Prologue

"I... I can't do that." I stammered. What was he thinking? That was going too far, way too fast. And we were in his office! What if someone were to walk in?!

He arched his eyebrow. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't question my instructions." The tone of his voice was hard and displeased.

I gulped as I tried to stop myself from shaking with fear, I hated that he had this effect on me. He was right though. I had promised not to question him. But I couldn't help wondering if I went a long with everything he said, his methods could damage my self—esteem even further, and it was already in the pits.

I looked at him defiantly, crossing my arms in front of me. "I know I did. But we're doing this so I know how to pleasure someone. How does this translate to that? It makes me wonder if you're just doing this because it's a fun game." My tone at the end came out a little sulky, and I cursed myself silently.

He stepped towards me, fixing his ocean deep eyes into mine as he approached. I felt myself begin to tremble under his gaze. His body was now so close to mine I could feel the warmth radiating off him, his expensive cologne making my head swim with attraction. His tailored shirt was so fitting, I could trace the outline of his muscles with my eyes. I wondered what he would look like…no. I had to snap out of this. Why was it the bastards were always the gorgeous ones?

I looked up, determined to meet his gaze. He may be a man who always got want he wanted, who had every woman bowing at his feet, but I wasn't going to be one of them. This arrangement was strictly for my benefit. I was using him. He needed to know I wasn't intimated, or I at least needed to make him think that.

"This is not a game, Miss Woods. I have offered you my help, which may I remind you, you wanted. This is how I intend to help you. If you don't trust me, this arrangement will not work."

His stare continued, and I felt my resolve weaken a little. What he was saying was true. I had wanted the help, how else was I going to be able to deal with a proper relationship. I didn't want to die alone. I wanted to get married and have children. I wanted, no, I needed the confidence to be able to go out into the world and do that. I wasn't going to get anywhere like this. I could barely look at myself in the mirror, let alone let anyone see me in a more intimate setting.

My mouth twitched, before I finally said through gritted teeth, "fine."

A devilish smile spread across his face. "There's a good girl." He retreated back to the desk and leaned against it, placing his palms onto the edge of the desk.

"Now. I'll ask you again. Take off all your clothes."

******

Today we were going to look round Stone Marketing. This was a pretty big deal. Stone Marketing was the most successful marketing company in London, and they looked after all the main contracts in the city.

I had no idea what I was going to wear. My fellow students often turned up to class in formal business attire, including pencil skirts and shirts for the girls and perfectly ironed suits for the boys. Most of my peers were from families with money though, and often had grown up in London. I was a bit different. I came from a small sea—side town in Devon. My uniform was jeans and hoodies. I certainly didn't have enough money to buy expensive clothes just for going to uni.

In the end I picked out the smartest pair of jeans I had. Deep blue boot—cut ones with a high waist. I was desperate to put a large dark grey hoodie over the top in order to hide my figure, but I knew I couldn't get away with that in such an expensive environment. I forced myself to put on a white t—shirt I never wore, and the black blazer my mum had bought me before I left. As for shoes well…the choice was converse or Doc Martens. I went for the Doc Martens.

My dark hair was eternally a mess of curls that never wanted to conform with my attempts to tame it, so I scraped it back into my usual pony tail to keep it out of my face. I wasn't really a make—up girl, only opting for a couple of swipes of my £1 mascara.

Checking my reflection was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had to check today. I glanced as quickly as possible, shuddering at the dumpy silhouette that appeared in the dirty mirror. I sighed heavily, and grabbed my back—pack and headed out of my room.