Chapter 4. A Sinful Proposition

Cara’s eyes blazed with anger at hearing his cheap allegations. “Please don’t overwork your non-existent brain. I just came here to return the money. Goodbye,” she said, whirling around and heading towards the door.

Cara tried hard to open the main door and walk out, but to her dismay, the door didn’t at all budge. Sensing Marcus Donnelly's presence behind her, she tried harder, but the door just wouldn’t open.

“You’re wasting your energy, Cara. It’s auto-locked and I’m the only one who can open it,” he stated from right behind her. Cara stiffened, as she could feel his hot breath at the nape of her neck. She dared not turn around at all. Who did he think he was? How could he throw such baseless allegations at her? Just because she was poor, didn’t she possess any self-respect? Why would she need to sell her body for money?

“Then please open the door,” she said, a sense of panic settling at the pit of her stomach. Why was he not making any effort to set her free? The work she had come here for was already done. She had no other reason to stay here any longer. She didn’t want him to think she had come here for anything else! In fact, after today, she would never see him again!

“I won’t accept the money I already gave you, Cara,” he said in a solemn tone that made a tremor go down her body. She could feel his warmth as he inched closer to her. What was he up to?

She tried to jump away, still seething from his allegations. If he considered her so hateful, why couldn’t he just open the door and set her free?

“Please, can you open the door? We don’t need to see each other again in this life,” she said, trying to put more distance between them.

“I have a better proposition that you might like,” he said, his eyes flashing with desire as his glance swept over her body. Cara’s eyes widened, thinking about what he might think again in that crooked head of his.

“I’m not interested,” she said gruffly, but he closed the distance and came up right behind her.

A gasp of horror escaped her mouth when his fingers caught her by the arm and turned her around. Cara gasped, seeing his face a few inches away from hers. She refused to look up into his eyes in case he got the wrong message. Marcus released her and picked up her baby soft hand and placed the envelope upon it. Cara’s eyes flew up to his with confusion.

He held her gaze, his eyes dark, and searched hers minutely. What exactly was he trying to find in them? His touch caused a tremor to shoot up her traitorous body. She felt ashamed of her body’s reaction to the rude jerk! But why was he returning the money? It wasn’t hers. She hadn’t earned it and she had no wish to. If he hated her so much, why was he dragging the issue?

“I don’t want it, Mr. Donnelly. I didn’t earn it. Please let me go,” she started, but he released her hand immediately and interrupted her with a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

“Keep it. If you want to earn it, then do so. Who’s stopping you?” he asked, his gaze burning into hers, taking in her jaw-dropped stare.

“I have decided that I want to give you exactly what you came here for. Take the money as your pay for spending a day in my bed,” said Marcus, his eyes blazing with raw hunger.

His offer shocked Cara! Was he insane to insult her in this manner? Did she ever admit that she wanted to sleep with him? All she came here was to return the extra money. Was that a mistake?

“I’m sorry, Mr. Donnelly. I’d rather clean toilets than do what you want me to do,” she said, looking hurt and angry. She didn’t want to spend a single second in his company. How could he accuse her without knowing her? She placed the envelope on a side table and tried to walk away.

“Fine then, let’s see how long you can clean my house and toilets. If you change your mind, you know where to find me,” he said, looking furious as he walked away towards his art studio, leaving Cara staring at him with confusion. At that point in time, Cara was amazed at herself for even thinking about him before.

If only she had known his true colors, she would never have set foot here, not even to return him his money. She trudged to the kitchen to make breakfast to start with. She noted the empty alcohol bottles and glass and the dirty living room. That could wait a while! She would do all the work, cooking, and cleaning the whole day, and then go home once she paid the money off. She checked his pantry and refrigerator and set about making breakfast.

A strange sense of excitement shot through Marcus’s body seeing her decide to work for him instead of satisfying his need. He was confused by the stunt he pulled earlier. He did not know why he offered her se* when he hated having her around.

She was eight years younger and obviously not his type at all! But what surprised him was the way she rejected him to his face! He was the most gorgeous male species on earth and there wasn’t a woman born who didn’t fall for his charms. Then why didn’t this teenager accept what he was offering for such a lump sum amount of money? Maybe she wanted more money! Yes, that could be the only reason.

From the studio, he could see her in the kitchen, concentrating on her work.

“Let’s see how long you can keep on pretending!” he muttered, fidgeting with the brush and easel. He was amazed at himself for allowing her to stay back with him.

He was an elusive painter who always kept to himself, especially after Cassie’s betrayal. It made him able to concentrate more on trying to get over his painter’s block. But strangely, despite knowing her intentions, he didn’t want her to leave at all. The feel of her baby-soft hands had made him crave more. Was she that soft all over?

 He couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to thoughts of how it felt when her baby-soft, curvaceous naked body was crushed to his own. He hadn’t been able to drive away the images of that moment from his mind.

Marcus groaned at how hard the tortuous thoughts had already made him. How could he get this desperate? Maybe it was because he had been out of action for a month! He really needed to get laid soon. Maybe he had consumed more alcohol than his body could tolerate. This wasn’t normal. He couldn’t harbor sinful thoughts for a girl nearly eight years younger than him!

However, it was easier said than done. He expected her to give up and come over to him immediately, but she kept on and on in the kitchen without even giving him a look. Frustrated, he walked into the dining room and sat at the table with his laptop, but his eyes were glued to his prey in the kitchen. She had an understated grace as she effortlessly worked in the kitchen, deeply concentrating on her work.

He noted she had discarded the hideous denim jacket that might have belonged to her boyfriend. His eyes took in the soft pink top she wore. It was a size small for her and clung to her body like a second skin. The jeans were old and discolored from too much use, yet the way they clung to her curvy but*s, Marcus could assess their shape and size. She wasn’t skinny but curvy and very se*y indeed. He felt hot and to his horror, he could feel his growing ere*tion just at the sight of her!

He looked away and tried hard to concentrate on the email he received. It was from his mentor and teacher, Hugh Salisbury, a renowned painter and a professor teaching at the prestigious Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Marcus scanned through the email that contained details of a workshop to deal with his condition. He closed the laptop. His head was killing him and he had no interest in anything else.

Cara brought a plate of bacon and vegetable stuffed omelet, ham and cheese sandwiches, and a detox drink with apple, mint, pineapple, and lemon served with lemon wedges. She placed them on the table, right in front of him. Marcus’s mouth watered seeing the delicious food, but he would rather die than express his actual feelings. “Is it edible, even?” he snickered.

“Check it out for yourself,” said Cara, going to the living room to clean.

He saw the way she focused on the work at hand, concentrating only on her work. After clearing the trash, she started vacuuming the living room, the sofa, and everything. Marcus did not know why she was putting in so much effort and hard work when he was offering an easy way out.

He couldn’t restrain himself any longer. One look at her young pale face, as she picked up his laundry and walked over to the laundry room, made him feel frustrated. Was he that bad? Why couldn’t she stop and give in to him already?

“Cara, come here,” he said in a loud voice that echoed around the room. Cara immediately dropped the laundry basket out of fear and rushed towards him. Why was he calling her? Apprehension set in her heart as she stood in front of him. Would he do what he had been threatening to do? Panic rose inside her and she mentally prepared herself to fight him tooth and nail.