Chapter 16

After dinner is over, Zero helps her clean up wanting her to get done quicker so he can have some time with her. He isn't sure where these feelings are coming from as he has never felt this way before. If he thinks back the only other person, he wanted this badly was Yuki. He just did his best not to think about that. Not wanting to relive the hurt and pain, he has been going through all these years since she left him.

Its why he is so scared to get even a little close to this woman, still not even asking her name. In a way, he feels its better not to know things about her, so he can't dream or want her. So things can't get out of hand. He knew she felt close to him, the problem was he was starting to feel the same. He felt calm and happy. Two feelings he wasn't used to at all.

When they are done cleaning up, she smiles at him going upstairs. Zero follows her not wanting to go to his new room but to hers. At the same time, he knows he has said a few things that probably pissed her off. He was hoping since this was a business deal she wouldn't take it to heart or hold it over his head. If she liked the sex and being that close to him, she would act like he never said what he did. Then he stands there and thinks why do i care so much? Everything here just baffles him.

"I see your coming to my bedroom?" She asks.

"Yes, If that is ok with you?" Zero replies.

"It is, I just this time want you to think about something. If you come to this room, its because you want to, not because I am paying you." She answers.

"Does it matter?" Zero responds.

"Yes. I want you in my bed willingly. Because you want to make love to me, that you crave it deep inside, not because of how many funds it's going to make you." She comments.

"I thought this was a business deal?" Zero remarks.

"What is to follow will be business all business. The sex isn't. Its either you come to my bed because I am something you truly desire or it's off the table." She states.

"So that means you truly desire me? Or what?" Zero asks baffled.

"I desired you from the first night, it wasn't just paying for it. I paid so I could get you into my bed. Now that I did I want more. If you can't handle that, it's fine. I understand. I just want you to know how I really feel. You're, not my paid whore, I want you to be my lover. She explains.

Zero stands there not sure what to say, he did feel the same about her. He wanted her, it's all he has been thinking about all night. To touch her pale warm body next to his. Her mouth on his body. She had him hooked after the first time. Just does he let into? He knew if they did it her way feelings would get in the way, they already are starting. He also didn't know why of all people she wanted him?

Why go picking up a level D nobody off the streets to be your lover? He knew something was up he just didn't know what. Something about her was familiar, yet he couldn't place it. He has never seen her before yet it feels like he has. Not even his hunter skills working at figuring this out.

"What happens when you get bored of me? You are the only income I have at the moment." Zero confesses.

"You will never have to worry about that. First of all, I am hiring you to help me with my work. it will gain you some trust, so you can maybe move on to real jobs. Secondly, I have made a bank account in your name and I have placed money in it. You will never need or want for anything as you have in the past. If you ever tire of me, you don't have to stay because you feel you have to. You are always free to leave. You will have enough to take care of yourself for a long time." She states.

"Why would you do this for me?" Zero asks.

She walks up to him, putting her arms around his neck and her lips to his without kissing him and says.

"Because I love you." She whispers.

Taking Zero's breath away.

"Love me? You don't even know me?" Zero replies pushing himself back.

"Why must you be so surprised that someone could love you? You are more then you see. You are a wonderful being, one anyone would be lucky to have to share life with. I need for you to see the good in yourself. Not what others have told you. They don't know you as I do." She replies.

"You don't either, you know me for a short time and you can just say all this? I think there is something wrong." Zero answers.

"I think there is nothing wrong. I know it's a lot to take in for you, so if you need to, you have your own room. You can come in here when you have your thoughts together and if its something you really want." She comments.

Zero nods and walks out of her bedroom, still thinking over and over again all she said. Not truly believing her at all. Now thinking maybe this is a game from the hunters, to get him killed.

At the moment he needed the money, to leave would only be killing him in another way. So, for now, he would stay and do her regular work and think about the rest.

Then he thinks, this is what he wanted, her to want him back. For her to care about him for real, now that it was happening, he ran away like always.