Her Client- The Complete Series

by Sally E Xander

  A few minutes later, Jayla fanned herself and turned off her e-reader. “That was so good, but I shouldn’t read erotica when I don’t have my woman around.” I laughed, but her expression was serious.

  After slipping her kindle into her bag, she stood and gave me a warm hug. “How was class?”

  “Fine. You?” I asked even though our answers were always the same. We were both just holding on until graduation.

  “Same.”

  Once we had food and coffee in front of us, Jayla started in on her usual. “Please. Please let me set you up with someone.”

  I shook my head as I stuffed my face. “No way.”

  “Come on,” she begged. “You can’t keep pining for that chick you can’t be with.”

  Closing my eyes, I shook my head regretting telling Jayla I had been with a woman. A special woman. She was never going to let this go. “I’m not pining.” I was definitely pining. “I’m just really busy with school and work. Plus, I’m moving in a few months. I don’t want to start something knowing it can’t go anywhere.”

  “I’m not asking you to get married. We...”

  “We?” I asked.

  “Me and Lisa think it would do you good to get a little action.” She winked but she wasn’t finished. “Just go on a date. Meet someone knew. It would be so much fun to double date with Lisa and me. Don’t you think?”

  It would. But dating wasn’t an option right now. That was why I threw away the cute guys number. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  Jayla’s shoulders fell as she blew out a breath. “Fine, but you’re still coming to our party?”

  “Absolutely. I can’t wait,” I assured her.

  “And you’ll let me introduce you to some of our friends?” she said with a little twinkle in her eyes.

  “I would love to meet your friends.” That seemed to please her. Meeting her friends wasn’t a big deal considering I had already met a few from when I hung out at her and Lisa’s house Thursday nights.

  Since I was done talking about my personal life, I changed the subject to one Jayla loved talking about. “How are the wedding plans going?”

  Jayla’s smile brightened. For the next hour I sat and listened to her talk about all the details. Wedding’s had never interested me, but Jayla’s excitement was contagious.

  Not only was I excited to see my two new friends get married but I couldn’t wait to go to their reception. They were planning a huge party, something I couldn’t wait to go to. It would be the first time in years I could drink and party without worrying about having to go to class the next day.

  ***

  Jayla gave me another hug before waving goodbye. She was off to another class, and I was heading to my nanny job.

  My boss’s mother, Meg met me at the door holding her finger to her mouth to keep me quiet. She dragged me into the empty dining room. Curious I whispered, “What’s going on?”

  With a serious expression, she looked around to make sure we were alone before she asked, “Has Mark told you about the woman he’s been seeing?”

  Biting back a smile, I shook my head. He was keeping that information under lock and key. I figured he was just trying to keep it low key since this was the first person he dated since his wife passed away.

  She huffed as he pressed her hands to her hips. “I’m trying not to scare him but they’ve been dating over a month now, and he still hasn’t introduced us. I don’t even know her name.”

  I shrugged. “Sorry, I can’t help. I’m curious too, but it must not be that serious.”

  Shaking her head, she said, “I think he’s hiding her because he’s afraid I’ll start talking grandbabies.”

  An unflattering snort came out of me. “Wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes,” she admitted with a little smile. “Is it bad that I want another grandchild? I mean Ethan is wonderful, but it would be great to have another grandbaby around the house.”

  “Uh Oh! What are you two whispering about?” Mark asked with a little warning in his voice.

  Meg turned around with her eyes wide and a guilty expression written all over her face. She managed to pull herself together long enough to give him a mom stare. “It’s none of your business. Just a little girl talk.”

  Mark focused his attention to me, and I shook my head as I held back a laugh. “Right. Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, mother,” he said with a little emphasis on mother instead of mom.

  Meg kissed his cheek and yelled goodbye to her grandson Ethan who was busy playing on one of his game systems.

  Once the door closed behind her Mark turned to me. “So, she asked you who I was dating again?”

  “Yup.”

  Mark followed me into the family room where I dropped my book bag then messed up Ethan’s hair to let him know I arrived. He smiled and said, “Hi Angel” but never took his eyes off the T.V.

  “Hey, I wanted to see if you could babysit Thursday evening?” Mark asked. When I looked over at him, he seemed…hesitant.

  “I can’t. I’m working that night.” My stomach twisted because my job was to fuck his friend Jeffrey.

  “Oh, right. I forgot you worked Thursday and Friday nights.” He tapped his fingers on his leg as he stared off.

  “Big plans?’ I asked interrupting his thoughts.

  “It’s…” he looked over my shoulder at Ethan then leaned in and whispered, “a date.”

  “Out of curiosity are you ever going to tell your mom,” and me, “Who you’re dating?”

  “Not yet. I…I’m not sure how I feel about…I mean I’m having fun.” A smile lit his face. I had noticed he seemed a little happier. “It’s been good, and I don’t want to jinx it or get too excited. We have a history so…”

  “Aww. Like a second chance love story.” The kind Jayla loved to read.

  He gave me a nervous laugh. “Yeah. I guess it is.”

  The same kind of jealousy I felt when I hung out with Jayla and Lisa, filled me as I thought about how I wished I had love story.

  3

  “Ooooh food!” Lisa moaned as she stepped into the kitchen and dropped her briefcase and her keys on the counter. “No offense, Angel but I thought I would hate having you here every Thursday. But since you started coming over, dinner is always ready when I get home.”

  Jayla gasped in fake outrage.

  “Sorry, sweetie.” Lisa pinched Jayla’s ass as she walked toward the open bags of Chinese food.

  “My domestic side hasn’t kicked in yet. Plus, it’s kind of nice to have someone else buy.” Jayla explained.

  Lisa nodded with a satisfied grin. “True,” she said around a bite of egg roll.

  “I’m glad I could help.” I didn’t bother telling them it was more for me than for them. Becky’s study group met at our house on Thursday’s. Though calling it studying was pushing it. It was more like a scheduled time to flirt, listen to loud music, and eat all of my food.

  So, when Jayla asked if I wanted to study at her place I hopped at the chance. My way of paying them back for helping me to keep my sanity was to buy us dinner once a week.

  On occasion, Lisa has had a friend or two stop by and she always made sure to introduce me to them. I was pretty sure Lisa was trying to hook me up. Jayla had mentioned Lisa was still worried that I was trying to steal her away, but that would never happen. Jayla’s beautiful but I don’t see her as more than a friend. Plus, Jayla was head over heels in love with Lisa. And according to Jayla, Lisa was fantastic in bed and out of it.

  I only wished someone felt that way about me.

  The only negative about hanging out with these two was how much they showed me what I wanted. It was as frustrating as it was painful.

  After dinner, I went back to studying until my alarm went off reminding me of my appointment with Jeffrey. Now that I hung out here on Thursday’s I had to leave a little earlier for the hotel. It gave me enough time to change and prepare there.

  As I packed up my books and computer, I announced, “It’s
time for me to head out.”

  Jayla and Lisa, who were cuddling on their couch sipping wine while they talked about their day, turned to watch me.

  “Tell me the truth, you’re seeing someone, aren’t you?” Jayla asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “I see lots of people,” I stated with a little laugh.

  “You’re secretly dating someone.” Jayla snapped her fingers. “You’re seeing that woman you like.”

  That hit a little too close to home, but she was wrong at least tonight.

  “No. I’m not. I have work.”

  With a huff, Jayla snuggled back against Lisa. “Why are you so secretive about your job?”

  “I just am.”

  “Are you a stripper?” Jayla asked.

  “You’re keeping a secret because you’re afraid we’ll show up and find out you’re a horrible dancer.” Lisa teased.

  “Oh my god! I’m not a stripper. I swear.” Though I should have considered stripping instead of working as a call-girl. Not that either was widely accepted. “I have to go.” Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I waved goodbye.

  “We’re going to figure it out eventually,” Jayla said in a sing-song voice.

  “Mmmhmm.” I hoped not. “Thanks for letting me hang out.”

  ***

  On my way to the hotel, I stopped by a bakery to pick up a couple of cupcakes for Jeffrey. Last week he mentioned it was his birthday today and he wanted to do something special. I figured we could take turns eating cupcake off of each other. I also brought along a few sex toys I had picked up that week. I had no idea what he meant by special, but I figured changing it up a bit would be fun.

  Wearing a sexy red negligee, I opened the door holding a cupcake with a lit candle for a very tense looking Jeffrey. He gave me an appreciative glance before closing the door. Then his expression turned serious as he ran his hands through his hair then stared into my eyes.

  “I did something. I know I should have talked to you first but…” Jeffrey didn’t get to finish because a heavy knock on the door interrupted him.

  Did he order room service?

  Why would he be nervous about that?

  “What’s going on? Are you okay?” I asked as I noticed perspiration on his forehead and noticed a drop of sweat fall from his temple.

  “I’m going to open the door, but I don’t want you to say anything until I can explain myself.”

  Another hard knock had me jumping in my stilettos. My stomach tightened with nervous energy as I watched Jeffrey turn and open the door.

  All the oxygen in the room disappeared the moment I saw who was behind the door. Even if I wanted to say something, I couldn’t.

  Mark gave Jeffrey a sexy smile and leaned in as if he were going to kiss him. Right before their lips met, Mark stilled. He glanced over at me and I watched as Mark’s face turned white. At the same time a loud buzzing sounded in my ears.

  This wasn’t happening.

  Mark was here.

  My boss, Mark.

  I was wearing sheer lingerie so he could see everything.

  Everything!

  I stumbled as I rushed to the bathroom to find something to cover my body.

  How could Jeffrey do this?

  He swore he wouldn’t tell Mark my––our secret.

  How could he?

  Why would he?

  My clothes were piled on the counter, but with my shaking hands, it would take forever to get redressed. So, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me before I went back out to confront Jeffrey. And to also say goodbye to my life as I knew it.

  Mark’s eyes were back on mine as I neared him and Jeffrey who now held a drink in his hand. He stared at me with the same intensity as Mark.

  “What’s happening here, Jeffrey?” Mark asked. He looked back and forth between Jeffrey and me.

  “I…I have no idea,” I said with a knot in my throat.

  Mark pinched his eyes closed as he massaged his temples. “Why are you here with him, Angel?”

  I looked to Jeffrey when I was only able to stand there with my mouth gaping open.

  “Let’s all sit down, and I’ll explain everything.” Jeffrey waved a hand toward the seating area and waited for Mark and me to take a seat. Me on a stuffed chair and Mark on the furthest end of the sofa away from me.

  Holding his glass with a tight grip, Jeffrey looked to me. “Since the moment I met you, I liked you, Angel. I could see that you were fun in bed,” Mark’s mouth dropped as he looked from Jeffrey to me then back to Jeffrey.

  “You two have been fucking? How long has this been going on?

  That was when I finally spoke up.

  “You know that other job I have?” Mark nodded and waited for me to go on. “I work as a call-girl and Jeffrey…” I pointed to the man of the hour.

  “I’m her client. Or one of them.” All the blood rushed from my face, and my heart raced in my chest. For the first time, I felt shame for working as a call-girl especially when I saw Mark’s expression. A mix of disgust and unbelief.

  “He…” Mark pointed to Jeffrey then to me. “You? He pays you to fuck him?”

  I cleared my throat before replying. “Yes.”

  “As I was saying,” Jeffrey went on. “The more time I spent with you, the more I knew that things could be more between us.”

  This time it was my jaw to drop.

  Jeffrey didn’t give me a chance to respond as he looked to Mark. “And you know how I feel about you. I love you, Mark. Reconnecting these past few months has been…more than I had hoped for.”

  When I figured out what he meant, I realized it was going to take heavy machinery to get my jaw off the ground.

  “When I found out you two knew each other, I figured out a way for us to...have what we had before.”

  I couldn’t stop blinking.

  Was this really happening?

  And what did he mean by what they had before?

  “I think the three of us could work.” Jeffrey looked back and forth between Mark and me. But when he turned his attention back to Mark, he said, “You seemed most comfortable moving forward with me when…when Jill initiated the threesome. So, I thought we could have Angel join us and be our third.”

  I couldn’t move.

  I couldn’t speak.

  I wasn’t even sure if I was comprehending Jeffrey’s meaning.

  He was talking about Jill, Mark’s deceased wife as if they had all been together.

  And he was talking about me being a third?

  What the fuck was going on here?

  They both turned to me at the same time. That was when I realized I had said my last thought out loud.

  I stood on shaky legs because this didn’t seem like a conversation I should have sitting down.

  “You mean, you want all three of us to have sex together?” I asked.

  “No. yes.” Jeffrey sighed with frustration. “I don’t want all three of us to be together just for sex but in a relationship. Like what Mark, Jill and I had.”

  I shook my head and saw Mark shake his. “No,” I said as firmly as I could.

  “No. That will never happen,” Mark said as he stood then began pacing. “Angel and I… No. Never.”

  “He’s right Jeffrey. I would never.” Chills ran down my spine. Mark was like a brother to me and even if he wasn’t, he paid me to babysit his son. Or at least he did until this evening.

  Jeffrey’s shoulders slumped then he swallowed the last of his drink before setting his glass on the coffee table. “I’m sorry. I made a huge mess of things didn’t I?”

  “Yes, you did,” Mark and I said simultaneously.

  The room had gone silent as we all processed what just happened. My mind was reeling with the number of secrets Jeffrey shared.

  Mark stopped pacing when he reached the large window facing the city. With his hands on his hips, I noticed how his breathing slowly normalized and his shoulders relaxed. After a few deep breaths, he turned to face Jeffrey and me, but his atte
ntion was only on Jeffrey.

  “The day Jill died, I…” Mark licked his lips and drew in another deep breath. “I told her we couldn’t do this anymore. Being together as a threesome.” Jeffrey stepped toward him, but Mark held up a hand. “Bringing you into our bed was her idea, and she was angry that I wanted to stop.”

  “You wanted to stop?” Jeffrey’s voice trembled.

  “No.” Mark shook his head. “I loved it. But I loved it because of you.”

  I sucked in a breath as I watched Mark show a million emotions with one look.

  “I told her that we couldn’t keep going because I had fallen in love with you and I didn’t want to share…you.”

  Holy.

  Shit.

  Blinking back tears, I sat back down. Mark had been in love with Jeffrey.

  “You felt guilty for loving me?” Jeffrey asked as he took a few more steps closer to Mark until he was standing a foot away from him.

  “No. I felt guilty that I loved you more than Jill. She was my wife. I had made promises to her and what I felt for her was…nothing compared to how I felt––feel about you.”

  Jeffrey gave him a watery smile as he laid his hand on Mark’s chest right over his heart. “I love you too.”

  Mark nodded as tears streamed down his cheeks. “She left the house upset. A few hours later, the cops were at my door to tell me she had died in an accident.”

  “You felt guilty. That’s why you stopped taking my calls and wouldn’t see me.” It wasn’t a question, but Mark closed his eyes and nodded again. Jeffrey wrapped a hand around Mark’s neck and pulled him into his arms and held him as he whispered in his ear.

  Wiping at my eyes, I stood and left them alone. As I redressed everything that had just happened ran around in a circle in my head. I was happy for them and stunned. More stunned than happy. But what did this mean for me? Mark knew my secret now.

  It didn’t take a genius to figure out Jeffrey was no longer my client.

  Did I still have a job babysitting Mark's son?

  Neither of them noticed as I picked up my things and left the hotel room.

  As I sat in my car staring at the hotel, I could help wonder what tomorrow was going to look like.