Chapter 2

By now, I was pretty used to the idea of men using me for my services. Hell, most of them would prance in, throw down their pay and have their way with me until whatever needs they had no longer existed.

Some talked, going as far as to treating me like I was some kind of therapist. Others wouldn't say a word. Not even a thank you. Most of the time, it depended as much on the day as it did whomever I was with.

Married men. Recently divorced. None of it mattered. So long as they paid and left me standing, who was I to judge? Sure, some of them wore rings, but there were a fair few who remembered to at least take their ring off out of some kind of respect. It didn't help, of course. The tan line from the missing ring was always there.

Luckily, my mystery lover wasn't any of these things. Not only did he not wear a ring, there was no evidence of him having one in the first place. But as kind as he was, I couldn't help wondering why. Why wasn't he married? Was it because he hadn't found someone yet, or was he the type that didn't care for the idea of being tied down?

I sighed as I brushed the knots from my hair. Out of all my clients, he was the one I knew the least about. He was also the only one I'd be more than happy to listen to, but the matter of if and when was completely up to him.

The other men who happened to walk through my door probably told me too much. If a ring on their finger wasn't enough, them admitting their disloyalty most certainly was.

And above all else, that was the part about being an escort I hated most. The pay was good, but at what price for the women they supposedly loved? I hated their stories. Confessions Lies. Some days they'd unload all they had. Other days they'd settle for a quick fuck and be on their way.

Not my orange spice. The only words I'd ever heard pass through his lips were in the midst of passion. Aside from knowing he'd be more than welcome in my bed, he was a complete mystery to me.

So when he arrived a few minutes early the next day, something heavy settled in the pit of my stomach. Always punctual, I could tell just by the way he closed the door that something wasn't right.

A light touch on my shoulder and a warm bathrobe around my arms confirmed my suspicions. He'd covered me. Whatever he'd come for today, sex wasn't part of it. But if he didn't need my services, why did he come in the first place? He has your number. He easily could've called me to cancel. There was no reason he had to come and do so in person.

“I'm sorry I didn't call first,” he began, keeping a hand on my shoulder. “But this was something I'd rather do in person.”

If there was ever a time I wanted to look at him most, now was it. His voice was heavy, and I could've sworn there was a hint of regret.

“I apologize, but I cannot stay for our appointment this afternoon, but...” He exhaled, and the knot in my stomach wound a little tighter. “What are you doing tonight?”

What? It took everything I had not to turn back to look at him. But God did I want to. In the time it had taken him to put the robe around my shoulders, something in him changed. I couldn't place it, but something definitely felt off. I just hadn't decided if I liked it yet or not.

“Kira?”

“Hmm?” He asked you a question, remember? “Umm, not that I know of. Why?”

Was he rescheduling? Was he trying to figure out just how late I left my door open to clients? I chewed my bottom lip, and the longer it took for him to reply, the more restless I became. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Pressed both palms against the counter.

Breathe, Kira, remember to breathe. It was impossible to take a breath with him in the same room.

When he finally spoke, his voice almost cracked. “Then, if you would not mind, I'd like to meet later this evening—but not here.”

I swallowed hard. “But this is where I...”

“This is where you work, I know. However, that isn't my reason for inviting you elsewhere. Let's just say I have an event I must attend, and I'm in dire need of a personal companion.”

A companion? Was he seriously asking me out...on a date? “I don't know if I should.”

“Do you have plans?” He knew I didn't. I'd already said as much. “If money is an issue—”

“No, it isn't that...it's just...” I trailed off.

Yes, Kira, why don't you want to meet with him? If he was asking me out, that meant I'd finally get to see his face. Learn his name.

There was no reason I could conjure up that would've been the truth. Truth is...I want to go with you.

“Look, maybe I was being too forward,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts. “But if you don't mind my saying, you and I both know business as an escort isn't entirely sound.”

My body stiffened.

“I'm not going to out you. However, I don't think I need to tell you how dangerous this—what you're doing, especially from your own home—is. That said, do you, or would you be willing to offer your services outside the home?” He caressed my cheek. “It would be in a public place. Like I said before, I'm in need of a companion, and well...” I could almost imagine him shrugging to finish off the sentence.

I leaned into his caress and smiled. There was nothing wrong. He just hasn't asked a woman out on a date in a while. Either that, or like me, he had no idea how to handle our relationship when it didn't involve some of the best sex I've ever had.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” I corrected myself before I could get a good look at him.

But it didn't help the fact that I'd noticed the firmly pressed suit he had on. Fuck. I knew he was a businessman, but from the short glimpse I got of him, he not only wore the suit well, he looked damn-near perfect in it.

“Why yes, I suppose I am,” he said with a playful lilt in his voice. “So, should I put you down as my plus one?”

Oh. My. God. I'd had dreams about this, but never in my wildest—

“Kira, I asked you a question.”

I licked my lips. “I guess I could be persuaded.”

“Good.” He leaned forward to kiss the back of my neck. “The pay will be more than enough for your trouble.” He set a card with an address on the counter beside me. “You'll find me at that address. Arrive at eight o' clock sharp, and I'll show you around.”

“But what should I wear? How will I know who you are?”

“Wear what's comfortable. As for my identity, let's just say I won't be easy to miss.” He drew the robe away from my one shoulder, kissed it and backed away. “Eight o'clock.”

I nodded, which must've work. The side door opened, then closed, albeit a little slower than usual. I smiled. I had a date. A real date. And by the look of it, just asking me out made him anxious as hell. It was kind of cute, but then reality set in. If I was going out on a date, that meant canceling on my other clients, as there was no way I'd be able to give them my full attention.

Not that it wasn't already an issue, but after my visitor's invitation, there was just no way I could bring myself to be with anyone else until I saw him again.

Hugging the robe around my arms, I headed into my living room to grab my cell. With any luck, I'd be able to reach my ex before he came knocking at my door. But after dialing his number, it went straight to voicemail.

Shit. Knowing him, he was already on his way. Please, please for my own sanity, make this one of his better days.

The last thing I needed was his usual bullshit at work to get me down. No way in hell I'm coming off this high any time soon.

I just hoped he didn't notice.