ABEL'S POV

"Wouldn't you like to see the work first?" Ginerva asked. Her question surprised me. I was very well used to flocks of ladies from various aspects of life trying to approach me and to get my attention, but Ginerva had seemed like she was quite different back at the party.

The fact that she boldly asked me to her apartment and offered herself so freely to me was shocking. She had been using hidden meanings to refer to the situation, but I was no fool. I knew very well what she wanted and that was why I replied with, "Well, if that is how you want it, then I can only agree with you."

I took her into my arms, something I had wanted to do since she walked down the runway earlier that evening. Ginerva smelled like chocolates, her scent filled my head and all I could think about was having her against a flat surface as soon as possible. Her lips looked incredibly soft and kissable.

The moment I captured them with mine, I confirmed their texture for myself. I felt as though I had been transformed into my teenage horny and uncontrollable self. She stood frozen in my arms as I tried to pry her lips apart.

Suddenly, she pushed me back and before I could say a word, her palm came slamming against my cheek in a tight slap, causing a loud sound. My head whipped back, I held my cheek in disbelief. The stinging sensation had my blood boiling.

I stared into her aquamarine eyes which reflected a strong emotion. Was it anger? I wasn't sure, but I couldn't understand why she slapped me.

"Why did you kiss me?" She asked, fuming.

"You don't like that? You could have said that you weren't into kissing. There was absolutely no need to hit me. Do you know who I am? I will have understood that you wanted just sex and your pay without the kissing, there was no need to resort to violence," I said, sharply.

"What?" She gasped, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. I was a little confused by her behavior. She had seen my body language, she must have known that I wanted to kiss her so what was the need for that explosion?

"I have absolutely no interest in sleeping with you. I am at a loss for words as regards why you would think I do," she said, her accent becoming more evident.

I let out a bark of laughter. Ginerva was such a comedian. "You and I both know what you are playing at."

"Which is what exactly? How dare you kiss me just like that? I am not some cheap prostitute for hire," she frowned, crossing her arms around her chest, bringing my attention to her beautiful breasts once again.

"You are being ridiculous right now. Are you trying to deny the fact that you clearly hinted at being ready to receive payment for your sexual favors towards me?" I queried, irritated at her strategy at uplifting herself.

She probably wanted me to double up in whatever I was going to tip her off with. That wasn't going to be an issue if she had just asked upfront, right now, she was only succeeding at pissing me off.

"I never did that. What exactly are you talking about?" She denied, heatedly.

"I never knew that your beautiful mouth was good for lying asides pleasing men. How can you possibly say that? Why then did you bring me here?"

"You wanted to have a look at my art. You suggested that you would be interested in buying them, that is why I brought you down to my workshop."

"Your workshop?" I scoffed. "This looks very much like an apartment to me. What sort of workshop is this? Look, I get it, you want me to keep quiet about whatever happens between us both tonight. You don't want your father to get a bad impression of you. That is fine by me, I will be generous, both in bed and outside of it. If that is what concerns you," I winked.

I had no idea why this woman was driving me crazy like this, but I had never wanted a woman in the way I wanted her. No woman had ever had me almost begging before. Ginerva was indeed special and I guess she knew that.

"This is my apartment which I also use as my workshop. I have no interest in being your whore. Your money doesn't entice me, I only was naive enough to think someone like you was coming down here to purchase my work alone."

"Look here Ms Gallo, I am a man who values his time greatly. Who the hell do you think you are? Someone like me would leave his event to follow you all the way down to your workshop, that too, just to buy artwork? You have got to be kidding me. I buy quality art all the time, there has never been a time when I felt the need to go for less," I informed her.

"If that is the case, then I apologize for my misunderstanding. Please, leave my apartment. I have no interest in granting you anything other than the sale of my art," she said, gesturing towards the door.

I stared at her in shock. No woman had ever had the guts to talk to me in such a rude tone before. I got everything I wanted as I wished all the time. Ginerva Gallo seemed like a different ball game. I couldn't tell if she was only trying to play hard to get or if she was really serious about not wishing to spend the night with me.

"A lot of women including you will kill to have a chance with me. You don't have to act like you don't want me, I already find you special. I could tell from your flirtatious behavior towards me that you wanted me just as much as I wanted you. I will have you know that my recent mistress has already been dismissed. I have full confidence in the fact that you would fit her shoes so well," I said, taking a step towards her.

I held her right hand and brought it up to my lips slowly, winking at her. She snatched her hand back and moved to the door. Opening it, she said, "please leave my house before I report you for sexual harassment."

That statement quickly made me realize that Ginerva was indeed serious. I took out my checkbook which I had brought up with me to pay her.

Having drawn figures that would cause her jaw to drop, I threw the check at her with, "I apologize for reading you wrongly. Allow me to compensate you with this little token. I will have you know that you have successfully made an enemy in me. Goodnight."

As I walked away, I felt like the biggest idiot ever. I hoped she was filming the entire exchange. Never in my life had I ever engaged in transactional sex. If Ginerva had been filming everything in a bid to ruin my reputation in society, I was definitely going to deal with her mercilessly. 

When I got out to the entrance, Christian was there waiting. "Mr Masterson, what about the lady? Isn't she coming back to the penthouse with you?" He asked, confused.

Christian just like me, had been expecting Ginerva to come back to the penthouse with me. I understood how shocked he must have felt to see me coming out with an annoyed expression.

"Let's just get out of here, it was a waste of time coming here," I told him.

Just as I was about to get into the vehicle, Ginerva stormed out, yelling my name.

"Abel Masterson!" She yelled one final time, finally reaching my side.

"Was the money too little for you? That isn't an issue. Christian, give her Janet's card. You can call her to negotiate," I said in a cold tone.

"I don't want your bloody money. What do you take me for? I don't need you to give me anything I didn't work hard for," she replied, tearing the check into pieces before throwing it up in the air.

The people around us watched the scene unfold with curiosity, totally unsure of what was going on.

"I will make you pay for this, you can guarantee that," I said before getting into the car.

I was going to teach the stupid I

talian woman a lesson for crossing me. She had messed with the wrong person.