Chapter 7

Callie

“It's you!” I hissed, conscious to keep my voice down. Without thinking, I wrapped my fingers around his wrist and dragged him further into a corner.

“What are you doing here? Are you trying to stalk me?”

While I was getting all anxious, hoping that whoever had bought me didn't come at a bad time finding me talking to another man, he just stood there with a smile on his face his eyes aflame with potent desire.

I flush, taking a step back as I tried not to react.

Now that we were barely a couple of feet away from each other, the memory of the kiss that I hastily swept under the rock, burying it under the stress of performing for the first time came rushing forward.

How his rock hard body was pressed up against mine, his soft lips…

I had to shake myself lightly to get those thoughts off.

“Well, are you going to say something or just keep smiling at me like a lunatic?” I blurt out, flustered.

If I was trying to admonish him that quickly went south because his smile widened. “Ooh, you've got spunk too. I love that!” Without my consent, he almost closed the distance between us, looking into my eyes as he tucked a tendril over my ear.

In all my 26 years on Earth, I had never met someone who made me this hot and bothered…and trust me I've dated my share of attractive men.

“Can you stop touching me I'm supposed to be waiting for my…” I trailed off, unable to bring myself to say that.

“Oh, I know…that's why I'm here.” He purred,

His eyes darkening as they dropped to my lips.

What happened while I was dancing on the stage happened again, the entire world falling away and it was like we were trapped in our own little bubble.

He closed the distance between us, his head dropping to kiss me and I…almost let it happen.

I didn't know how but I managed to summon strength and move back. “Please…you can't…”

Just then someone's voice broke the bubble surrounding us. “Mr Bloom, there you are! I was wondering if…” her voice trailed off when the stranger moved to the side, revealing me.

It was the manager we were introduced to earlier, her name was Sheila. “Oh, never mind, I can see you've already found her. If you'll please follow me…”

Still confused at what was happening I followed the my steps hesitant as Sheila directed us to a small room where there was an open contract lying on the table. “As you all know, both of you are well versed in the terms of the contract so now Mr Bloom will go ahead to proceed for the payment and then once your one week is up, you'll get your money…” she directed that last part to me.

It was all starting to click into place when I watch the mystery guy bend in front of me to scribble something on the contract.

It was him!

No wonder he was so friendly with me…he's the buyer that have been waiting for all this time!

Snapped out of my shock, Sheila made a gesture for me to come sign and I shuffled my feet in a daze, picking up the pen that Mr Bloom was holding and I signed, sealing my fate.

“Well then, I guess I'll leave you to it.” Sheila had on a friendly but polite smile. “It's always a pleasure doing business with you, sir.” she shook his hand, ignoring me as she walked out, leaving the two of us together.

Again.

Is it too late to find a way out of this?

Left with the man whose name I have now discovered to be Mr Bloom, I couldn't say anything, feeling tongue tied.

After all, what do you say to the man who literally purchased you for a week like you were an item?

“What now?” I croaked out, managing to let the word out.

“I should be asking you that but… how about we start by you telling me your name?” He asked, keeping a safe distance from me.

“It's Callista but most of my friends call me Callie.”

“So can I call you Callie too?” Those eyes were fixed on me.

Folding my arms across my chest, I shook my head. “No, I don't think so.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”

I wasn't sure why I got worked up but for some reason, his calm attitude towards me and the way he feigned caring about who I was rather than focusing on what I represented to him…. it stung me deeply.

“Because we're not friends Mr Bloom!” I replied, my nostrils flaring. “

Don't forget where we're standing… you placed a price on my head and because of that, I now belong to you for a certain period of time.

I don't know what you might be used to but I'm not one of those girls who have bend over backwards just because-” I cut my words off, aware that I'd already said too much and spoken out of turn.

Mr Bloom was silent for a long time but even with my head bowed, I could still feel his eyes on me.

“My name is Denys…when were in the midst of people, you can call me Mr Bloom but otherwise I prefer you call me by my name, is that okay?”

I nod, still holding my tongue while I rolled his name around in my mouth.

Denys…

It fits him.

Strong, powerful and commanding.

Somehow the strange name was perfect for a man like him.

Braving a glance at him, I perked from beneath my lashes only to find him still staring at me.

“What happens now?” I ask.

He blinks. “Now you go home and wash all that glitter off your body. My assistant will be in touch with you and when it's time, I'll send a car and I'll get what I paid for but right now… you go home, Callista.”

And he walks out.