Chapter 6 & 7

Will’s eyes went wide. His eyebrows shot into his hairline. They stared at each other for a few seconds. Emma knew exactly that it was a steep price for just one night. But she had no choice.

“Why not? This night has been strange enough,” Will said. He got up from the bed, still very naked. He laughed as Emma looked away.

Emma felt her face flush. Rough fingers gripped her chin, and Will pulled her face so that she was looking up at him. The danger is his eyes was back. A violent storm raged in them, and Emma found herself wishing she’d been caught in that storm rather than the one she ran through yesterday.

“So, Emma,” he inched closer to her face. “Did you enjoy yourself last night?” he smirked, hot breath hitting her ear.

Emma wanted to slap the smug smile off of his face.

“I don’t understand why that matters,” she managed to whisper. As much as she hated it, her body responded to his in a way she couldn’t control.

“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” He ignored her question.

“Y..yes. I did,” she breathed.

“Tell me how much you liked it,” he pulled her in closer.

His movements and the way he spoke were intoxicating to her. She was beginning to forget why she was there.

Emma felt her temperature rising. Part of her screamed to give in, and just let him have his way with her. The real world was waiting for her. A world where she had no one to count on and nowhere to go. But in this room, a sexy, rich stranger wanted her. For whatever reason, but he did. But he was also an egotistical playboy who thought she was a sex worker.

“Tell me how much you want me, Emma.” He backed them into a wall.

Every inch of her body was pinned by his. His fingers played with the exposed parts of her skin, sending sparks through her blood. The bathrobe was the only thing between them. It was her shield. She was sure that if that bathrobe was gone, he would have won this battle and she’d be pinned underneath him.

“What I want,” Emma whispered with the last bit of willpower she had left, “is the $50,000 you agreed to pay me.”

Will chuckled and pulled away from her.

“You are bad at this,” he answered. “All right then.” He sauntered over to where his clothes were discarded last night. “I’ll write you a check. You know, for dramatic effect.” He winked at her.

The fight still raged in Emma’s body as she attempted to settle her breathing. It was happening. *She saved herself.*

Will shrugged on a robe and dug out his checkbook and a pen. The pen descended closer to the blank check.

“What’s your full name?” he asked. All play was gone from his voice.

“Emma Skye Wells.”

Just as he was about to sign, his phone rang.

He glanced at it, and demeanor changed. Panic flashed in his eyes as he scrambled to answer it. Then he snatched it and ran to the other end of the room.

“Good morning, Pop,” Will picked up the phone and answered. His voice had lost all of his bad boy danger.

Emma was confused. She was questioning if he was even the same person from just a few moments ago. But an imposing voice boomed over the phone, which interrupted her thought. “William Anderson Stewart! You better have a good reason for missing the family meeting last night!”

“I was working late. It’s an important time for the company, and I wanted to be sure I got as much done as possible,” he lied.

Will’s eyes darted at Emma. Her hand had flown to mouth in an attempt to hide her amusement. He rolled his eyes and walked further away to keep her from hearing anymore.

*Who was this new Will? Pleasant, subservient?* She couldn’t help but giggle. *Rich people had problems.*

Will retreated to the bathroom so finish the conversation with his grandfather.

“I don’t believe you! You’re in some hotel holed up with some tart, aren’t you?”

“I’m not, Pop.” Will hated lying to his grandfather. But he hated to disappoint him even more. His grandfather helped him after losing Grace two years ago. *He saved me from myself.*

“I don’t believe you. Will, why must we continue to do this? You promised me that you’d bring home a nice girl. You’re going to inherit the company. There’s a responsibility that comes with that. You need to find a girl to settle down with or I will find one for you.”

“Pop!”

“Don’t ‘Pop’ me. It’s time to make some changes in your life William. It’s for your own good,” his voice softened. “I won’t watch you destroy yourself. Not again.”

“I’ll do better,” Will promised.

“You don’t have a choice. If you mess up again, I’m cutting you off.” his grandfather replied. “Get your act together. See you tonight.”

“P—.” His grandfather hung up before he could say anything more.

Will ran his hands through his hair. “Ugh!” he groaned in frustration.

What was he supposed to do? An arranged relationship? What was this, 1937?

He emerged from the bathroom. His eyes bright with fresh irritation.

Emma was surprised to see him in such a state. Had he changed his mind? *Was he still going to pay her?* “So… my check?” she said with false bravado.

Will stared at her. Emma looked at the guy who's stepping towards her with an ambiguous smile. She stepped backwards in fear. *What happened here? Did she just annoyed him?*

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled. He went to the discarded checkbook, but a plan dawned in his mind.

Emma. She was plain, non-threatening and really good at this “nice girl” act. He’d have to spruce her a bit, but she could be his salvation. He was enlightened.

Dread began to flutter in Emma’s stomach, as Will stared at her. A mischievous sort of joy shone in his eyes. And she didn’t like it. The wheels were turning in his mind, and she wasn’t sure how well that would bode for her.

“So, our agreement?” Emma tried again. Will sauntered back towards her.

“You know,” he teased. “I think $50,000 is a bit too pricey for just one night.”

Emma panicked. She had to get that money. He had already agreed to pay her. He could back out of their deal. Could he? Who could Emma even call for something like this? It doubtful that the police would help her. What did actual sex workers do in cases like this? She was beginning to spiral.

“But I,” Emma stammered.

Will held up a finger to stop her, “Relax. I’ll pay you. But I need a favor first.”

“A favor?”

“Yes. And then you’ll get your money.”

She wanted to throw something at him. That dumb, smug smile on his face made her crazy. He was so pleased with himself. And she had no choice but to go along with it. This plan had gone off the rails. But if she was being honest with herself, it wasn’t great plan to begin with.

“Fine,” she crossed her arms over her chest. “What favor?”

“You’ll know when we get there. Get dressed.” He winked at her, and dashed off to put his clothes on.

Several minutes later, they were back in Will’s extravagant car. Emma cringed at the water stains she’d left behind. She clutched her ruined bag in her lap. Apprehension took hold of her. What had she agreed to?

Will watched her shrink into herself, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“You need to relax. I’m not a serial killer.”

“Right,” Emma forced a laugh.

Will seemed almost jovial. She took the time to look at him. In the daylight, his features were easier to see. She remembered how her fingers ran through his thick, dark, wavy hair, and how she’d been pressed against his golden skin.

In the sunlight, his eyes were honey colored. *Maybe they change color with his emotions,* she mused. Sweet honey now, but she recalled how dark they had become when he was overcome with lust. The thought made her shiver.

The buildings they passed were becoming swankier and swankier. They pulled up to a lavish store front. Will pulled the car over and attendants swarmed over the car.

“We’re here,” Will said. He handed the keys over to one of the attendants, while another assisted Emma out of the car. They were escorted into the building. Emma was floored by what she saw. The most beautiful clothing perfectly displayed. Flowing dresses, smart suits, coordinated outfits surrounded her.

“William!” Someone called with glee. “How lovely to see you!” A beautiful man approached them. He was dressed in a pink suit, and his long hair was tied in a sleek ponytail.

Will greeted him with a small smirk and a nod. Jason enveloped Will in a brief hug before looking down at Emma.

“What have we got here?” Jason looked her up and down.

“This is Emma,” Will answered. Emma was in a daze as she took in her surroundings. *What was this place?*

“Well, hello Emma,” Jason took her hand and kissed it. Emma flushed.

“Hello,” she looked up at Will. “What are we doing here?”

“She’s… um… different,” Jason smiled weirdly. “Has your taste in women changed?”

Will rolled his eyes. “I need her ready in about an hour,” he said, ignoring the question.

“Ready? Ready for what?” Emma asked, her confusion growing. Will ignored her.

“So, what sort of sexual goddess are we turning her into?” Jason asked with a flourish.

“No. I need her to look like a nice girl. Someone Pop would like.”

Jason laughed. “Honey, you’d have to resurrect Princess Diana for that. You want me to turn her into the Duchess of Wales?”

“Correct.” Will pat Jason on the shoulder and strode off.

Jason shook his head in disbelief. But he was never one to back down from a challenge.

“Ugh. He’s lucky he’s so fine.” He turned his attention back to Emma. “All right then, darling. We’ve got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Please come this way.”

Jason wrapped his arm around Emma’s shoulder and led her to a dressing room. It was decorated with elegant, ornate chairs and curtains. Everything was in rich shades of red and gold. Her head swam with the majesty of it all. First the hotel and now this. What had her life become? *Sabrina would never believe this.*

“Okay, Emma. William has given me the monumental challenge of transforming you into an elegant, classy, and tasteful lady of society in under an hour. Help me out here. What do you like?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Emma said, still dazed. “I can’t afford any of this.”

“Oh, sweetheart. You’re not buying anything.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. Jason sat in front of her, and pat her head.

“You really aren’t like the other ones. Okay. This is how this works. You pick things out. Any things. All of the things if that’s what you’d like. And then William buys it.”

“Just like that?” Emma was stunned.

“You seem to be a bit over your head. So, this is how we’ll do it. I,” he gestured dramatically to himself, “will pick some options for you, and we’ll try them on. What you like, you can keep. How does that sound?”

“Do I have to?” Emma asked.

“I think you do,” Jason answered. “You wait here. I’ll be right back.” He whisked out of the dressing room, leaving Emma speechless.

Jason was so confused. What was William up to? This girl was nothing like the ones he had brought before. And he wanted someone to impress his grandfather? This is new.

Usually, William just needed someone passable for an event or party. An enticing temptress was his usual type. Will never wanted to be seen unless it was with the most desirable woman around. Now he wanted an elegant princess. Jason laughed. It was like one of those romance novels he loved so much. The billionaire playboy falls in love with the poor, shy girl. The prince finds his Cinderella.

“I guess that makes me the fairy godmother,” Jason mused aloud to himself. He returned to Emma with loads of gorgeous garments.

“Is that all for me?”

“It’s for you to try on, honey. Now come on. I cannot stand to see you in these rags any longer.”

Emma crossed her arms over her body. Was he really expecting her to strip in front of him?

Jason realized her apprehension and laughed, “Oh, baby girl no. You don’t have worry about me. You are not my type. I’d rather watch William strip, if you get what I mean,” he smiled.

“Oh! No, I figured that, it’s just that…”

“I see. That’s all right, darling. You’re a modest girl. Nothing wrong with that. And I have to wonder how you and my sweet William met. You are not like any girl he’s ever brought me.”

Emma did not want to answer this. Shame had bloomed in her, “It’s a… um… complicated story.”

“I’ll bet it is,” Jason answered. But Emma obviously didn’t want to say anything more.

“Well, all right then my dear. Let’s turn you into a lady for Willia Stewart.”