: What about My Offer?

Rosalind wrapped her body in a wide dry towel and sat on a chair near the mirror. The easiest decision was to accept Gabriel’s offer. She didn’t need to work hard anymore, even no need to work again. He even promised her to give a lesson to Jeremy, though she didn’t know what he would do.

Her mind pondered the option. It seemed Gabriel was sincere with his offer, but how long would it be? She heard Gabriel’s reputation as one of the wealthiest people in the capital. Many feared him because they heard he wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to get what he wanted. But many women also sought after him because of his wealth, power, and impressive look.

Gabriel’s skin was tan, although he was a Caucasian since his business was in transportation. Despite he had been successful, she heard he still worked outside, checking his business in so many places regularly. No one dared to mess with him. Since she knew Gabriel and his family were immigrants in her country, his success was even more impressive.

More women attracted to him because of his perfectly shaped body, sharp eyes, pointy nose, firm jaws, and kissable lips alone, but he ignored them all. There was gossip he rejected and humiliated some of the sexiest celebrities who wanted to lure him to have a one-night stand with them. Some said he was a gay.

Rosalind shook her head. After this morning, although she didn’t remember what happened last night, with all touches and kisses, she was sure Gabriel was a passionate man who loved women.

He could get any woman he wanted as easily as snapping fingers. But then, why did he offer her to be his lover? Gabriel didn’t need to pay anyone for having pleasures in his bed. Many even voluntarily offered themselves for that.

She knew it would complicate things. Despite Jeremy’s cheating on her, she was still his girlfriend. Before ending her relationship with him, it didn’t feel right to start a new relationship.

Rosalind took a deep breath. This one couldn’t be counted as a relationship. It was more of a transaction, a business. What else could she think? Since he offered her so many things in exchange for her willingness to be his.

There was a knock on the door. “Baby, are you okay?”

“I … I’m okay. I just need time to think.”

“You can think elsewhere, darling. I don’t want you to be cold in the bathroom.”

Rosalind let out a sigh. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Sure.”

Gabriel sounded like a nice and thoughtful man. Would it be foolish to turn down a rare offer like this? But then, she knew she couldn’t accept it since being his lover meant she would lose respect to herself. What could be worse than that?

After deciding, Rosalind fastened the towel around her body. Then she unlocked the door and faced Gabriel. He sat on a couch. This time, he already wore a white T-shirt and black shorts.

When Gabriel saw Rosalind, he reached out his hand in her direction. “Come here, darling.”

Rosalind strolled to approach Gabriel. Before she could sit, he wrapped his hands around her waist and brought her to sit on his lap. She tried to squeal and remove herself from his lap, but his grip on her waist was like steel that clamped her tiny waist.

“Let me go,” Rosalind hissed.

Gabriel stared at her. “Before I do that, I want to know your decision. What is your answer?”

“The answer is no.” She shook herself. “Though I found it was a tempting offer, I must decline.”

“Why? Do you think I’m too old for you?” Gabriel rubbed Rosalind’s waist.

Rosalind tilted her head a little. “How old are you? I didn’t think of your age at all.”

He chuckled and wrapped her waist tighter. “You are good for my ego, baby.” His thumb stroked the small of her back. “I’m 45 this year. How old are you, darling?”

“Twenty-three.”

Gabriel nodded. “Still so young, but strong. Since you didn’t find our age difference a problem, what then?”

“Being a mistress isn’t something I want. It will make me lose my pride and respect for myself.”

“Ah, prideful little thing aren’t you?” Gabriel chuckled again. “But if you accepted it easily, I would be disappointed.” He bent forward and kissed her lips in a long kiss. “I want you more, baby.”

“Gabe, it’s not a negotiation. I want to go home now. About last night ….” She looked elsewhere and let out a long sigh. “I take it as my mistake to get drunk. Despite it was my first time, I wouldn’t be your mistress because of that.”

Gabriel raised his eyebrow for a second, but then his expression was unreadable. His hand moved to her chest and tried to untie the towel knot there.

She shook her head and grabbed the towel tighter. “Gabe, I said no.”

“And I want to change your mind.” He kept holding the towel.

“With sex?” She widened her eyes.

He grinned. “Why not? You liked it. I know you do.”

“It’s a bad idea. I …” Rosalind let out a long sigh. “I haven’t ended things with Jeremy, and I can’t start something with anyone before everything’s clear.”

“Even after he has betrayed you?” Gabriel whistled. “Damn! He truly doesn’t deserve you. Your loyalty is misplaced, darling. You should be loyal to someone who is also faithful to you.”

“Gabe, please ….”

“Okay, then how long must I wait? I don’t mind waiting as long as I know the time frame.”

“Let me wear my clothes first. Then we can talk about it.”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait here.” Since Rosalind looked around to find her clothes, Gabriel said, “Your clothes are on the table next to the bed.”

So, Rosalind picked up her clothes and went to the bathroom to wear them. As he said, her clothes were on the table, folded neatly. There weren’t many creases. She put them on quickly and felt much better after wearing the clothes.

Later, Rosalind faced Gabriel in the bedroom. He wasn’t sitting on the couch, but on the bed. When he saw her, he grinned. “So?”

“So, what?” Rosalind asked.

“Will you end your relationship with Jeremy?”

Rosalind nodded. “Yes, for sure, though technically, it ended the moment he cheated on me.”

“Good! And after that?” He stared at her, hoping she would come to accept his offer right away because waiting longer wasn’t what he liked.

She took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “After that, I’ll continue with my life.”

Gabriel frowned because Rosalind didn’t give him the answer he wanted. “And what about my offer?”

: Say It Now

Rosalind took a seat on the couch. After taking a deep breath, she stared at Gabriel. “Gabe, I told you. I didn’t want to be your mistress.”

“Why not?”

“We know nothing about each other.”

Gabriel shook his head. “Wrong! I know enough to want you. Be mine, baby. You know, I don’t ask this to many women.” He creased his forehead while thinking. “You are the second woman I asked. So it’s a compliment.”

“So I need to say thanks?” she said sarcastically since she didn’t like what he implied.

Gabriel shrugged, not be offended at all with what she said. “I don’t expect your gratitude. I want you to be mine.”

“Gabe, you can’t have everything you want.”

“Really?” He raised his eyebrow. “I’ll make you mine in three days.”

She shook her head and let out a long sigh. “The more you insist, the more I will refuse.”

Gabriel laughed out loud until his head bent backward. “You only make things more interesting, darling. Are you playing hard to get? Is this a challenge?”

“No! I don’t play any games and it’s not a challenge!”

“Then why?” He stared at her for a few seconds. “Do you prefer younger men?”

“I have never thought I have any preference about age.” She shrugged. “Also, I don’t think you are old.”

He grinned, satisfied with what she said. “Okay. So why don’t you want to be mine?”

“I’m not a toy. I’m not your plaything or anyone’s.”

“Rose, I have never thought of you as a toy or plaything. I always think of you as a sexy and beautiful woman that I want to cherish and pamper.”

“By making me your mistress?” Her voice rose higher. “Isn’t it the opposite of what you said?”

“Mistress? No. I don’t need a mistress.” Then he raised his eyebrow. “The opposite? How so? If you are my lover, it’s nothing wrong if I want to give you anything you want. You need money, don’t you?”

“Gabriel, I warn you!” Rosalind shook her head swiftly. “Don’t talk to me like that!”

“Like what?”

“Like ….” Her fist clenched because she was furious. She couldn’t say anything for a few seconds because of her emotion. “Like you treat me as a whore! I’m not a whore!”

“Oh, damn it! Should we repeat this again? I’m not treating you as a whore!” Gabriel emphasized the last sentence. “Giving you anything you want isn’t treating you as a whore, baby.”

“Stop calling me baby! I hate it!” She grunted, so upset to say anything else.

He clicked his tongue. “Fine! I won’t call you baby. What must I do so you will say yes?”

“Stop it! I won’t say yes!” She couldn’t believe it. Gabriel could be as stubborn as a mule. How she wished he would accept her decision and leave her alone.

“There’s where you’re wrong, darling. You will be mine. Mark my words.”

“What will you do?” She glared at him. “I’ll leave now. Let’s forget this conversation.” Then Rosalind picked up her handbag from the table next to the bed and walked to the door.

Gabriel didn’t move to stop her. Part of her felt a disappointment because for a moment, Gabriel’s offer made her feel he wanted her badly. But then, seeing how he did nothing to stop her made her think he wasn’t serious about his offer.

When she held the door and pulled it, the door didn’t move, even a bit. Rosalind frowned and tried to check the handle. She was shocked when she heard Gabriel’s voice behind her. He already walked at her without her noticing. Maybe because she was too busy with her thought until she didn’t pay attention to his steps.

“No need to pull anymore. You can’t leave the apartment.”

“What?! But—”

“It’s locked, and no matter how hard you try to pull it, the door won’t open.”

Rosalind turned her body, only to find Gabriel stood an inch from her. She tried to push his chest, but again, it was a useless attempt. He didn’t budge, even a bit. He even blocked her body with both of his arms and body to the door, caging her on the spot.

“Say yes first to my offer, and I’ll let you have access to my apartment.”

“No! I said no! Can’t you respect my wishes?”

He lifted his hand to rub her cheek. “Mostly, I always get what I want. So name your price, darling, and it’ll be yours.”

“I—”

Before Rosalind could say something, Gabriel already kissed her lips and touched her body. She couldn’t think straight when he did that. So he touched her more, and she moaned and panted.

“Gabe ….”

“Yes, darling?”

“You don’t play fair.”

“It’s all fair in love and war.” He grinned, inserted his hand into her clothes, and removed the hook of her bra.

“But we are not in love.” Her breath was faster because he touched the side of her breast. “Gabe ….”

“Don’t say no. I know you like it.” Then he unfastened three of her top buttons and bent his head to kiss her cleavage. Licking her breast, he massaged it until she squirmed.

“Gabe!”

Gabriel grinned. “Yes, darling. I will give you what you want, but you must say yes first.”

“No ….”

“I know you didn’t mean it.”

“I ….”

That’s when Gabriel opened all Rosalind’s buttons, yanked the black shirt, and pushed it from her body until she didn’t wear it anymore. He removed her bra too, and without wasting more time, he licked the bud of her breast.

She squeezed his hair while moaning. “Gabe … oh ….”

He brought her back to his bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. Later, he didn’t stop torturing her body until she pleaded with him.

“Please, Gabe ….”

“Say it, darling.”

“I can’t ….”

“Yes, you can. Just say it.”

This time, he unzipped the zipper of her black trousers and removed the trousers. It was only her tiny panties that covered her body. In a few seconds, Gabriel removed it too, and she was naked.

Later, she pulled his T-shirt over his head. He gladly helped her. Then her hand moved to his trousers, but she didn’t dare to remove it.

Gabriel whispered, “Do you want to remove it, darling?”

Her face was crimson. She looked elsewhere because she was too embarrassed to ask. However, Gabriel couldn’t hold himself anymore, so he stripped his trousers and boxers too. Both of them were naked as when they were born.

He touched the apex of her thighs and inserted his thumb a little to check it. Grinning wider because he found it wet, he removed the thumb and inserted his pointer finger instead. Her moan was louder, and she widened her thighs aside to give access to Gabriel’s fingers.

But then he stopped. “Say it, darling. Say it now!”