The Kingpin

•05•

Amelia's eyes open quickly and she's met with a ceiling not of her own house. Her hand reaches out to feel around the bed but she's alone. After blinking a few times, she feels comfortable enough to sit up.

Her back is pressed against the headboard when it finally dawns on her that she was asleep in this man's house, in his bed, even. She didn't know his name and technically, after using his drugs, she almost died.

His words echo in her head as she swings her legs over the side to grab her jeans off the floor.

"I saved you."

  Who says that after something so intense? She asks herself this now while walking around to grab her camisole. Should she leave? The money is still on the table and it's already hers...

  She pockets the money and slips on her shoes before walking out of his bedroom. She takes the stairs slowly because her legs feel a bit weak and she curses quietly about how cold the man keeps his house.

  He's sitting on the couch when she reaches the end of the stairs. His back is to her but she sees the smoke in its cloud coming from him.

  "Leaving?" He asks.

  "I, uh...yeah?"

  "I suppose you'd need a ride for that, though."

  Shit. She hadn't even thought-

  He interrupts her thoughts with, "I can drive you back to your place."

  "Okay."

  "Have you considered what I said last night?" The man asks as he turns to face her now, a dress shirt open to expose his chest.

  "No, but there's not much to think about. It's my job."

  His eyes change somehow and his face falls before he nods slowly.

  "Well here's something to think about. You being exclusively for me. I'll pay you, of course. But you are only to be with me."

"So you'd own me?" Amelia asks, a hint of defiance in her voice.

"Well...if that's what you like, then yeah."

"Hard pass." She scoffs now and it's at this moment where she realizes he isn't used to being told no for much of anything.

"That's a cute role you got going. Let me know if you change your mind. Until then though, what am I to do with this money?"

Amelia laughs a little before walking over to the man and straddling his lap, running a hand down his chest slowly.

"Well, it's still 'an option,' yes?"

He nods before placing a hand on her lower back and pressing a kiss to her lips. She runs her hands through his hair, tugging gently as she goes.

Before they know it, their most unneeded clothes are scattered about the floor.

••••

About forty-five minutes later, the two are sprawled on the couch and too tired to move. His hand is around Amelia's waist and her body is pressed to his.

They both look a mess and are completely silent. He presses lazy kisses to her neck and she is rubbing a hand across his bare chest almost as a reflex.

After a while of this, Amelia peels herself away to stand and says, "I need to go."

The man nods and begins putting his clothes on. She does the same and walks over to the door to wait for him.