William braced himself. But Xander remained in his chair. The billionaire now dug out a silk kerchief from his pants. And wiped his face.
A moment later, two of the billionaire's guards had materialised at William's back. Seemingly out of nowhere.
"See Mr Pratt out, would you?" Xander said. In a calm tone.
Now, the billionaire stood. And turning around, simply walked away.
"Come on," one of the big, hulking brutes said. In a surprisingly soft voice. " Let's get you out of here."
William now found himself pulled his feet.
He wondered what would happen next.
Would the guards take him to a back room? And beat him within an inch of his life?
Suddenly, Willliam realized the peril he was in. Instead, he found a firm hand on his back guiding him through the Penthouse. In a minute he was in the private elevator. Going down.
Back in the hotel room, William found himself growing restless. Buffy still wasn't back. It had been at least a couple of hours. He meanwhile, had helped himself to some drinks out of the minibar. To calm his nerves.
William had no idea what he was going to do next. He had already spoken to Buffy earlier that morning. She'd answered his questions. But only grudgingly.
William only knew one thing for sure. His wife had lied to him. About what happened with the billionaire. He knew it for a fact. As he knew his own name. He just couldn't understand why. Why she wasn't being honest with him.
"Hi, honey," she said. Her voice upbeat and chipper.
William looked up. To see her. Buffy was back. From the spa treatment. His wife was in a white silk robe.
"Hey," he said. "How… how was it?"
"Totally amazing," Buffy said. "I took the deluxe full body package."
By now his wife had walked over to the mirror. And was examining her face.
"Totally worth it, right?" she asked.
William could see it. Buffy's face was practically glowing. His wife looked carefree. Contended. Satisfied.
Was it the spa treatment? he wondered. Or perhaps it was something else? Something that happened last night? With him? Or perhaps something that had happened today?
William shook his head.
"How was your day?" Buffy asked. Still examining herself in the mirror.
William still hadn't decided how to answer that question.
"Good," he said. Gruffly.
"Yeah?" she asked. Almost absent mindedly.
William stared at her. Buffy Anne Summers. His wife. The woman he loved. Who had spent last night with another man. For money.
Was she still thinking about it? About last night? All the things she'd done to Xander? All the things the billionaire had done to her? Things she'd let him do to her?
"Will?" she asked.
"Huh?" he responded.
"I asked what you did today?" she asked. Again.
William took a deep breath. It was time for the moment of truth.
"Oh not much," he said. "Just walked around a bit. Took in the sights."
"Cool," Buffy said. " We're going out right? For dinner?"
William hesitated.
"Maybe we should just order room service instead," he said. " I'm a little tired."
"Oh," she said. Looking slightly disappointed. "Okay. Maybe tomorrow, then."
"Yeah," he said. "Thanks."
"I'm just gonna hop in the shower real quick," she said. Walking over to the bathroom. "Okay?"
"Yeah," William said. Sitting down on the bed.
Buffy now shut the door. A moment later, William heard the water running. He let himself fall back onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling now.
His mind kept going over it. What Buffy had said. About what happened with Xander. A perfect gentleman, his wife had said. They'd gone into the bedroom. And done it thrice.
What had Xander said again? His words came back to William. Words he'd picked with the greatest care. Buffy had been appreciative, the billionaire had said. Grateful. And most obliging.
William closed his eyes. Trying to shut it out. All of it.
Then, he heard it. Over the running water. His wife was humming. It was a tune familiar to William. One of her favourites. Which he'd heard around the house but always tuned out. At first, she was only humming a few bars. Then, Buffy was singing. In her soft, sweet, voice.
Ooh, and now I know what love is
And I know it ain't you for sure
You'd rather something toxic
So, I'll poison myself again, again
'Til I feel nothing
In my soul (in my soul)
I'm on the edge of something breakin'
I feel my mind is slowly fadin'
If I keep goin', I won't make it
If I keep goin', I won't make it
William sat up. For the life of him, he couldn't remember the last time he heard Buffy actually sing. Maybe on their honeymoon?
And it's all because of you
It's all because of you
It's all because of you
It's all because of you
Whoa, whoa
Don't you, baby, hey
It won't matter, baby
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
When it's time, when it's time, when it's time
It won't matter, it won't matter
By now, the steam was rising from the bathroom. Fogging up the glass. Obscuring his vision of Buffy. William now lay back on the bed. He stared at the ceiling fan before he shut his eyes.
His wife was in an exceedingly good mood. That much was clear. William found himself wondering why. Was it the money? After all, she had $25 million reasons to be happy. They both did. Their financial problems were history after all.
Yes, William told himself. That was all. That was it. The money.
But a part of him couldn't help but wonder. Was that it? Or was it something else entirely? Something to do with Xander? And last night?
William shut his eyes. And took a deep breath.
Later…
Buffy and William were in bed. Watching some movie she'd picked. She had thrown his arm around her. And was resting her head on his shoulder.
William looked over her. To see the room service tray empty. His wife had practically devoured her food. Avacado and Oysters. Along with an entire bottle of red wine. And a sinful chocolate cake for dessert. He, meanwhile, had barely had a couple of bites of his steak.
William found himself hyperaware of Buffy's every movement. Her every breath.
"She's pretty, right?" Buffy asked.
"Huh?" William asked.
"Sharon Stone," his wife said. "She's hot, right?"
William shrugged.
Buffy giggled.
"It's not a trick question, Will," she said. "Women have eyes too, ya know?"
"Yeah," William said. Forcing himself to chuckle. And smile.
William's eyes returned to the TV. He was looking but not really seeing. The images were moving but he really wasn't registering anything.
When William blinked, he saw a sex scene was unfolding on the TV.
A man was laid out on the bed. With Sharon Stone on top of him. Riding him.
She took his hands, which were on her hips, and placed them on the headboard. Now, tearing off a strip of the bedsheet, she tied him up.
"Ooooh," Buffy tittered. "Kinky."
"Yeah," William said. He chuckled weakly.
The camera cut to the man's face. His expression was an exquisite grimace. Now, with the man's hands immobilized, Stone leaned back. Now, placing her hands on the bed, she let out a loud moan. Then began riding his cock for everything it was worth. Her long blonde hair covering her face.
When her hair moved slightly, William saw it was now Buffy on the screen. Straddling Xander. The billionaire was wearing an expression of exquisite pain.
What the fuck? William thought. His eyes growing wide. He looked down at Buffy. Who continued to watch the movie.
Then looked back at the TV. His wife was still on the screen. Riding the billionaire's cock. Like a woman possessed. A woman undone.
"Ohhhhhhh," Buffy was moaning. "Oh fuck! Hunnnh!"
"Yeah," Xander said. "Ride me, Buff."
William wondered if his TV had somehow been hijacked. Was Buffy seeing what he was seeing?
"Luv?" William asked. In a hoarse, hollow voice.
"Hmmmm?" Buffy said. She looked up at him. "Will? Everything okay, honey?"
Then, William felt it. In his pants. He was rock hard.
No, William thought. His eyes widening. No, no, no, no.
Suddenly, William found himself bolting out of bed. And rushing for the bathroom.
"Will?" Buffy called after him. " Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," he said. Inside, he locked the door. "Just gimme a minute."
William now took deep breaths. Trying to clear his mind of what he'd seen. But he remained rock hard.
"Christ," William muttered.
What the fuck is wrong with me? Why can't I stop thinking about it? About them?
"Will?" Buffy asked. She was on the other side of the door now.
"Just gimme a minute," he hissed. Through gritted teeth.
"Okay," she said. In a soft, soothing voice. "Should I pause the movie?"
"No," William said. Vehemently. He took a deep breath. "No, you.. you go ahead luv. I'll be out in five."
"Okay," she said. So softly he barely heard.
William waited. Until he was sure she was gone.
Then began counting to 100. Waiting for himself to soften.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" he whispered.