Page 9 of Hurt Me Not
Because there was always one thing I was missing. The one thing I couldn’t get away from because she was inside me.
Pearl Meadows.
I wanted Pearl in my life, and I wasn't going to stop until she wasmine. Back then, I’d been just a kid with no idea what I was doing. I knew I wanted the shy little girl who had been cast aside by everyone in her world, but when she said she was moving, it left me… empty.
Not anymore. My resolve was solidified. Meeting her at the club had been no coincidence.
Just like sitting down at a table in a posh steakhouse I would never have set foot in prior to this was no coincidence either.
I had done my research on Pearl Meadows. I was ready.
I shifted in the comfortable seat as I waited for my server.
They were annoyingly slow at this restaurant. Maybe the rich assholes in New York liked to take their time, and that was what they were accustomed to. Or maybe I just didn't look rich enough to them, even though looks could definitely be deceiving.
I couldn't tell which rubbed me the wrong way more.
My fingers ran across the smooth beaded bracelet I had on my wrist. The same one Pearl had left in my car after I’d driven her home, withNYUspelled out in what had once been black letters.
Yes, it had seen better days. But that was because I had never been able to take it off.
A girl padded up to my table in her standard waitress uniform. A crisp white button-up with a black vest on top, slacks, and a matching short apron. On her tray, she had water and her notepad. She gave me a smile as she placed the water on the table.
“Hello, ma'am. My name is Mais?—”
“I don't care. I don't want to be served by you. Get me Pearl.”
I looked her straight in the eyes as I said it, not moving an inch. My tone caught her off guard, her eyes widening like no one had ever dared talk to her like that.
Weird since she’s essentially in customer service.
“Pearl is assigned to another section, but I’m sure I can help you?—”
“Then get your boss if you won't do it,” I spat, still not tearing my gaze away from her.
She hesitated a moment before jerkily turning around and disappearing into the next room. The restaurant lighting was dim with chandeliers hanging overhead, and I could hear a waterfall somewhere in the background, but I couldn’t see it.
This was the main room, so it had to be in one of the other, more private rooms. I ground my teeth thinking Pearl was in there, serving assholey, rich people with no one looking out for her.
The girl came back, but Pearl was now by her side. I hated how much better she looked in the same uniform. The button-up was tight, giving me a full view of her plump chest and cinched waist. The apron tied tightly, giving her more of an hourglass figure. She wore her hair up in a long ponytail and a headband to pull it all back, though her bangs still poked through.
I hate it all because I love it too much, damn it.
“I'll leave you to it,” the server said as Pearl just stared at me.
I motioned for her to sit at the seat across from me, saying, “I think it's time we have a chat, don't you?”
She pulled her lip between her teeth. My mouth watered, remembering just how delicious those lips tasted against mine.
I regretted not biting her lip just like she was doing now.
Pearl had been everything I dreamed of for so long that I would've been satisfied just having her. But knowing she wanted to be degraded like that?
It was like she was made for me.
“I'm working,” she said in a whisper. “I can’t sit down. Can't you just let her serve you? I don't think there's anything we need to talk about.”
Even as she said it, redness crept up her neck, telling me she was thinking about a lot more than justtalking.
