Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
I nod, lips pressed so tight they might split.
He shakes his head, still stunned. “That’s more than I made my first three years in the service. Holy hell.”
“I was going to surprise you,” I blurt, “or maybe just pay for law school and never tell anyone where I got the money. But then I realized I was doing the same thing I always do, which is keep secrets and hope nobody gets hurt, and I didn’t want to do that with you.”
Jack is silent for a minute. The only sound is the low hum of his fridge and the soft pop of the glass settling in his hand.
“You’re not embarrassed?” I ask. “You’re not disgusted by, I don’t know … the fruits of the poison tree?”
He studies me, slow and careful, as if plotting an intercept course through a thunderstorm. “I’m not thrilled that thousands of guys who have seen your beautiful body, sweetheart,” he says in a steady tone. “But I’m not an idiot. You’re smart, you’re safe, and you’re not out there meeting freaks in person. You’re an independent young woman, and I don’t get to judge.”
I exhale, my lungs finally giving up the panic they’ve been holding for weeks. My hands go numb and tingly, which means I might faint, but I smile weakly instead.
“Oh good.”
Jack taps the statement. “So what now?”
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “I’m burned out a little, to be honest. Camming is fun, sometimes, but mostly it’s just work, like any job. And I don’t want to hide anymore. Not from you, and not from anyone.”
He nods, slow. “Are you saying you want people to know that you cam?.”
I shake my head quickly. “No, not at all. The anonymity is key, and I’ll never give that up. But my parents … well, you know they’d go berserk if they ever found out, and I can feel the walls closing, Jack. I know it.”
Jack’s eyes go hard for a second, the old fighter pilot vibe leaking through. “If Gerald ever gives you shit, I’ll handle it. If he threatens you, let me know.”
I laugh, then realize he’s only half-joking.
Jack’s hand moves to my jaw, rough fingers tilting my face to his. “You haven’t fucked-up, Eliza. People will tell you that because they look down at your line of work. It’s a rough world out there, and women of the night have always been shamed and disregarded. But you’re anonymous and careful. You’re the bravest person I know. And you’re more honest than most people ever manage.”
I lean into his hand, heart squeezing so hard it almost hurts. “You mean that?”
He nods, then kisses me—slow and careful, like he’s afraid I might break. I kiss him back, pouring months of relief and raw animal want into it.
When we part, I can barely speak. “Thank you. For not judging me.”
The handsome man smirks. “That’s not what I’m thinking about right now.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning like an idiot. “You’re so predictable.”
He shrugs, feigning innocence. “If you’re this good at running a business, then I’m guessing you’re also very good at customer service.”
“Five stars, all around,” I say, and he laughs, big and real.
We sit there, quiet for a bit, the weight of honesty settling over us like a blanket.
Jack breaks the silence. “You know, I was thinking…”
I wait, curious.
“I don’t know if it’s a midlife crisis, or just the thrill of being with you, but I’ve been giving thought to what you said.”
I tilt my head at him, my heart racing.
“What do you mean?”
He shrugs.
“I’ve been thinking of joining you on camera just to see what it’s like. I’d keep my face covered. Wear a flight mask, or something. But I want to understand it. I want to know what it feels like, for you. And now that I know that the money’s so good, it seems almost stupid not to try.”
I blink, stunned. “You’d do that? With me?”
He shrugs, a little embarrassed for the first time since I’ve met him. “I can’t be more of a cliché at this point, can I?”
The idea floods me with a strange, buzzing joy. “You would be a huge hit. You’d make my entire fanbase combust because believe it or not, quite a lot of my customers would like to see me perform with a partner. A real, live, male partner.”
Jack laughs, then squeezes my hand. “We’ll see.”
We talk for another hour, plotting out insane scenarios—me as the bratty secretary, him as the stern officer, variations on a theme that are both hot and hilarious. It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages, and for the first time in forever, I feel like the truth might actually set me free.
When I leave my boyfriend’s house finally, the folder is lighter, and so is my heart. The future is still a mess, but at least now, I’m not facing it alone.