Gwen set the glass of water in front of him.

"Dining alone tonight, Mr. Kent?"

"Yes. First time in weeks."

"I've seen. Business must be good."

"Business dinners don't always mean good business, but, yes. It has been."

She smiled. "Do you need a minute to decide? Or should I just put in an order for your usual?"

He closed his menu. "What do you recommend?"

"Customers seem to really enjoy the Carbonara."

"I asked what you recommend."

"Mr. Kent, I don't exactly make enough money to eat here."

"I'm sorry, Gwen. I didn't mean to—"

"It's all right." She waved him off.

"Bring the Carbonara."

"Wine?"

"Chef's choice."

"Yes, sir."

Fifteen minutes went by, and Gwen dodged Kent's usual flirting. Only once did he ever cross a line by asking her back to his place the first night she ever had his table. She politely declined, and he apologized.

"Most women like when I'm forward," he said. "Glad to see you're not like most women."

She knew of at least two other waitresses who agreed to that same request. They were gone less than a month later. Maybe because they'd blabbed about it. Maybe there were others she didn't know about. It didn't matter. Her job was her meal ticket, and it was barely taking care of that, lately. She couldn't afford to get fired. No matter how gorgeous the man was.

Not to mention the rumors of Kent's illegal businesses. "Mob boss" sounded like something ridiculous out of an old movie, but what else do you call it?

"How is everything?" she asked as she refilled his wine glass.

"Delicious. Great recommendation. You should really try it some time."

"Only if the chef will sneak me a taste."

"Or you could agree to go on a date with me."

"Mr. Kent, I can't."

"You won't."

"Ok, fine. I won't. Can I get you anything else?"

He started to smile, but shook his head. "No. I'm good."

She nodded and walked away.

"Beth, I'm taking five. Watch my tables?"

"Sure."

She went into the break room and checked her cell for messages. The usual cat meme from her sister, and a missed call from her landlord.

"Shit."

She hit the call back button and chewed her fingernail until he answered.

"You'd better have the rent, Barker."

"I'm sorry. I just need a little more time."

"You've had three months. Next month is almost due. You're getting too far behind."

"Please, I can have it in two weeks."

"How much?"

"A month."

"Don't bother. I want all three months, and maybe I'll give a break on next month."

"But I can't get three months worth of rent in two weeks. I just—"

Kent took the phone from her hand, "You'll be paid in full tomorrow," and hung up.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting your landlord off your back from the sound of it."

"He'll expect that money." She paced. "What am I going to do? You shouldn't even be back here."

"I got an important call, and I have to leave. I came to give you your tip."

He handed her a large bill, much larger than the customary fifteen percent, along with her cell. Her shoulders slumped.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Go out with me."

"What?"

"Go out with me, and I'll catch up your rent."

"I'm not a hooker."

"It's just a date."

"In exchange for payment."

He put his hands in his pockets. "Do you know who I am?"

Her entire body tensed. Maybe the rumors were true.

"Yes," she whispered.

"But you still turn me down. Repeatedly."

"I… I don't…"

"It's ok. Goodnight, Gwen."

—

Gwen walked into her landlord's office as soon as his office hours began.

"Mr. Ross, I can give you—"

"So, your rent is paid and you come in? Typical."

"What?"

"I never see tenants when they owe rent."

"What do you mean my rent is paid?"

"Your accountant friend came and paid up through next month."

"Accountant?"

"Am I speaking gibberish? Yes."

She closed her eyes and left without another word. The taxi ride was more than she wanted to pay, but she couldn't take the bus that far across town. It would take forever.

The glass building was the second highest in the city. Krypton International Transport. She stopped at the front desk.

"What floor is Mr. Kent's office?"

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Kent doesn't see anyone without an appointment."

"You call him and tell him Gwen Barker is here, and I need to—"

"Miss Barker?" A red-haired woman approached her and held out her hand. "I'm Lois, Mr. Kent's assistant. He thought you might stop by. I can take you to him."

"Thank you."

—

Kent stood and slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Gwen," he smiled. "It's nice to see you here."

"I turned you down."

"I know."

"Why did you pay it?"

"I didn't want you on the street."

That answer took her back a bit. The attitude drained and she paced.

"Mr. Kent—"

"Call me Clark."

"I can't thank you enough for what you did, but I can't give you what you're asking."

"I'm not asking for anything."

"But you have."

He sat down at his desk, and leaned back in his chair.

"Why are you having financial trouble? I know that you're paid enough to get by where you work."

"You really want to know?"

"I do." He motioned for her to sit across the desk from him.

"I'm paying for my little sister to go to college."

"What about your parents?"

"My mother died my junior year of high school, and my dad got clingy. When I moved to New York, he was livid. When my sister decided to attend college here, he disowned us both for 'abandoning' him. He actually makes pretty good money, which makes it impossible for my sister to file for government aid."

"So, you'll be in the same spot in a few months."

Gwen nodded and covered her face as her lip trembled. Clark sat in the chair next to her.

"Gwen, I want you to hear me out. I've made no secret of the fact that I'm attracted to you."

"That's true."

"Don't interrupt. You rejected me. That's fine. I'm in a situation where I can help you, and I want to."

"Why?"

His eyes closed and she realized her mistake.

"Sorry," she said. "I interrupted."

"When you first turned me down, I was angry. I'm used to getting my way. But I've learned more about you. I watch you work. We've shared some small talk. And now I know you're the kind of person who would go into poverty for her family. It's not just an attraction anymore, Gwen." He took her hand. "I like you. A lot. I want to offer you an opportunity. I want to take care of you."

She pulled her hand away. "In exchange for what?"

"Two things, I guess. First, your company."

"I won't sleep with you."

He sighed. "I'm not asking you to."

"Then, what?"

"That's the second thing. I want you to keep an open mind, and an open heart. Try to feel something for me. Let's say, for a year."

"A year?"

"One year, and if you're not madly in love with me you can go back to your job, and your apartment, and I'll never bother you again."

"You want me to leave my job and apartment? I won't have them when the year is over."

"I'll make sure you do." He stood and gently pulled her from her seat. "So, you can spend some time traveling and knowing that your sister's education is completely paid for," his thumb brushed her jaw, "while I take care of you. All you have to do is let me enjoy your company."

"No sex?"

"I won't touch you intimately without your expressed consent. But I do ask to be allowed to touch you affectionately." He trailed the back of his finger down her cheek. "I can't imagine not touching you at all for a year."

She closed her eyes, and sighed. "And when you say that you'll take care of me?"

"Whatever you need. Whatever you want. When was the last time someone took care of you, Gwen? The last time someone thought about your needs and desires?"

Her eyes fluttered closed again for a moment.

"If I'm going to even think about spending an entire year with you, I need to be able to trust you. There are rumors about you. I need to know if they're true."

Clark sighed and cupped her face. "Some are."

"Which ones?"

"Certain… businesses that may not be above board."

"Have you ever… how do I even ask this?"

"Just ask."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

Clark shifted his weight from one foot to another and buried his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck.

"Some of the men I deal with are scum, and need to be treated like scum."

"Oh my God." She pulled his hands from her and backed away.

"Gwen…"

"Oh my God."

"They were criminals. Violent. Dangerous."

"You killed them!"

Clark wrapped his arm around her waist and covered her mouth with his hand.

"You can't yell things like that. Even in this office. Understand?"

She nodded and he let his hand fall, but kept her in his arm.

"I would never hurt you, Gwen. Never." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I need you to believe that."

"Why? Why me? Why any of this?"

"Because you turned me down."

"So, you just want me because you can't have me?"

"I can see why you'd think that, but, no." Clark walked away from her and stared out of the large window. "People use me. In most instances it's ok, I use them, too. But when all anyone ever wants from you is what they can get from your money or your power… it's tiring. You turning me down... I know you don't really want anything from me."

"Wouldn't this arrangement be because I want your money?"

"You don't want my money," he said with a smile. "You want your sister to go to college. If you could do it another way, you'd tell me to shove my offer up my ass. Wouldn't you?"

"Maybe not in those words, but…"

"Yeah, you would. I love that about you. I respect that. And it's a relief to talk to someone and know that they're not trying to work an angle." He slipped his hands into his pockets. "I just want to get to know you better, Gwen. Have I ever mistreated you?"

"No. You've always been very kind to me. Even when your guests haven't."

"And don't think they didn't hear about it. I couldn't disrespect them in front of the group, but they were sufficiently scolded for their behavior."

"Really?"

"I'll never lie to you. I might have to withhold things, sometimes for your own good, but I will never lie."

Gwen sat back down. "What about my sister?"

"What about her?"

"Would I be allowed to see her?"

"Of course." He squatted in front of her, and put his hand on her knee. "I'm not trying to hold you prisoner. You'll have your apartment to come and go from as needed, though you'd be living on my estate. And she could always come visit there."

She shook her head and chuckled. "This is insane."

"Maybe."

"Can I think about it?"

"Yes. Your rent is paid through next month. Take as much time as you need. I want this to be your choice. I don't want you to resent me. That doesn't really make you want to be with someone."

"If I decide to go through with it, how do I get in touch with you?"

Clark grabbed a business card from his desk. "Call this number anytime, day or night. I'll make sure you're put through to me."

Gwen took the card, but Clark held onto her hand and lifted her from her seat. He held her gaze as he kissed the inside of her wrist, and she exhaled through parted lips.

"I think that's toying with the line between affectionate and intimate, Mr. Kent."

"Clark. And I like to toy with boundaries."