Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“She also doesn’t employ old guys,” Hunter counters. “That’s why you ended up in the room with Little Red Riding Hood, right? Because Twyla didn’t have anyone who matched what she was looking for?” I murmur my confirmation and he adds, “So, if you pass on the job, she’ll have to go looking elsewhere for her first time.”
“Or I could just tell her I’d like to see what develops between us organically, outside of a business relationship,” I say, voicing the thought that was knocking around in my head as I lay awake last night.
He grunts. “She came all the way to New York to hire a prostitute for a reason, Anthony. If she’d wanted sex the normal way, she could have found it in Maine. You said she’s attractive, right?”
“Stunning,” I counter. “But shy.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Hunter says. “Shy or not, a beautiful woman never has trouble getting laid if that’s what she really wants. Sounds like she’s looking for more than that. She’s looking for control, a way to manage her fear and anxiety about this major life event. If you suggest a modification to the arrangement, you risk taking that away from her.”
“True.” I move to my leather sofa, sinking into it as I stare at the city below. “But lying bothers me. I’m not a liar.”
“Stop.” Hunter’s voice turns serious. “You’re also not an asshole. There is no better guy for this job. She came to the club looking for someone safe and experienced to show her pleasure. That’s exactly what you’ll be doing. And you’re both consenting adults. I’m sure she understands there’s a certain amount of fantasy fulfillment in a situation like this. She knows you’re a professional providing a professional experience, and absolute truth isn’t a part of something like that.”
“Maybe.” I run a hand through my hair, catching my reflection in the window.
I look different somehow. Less controlled, a wilder man than I was twenty-four hours ago on my way into what I didn’t know would be my last day at the office.
“No maybes about it,” he presses. “I’m right. Just do it and enjoy yourself. You deserve a beautiful distraction this holiday season.”
I don’t know about “deserving,” but I’m certainly going to enjoy spending a week with a woman who tastes like heaven and looks at me like she can’t wait to devour me whole.
And I’m not sure I could say “no” to this if I tried, not even if Hunter thought that was the best course of action.
“So, where do I take her for our first date?” I ask, excitement for the night ahead taking over. “I looked for dinner reservations, but all my favorites are closed for Christmas, and theater tickets wouldn’t give us much time to talk before the end of the night.”
“I’ve got you covered, brother.” I can hear his grin in the words. “Remember Edwin? My friend who quit his investment banker job to apprentice with a master gardener up in the Bronx? He works at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden now and owes me a favor. I bet I can get you private access to the gardens tonight. The holiday lights are up, and I’m sure it’ll be romantic as hell. All you’ll have to do is pack a picnic."
It’s an awfully romantic gesture, but the offer is too perfect to pass up. “That would be amazing. Thanks, man.”
“My pleasure. I’ll text you the details once everything is set up.” He pauses. “And Anthony?”
“Yeah?”
“Stop wrestling with your morals and go for it, okay? Fate can be a bitch, but sometimes she hands out unexpected gifts, too. When that happens, our job is to enjoy them.”
I thank him and end the call.
Afterwards, I stand at my window watching the snow fall, anticipation rising inside me. It’s the second time someone’s insisted Fate is on my side in less than twelve hours.
I’m still not sure about that, but come this evening, I’ll be walking through a winter wonderland with a gorgeous, compelling woman who can’t wait to have me in her bed.
It might not be Fate, but my luck could be worse.
A whole hell of a lot worse…
chapter 6
MAYA
Tonight’s the night.
The night, the one I wasn’t sure would ever come, and I couldn’t be more excited if Santa had left a pile of presents and a bag of jewels under the rickety table in my shabby hotel room.
I throw a kiss to Pudge, whispering for my sleeping kitty to be good while I’m gone, and then practically dance out the door and down to the closest subway.
Forty minutes later, I emerge from the station near Prospect Park just as the sun is sinking behind the bare trees to find a handful of people lingering outside a nearby movie theater, getting tickets for an evening show. But all in all, this part of the city is peaceful at Christmas. I wander across the street, past the imposing façade of the Brooklyn Public Library without encountering another soul, feeling like the only patron in a museum after hours.