Page 31 of Hot As Ice

I shrug. “It helps immune-compromised people.”

“Is that your good deed of the month?”

I bite my lip. “Actually, I’m doing it for the money. The fact that it helps people is just a bonus.” I feel ashamed to admit it. It makes me sound greedy.

Hunter narrows his eyes at me. “You’re doing it for money?”

“Yes, I know, it’s so shameful.”

“I didn’t say it was shameful.”

I look at him curiously.

“I’m just wondering why you need money badly enough to donate plasma,” he explains.

“I can’t find a job. I’ve applied to dozens of places and haven’t gotten a call back from a single one.”

Hunter rubs a knuckle against his bottom lip. “Is that right?”

I nod. “I’m so frustrated because I’m not gonna make rent this month and I don’t want to put it all on my roommate Becca. It’s not fair to her.” It feels so good to unburden myself to someone that the words come out before I can stop them. I bite down on my lip, feeling even more ashamed than admitting that I’m only donating plasma for money.

“Anyway,” I say, unable to look him in the eye. “I need to get going to my next class.” I grab my backpack and get up hastily.

“Wait.” Hunter’s tone drags my eyes back to him. “Did I say you could leave?”

My heart thumps. “I don’t need your permission to leave.”

“Wrong, princess.” He wraps his fingers around my wrist and tugs me back down to my seat. “You need my permission to do everything.”

I should be outraged, but his words send heat racing through me. I’m so far gone.

“I’ll be late to class,” I protest half-heartedly.

“I don’t give a fuck. You’ll leave when I say you can leave.” He leans back in his chair. “Now, tell me what’s this about not being able to make rent.”

I exhale, annoyed that I spilled my guts. But he won’t relent until I tell him the whole story. “I quit my job at the diner after Joe attacked me, and I haven’t been able to find anything since. I’ve been charging everything on my credit card and it’s almost maxed out. I need money.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I scowl. “Why would I tell you? What were you going to do about it?”

He tuts. “I could lend you money, princess.”

I stare at him. “What?”

“I could lend you your rent money, and then some.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Just say the word.”

Borrow money from Hunter? It doesn’t seem like a good idea. My gut tells me to refuse. “But I—I don’t know when I would be able to pay you back.”

His deep blue eyes bore into mine and he drops his voice. “You wouldn’t have to pay me back with money.”

My breath catches. “Then…with what?”

“Your hot body.”

I stop breathing. Is he joking?

Hunter places his forearms on the table and leans in toward me. “How about it, princess? Be my sex toy and I’ll pay you whatever you want. Name your price.”