me I was saved from answering by Mr. Martin coming through the door. “You know I think that man is up to something,” Charlie whispered while eyeing the older man. “He only shows when you’re here and I never see him actually work out. I think you have a secret admirer, Lake.”

“What? He is old enough to be my father and half a grandfather.”

“So he’s sugar daddy material.”

“As if. Maybe he’s here for you.”

“Honey, he never even glances at me. What does he talk to you about anyway?”

“Nothing much. He is always polite and usually just asks me about school.” I didn’t want to tell him about the time he asked if I was dating anyone. It would only encourage Charlie. I made my way to the reception desk to check him in.

“Good evening, Mr. Martin.”

“Ah, Lake. How are you today?” Well I spent the night being fucked senseless for the first time, so peachy.

“Peachy. And yourself?”

“Oh the usual. Just passing through.” Yeah, why is that? “Any new developments?”

“Uh, no. Nothing new,” I lied.

“As beautiful as you are young lady, I find it hard to believe that you don’t have someone special.”

“Oh, um. Thank you.” I think.

“Is there someone special? Someone you go to school with?”

“No…” His persistent questions started making me nervous. Please don’t tell me this guy is a creep.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. You can tell me.” His insistence on knowing about my love life was making me uncomfortable.