Page 11 of The Good Girl

“Pack everything up and send it here.” He passed her a card with what I guess was an address, before leading me out of the store. I’d left my old suit on the dressing room floor and was now wearing a smart evening dress. One of the last things I’d tried on.

My hair felt light and full as it bounced around my shoulders and down my back in layers. I’m no expert but I was pretty sure my hair had never been so well cared for. The stylist hadn’t taken off too much, just the dead ends that had been hanging on for dear life.

Someone else had worked on my makeup and I was now the proud owner of an expensive line of products that would’ve cost me a whole month’s pay, at my new pay grade.

With my new hair, expert makeup job and wearing a dress that looked like it had been tailored for me I felt worthy enough to walk next to him.

Dinner that first night was in a private room at an upscale restaurant that I’d seen photographed in a swanky magazine. It was one of those places that catered only to the rich and famous.

I don’t think I’d said more than two words in the hours since I left his office. Even sitting there like a pampered doll, I still wasn’t brave enough to broach a conversation. Where would I start?

Besides, I don’t think he would’ve appreciated the questions I had in mind. Like did he treat all his conquests this way? Yeah, I’m sure that would go over well.

“You’re very quiet and unassuming, I like that.” I lifted the glass of wine he’d poured to hide my nervousness but I don’t think it worked.

“Not too much of that, we have a long night ahead of us.” My eyes flew to his face. What did he mean? Was he…?

“Relax, it’s better to get it over and done with. The sooner I take your virginity the sooner you’d get over the fear of the unknown.” Well how was I supposed to choke down the Duck a l’orange he ordered after those words?

I picked at my meal with my stomach in knots. I wasn’t surprised that there was no question that I would see this night through. I’d accepted while sitting in the stylist’ chair that the whole day was like something taken from my most private inner thoughts. I’d secretly wanted this, but had convinced myself that it wasn’t possible so I’d pretended to myself that I didn’t care.

I didn’t foresee the contract and the fashion show, but all in all I couldn’t say I was surprised. I’d never heard of him doing this with anyone else, but with the privacy clause it was no wonder.

The meal was cleared away and we stood to leave. The pressure of his hand in the small of my back was a constant reminder that he now owned me. And why didn’t that thought scare me? Why instead of anxiety did I feel only exhilaration?

I wasn’t interested in all the material benefits I stood to gain from my alliance with him. My only interest was in the man himself. Would he live up to the ideal I had in my head? Or would he fall short? Somehow I didn’t think so.

In the car he didn’t sit too close, didn’t crowd me the way you would expect a man on his way to deflower a woman would. He kept to his side seemingly relaxed while I was a mass of nervous energy.

“We’re here.” Here was a house set back from the street on a well manicured lawn. It was too dark out to see much of my surroundings once the driver opened the door, but I didn’t think this was where Jonas Harp lived.

It looked more like the home a new up and coming married couple who made good enough money but wasn’t ready for the grand house would choose. It was well kept whatever it was and from the outside looked relatively new. He unlocked the door and led the way inside and towards the back where we came to a bedroom.

The only light was that of the moon as it peered through the windows that framed one wall. “Through that door is the bathroom you can freshen up in there. I’ll use the guest bathroom down the hall.”

He removed his tie as he said this and my eyes went to the room in question. He was gone when I turned back around and I walked to the bathroom. I always thought this night would go differently. I’d envisioned a wedding, a huge party, and a plane ride after. Preferably somewhere over the ocean, all culminating in some appropriately designed hotel room with a corny heart shaped bed and a Jacuzzi. My honeymoon in other words.

Instead, I was here. Granted the venue wasn’t what I’d imagined, but I wouldn’t trade the man for all of that and a trip around the world. I stepped into the room and hit the lights. There was everything you could possibly need there, fit for a spa more than a private home. I looked at the sunken tub but thought better of it. Though a nice long soak my help to relax me he was right. It was better to get this first time over and done with.

As I dropped my clothes on the floor and reached in to turn on the water I had the sudden thought that I’d sold my virginity to the highest bidder. But it wasn’t like that. I was genuinely interested in him. Before him, I’d never had any interest in taking the leap from innocent to kept woman. Not that I’d planned to go to the grave a virgin, it just wasn’t something I gave too much thought to.

I took my time with my shower, paying special attention to the pertinent parts. That glass of wine at dinner had gone a long way to helping me relax and by the time I switched the water off I had made peace with my choice as unorthodox as it was.