Page 5 of Paid With Innocence

Gee, I wonder. Maybe because you asked me to buy you a car after we finished dessert?

“Pam, this is Trish,” I say, pointing at not-Trish. “Trish, this is Pam, a…friend of mine.”

Not-Trish nods, doing her best to be polite, but I can see she’s annoyed. And why wouldn’t she be? Maybe she’s just here for my money—to be spoiled—but even if that’s the case, she doesn’t want another woman getting in her way.

“Oh, is that what I am now? A friend?” She tosses her hair, leans forward, and puts her tits in my face. “Do friends normally—”

“Get out of here, Pam,” I growl. I’ve had enough. This girl was annoying last year, and she’s even more annoying now.

Both of the girls gasp, but Pam looks like she’s been shot in the chest. She steps back and opens her mouth like she’s going to say something but thinks better of it and walks away. Not before glancing back over her shoulder at my date and flashing her a dirty look.

“Sorry about that,” I say.

“Not a problem.” She smiles. “I bet you get that a lot…being who you are.”

I let my gaze linger on her before nodding. “Lots of women? Of course. But they don’t want me for me.”

An unmistakable flicker sparks in her eyes, but she looks away quickly as the waiter returns with our drinks. I order for us both. I actually can’t wait to see how she reacts to the food. This girl has never been to a restaurant like this before. She’s going to have her mind blown.

“So…” she says slowly, feigning confidence. “That car you sent for me was nice—”

“Let’s cut the bullshit,” I interrupt, scooting my chair right up to her. At this distance, I can smell her, and she smells delicious. Better than any dessert on the menu. “You’re not Trish.”

Her pupils dilate, and her breath catches in her throat. “What do you mean? Of course I am!”

“I’ve known since you walked in,” I tell her. “I wanted to see just how long you could keep it up.”

“Orson—”

“But let’s drop it now,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “I want to know who you are.”

Her palm is not soft. This isn’t some girl used to having men pay her way. This is a working girl. That’s why Trish sent her here tonight: to give her a break from the grind. To try and squeeze some money out of me.

Normally, I’d just roll my eyes and move on. But tonight, with this angel, I actually want to pamper her. Give her the princess treatment. Show her a whole world she’s never seen before.

Nervously, she bites her lower lip, causing my blood pressure to spike. My eyes are locked on to her. I couldn’t pull away if I tried.

“Okay, you got me,” she says slowly. “My name is Megan. Trish is my friend. She sent me here tonight.”

“Megan…” I reply slowly, tasting her name on my tongue. It’s so natural, like I was born to say it countless times. “I want you to thank Trish for me.”

She frowns, adorably confused. “Thank Trish? For what?”

I chuckle, tracing her palm with my index finger. This touch is like an appetizer, making me want more. So much more.

“For sending you to me.”

A tiny whimper escapes her perfect lips. No one has ever complemented this girl. The innocence just radiates off of her, hitting me like a drug. Most girls I run into are professionals. They know how to dress up, put on a show, and work a man for all he’s worth.

But Megan? She has no idea what she’s doing. And ironically, that just makes me want to spoil her even more.

“Damn, who is this beauty?” My teeth clench together. This is the one voice I do not want to hear tonight.

“Chuck,” I growl, turning to see the obnoxious prick standing by our table, a glass of champagne in his hand. He’s actually wearing red and green checkered pants. His eyes aren’t on me. He’s checking out Megan and not being at all discreet about it.

“Aren’t you just lovely?”

My adrenaline spikes. Primal urges rise up inside me. I may have just met this girl, but she is mine.