= Chris POV =

  “So, if you want a pce to sleep tonight, and if you want to get back all of your stuff one day, you either A) go find another sugar mommy to get 16,000 yen from and stay at the hotel down the road, or B) stick to the contract you have with me, because at least with me, you don’t have to wonder if the apartment is still going to be yours in the morning. It’s mine, I’ve been renting it for three years now and I’m going to keep renting it until I buy my own pce. So, what’s it going to be?” I asked, putting my hand out to her.

  Sarah’s lips parted, but no sound came out. Her eyes darted toward the floor, her cheeks burning as the weight of my words sank in.

  “So then…it’s for real? I have to cook, clean and do…do…” She stammered nervously, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

  “Well,” I interrupted, leaning against the kitchen counter and crossing my arms. “I think since this is based on my rules, forget the ‘C’s. Let’s call them…requests. You have to fulfill three requests a day, for staying at my pce. And the requests are anything I want.” My lips twitched as her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

  “Let’s just take cooking and cleaning off the table. You’re terrible at those things, but there are other things you’re pretty good at,” I said thoughtfully, rubbing my chin. “Yes, and if you don’t, for whatever reason, fulfill my request, you get strikes. One strike, one punishment. Take it or leave it.”

  Sarah’s hand twitched as she started to reach out, but I could see her hesitation. She was on the verge of giving in, and yet I wanted more. I wasn’t sure she had learned her lesson yet, and I wasn’t about to let her off so easily.

  I let my gaze drop, dragging it slowly down her body, taking in the flush creeping up her neck, the nervous way she fidgeted. My lips curled slightly, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my composure.

  I couldn’t stop myself from feeling greedy—hungry. Everyone else had gotten to have her, touch her, keep her in their beds. Why not me?

  “Oh, and you also have to pay me back for renting the storage unit. I’m literally paying to house your shit in a separate location, and you’re not paying a dime for it.” I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow.

  Sarah looked up from the ground she had been drilling holes into with her eyes and covered her mouth in surprise. “Seriously?” she gaped.

  “What? Do you think storage units are free? Nothing is free, Sarah. You don’t like it, say the word and I’ll call off the movers. They’re already on the highway. What do you want them to do, dump your stuff on the side of the road?” I asked curtly, leaning closer to her. “I literally just saved your ass by pretending to be your girlfriend and have made arrangements to get back your money for you, but all that is coming in a week or two, so all this is coming from my own pocket.”

  Sarah shook her head quickly, her hands wringing together. “What do I have to do? I’m still job hunting. Can I take a loan? I will pay you back, I promise,” she said, her voice trembling and thick with tears.

  I raised my hand to my lips and smiled slowly, letting the moment hang in the air.

  “You have to sleep with me,” I said, my voice dropping low. I knew I was pushing my luck, but my pulse was racing, and the hunger cwing at my chest demanded more.

  Sarah’s head snapped up, her eyes wide, her breath caught somewhere between shock and disbelief. “Sleep with you…in your bed?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as her face turned scarlet.

  I took a step closer, my gaze never wavering.

  “In my bed. Beside me. Every night. No exceptions,” I said, savoring the way her breath hitched.

  Sarah’s lips parted, but she didn’t speak. She just stood there, trembling, her wide eyes locked onto mine, waiting for me to make the next move.

  And God, did I want to.

  +++

  I nodded, trying to keep my face very serious and stern. I took a step forward, and she took a step back. Seeing her look so worried and flustered was actually making me feel better. After the st few days of everything being totally out of control because of this girl, it was nice to be on the other side calling the shots.

  “Yes, every night as long as I have to pay for storage,” I said and took another step towards her. She took another step back. “So even if you manage to find 16,000 to pay me for occupying my guest room, you still must sleep in my bed as long as I am paying for your storage unit,” I replied, smirking.

  Sarah started trying to do math in her head. I took another step forward. There was a pilr right in the middle of the room, and Sarah didn’t realize it but I was walking her right into it.

  “S-So that’s like…” she started. “480,000 a month?” she asked nervously.

  “Plus 48,000 for the storage unit. Then you can use my guest room without having to adhere to the contract,” I added, taking yet another step forward, closing the gap between us gradually.

  “Ok, so 528,000 yen a month,” she said and gasped. “That’s a lot of money. I need a job.” She took another step back.

  “You don’t have a job? OMG I forgot! You don’t have a job!” I said and started ughing. “Omg right…I’m talking to you, Sarah, jobless and recently dumped Sarah. Was it that excuse of a man who dumped you?” I asked through my ughter, tears coming to my eyes.

  “Yes! He dumped me 3 months ago right after he had me sign the papers! The sex wasn’t even that great,” Sarah expined. “I didn’t even know the reason why he dumped me! Now I see, he had a wife, and she came back into town, and he was trying to cover up his infidelity,” Sarah said and pouted, crossing her arms. “Stop ughing, I was hurt.”

  “Oh yes, my darling homewrecker, I’m sure you are,” I said, wiping tears from my eyes. “I have never heard of anyone who could get herself into worse situations than you. So, are you going to accept my offer, or should I ask the movers to dump their load?” I asked, composing myself.

  Sarah looked up at me so pitifully. “Yes please, I really, really need your help. I promise I’ll try my best to job hunt every day and get a job soon, and then I’ll pay you back, for everything,” she said.

  I took a gnce at my watch. 11:57 PM.

  “I have a second request; can I kiss you?” I asked and took a step forward, forcing her against the pilr. There was only her, and me, and as I leaned forward, she wrapped her arms around my neck, this time ready for a kiss.

  “Yes,” she said, and I cupped her face and pced a gentle kiss on her lips.

  “The one thing I’ve always liked about you is that you’re so damn stubborn,” I said. “I expect daily updates on the job hunt.” Then I checked the time. 11:59 PM. “Alright, that means you get one strike,” I grinned.

  “Hey! Kiss me again! Kiss me!” Sarah said, but I just ughed as I walked out of the apartment with Sarah trailing after me.