Page 55 of His & Hers

“I want yours!” she whined, reaching over to grab a handful. I moved the bowl in time, and her hand landed on my chest instead. She reached over me, and I could smell her vanilla scent in my nostrils as I inhaled slowly.

“I’m the guest, remember.”

Layla drew back, throwing the popcorn into her mouth.

“Was she young? Old? Or was it a he?!” She sat upright, her eyes wide as we both stopped to watch a critical scene in the movie.

“Damn. Uh, she was in her thirties.”

“Did she offer you money to sleep with her?” Layla asked suddenly, making me finally pause the film.

“No. Why all the questions?!” I chuckled, turning to gaze at her lazily.

“I just... don’t get it. You’re a virgin, but you’re an escort,” she laughed nervously as she licked her lips quickly. I continued to gaze at her, my eyes drifting down her body slightly, trying to avoid how hard her nipples were through the fabric of her t-shirt.

Please God, tell me she’s wearing a bra.

“I don’t fuck any of them, you know this,” I said quietly as she nodded.

“Yeah, I know. But surely if someone offered you enough-”

“Let me ask you something.” I sat up then, shifting my body, so I was sitting casually in front of her. “How much would someone have to pay you to sleep with them?”

Her eyes darkened then as she looked away.

“See, no amount. So-”

“What if it was for your family’s safety?” Layla suddenly blurted out, making me still at her tone. I waited with bated breath as she continued.

“What if a woman said, look, I can make all of your problems go away for your family. But you have to be mine.”

Layla stared at me then, and something told me she wasn’t asking for a friend.

“Layla...”

“It’s just a question.”

“Okay.” I cleared my throat as I reached forward, tilting her head to look at me directly. “I’d doanythingfor my family. But I wouldn’t fuck someone, or marry someone, for the wrong reasons. Some things have too high a price.”

Her hand flew to mine then, and the electricity between us made her drop it instantly.

“But if it meant someone would die...”

“Die?!” I echoed, wondering if we had somehow stepped inside of the silver screen. “Layla, what are you talking about?”

She laughed before moving away from me. Her body was tense, her long legs crossing as she eased back into the sofa calmly.

“It was just a question.” She smiled at me before I sat back, suddenly wide awake.

“When are you next seeing Steve?” I demanded as she looked at me in surprise.

“I don’t know, the day after tomorrow maybe-”

“So stay with me? Until you have to leave? We’ll hide from the world for a bit...”

Layla nodded, somewhat gratefully, confirming my initial instinct.

Something was wrong.