Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

3

Margot

I've been out here for a few hours and so far there's been zero signs of life whatsoever. Even the guests currently staying at the motel haven't left, which I was hoping that they would do - even if they just gave me a ride to the next town or even to that gas station and diner that Ari mentioned.

It's typical that I've been dealt the shitty hand in life. From my upbringing right up to getting involved with Davy. It seems I just always seem to go for the wrong type of people - that or I'm completely naive.

I don't want to have to wander back down to the motel and ask whether I could have another night free of charge, or even a ride. My situation is embarrassing enough and I don't want pity. Out here seems like the perfect place to hide away though, and I envy Ari at the fact he doesn't really get to see any signs of life other than the guests who come and go.

Lucky bastard.

I sit down in the dirt and wait, the hot sun beating down on me. I could do with a bit of a tan, having only ever spent my time cooped up in the apartment that Davy and I shared or within the dark and dimmed setting of the strip club he owned - dancing under soft lighting for men and being whored out for fear that I'd be subjected to the threats that Davy would make if I didn't do as asked. You would think that with the amount that I worked, I'd be rolling in money from the men who watched me - but no. My asshole boyfriend pocketed it all, and at the same time was overprotective as to who could have me and who couldn't. It only occurs to me now that I danced for the men who he did dealings with, yet at the time I didn't know it and was in the dark.

I don't know how I've actually got this far without him finding me. He has friends in high places, even cops who will look the other way when it comes to his business, but also profit from it. I can't trust anyone. Not until I believe them to be worthy. I just have to keep my head down and hope that things will finally go my way. Because if they don't? Well, I'll just be another face on a milk carton for all to ponder on where I could be.

Dead.

I'll be dead, and Davy Marquez is the man who would have ordered it. He doesn't exactly like to get his hands dirty, no matter how much his dealings are just that.

"Thought you could use this - and some one to wait with you until another creeper comes along". Ari's voice from behind me makes me now look over my shoulder. He's brought me coffee as well as something to eat - also bringing some for himself.

"How do I know you're not one?" I smirk, as I still sit there, hugging my knees against my chest".

He gets down onto the dirt and sits beside me, putting the food in the middle of us. "Well, I brought you lunch and let you stay at the motel free for a night - if I were a creep? You'd be handcuffed to my bed right now". He looks over with a certain expression, and my lips part slightly.

There's something about him that makes me feel like I want to trust him. Perhaps it's the fact that he did put me up for a night and is pretty much feeding me. But when I look at him? Somehow I want to be fed by this man in other ways. Pretty ironic considering I'm escaping that kind of environment. I should be messed up from it, but instead? Perhaps I should own it.

I reach for the coffee and sip it. A sign to him that he's not a creep who picks up hitchhikers. "Thank you, you don't have to pity me though".

"Not pity, just one person helping another". He shrugs and looks out along the road. !You do realise you won't be getting a ride out here today".

I sigh. "That dead eh?"

"Pretty much. I didn't wanna dash your hopes".

"So why bring me lunch?" I question his intentions

He smiles lightly. "Just in case you got lucky with a creep - food for the journey", then I see him pause, contemplating something in his mind. "Look, it's almost vacation time and the motel is gonna get busier. I'm gonna need some help - so if you wanna make some money then you can stay, free of charge. It won't be a lot, but perhaps something to get you started up. That's if you want to. If you wanna move on? Then I'm heading into the next town over tomorrow for a supply run - I can drop you there and you can be on your way".

I'm a little surprised by the offer. Especially since I only met the guy last night, but now that I think about it, this place is the perfect hideout, with barely anyone here (at the moment) and someone who is willing to give me a shot. Even if the money is shit I can at least have someone nice to stare at. And Ari really is gorgeous. I'd rather look at him all day than some other guy who's making me dance for drug money.

Perhaps he could be my saviour? The one who can restore my trust in men and just people in general again. He's earning it slightly now, even just from his actions last night. It showed.

"You don't have to make a decision now, but the offer is there. Just let me know by tomorrow morning and we'll go from there". He says, knowing that I am undecided. "But perhaps it's best we get outta the sun and back inside? After watching you for a few hours I know you're not getting a ride today".

My smirk broadens more with interest. "You were watching me eh? Creep". I now jest.

He chuckles. "Just to see whether you'd got lucky. Plus I couldn't let you sit out here all day and starve - so maybe a concerned creep?" Then he looks at me, "but I wouldn't complain if I had to sit and watch you all day..."

Why does my stripper self want to return with a vengeance and literally give this man a lap dance and an appreciative blow job by the roadside? I feel ashamed of my job - or ex one, but he seems to make me want to own it once again. In a good way though, not dirty like I've been feeling.

"Good, because if I'm going to be working for you? You may just have to". I pick myself up from the ground and dust myself off. Taking the food and drink he brought for me as he does the same. "Guess you need to give me the key to my room back..."

Ari's eyes trail over my body before they come back up to meet mine.

"Yeah...guess I should".