Page 16 of Right Number, Wrong Man

HAILEY

I giggle at the notification on my phone.

After disappearing without a word last night, I thought Jax would never text me again. But he’s not only talking to me and offering to teach me about BDSM, he’s also sending me a whole lot of money.

It was really sweet that he checked in with me. If I’m honest with myself, I was a little too happy to hear from him, but I haven’t gotten a cute good morning text in forever. Probably a decade or so.

I’m pathetically starved for attention.

Jax made it clear he’s not looking for a relationship, but I’m fine with that. Just sex sounds great to me. I don’t want anything serious, either. And even better, he doesn’t think my fantasies make me a disturbed freak. He understands.

I give the middle finger to the jewelry box on the dresser where I deposited my wedding ring. How do you like that, asshole ?

On the other hand, Jax seems almost too perfect and this money sending business is making my alarm bells jingle to the tune of Michael Myer’s theme song.

What does he expect in exchange for the cash?

This arrangement between us feels forbidden.

Dangerous. It would be sensible to send the money back and block him, but I want to chase this thrill.

And what are the chances that Jax is actually dangerous?

I’m a nobody. Surely a regular woman with no social life outside of my best friend won’t attract the attention of?—

My phone chimes, stopping my spiraling doubt.

Jax

You got the money?

Me

Isn’t that a bit too much? And what is it for?

Jax

Don’t question me. Get ready to go out. You’re wearing a long dress today, but no panties. I want video proof.

Phew, okay. That’s very demanding. Very rude, too.

And very sexy.

I want to play along, but it’s hard to resist the part of me that screams to disobey and make him mad, simply to see if I can. Colt was right. I bet I have my hippie parents to blame for my lack of respect for authority figures.

Just to prove Colt wrong, I get up and open my closet.

Ew, no brain. We do not think about Colt !

I put on a pale peach sundress with fluttery, short sleeves and a large floral print. Twirling, I scrutinize my reflection in the standing mirror by the dresser.

Is it obvious that I’m going commando?

I spin around myself like a dog chasing its tail, putting a painful knot in my neck from staring at my ass. Everything looks normal, but I feel so exposed I might as well be going out naked.

I slip on a pair of comfortable sandals with a kitten heel and grab my phone to record my reflection in the mirror. Like I’m doing a striptease, I pull up my skirt, revealing inch after inch of my calf. Then my knee. My thigh. I keep the cloth across my center, showing off the side of my hip.

While I send the video, I give an impression of my best villain laugh.

Jax made a fatal mistake. He didn’t specify which parts of me he wanted to see, only that he wants proof I’m not wearing panties. I’m giving him what he demanded, but the juiciest parts are hidden. If he wants to see more, he has to earn it.

Time to remind Daddy that I hold some power in this game, too.

Jax

You ought to be thankful I’m not there with you right now.

If I was, I’d bend you over that bed in the background and spank your ass raw before I fuck your pussy until it’s sore. Then I’d make you run errands with my cum dripping down your legs.

My pussy quivers. I read the message thrice before I can breathe again.

Jax

Drive to the address I’ll send over in a minute. Let me know when you arrive, but no texting behind the wheel. Safety first.

The address comes through and my brows rise. I don’t know the street, but I know Burtonville. It’s the largest city near Sunridge Hollow. Until I lost my job as a secretary, I commuted there every day and the drive will take about forty-five minutes.

My pulse going haywire, I grab my car keys and head out. Every muscle in my body is tense as a bow string as I run down the stairs and step out of the front door of my apartment building.

The short walk to my beat-up, old SUV down the road feels like a marathon.

It’s not windy, but I can’t stop worrying about my skirt flying up and I swear every person is staring at me. When I look closer, I realize they’re too busy with their own lives to notice me, but the sensation of being stalked lingers like an icy finger drawing along my spine.

Finally, I get in my car. When I catch a reflection of my face in the rearview mirror, I laugh. My cheeks are red and my eyes shine with mischief. I’m nervous but I’m having fun, too—like a slutty spy on a sexy secret mission.

I pop my phone in the holder suctioned to the windshield and copy the address into the maps app. A shudder runs through me as I turn the key and the motor purrs to life.

If those vibrations are already doing it for me, I’m in for a torturous morning.

I park and double check the address, but this is definitely the right location. Confused, I send a message to Jax.

Me

You want me to go to an adult store?!!!

Jax

From your videos I figured you enjoy some grown-up toys.

Why is he always right about everything? All the information he has about me is from my videos, but I can’t shake the eerie feeling that he knows much more than he lets on.

I rest my forehead on the steering wheel.

No, I’m probably just jumpy because Colt almost caught me masturbating last night.

I’ve dreamed of a guy like Jax my whole life. He’s everything I thought Mike would be but never was. Dominant. Decisive. Caring. And generous, apparently.

I don’t want to mess this up because I’m an anxious overthinker.

Who knows when I’ll get another chance to live out my fantasies without judgment? Keeping it to texts and videos is a pretty safe way of doing it. If things get too intense, I can block Jax’s number and move on. He’s far away in Texas, too. Less stalker potential than a local guy.

Sighing, I respond.

Me

Fine. What should I buy?

Jax sends a link and when I tap on it, my eyes go wide.

A deluxe butt plug with a vibrating function and remote-control via an app? Sheesh, now I know why he sent so much money. That’s a lot of cash to shove up one’s ass, literally. Up my virgin ass to be precise, and that thing looks big.

Jax

I already called the store. Tell the clerk what you want and she’ll pack it up for you .

My stomach twists into knots. I’ll have to look a stranger dead in the eye and be like, Hey, I want to buy this extra fancy, silver butt plug, please.

To avoid this kind of situation I ordered all my toys online, but Jax is doing this on purpose.

I bet he’s getting a kick out of embarrassing me.

A wave of wanting cascades through me and I’m starting to think I like it, too.

Luckily, the size of Burtonville affords some anonymity and less risk running into somebody I know.

Me

I’ve never tried butt stuff.

Jax

About time then, Sugar. Now git!

Determined, I grab my bag, get out of the car—and freeze.

A passerby glances at me like I have buttplug-loving-pervert tattooed on my forehead in big, bold letters, and I pray for a sinkhole to open up and swallow my panty-lacking self.

No, I got this.

I count down from three and set one foot in front of the other. And another. Another. My stiff legs make me walk like a robot, but I successfully beep-boop across the road.

Once I’m near the store, I rush inside.

My eyes slowly adjust to the red lighting. I sniff, inhaling the scent of vanilla and something fruity, probably from the huge shelf of flavored lube right next to a massive selection of dildos. They even have a tentacle.

Classic rock streams from overhead speakers, mixing with the exaggerated moans from a TV on the wall, showing a porn actress taking it in the ass.

The blond lady at the counter puts down her book and waves. “Hey, you with the brown bob cut and the flowery dress! Your boyfriend called ahead and told me to expect you.”

I cringe. For a second, I consider running out, but I plaster a smile on my face and shuffle toward the woman. “Uh, hi. I guess that’s me?” I let out an awkward, high-pitched giggle.

She rummages around under the counter and pulls out a brown paper bag. “Everything is in here. Already paid for, too.”

I blink. Then why the hell did he send me that money?

She grins, pushing the bag into my hands, and leans in conspiratorially.

“Your man’s a keeper, babe. This is the most expensive toy we got.

I’m a little jealous cause you’re telling me he’s kinky and generous?

I can never find a guy like that in real life, only in my books.

” She winks, tapping the floral skull cover of the dark romance. “Have fun!”

“T-thanks,” I get out before I run to the door like I’m being chased by a horde of zombies. I don’t stop all the way to my car and jump in. Minutes pass until I’m brave enough to look in the bag.

Even the box of the plug is ultra-deluxe. It has embossed lettering and a clear plastic window behind a cardboard flap. “ Pre-charged and ready to play! ” reads a shiny sticker. I dig around in the bag and find a pink bottle of lube at the bottom.

Raspberry scent.

My favorite smell? What a coincidence. I love raspberries so much that I’ve used the same berry and rose fragrance since high school.

I snap a picture of my purchases and send it to Jax.

Jax

Well done. I’m proud of you for overcoming your shame. Now what do you say when Daddy gives you a gift, Sugar?

My stomach flutters. Did someone hand this man a manual titled How to turn Hailey into a puddle of horny goo ?

Me

Thank you, Daddy.

Jax

Good girl.

I giggle maniacally. Oh, so now two words from him are all it takes to make me blush like a schoolgirl? That’s borderline concerning.

Jax

I’ll walk you through the app setup.

The giggling stops.

Me

Wait, what?? RIGHT NOW?!

Jax

There’s a reason I sent you on errands without panties…