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A tap on the door startles me.
“Everything okay, pet?”
Opening the door, I ask, “Does Jane know you’re having sex with me?”
His eyebrow lifts. “Why do you think I owe you an explanation?”
“Because I won’t be the other woman.”
He laughs low and deep. “Believe me, you’re not. Other woman would imply that we’re in a relationship. We’re not. I’m helping you and you are repaying me in sex. That’s it. Nothing more. Do you understand?”
Tears fill my eyes before I can stop them. God, this is so humiliating.
I nod. “Yes,Sir. I understand. Thank you for clarifying.”
Shoving past him, I make my way back to the table where a pizza is waiting. It smells delicious even if it is pepperoni, but my appetite is gone.
Kieran sits across from me and says, “Eat.”
His tone suggests that I better not dare to cross him. I reach for a piece and pull off all the pepperoni before taking a bite. He watches me until I take two more bites.
“If you didn’t want the meat, you should have said something. I’m sure Scuttle would have made you whatever you wanted.”
I don’t answer. I mean, it’s not like what I want matters. We finish our meal in silence. When Chef Scuttle comes by to check on us, I tell him how wonderful the food was.
“But you didn’t eat very much. I can fix you something else.”
“Oh, I’m just full from earlier. Kieran made me swallow all of his cu—”
“That’s enough, Ariel,” Kieran snaps. “Scuttle, box up the rest, please.”
Scuttle gets out of there as fast as he can while Kieran and I stare each other down.
“You should remember who I am, pet.”
“I’m quite aware, Sir.”
His jaw tics and I know I’ve made him mad, but I really don’t care.
Scuttle comes back a few moments later with our pizza boxed up. “I added a dessert for later, Mr. Van der Zee.”
“Thank you, Chef. We appreciate it.”
Saying nothing to me, he motions for me to follow in the same manner one might call a dog. Glaring, I follow him outside where we’re nearly trampled by a group of school aged kids rushing to follow a teacher. It’s clear that they’ve just been to the Statue of Liberty. Several wear foam hats I’ve seen other tourists wear.
“They look like they’ve had a good time.”
I mean, at least someone is having a good day…
Kieran follows my gaze and sneers. “It’s a big scam. You can see the statue better on the ferry ride, and then you don’t have to deal with the long lines.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen the Statue of Liberty up close,” I admit.
“Really?”
I nod. “My dad didn’t think it was worth it, especially since he would have to buy nine tickets.”
“Figures. Button your coat. It’ll be chilly.”
