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able to look herself in a mirror again. She could finally understand why desperate people made impossible decisions.
    “We’re here,” Mr. Kinsor said, snapping her from her thoughts.
    “Thank you,” Ari uttered as she stepped from the car and looked at the privacy glass of the exclusive restaurant. Her stomach was rolling over as she followed Mr. Kinsor inside, past the host, and straight back to a secluded area.
    Sitting at the beautifully set table was Rafe, looking quite devastating in his black Armani suite and brilliant red tie. It wouldn’t be so bad being his mistress, she tried to reason. She could suffer through the actual act of sex; it wasn’t like she had any desire to enter a real relationship anytime soon, so she could think of it like practice for her future husband.
    “Please have a seat, Arianna. I’ve taken the liberty of ordering.”
    “Thank you.” Irritation covered the increasing panic as she heard the timid sound of her own voice. She was already starting to not recognize herself. Was she truly that far gone? She’d made one mistake – one! Up until that party, she’d been the dream child, achieving the highest grades in her classes, walking the line through life. She hadn’t snuck out the window at night, taken drugs, or gotten pregnant like so many others.
    Even in college she’d walked the line, putting her studies first, visiting her mother often, and staying true to the course she’d mapped out by the time she was thirteen.
    Her mother wouldn’t want her to do this – wouldn’t want her to give up at the first roadblock.
    “I have the contract right here. Before we proceed, I need you to initial each section and sign at the bottom.” Rafe said as he pulled the papers from his briefcase and held out a pen.
    Ari sat there as she tried to force her hand to reach up and take hold of the shiny silver pen he was holding. She just needed to take the pen, sign the papers and accept her fate. That’s it. They could fine tune the details over a nice meal.
    “No.” Ari heard herself say the word, though she couldn’t believe it. Shock radiated through her as she stood there motionless looking at him. She’d had every intention of saying yes , serving herself up on a silver platter. She was stunned to be refusing the man offering her the ability to get out of her situation.
    She stood in thunderstruck silence as puzzlement crossed Mr. Palazzo’s features. He was gaping at her as if he’d never before heard that word. Stillness suffocated the two of them as a waiter came in and set dishes on the table before scurrying from the tension filled room.
    “You said yes over the phone. I thought this was settled,” Rafe calmly replied as he picked up his glass of wine and slowly took a sip of the dark red liquid while she awkwardly stood a few feet from him. She finally moved her head, looking around for Mr. Kinsor, who had disappeared. She’d have to find another ride back home. It was too long of a walk.
    Ari watched as Rafe swallowed, the way his throat constricted as the fluid slid smoothly down. As if looking through another person’s eyes, she noticed he was quite handsome and so self-assured. Why would he even need to hire mistresses? Like he’d pointed out in his offices, there was a line of women practically begging to be chosen to be on his arm.
    He had to know she didn’t want to do this even before she’d refused, so why go through the motions? She would understand it a little more if he was an ugly tyrant, hideous to look at. With his olive complexion, slight Italian accent, and amazing self-assuredness, she didn’t see a reason behind what he did. In another time she may even be disappointed not to date him.
    Of course, he wasn’t asking for a girlfriend – he didn’t want to date. He wanted a woman to do his bidding, be at his beck and call, fall at his knees, and do all sorts of kinky, twisted sexual favors. She’d never be what he was looking for.
    Ari’s