Chapter 1 The Green Scarf
This is an old short story I wrote over a year ago. It’s only 38 chapters. Enjoy! :)
Chapter 1
“The Green Scarf”
POV Amelia
Six weeks ago, I had to take a job from the sleaziest wolf in Emerald Creek to stop the bank from foreclosing on our house, and I hate myself for it.
No, hate is not a strong enough word. I go home after work and scrub myself down until my skin is painfully red and raw, just to get the stench of his scent off me.
He always hugs me the minute I step into work, and his hand always grazes my body whenever he passes by.
He never leaves. He lives in his office, probably watching porn. I’m only here because he pays well and only hires girls desperate for cash.
The bell rings, and my friend Cassy steps into the store.
Cassy is stunning. She has long black hair, jade-green eyes, and the perfect smile.
She looks around the used antique and jewelry store. “What shall I buy today?”
“Mrs. Patterson died last week, and Eli bought all her jewelry and scarves. I just put them out.”
“Ooooh, nothing like death to brighten my day.” She smiles.
It’s sweet that she puts a positive spin on my job.
I pull out a beautiful jewelry box labeled Mrs. Patterson and hand it to her.
“What on earth are you doing?” Eli yells, walking out of his office. “Go organize the new stuff,” he growls.
I roll my eyes and head to the scarf section, pulling out Mrs. Patterson’s scarves.
I admire a green silk scarf that is littered with gold sparkles, wishing it were mine.
“Do you want me to buy it for you?” a husky voice asks.
I turn around to a handsome man who towers over me with golden eyes, blond hair down to his chin, and the body of a warrior.
“Um… I… um.” My heart flutters.
Amelia, pull yourself together. He’s just a man.
The most I can do is flush and shake my head.
He snatches the scarf from my hands and walks away.
I turn and watch him walk to the counter.
God, he is beautiful. We would have such adorable babies.
Cassy bolts over. “Who was that?”
“My future husband.” I cross my fingers and toes.
Cassy laughs. “When do you get a break?” she asks.
“When I die,” I sigh.
“I’ll be at your house after work with wine and servants to help you out while we drink,” Cassy says with a smirk.
“That’s too generous, Cass.”
“I’m being selfish. I want you for myself,” she giggles.
“Oh, I hope there’s enough of her to spread around,” the husky-voiced man says as he returns.
“Hi, I’m Cassandra, and you are?” Cassy holds out her hand.
“Ethan Brooks,” he says, taking Cassy’s hand and kissing it gently. “And your name, beautiful?” He turns to me.
“Her name’s Amelia. Her uncle stole her inheritance. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you,” Cassy warns.
“Give me his name. I’ll get your money back,” Ethan growls.
“Thanks, but it’s already spent.” I look down and walk away, feeling ashamed for being poor.
No good man wants a girl with low standing.
I walk back to the counter, and Eli puts his arm around my shoulder.
Ew, gross. I try to pull away, but he holds me firmly.
“You don’t hand customers anything,” Eli lectures. “You show them the merchandise, and they buy it as is,” he says, grabbing my ass and walking back to his office.
Looks like I’ll have to burn this dress.
At the end of my shift, I manage to dodge Eli’s disgusting hug and bolt out the door, only to slam into a wall of pure muscle. Something falls to the ground, and I pick it up.
“I’m so sorry.” I look up into Ethan’s golden eyes and lose all use of my mouth. I might even be drooling a little.
“The gift is for you, Amelia,” he says with a wink, then hails me a cab and pays the driver.
“See you soon, beautiful.” He smiles and strolls away, with my eyes still on him and my mouth hanging open.
“Get in, lady. I don’t have all day,” the cab driver barks.
I slide into the cab just as the door opens on the other side, and Sebastian gets in and slides next to me.
My chest tightens, and my heart pounds.
I swear he thinks I’m some high-end prostitute. He keeps offering me money to sleep with him.
“Why are you flirting with men beyond your status?” he growls, his baby-blue eyes watching me with an intensity that makes it feel like he owns me. “I told you, no flirting! Do I need to get you fired from your job?”
“Please don’t,” I whisper. My body heats up from his proximity.
He snatches the gift box out of my hand.
“Give it back.” I pout.
He opens the gift like I belong to him. “This is too good for you,” he hisses, shoving it into his pocket.
Weeks ago, he found me sleeping on the counter at work. He’s been threatening and propositioning me ever since.
He is the most striking and dangerous man I have ever met.
His musky, intoxicating scent fills the tiny cab.
I can’t get him out of my head. Sebastian haunts my dreams, and now he’s in my cab.
“I will give you back your scarf and five thousand dollars for one hour alone with you in my room,” he offers.
As he leans into me to catch my scent, I shove him away.
“I like my women feisty.” He smirks. “Final offer: one hundred thousand dollars for one night with you.”
