"Sit," Jordin commanded, his voice firm and unyielding.
Elsa obeyed, lowering herself onto the couch beside him. On the table before them, the untouched drinks glistened under the dim light. She sat tense and uncertain, unsure of what to do next. His gaze remained fixed on her—intense, calculating, and unwavering. Though her beauty was undeniable, it was her delicate vulnerability and genuine innocence that truly drew him in. He found himself mesmerized by the warmth of her brown eyes, the soft expanse of her fair skin, the delicate curve of her jawline, and lips that looked both sweet and inviting.
"Should I pour you a drink, sir?" she asked, shifting uncomfortably under his stare.
"You don't have to. Have some," he said, gesturing toward the glass.
She's probably never tasted a wine like this before, Jordin thought, his eyes tracking her every movement. Though with the money I'm giving her, she could easily afford it.
Elsa hesitated. Staring down at the amber liquid, her mind raced. Turning him down felt dangerous, especially since he had already slept with her.
"Have some, Elsa." His deep voice carried a clear, quiet command.
He wanted her again—his body aching with the memory of being inside her. He let her sip the wine because her reaction intrigued him; she had tasted addictive the last time. He couldn't forget the way she had looked at him—those vulnerable eyes silently protesting that none of this was right. She resisted me at first, he recalled, irritation flickering beneath his desire. She acted so distant, so far out of reach. I want to feel her break again. I want that look of complete surrender.
She drank. As the alcohol began to loosen the tension in her shoulders, Elsa wondered numbly if he would order her to leave once the glass was empty. The thought was a quiet relief.
"You have to finish it," Jordin said, watching her like a predator eyeing a meal.
Elsa hardly registered the sharpness in his tone. She simply obeyed, even as her inner voice warned her of what was coming. He was going to have sex with her. The wine hit her fast, leaving her light-headed, floating, and helpless. She had known the moment she stepped into the room what he intended to do. The numbness made it easier to yield into his sinful touch, serving as a shield against the uncomfortable reality of what they were doing.
Jordin leaned in close. Reaching out, he caught her chin firmly in his hand and tilted her face toward his. Elsa was still holding the glass when Jordin brought his lips crashing down onto hers. The glass slipped from her fingers, thudding softly onto the rug as he captured her mouth, forcing her to taste the sweetness of the wine on her own tongue.
His gaze traveled down her buttoned shirt and fitted pencil skirt. Elsa looked completely pliable—eyes unfocused, hair mussed, her back pressed deep into the couch. Unbuttoning his shirt with one hand, Jordin let his other hand roam her lap, then her thigh. He dipped his head, pressing his lips against her neck. She smelled intoxicatingly of cherries, and the scent only fueled his impatience.
Elsa remained motionless under his touch. His hand moved possessively up her leg, slipping beneath the fabric of her skirt until it reached her panties. Her breath hitched as his palm slid over her warm skin. His fingers moved against her, stroking her sensitivity and sending unwanted jolts of sensation through her body.
Jordin towered over her as he pulled a condom from his jeans. As his trousers slipped down, Elsa watched through a haze as he rolled it on. In one quick motion, he pulled her panties down her legs, leaving her exposed. He parted her thighs, lowered himself, and slid deep into her center.
She was tight, yielding reluctantly to his size. Elsa gasped, her eyes widening as the sharp sensation overwhelmed her. Jordin adjusted his weight, feeling the grip of her body, and began to thrust. Elsa lay helpless on the couch, her breathing ragged, her moans slipping out against her will. He drove into her with relentless intensity, pushing her to the edge of sensory overload.
He looked down at her face—her eyes half-lidded, her lips parted, her hair scattered across the cushions. She looks breathtaking like this, he thought, a dark smirk touching his lips as he thrust deeper. Completely mine.
His hand slipped under her shirt, cupping her soft breasts and squeezing tightly as he unhooked her bra. Still driving into her, his fingers pinched her nipples until they hardened beneath his touch. Elsa arched her back, caught in a whirlwind of overwhelming physical response. The room filled with their ragged breathing until Jordin groaned, driving deep one final time as he reached his climax.
Later, in her Hoxton apartment, Elsa sat on the edge of her bed with a towel draped over her shoulders. Dressed in a casual shirt and black leggings, she rubbed her damp hair dry, staring blankly at the wall.
She thought about the money Jordin had given her. It was a substantial amount—more than enough to solve her immediate financial troubles. A passing memory of the physical sensations from earlier flashed through her mind, but she instantly brushed it aside with quiet disdain. Whatever physical reaction her body had experienced meant nothing to her. It was just a chemical response to the wine and his touch—not something she truly wanted, cared about, or valued. The shady reality of how she had acquired the cash made her uneasy, but she refused to dwell on it. The money was here, the ordeal was over, and she resolved never to let herself be drawn into such dirty flings again.
Gathering her composure, she stepped out of her room. Through the kitchen pass-through window, she could see Lucy at the sink, framed by the warm light as she washed dishes.
"You don't have to pay rent this month," Elsa said, walking up to the counter. "I'll cover it all."
Lucy turned in surprise, a soapy dish still in her hand. "You don't have to do that, Elsa. I saved my share. It should be equal."
"I insist," Elsa said, reaching for a chocolate oat biscuit from the container on the counter. "Don't worry about it."
Lucy paused, looking at her thoughtfully before turning back to the sink to scrub another plate. Elsa waited, suddenly hyper-aware of the silence.
"Why do you really want to pay, Elsa?" Lucy asked over the sound of running water.
"I just... I know covering rent has been hard on both of us," Elsa said, regaining her composure. "I managed to save extra, so I just felt like doing something nice."
Lucy stopped scrubbing, mulling over the offer. Covering rent would allow her to put her own savings aside for emergencies. She finally nodded. "Okay," she said softly. "Thank you, Elsa, very much." Lucy said her appreciation clearly genuine and Elsa smiled.
"Good." Elsa said, relief eased the tension in Elsa's shoulders since she didn't want any more questions from Lucy. She took a bite of the biscuit and sat at their small dining table, watching Lucy finish the dishes.
"Just don't make a habit of overworking yourself for my sake, okay?" Lucy added, looking back over her shoulder with a warm, caring smile. "We're supposed to be in this together."
"I know," Elsa replied, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm just happy I could help this time." Elsa said and Lucy smiled glad her friend was nice to pay their rent.
Sitting in the couch of their quiet comfort of the apartment, Elsa chewed her snack, letting the safe familiarity of her home wash over her. The rent was settled, her friend was relieved.