A few minutes later I make the wire transfer.
I get a text message soon after that tells me my transfer of funds has been completed.
My bank account is back to zero. Fifty thousand dollars, the most money I’ve ever had by a big margin, and it’s already gone.
I feel absolutely sick. Drained. And frightened that I’ve gotten in way over my head.
When Dermot comes home, I’m sitting on the deck, watching the city. He walks outside. “You had the run of the house, and instead you’re out here again.”
“It’s beautiful. The sun’s setting, too,” I say, looking out at the pink and purple sky.
“It certainly is beautiful,” he says, and by the tone of his voice, I can tell he’s not only talking about the sky.
I feel my cheeks flush, as usual. I’ve never blushed so much in my life before now.
I turn and look at him as he comes out to join me. How in the hell could a man like him ever want someone like me?
It makes no sense.
Maybe it’s the illicitness of it all that appeals to him.
“You seem in better spirits,” he says folding his arms and watching me closely.
“I suppose.” I can’t meet his steady, penetrating gaze.
“You suppose? Uh oh.” He chuckles, then his eyes take in my demeanor and he grows serious. “What seems to be the problem?”
I sigh. “I have an unfortunate request to make of you. And I need to apologize. I don’t want to ask.”
“Okay, now you’ve got my antennae up, Haisley. Let’s hear this request.”
I swallow hard. My mouth feels suddenly parched. “I need an advance on the rest of the money.”
He laughs. “What?”
“I’m sorry. I’m in a bind. I need the fifty thousand I’m supposed to get at the end of our time together.”
“Yes, when our month is finished. This is only day one, need I remind you.”
“I know. And I promise you, I’m good for the month. I will finish it out, I swear.”
“So, when do you need this advance?”
“By the end of the week.”
His smile completely fades and his eyes harden. “Just what the hell is going on with you?” he says.
I open my mouth and close it again. His expression is once again mistrustful, and I can tell he feels nothing but contempt for me. He sees me as just another person, another woman, trying to get something from him—using him for his money.
And maybe he’s right.
Maybe that’s all I am.
But I still need the money.
I take a deep breath and begin to talk.
THE END OF PART TWO
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