The Kingpin

•06•

Amelia felt oddly lucky to have been able to avoid the man lately. It had been a few days since their encounter in the coffee shop and even though her coffees have indeed been paid for, the Ace hasn't made any appearances.

  She had been getting very little sleep and her entire body was proof. Her skin was pale and her eyes a bit sunken in as she walked back to her apartment after hooking up with a client.

  Now, she was planning on laying in bed for a few days to recover. Her skin was warm to the touch even though she was wracked with chills throughout the day. Amelia knew she couldn't dip into her stash just yet so she suffered through the days.

  Cars passed her on the street as she walked and it was kind of reassuring. People were always moving, even if she couldn't.

  This was all fine and good until one car in particular slowed down to trail behind her. The window rolled down to the passenger side and he came to a stop.

  "Babygirl!" He calls out to her now, knowing she'll respond. People like her always do.

  Amelia doesn't want to see him yet. She keeps walking and clenches her hands into fists to focus on taking the steps.

  He starts to roll his car forward as he continues to try and grab her attention.

  "Baby, c'mon now."

  She begrudgingly realizes that there is no way to get out of speaking to him, so she walks over to the passenger window and leans down.

  The man stops the car and a wicked grin passes his lips. "Good girl."

  "I'm not in the mood today." Amelia begins somewhat sternly. Inside though, she knows her resolve is thin. She'd do anything to be in a real bed, even if it was his.

  He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth and unlocks the door. "Get in." The man says simply.

  She isn't sure if it's a command or a simple statement. "I said I wasn't in the mood."

  Amelia is stuck in between what her pride is telling her needs to happen and what her entire body wants. She doesn't want him. She just wants to sleep as good as she did after they had sex.

  The man can't see her face as she speaks but knows that he wants her again. He also knows that she'll give in.

  After a brief moment, she opens the passenger door and gets into the car before crossing her arms over her chest.

  Upon glancing over at her, he realizes that she looks like she's dying or something. He says nothing of this though, remembering that a man is to never tell a woman when she looks sickly or tired.

  He sets his jaw and begins to drive to his house, both of them sitting through the ride in silence.

                                      ••••

  Upon entering, she immediately realizes that something is different. She's pretty sure it's warm. Her hoodie is thin but it's all almost too warm as she's able to slip the clothing over her head and onto the couch.

  He walks over to the drink cart and makes himself a bourbon neat before clearing his throat, hinting that she should speak now.

  "Same as before." Amelia responds before taking a few steps toward the stairs.

  The man makes as she requests and hands it to her, his other hand going to her waist before pressing a kiss to her lips. He tasted like the liquid she was about to drink.