about Hush got out. You’ll never be able to take me anywhere because I’ve had sex with people you work with. I’ve probably fucked some of your friends.”
All five of my fingers are up when Talent throws the bottle of water across the room. I’m pleasantly surprised by the show of aggression. Now maybe he understands I’m not the one he should put everything on the line for.
“That’s what you get with me, Talent.” I drop my hand and mentally prepare myself to be thrown out. I hoped we’d have more time together, but ending it while we’re ahead is for the best.
“Is getting paid for sex the worst thing you can come up with?” Talent asks. “Lawyers are called devil’s advocates for a reason, Lydia. Nothing fucking surprises me. Not even a prostitute.”
I roll my eyes and scoff. “Please, you’re a business lawyer. That hardly makes you an expert on the slimy part of humanity.”
“The girls have a choice, right? You have a choice?” Talent steps around the kitchen counter. He doesn’t approach me, but we’re closer together and my heart beats in anticipation of his nearness. “She doesn’t traffic women? They work with Inez of their own free will?”
“Of course, it’s a choice. What the hell do you think this is? She’s not a monster.”
“And if you wanted to quit, would she try to stop you?” he asks. “Would she let you go if you were ready to start a new life?”
I’m not convinced Inez would let me, in particular, go without a fight, but the other girls are allowed to move on when they decide it’s time. Fortunately and unfortunately, there’s never a shortage of women willing to put their values on the line for quick cash. When one goes, there’s always another ready to pick up where she left off.
“She’d never force anyone to put their bodies up for sale. That’s ridiculous.” I cross my arms over my chest, defensive of Inez. She isn’t a gold star member of society, but she cares about her girls the only way she knows how. “Inez has strict guidelines, but everyone’s allowed to come and go as they please.”
He exhales and says, “Then you’re already better than the people I know.”
“Who do you know?” I ask speculatively.
Talent pushes away from the kitchen counter and drops to his knees in front of me, placing his hands on either side of the couch cushion beside my legs. “I’m not the man you think I am, Lydia. I don’t know how to explain it to you beyond that right now. What I can say is that I’m constantly surrounded by people, but I never feel seen unless I’m with you.”
Softening up, I uncross my arms and meet his penetrating stare. It’s hard for me to admit, but I dig deep and whisper, “Me too.”
“I don’t have the answers, but give me the chance to learn, baby.” He rests his forehead on the top of my knees. I bury my fingers in his hair. “If you want an education, I’ll take care of you while you do it. I’ll be your family. Let me deal with any motherfucker who dares mention your past when you’re with me. No one will threaten you if we’re together, Lydia.”
I scratch his scalp and chuckle. “My past? Talent, I’m the same whore today as I was when I walked into your office two months ago.”
He lifts his head from my lap and shakes his head. “No.”
Inhaling through my nose, I part my lips to argue, but Talent crushes his mouth against mine and kisses me. Any argument I have perishes with the taste of passion.
“No,” he says again. “Not anymore.”
It would be effortless to lie and say I won’t return to Inez tomorrow to temporarily relieve his anxiety, but it’s not that simple and my word is my bond. I don’t have much to offer Talent. I’ve shared my body with more men than I will ever remember, and I’m not sure I can be a normal partner in any capacity. Talent needs to commit himself to someone who can stand beside him at business functions and client dinners without questioning if his girlfriend has fucked someone in the room. A relationship with me will never consist of a white picket fence and date nights while the babies sleep, because I scarcely pass as a functioning human being. How could I ever raise another soul?