Chapter 285: Humbling

Ian left the bar with an overly friendly woman whose name he had not bothered to learn. He did not want to kiss her, but it did not stop the woman from rubbing her lips on any part of his exposed skin that she could reach. As a man, Ian appreciated the attention but as a responsible adult, who had never had a one-night stand, he was nervous.

Maybe it was because Mina had recently asked to get tested and had even run away so she could ensure the results were untampered with, or maybe it was something else, but Ian could not help but to imagine a rash growing where the woman's lips touched him. He remembered his father telling him that every time he kissed a woman, he would also be kissing every person that woman had kissed before him.

"No kissing," Ian whispered, and the woman nodded, but not before she dragged her tongue along the side of his neck. Ian felt himself react and he pulled the giggling woman into his waiting car.

----

Ian had been apprehensive at first, but he was a healthy man who had already tasted the forbidden fruit, and subsequently was thrown out of the garden. He would have liked to think of himself as someone who was in full control, but it was obvious to him that he was not.

Although the woman had not known; what she had done reminded Ian of the tickling sensation he felt when Mina had her face buried against his neck. It reminded him of how close they had been and how her arms felt wrapped around his shoulders. Ian thought he was without a weakness, but it was clear that he was not. Mina was his weakness; in every way the woman had planted roots into all aspects of his life.

Still, Ian had not stopped the strange woman's hands from roaming his body. He kept his eyes closed pretending that it was Mina, but the wet and warm sensation that wrapped around his shaft reminded him that it was not Mina at all. Ian's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the woman's head nestle between his legs, but just as soon as she started, she stopped.

"Before we continue, let's discuss terms."

----

Zane quite literally doubled over in laughter when Ian had recapped his experience the night before. He had known the woman was a bargirl, which is why he had not actually sent Ian to speak to her. However, his best friend was headstrong and arrogant; he needed a good humbling.

"What were her terms?" Zane asked mockingly and Ian himself had to chuckle as he relayed the woman's words verbatim.

"No photos, no friends, no handcuffs, no ropes, and no motels. Bank transfers must be made in advance and protection must always be used. Two-hour minimum: four-hour maximum," Ian repeated. By the end, Zane was lying on the couch of Ian's office, struggling to breath.

"They've gotten smarter," Zane said. "They used to wait to get to a hotel."

"You knew, didn't you?" Ian asked and Zane shrugged.

"She was one of the better-looking women around, yet no one was talking to her. It was obvious."

"Then why let me take the risk?" Ian asked. He had literally been scrubbing his body all night, grossed out by the thought of nearly sleeping with a prostitute.

"You figured it out well enough," Zane mocked. "What did you end up doing with her?" Zane asked. He had turned serious, and he was afraid his friend may have done the deed.

"I brought her into the room, ordered whatever she wanted and paid her before I left."

"Wasn't she curious?"

"No. she told me that I wasn't the first person who had hired her to eat," Ian replied. He shuddered and Zane noticed.

"You did something with her didn't you?" he asked, and there was no amusement in his voice.

"She licked and kissed my neck, but she also kissed me… somewhere else."

"Please tell me you used a condom," Zane said. His face displayed a mixture of guilt and fear.

"I didn't expect it-"

"Don't touch anyone for a least two weeks," Zane replied seriously. He did not even give Ian the chance to finish speaking. "Even if Mina lays fully naked in your bed and begs. Do you understand?" Ian was annoyed by the casual mention of a naked Mina, but he understood. "For the record, how you feel right now, is how Mina felt when she ran away." Ian narrowed his eyes at Zane.

"But I wasn't-" Zane held up his hand.

"I know that, but she didn't. Imagine how long she had been living in uncertainty before James accidentally drove it home for her. All I am saying is that you should use this time, to sympathize with Mina. I don't think you have anything, but it's better to be safe than sorry." Ian understood his friend's concern, but he was so uncomfortable that he needed to lighten the mood.

"I take it that we are done trying to get me a girlfriend?" Ian asked and stated.

"You know me too well," Zane replied.

----

Jessica had become extremely standoffish toward Mina, and she knew why. Mina wanted to apologize to the woman, but she saw no need when it was Dom who was put at risk. Jessica might have been angry, but Mina believed she would come around whenever she was ready.

Mina had already known what Jessica's fear was, and she had disregarded the women's safety by being selfish. Although she knew apologizing would do her no good, Mina saw no need to let the awkwardness settle.

"I won't run again," Mina said,

"I know," Jessica replied. Both she and Mina were misreading one another.

While Mina believed that Jessica was angry with her for running, Jessica was feeling guilty. She heard that Mina could have stayed hidden but came back on her own. Although she did not say it aloud, Jessica blamed her earlier admonishment. The pair allowed their guilt toward one another to fester, both ignorant of the truth.

----

Mina had been driven directly to the set by Jessica, as both of her bosses were coming in from home, and not from their central location.

When Mina arrived, she did not bother to look for Jay, who she was told had gone with Karen to a promotional event. Instead, she retreated to the place she kept her clipboard and got to work on what still needed to be done, and what she felt could be cut.

Out of sheer boredom Mina strode around the set, making notes here and there. She felt someone cover her eyes from behind and she turned around swinging. Her fist made direct contact with the face of Olivia, who Mina recognized from Dinner with Cylus.

"Oh my goodness! What were you thinking? I mean- I'm sorry." Mina could not keep her words straight and she realized what Dom meant when he said that sneaking up on a person was dangerous. The woman rubbed her face with a scowl.

"Aunty Celeste sent me," Olivia said, still rubbing her cheek.

"Who?"

"Oh, that's right. It's Madam Rue. She asked me to see if her idiot of a son made amends."

"Why?" Mina questioned suspiciously.