The Proposition (Hush Hush Duet #2.5)

Chapter 2

Two

I say it louder than I mean to and flinch when I notice the aghast look on the woman seated at a table near us. She must’ve heard me.

“Yes, I do.” James smirks, unbothered by the looks. He says it so matter of factly that I don’t know what to think. My first thought is that I’m not satisfying him completely. My second is how long has he been considering this?

James wants to share me.

With Reece.

Again.

And I think back to that phone call. It must have been Reece he was talking to.

“You take her first...”

Lust throbs between my legs at the memory from years ago.

The waiter returns at the worst possible time to review specials on the menu. I study my husband, listening to the server but not hearing what he’s saying. I’m not opposed to the idea of bringing Reece back for a cameo. I assumed after we married that we weren’t inviting anyone into our bed. What would this do to our marriage? I’m attracted to Reece, but in the heat of the moment, could James handle seeing my lust for another man? His best friend? This isn’t some guy we’ll never see again. Reece also happens to be a major donor for my charity.

If this is what James desires, his initial hesitation and the need for alcohol confuse me. My overthinking mind is having a field day. He has to know I’d give this to him in the end, right?

“Reece is okay with this?” I ask once the waiter leaves.

“Reece is the one who suggested the reunion,” he says. “There’s an adults-only resort on the island that’s clothing optional. Each suite has its own private hot springs pool. Volcanoes and waterfalls surround the land. We can even hike if you want. Reece will be there for a few days, but he’ll only be with us one night. Otherwise, it’s you and me.”

“Hiking? I’m not the type to hike. I don’t even own sneakers. The only thing I want biting me is you. Not the damn mosquitos.”

He tries not to laugh and shrugs. He knows I’m not the type to do any sort of exercise unless it’s on his dick.

“I’m just giving you options.”

I have another sip of my drink and just decide to down the whole thing in one shot. James is always whisking me away any chance he gets. I love that he wants me to be with him when he gets wanderlust. With each trip, we try to do something new and adventurous that we normally wouldn’t do. He’s not into hiking either, but if I wanted to, he would also. I place the glass on the table and lick my lips in anticipation. James hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he’s stated what he wants. He stares at me. I feel like he’s trying to read my thoughts before I answer.

“If it’s not something you want to do again, you can say so and everything will be the same. Nothing will change. I’m still taking you to Belize regardless.”

“It wouldn’t make you mad to see your wife have sex with another guy?”

“Valentina isn’t my wife.” James leans into the table. “My wife is off-limits. To everyone.”

The corners of my mouth curve at his correction. Deep down I know that if I didn’t want to take part in a threesome, James would drop the subject and never bring it up again. But why not? We’ve done it before. And I like pleasing my husband. Pleasing my husband pleases me. I want to give him what he wants and be the woman who fulfills his every desire. Even if that means seeing me get rammed by his best friend. But I also don’t want to put our relationship in jeopardy.

I tilt my head to the side. Normally James has rules for Valentina. “What are the rules?”

“He can’t call you Aubrey, and you can’t orgasm with him.”

He says it so quick that I let out a laugh. “No wonder you want Valentina for this.”

His eyes grow heavy with love. “Your orgasms are mine,” he says.

Leaning in, I whisper, “ You’re mine and only mine. Forever.”

“Having Reece with us is nothing more than a little fun.” He leans in and lowers his voice. “I want to see his mouth on your pussy and watch his tongue taste what I taste. I want Reece to devour you so I can be the one to take you over the edge.”

I swallow, pretending not to feel the tingle of lust run down my spine. James knows all my buttons. He’s the best lover—and husband—I could have asked for. But two guys? A pulse of sin strums through my blood.

“You really want this? Enough that you’re willing to barter with me?” I ask, looking straight in his eyes.

“Yes.”

“So you’ll go to the top of the Empire State building with me for a night of debauchery?”

He chuckles, and damn, how it makes my belly flutter. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. His eyes twinkle with mirth. James is terrified of heights.

“If that’s what you want.”

I’d never do that to him, so I’ll have to come up with another idea.

“Reece is a sloppy kisser,” I tell him. “Maybe you could enforce a rule that there’s a two-drink maximum. I don’t want to feel like a dog is licking my mouth again. Unless that’s how he always kisses,” I say, my face scrunching up.

James barks out a laugh.

The waiter deposits a set of new drinks to the table then leaves.

“I have one last request if you agree to this,” James says.

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

“Don’t tell Natalie.”

My jaw drops for the second time tonight. “You know we share everything.”

“Try to refrain this time. At least don’t let me hear that you told her. I don’t love my daughter knowing the details of our sex life, to be honest.”

“Fair enough.”

To the outside world, maybe it is a little strange we talk about those things, but Natalie already knew about her dad’s sexual escapades when she discovered he was a member of Sanctuary Cove, the high-end escort service she and I worked at together. Only, James doesn’t know his daughter used to be a prostitute also.

“So what do you say?” he asks.

While James is in the shower, I head downstairs to my favorite room in our home to clear my mind so I can give him an answer.

After we left the restaurant, we didn’t continue talking about the proposition. James said he didn’t want to pressure me into making a hasty decision only to regret it later, which I appreciate. But to say that he caught me off guard is an understatement. I was shocked. Taken aback. Having sex with Reece is the last thing I ever thought James would ask me to do.

I think back to that one night James and Reece shared me. Even now, the same white-hot heat rushes through my blood recalling how I reached for James while his friend was deep inside me. I squeeze my thighs at the memory of their tongues caressing my pussy together, how they pushed my knees open and brought me to the edge of the world. I shouldn’t be turned on by any other man but my husband. But in this moment, I am. Guilt prickles the inside of my chest. The combination of the two of them devouring my body was lethal. I was vulnerable under them, exposed in ways I’d never been, and I loved every second of it. I haven’t thought about that night in a while, and now that I am, a part of me wants that again. Being Valentina showed me how to confidently own my power and sexuality. Only, I hadn’t known it at the time the way I do now.

Slowly climbing up the stairs toward me is my grammy’s cat—my constant companion after she passed away. I reach down for Lucy, snuggling the elderly kitty against my cheek. Her purring makes me smile. I want to give James every part of me, but I’m conflicted. If I agree, will James think I want his friend? Because I don’t. I’m satisfied never sharing Valentina again. But marriage isn’t about what only I want. Marriage is compromise and understanding your partner’s needs. The love I have for my husband is more than I could ever put into words. James is my heartbeat. He deserves the world, and I want to give it to him. Valentina is who brought us together. If James wants to replicate that evening with my alter ego, I don’t want to deny him, or us, that experience. I like becoming Valentina. She unlocked my sexual prowess, allowed me to come into my skin and be comfortable with who I am. I get to exercise a certain freeness when I’m her.

Once I officially quit escorting, I had made so much money I didn’t know what to do with it other than go on shopping sprees with Natalie. And boy did we ever. Finally money wasn’t an obstacle for me. We were in our early twenties living our best lives shopping on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan then charting off to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to do more damage. That summer in LA was one for the books.

As odd as it may sound, I’m grateful for the time I spent working at Sanctuary Cove. I don’t have any regrets. When I ran into Madame Christine a couple of years later and told her the name for my nonprofit was inspired by her establishment, I’d never seen her smile so big. She lit up like a star. I wouldn’t have Sanctuary if it wasn’t for her.

I hold the furball close and round the corner to the custom room James had renovated for me when I moved into his brownstone. I need to clear my mind of these intrusive thoughts so I can make a conscientious decision. Lucy helps me feel close to Grammy.

My hand palms the green glass knob, and I step inside my oasis. Miss Dior perfume lingers subtly in the air. The soft floral, feminine scent brings a smile to my face. James purchased the largest bottle he could find. It’s a stylish accent piece sitting on the counter near my vanity. He even bought the silk headscarf Natalie Portman wears in the advertisement. I draped it over the bottle. Something about it always reminded me of Grammy.

The room is illuminated by the extra-large, black ostrich feather chandelier hanging by a brass metal base on the ceiling. It’s girly yet exudes opulence and glamour. After I expressed how much I loved ostrich feathers, James had it shipped from Europe. Then he hired an interior designer, and we built a closet around it. It’s a beauty room even Carrie Bradshaw would envy. As a billionaire, he spares no expense, and it shows. James loves to spoil me. Most little girls dream of a closet fit for a princess, with purses, gorgeous designer gowns, and high heels stacked from floor to ceiling in every color. James gave me the queen’s version of my princess dreams. Chanel purses, Christian Louboutin skyscraper high heels, and glittering couture dresses.

I peer down at Lucy’s aging eyes and kiss her nose with mine. “You know all of my secrets by now,” I say quietly, more to Grammy than her cat. “I wish you could’ve met James. He’s incredible. You would’ve loved him. He treats me exceptionally well. He’s all you and my parents would’ve wanted for me.”

Lucy nestles deeper into the crook of my arm and hums.

“I’m sure you can see my dilemma. I could use some advice.”

The last time I was in here was right before a fundraiser I hosted that raised over two million dollars. I’d been anxious. We were raising money for the largest children’s coalition in the five boroughs. Not every child is as lucky as I to have had a grammy like mine to raise me after my parents died. Many are placed in the system and in need of basic essentials that the city can’t afford to pay. Grammy inspired me to be generous and give love unconditionally.

So when I need to channel my inner diva to help raise money, this is where I go. I put on my That Girl playlist, give myself a pep talk, massage shimmery lotion into every inch of my body, then dress to impress. And voila , Valentina appears. Valentina didn’t just give James the freedom to explore his darker side. She gave me the confidence to accomplish my ambitions. She reminds me to be strong and walk with a crown on my head.

I sweep my gaze around the lavish Old Hollywood–style room. It’s mostly black and white with touches of antique gold. Drapes are held open by three ropes of pearls. There’s a velvet chair pushed in at my vanity table. The corners of my mouth curve at the words written in the bottom right corner. James snuck in and wrote I 3 U in fire hydrant red lipstick before he took me out for Valentine’s Day. I never erased the love note.

A meow catches my attention. Lucy paws at my face softly, and I smile. I swear can feel my Grammy’s presence. I miss her so much.

“I never thought I’d be coming to you for sex advice, Grammy,” I mumble to myself. My gaze falls on the rose gold necklace Grammy gifted me that I put on display. “The decision to accept the proposition doesn’t change my feelings for James. The issue lies with me. James asked me to become Valentina, but it feels wrong having sex with another man even if my husband wants to watch. I feel like I’m cheating. I love James unconditionally, but this?—”

I stop myself.

There should never be a “but” following unconditionally.

I know James loves me without restriction, or he wouldn’t have accepted my history as a sex worker.

I open the pocket doors to the stylish windows that display my favorite garments, among them the maxi dress I wore the first time I met James in Bryant Park. I’ll never forget his compliments and the way he had me glowing from the inside. Beside it is my wedding dress and a corset made of powder milk tulle, cream pearls, and Swarovski crystals. I tug the next door open. The rod is lined with tweed, crocodile skin, studded jackets, and bustiers. There’s clothing for every mood and season.

Then, I turn to the island that stores my jewelry and lingerie and eye the exquisite diamond-encrusted head chain displayed along with the two-inch wide matching choker. The pads of my fingers graze the clear stones, and I contemplate how the Aubrey in me needed Valentina’s heat and pressure to help my brilliance shine through. Carefully, I lift the dainty piece off the mannequin, positioning the small branches full of diamond leaves over my hair. Then, I wrap the choker around me. Electricity tingles down my spine as I look at my reflection in the mirror with the crown on my head.

I’m not a materialistic person, though one may assume it by this room. Valentina transformed Aubrey from a broke college kid to a powerhouse of a woman who owns and manages multiple nonprofit organizations for homeless families in Manhattan. I’m a woman and a wife with the ability to bring powerful men to their knees. If it weren’t for Valentina, my life would be vastly different.

Reaching for the same lipstick James used, I paint my lips. Valentina is openminded and liberated. She loves sex. The world is her oyster. Valentina pushes Aubrey’s limits. She raises the stakes. Yet I have this nagging feeling in my stomach. The last ménage à trois with James and Reece was different because James and I weren’t married. Bringing a third person into the bedroom is a risk to my marriage, regardless of whether I’m Valentina or not.

I placing the lipstick back into the makeup caddy. Deep down, Valentina wants to play.

And she expects payment for her services.