Master of Lust

"Ahh... So he kicked the bucket?" Realization dawned upon Rick, "Looks like there's not much for me to do."

The old man's lifeless form sprawled out, a pretty gruesome scene. His right arm was all busted up, and his right leg went off on a weird angle. The right side of his face was basically a nightmare show, showing off his teeth and his exposed jaw. The skin was torn away, his right eye was barely hanging in there, and his skull had a nasty crack with some nasty goo trickling out. The girl, her anger still simmering, watched the horrific scene unfold, her eyes fixated on her now lifeless tormentor. Then, she turned her gaze to Rick, her eyes a volatile mix of shock and rage. Her voice dripped with fury as she demanded, "You just offed him like that?"

"That," Rick, momentarily lost for words and unable to come up with a valid excuse for his impulsive actions, stood in awkward silence. The girl's anger continued to rise as she stared at him, her gaze unrelenting, "It was that easy for you?" Her voice was filled with a mixture of fury and confusion.

God knows what took over her, but she found herself fucking a man she had just met. But after having done the deed, she was trying to convince herself that this stranger had been doing his best to protect her. He had no obligation to help her, yet he had still placed himself between her and death.

The realization that her predicament might have put him in harm's way filled her with guilt. However, witnessing him taking down all of them, including that perverted old man from the family, left her in shock. Yet, alongside the shock, a growing anger began to simmer within her.

SLAP!

Evelina couldn't contain herself any longer and delivered a loud, stinging slap to Rick's cheek. He winced, feeling the fiery sting, and rubbed his cheek, a self-deprecating grin playing on his lips.

"Well, for all that it's worth... I am sorry," Rick confessed, his voice heavy with remorse, "But I couldn't stand the thought of a guy like him having a gorgeous girl like you."

The girl's fury ignited, and her words oozed with scorn, "You shameless, no-good scoundrel. Sorry? That's all you've got to say?"

"I enjoyed it?"

"You... You..." The girl was left utterly flabbergasted by what she'd just heard. In that instant, Evelina felt like she could pop his head like a balloon, but she clamped down on her impulses with all her might. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

She wrestled hard to regain her composure, briefly lifting her gaze upward, her eyes squeezed shut. She took a succession of deep breaths, releasing her anger with each exhale, making a deliberate attempt to purge it from her system. Her initial shock and rage appeared to ebb away slowly. After a few moments of concentrated breathing, she eventually succeeded in regaining her composure.

When she opened her eyes, she fixed a searching stare on Rick, who squirmed uneasily under her scrutiny.

Rick arched an eyebrow at her, his voice laced with curiosity, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

The girl's face became solemn as she got straight to the point, her tone unwavering. "You took advantage of me. Own up to it and take responsibility."

"You mad or what? Take responsibility you say?"

Rick's response came quick and blunt, "Not a chance. It was a square deal. You offered me $6 million to rescue you, and I threw in your body as a bonus. I saved you, like we agreed, and I've already got half of that payment. Now, you still owe me the other half—$6 million."

The girl shook her head, her disbelief written all over her face, "That's not how it works," she asserted. "You can't just tack someone's body onto a deal. You need to be accountable for your actions."

Rick let out a cynical chuckle, a smug grin on his face. "Look, darling, you came to me when you were in a bind, asking for my help. You got exactly what you wanted. And as for the rest, we had a deal."

"I saved your sorry ass, and I'm pretty sure you won't be an ungrateful bitch. But hey, it's your call. I won't pass judgment," Rick grinned, making sure Evelina knew what he'd done for her.

"Whoa, hold your horses... I asked you for help? Are you sure you didn't hit your head?" The girl folded her arms defiantly across her chest and shot Rick a knowing smirk.

"Why can't I remember any begging and pleading? From what I recall, you took it upon yourself to be the hero and saved me. So don't try to lead me into your little game."

"That... That is actually bloody true," Rick conceded, momentarily stunned by Evelina's argument. He nodded in agreement and closed the distance between them.

"But here's the thing. I saved you, and it doesn't seem like you're planning to fork over the 6 million you owe me," Rick stated as he took another step closer to Evelina, a menacing glint in his eyes.

"So, why don't I just end you right here, along with that dead weight, and put you six feet under?" Rick spoke with a dangerous edge, "What's two more when I've already sent eight of them to the afterlife?"

"But will you?" Evelina decided to take her chances and refused to back down, "With all that money at stake?"

22:06

"Money?" Rick sneered, hearing Evelina's words, "Honey, those 6 million bucks are just chump change to me. Making money is as effortless as making love for me. Heck, even if I were to engage in some kind of perverted intercourse with your lifeless body, I'd still rake in the cash. So, don't try to act all high and mighty in my presence."

What Rick said was clearly an exaggeration, a bluff aimed at intimidating Evelina and gaining the upper hand in their conversation. Still, it wasn't all a fabrication. He did really got money after having sex, but he was not sure if doing it with a dead would lead to same results. Not that he wanted to do it. But it would surely unsettle Evelina.

"So tell me girl, Am I joking with you?"

The exchange of words had cast a palpable discomfort over the space between Rick and the girl. Rick's resolute stance and his intimidating aura had precisely the impact he intended.

Evelina, caught in this tense situation, felt a sense of disquiet that wrinkled her brow and roiled her stomach with unease. She grappled with the swirling emotions inside her. A growing sense of repulsion seemed to churn within her gut, and Rick's imposing gaze only added to her unease, casting doubt on her own position. Beneath Rick's penetrating scrutiny, she found herself growing increasingly uncertain about her next course of action. After a lengthy silence and considerable introspection, the girl let out a heavy sigh and gazed at Rick, her eyes reflecting her reluctant surrender. With a heavy heart, she admitted defeat, "You win," her voice tinged with disappointment.

Rick couldn't hide his triumphant grin, "Well done," he nodded.

"I'll pay you the 6 million dollars we agreed upon," Evelina stated further.

"That's a wise decision," Rick quipped, savoring his triumph.

"But..." the girl began, "I'll pay you the 6 million dollars as you asked. But... only if you help me with something." Rick raised an eyebrow, "And what's that? Let me tell you, I won't do it for free."

"Don't fret, I'll sweeten the deal," the girl explained, "I will toss in an extra 1 million dollars if you assist me in locating something I've been searching for in this forest and guide us to safety."

"Us?" Rick raised his eyebrow as he looked behind her in the direction where the middle aged man with her lay out cold.

Rick couldn't help himself and seized one last opportunity to negotiate. He leaned in closer, a sly grin on his face, and inquired, "Do I have to rescue that dead weight too?"

The girl nodded reluctantly, her frustration evident. "Yes, you'll have to ensure everyone's safety."

Rick's eyes gleamed mischievously, "Well, if that's the deal, you can add an extra 2 million for the dead weight," he declared, pushing his advantage with a sly smile.

"No problem," the girl replied, with no intention of negotiating further. She sighed and accepted Rick's terms, recognizing that she had little choice if she wanted to ensure her safety.

"Thanks for not dragging it out," Rick said, extending his hand for a firm handshake and sealing the deal. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you," he added with a smirk.

"Pleasure my foot," the girl grumbled under her breath, returning the handshake, her face still reflecting a blend of disappointment and relief.

"Hey now, don't be such a party pooper," Rick said with a grin, squeezing Evelina's hand a bit, "So... What's the treasure hunt here?"

"A cave..."

"Cave, huh..." Rick added with a smirk, unable to resist throwing in a little innuendo, "Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm an expert at exploring tight, dark spaces." * * * * *

[A/N: Do vote, leave a comment, send me golden tickets and bring up some gifts.]