Chapter 7: How Much
She straightened her back, forcing her gaze to remain impassive even though she was a bit shy she’d been caught gawking. "I told you, I don’t want anyone’s favor."
Jake’s lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "Then you can pay me back," he said smoothly, his voice carrying the weight of someone who was used to being obeyed. "With whatever you have in mind. But first—tell me. How much do you need?"
Her instinct screamed at her to test him, to push him away. If he really wanted to play this game, then fine. She would name a price so outrageous it would make him back down.
Her lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. "You couldn’t possibly afford what I’d ask."
"Try me."
She searched his face, expecting mockery, expecting him to back down. But instead, he looked at her with the calm certainty of a man who knew exactly what he was saying.
Her lips parted, the number slipping out before she could stop herself. An outrageous price. One so high, she thought he would laugh, shake his head, and walk away.
But Jake didn’t even blink. "Gibe me your account details."
"Just like that?" she asked, stunned.
Jake merely looked at her, waiting. He didn’t say anything until Bella called out Chloe’s account details to him since that was what she and Chloe had decided.
She watched as Jake typed a few things and in a blink of an eye, he said, "Done."
Bella’s throat tightened. She hadn’t expected this. Not really. Her fingers etched to call Chloe to confirm but she really can’t do that now.
"Thank you," she muttered, still stunned.
Jake raised a questioning brow. "You’re not going to check?"
"There’s no need. C’mon, let’s get down to business and get this over with," she said, but Jake shook his head.
"Let’s grab a drink first," Jake said, gesturing toward the bar.
But she shook her head firmly. "No. I’d rather we... get down to business. Then I can leave. I don’t want to waste anymore time."
Jake studied her for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether to argue. But when he saw the stubborn tilt of her chin, he only sighed and gestured toward the exit.
"Alright then. Follow me."
While Jake drove, he tried to make small talks but Bella didn’t give him the chance to do any of that.
All she wanted was to get this over with so she could go save her mother and their house.
Soon, they arrived at a hotel but because she hadn’t been paying attention, she hadn’t even noticed the name. She just simply followed him like she’d been hypnotized.
The hotel suite was nothing like Bella had ever seen. The en suite room was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the glittering city skyline. Crystal light fixtures bathed the space in a golden glow. It smelled faintly of leather and cedarwood.
Bella felt small standing there, clutching her bag. She told herself to stay cold, detached—that this was only for money, nothing more.
"Are you sure you don’t need a drink?" Jake asked as he removed his jacket.
Though he knew he didn’t have to sleep with her, but somehow, he wanted it too. He was attracted to her. He had been since the previous day he’d seen her tear streaked face but how could he possibly tell her anything?
"I’m sure," she said and then glanced at her phone when it beeped.
She swallowed when she saw that it was a text from Chloe letting her know she’d received the money.
They’d both agreed to use her account since she thought Ethan might still have access to her account somehow.
Not wanting to get distracted further, she quickly placed her phone on vibration. She couldn’t afford to completely place it on silence since her sister might try reaching her.
When Jake saw she’d dropped her phone, he looked at her, and smirked when he saw her shiver under his scrutiny.
"I’m curious. Why do you want to pay with sex so much?" he asked as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"Because I can’t pay back but giving back sex is worth it. Certainly, my virginity is enough to pay back the money," she said, beginning to stripe.
Hearing that, something shifted inside Jake and whatever longing he had been trying to curb just skyrocketed, spiraling out of control.
All he could think of now was being her first. He didn’t even know why but that was what he truly wanted and he also needed to keep her in his life.
Thank God he had her full name.
Jake dropped his glass and approached her, his gaze lingering not with hunger, but with quiet curiosity, making something inside Bella waver.
She expected disgust, shame, maybe even fear. Instead, when he hovered above her, his thumb tracing the highlight of her lips, she found herself wanting to feel more.
And when his lips finally brushed against hers, she felt... warmth. An unfamiliar pull, soft and disarming. This wasn’t what she’d been expecting but it was what she was feeling right now.
She didn’t know how it was possible but as he depended the kiss, she felt a spark of electricity ran through her body. She felt herself melting into his embrace, her resistance weakening.
She kissed him back with a passion she didn’t know she had and before she knew it, she was on his bed already with him positioning himself in between her legs.
"Are you sure about this?" Jake asked as though he knew she was new to all of that.
Bella nodded even though she was a bit scared.
When Jake attempted to penetrate her, she stopped him. "We need a condom...."
"Don’t worry. I can’t get you or anyone pregnant anyway," he said, and even though she wanted to ask him what he meant, she decided to trust him. He’d been willing to give her money for free anyway.