Page 13 of After Midnight
"I want to make as much money as I can, as quickly as I can," I explained. "And I understand that as a woman, I have something that isextremelyvaluable. So, why not capitalize on it." I shrugged easily.
He chuckled. "I'm intrigued. Please continue." He sipped his wine.
I smiled. "Well, you dabble in investment, Daniel. And I'm sure you understand that a good investment can skyrocket you to wealth or sink you into the poor house. But pussy…" I leaned in closer with a seductive smile. "Pussy,is the greatest investment any man can make," I purred. "Willingly or unwillingly, men spend their entire lives putting stock into it."
He grinned, shoulders shaking a bit as he laughed softly. "You're not wrong about that."
"Exactly," I continued. "Think about it…if pussy was a stock on Wall Street, every man in the world would want to invest. Men understand the value of it. Women, however, underutilize their worth all the time.I don't." I picked up my glass, leaning back slightly. "And a man as intelligent as you understands that."
Daniel leaned back in his chair, studying me over the rim of his wine glass. The candlelight caught in his eyes, and for a second he just watched me like I’d said something he wasn’t expecting. “You’re very…direct,” he said finally.
I smiled, unfazed. “I find it saves time.”
He chuckled again, clearly amused now. “Well, in my world we call that market awareness.”
“Exactly,” I said, lifting my glass. “I know my market.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “I have to admit,” he said cutting into another lamp chop, “this is not the conversation I expected to have tonight.”
“That a bad thing?”
“Not at all.” He swallowed and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Most women try to convince me they’re something they’re not. You’re the first one who’s been completely honest about the business side of it.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Why pretend?” I asked. “You’re here because you have money and you want a good time with abeautiful woman of your choosing. I’m here because I provide that and I want to be paid well for it."
"I can't argue with that." Daniel laughed softly. “I know that you're new, but you seem perfectly comfortable.”
I lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. “I'm a Gemini, I adapt quickly.”
He studied me again, this time with something closer to respect than curiosity. “Well,” he said, raising his glass again, “I’d say Madam made a good investment.”
I clinked my glass gently against his. “I aim to provide a good return.”
That earned another laugh out of him.
The rest of dinner passed easily after that. Conversation flowed from business to travel to the absurdity of airline food. Daniel told me about a deal he’d just closed in Chicago and how he’d barely slept in two days.
“You must live on airplanes,” I said.
“Pretty much,” he admitted. “This place is one of the few stops where I can actually relax.”
“That’s the idea,” I replied.
"I must admit, Gianna," he leaned towards me. "This is the most intriguing conversation I've had in a while. You're so easy to talk too. Feels like I've known you for longer."
"I'm flattered, Daniel. Thank you." I smiled.
When the dinner plates were cleared by the staff, Daniel leaned back in his chair, looking far more relaxed than when he arrived. “You know,” he said, loosening his tie slightly, "I don't want to be presumptuous, but I would like to see you again. With your permission of course."
I fixed my eyes on him. "I would absolutely love that." I stood. His eyes slowly ran over my body. I crossed around the table to his side, his eyes on me the entire time. I held outmy hand. "Let's continue the conversation in the bedroom, shall we?"
Daniel grinned and rose, taking my hand.
As I led him to the suite, we passed Monroe and Bianca in the parlor. I looked over at her with a smirk as they glared at me. She better watch out, her spot as the top earner was in jeopardy fucking with me.
Chapter4
The sounds in the room blended together. Pac spitting in the background, mixing with the steady sound of multiple money counter machines. The air carried the scent of weed as my nigga Syrus blazed a blunt. I wasn't a fan of the smell, but I knew it helped my guy relax so I let him rock.
