by E. L. Todd
I really didn’t want to mention John. That catastrophe followed me everywhere I went and I just wanted to forget about it. The fewer people who knew, the less often I would be reminded of it. If I told Rhett, he would pity me or think less of me, just like everyone else. I didn’t need charity, even if it was in the form of wordless thoughts. “I haven’t been consistent about dating and my father wants me to be more invested in my marital future. He wants to make sure I choose someone that will represent his image well. A single woman running a company doesn’t always get public approval. He insists a woman with a husband and family is better.” I made all that up on the spot and hoped he would believe it. If he really was interested in me, all he had to do was Google me or my father and he’d get all the dirt. But judging the fact he asked that question, he had no idea of my public disgrace.
“I see,” he said. “Does that mean you intend to keep a long relationship with me? Having me act as your husband?”
“No,” I said immediately. “I just want him to see that I have good taste in men. We don’t need to take it that far.”
He nodded. “Okay.” He sipped his coffee again, and while he drank, his eyes were focused on me. I wondered what he was thinking, what he thought of me, but I didn’t ask. “Danielle told you the rules of this arrangement?”
“She did,” I said with a nod. “I’m sorry you have to establish rules at all. It’s unfortunate you have to protect your dignity in such a strict way. You deserve more respect than that.”
He examined me with crystal blue eyes like an x-ray machine. It seemed like he could see inside me, see my thoughts as well as my soul. His body suddenly became rigid, but after a moment passed, he relaxed again. “I appreciate your words.”
I nodded.
“You and I will get along well,” he said. “I can tell.”
“I hope so.”
“So.” He ran his fingers through his hair in a sexy way, although I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. He was just naturally suave and cool, and every little thing he did was attractive. It was hard to believe I was sitting across from a man so beautiful. “Tell me about your job.”
I explained my position and my plan to invest in clean energy despite my dad’s objections. “He may not agree with me, but the utilization of fossil fuels needs to end. A lot of companies make high profits off it, but is sacrificing the earth really worth it?”
He leaned over the table and rested his elbows on the surface. “You sound like a hippie.”
“I am a hippie,” I said proudly.
A slow smile stretched his face then disappeared. His eyes brightened during the action, making him sexy and adorable at the same time. How did someone pull that off? “I meant it in a complimentary way. Not enough people care about big issues like that. We toss our refuse in the landfill and never think twice about it. We throw our cigarettes anywhere and just assume they’ll disappear. There are a lot of problems in the world that deserve a conversation.”
We’d only been talking for a few minutes but it was clear Rhett was highly intelligent, logical, and of course, charismatic. Like a politician, he attracted your admiration and made you feel loyal to him even though you hardly knew him. He was trustworthy, easy to believe in. He spoke eloquently, choosing the right words at the right time. And he listened, making him a good conversationalist. Most of the time, people weren’t listening. They were just waiting for their chance to speak again.
“I admire you for your passion,” he said. “I wish there were more people like you.”
His words made me feel warm. Heat blazed through my extremities and made me feel slightly weak. I didn’t know him well, but I already felt my stomach tighten in excitement just from being near him. No wonder why women wanted more than he was willing to give. Now I didn’t blame them. “I care about the future and the generations that will be here after my time ends. I think that’s something we should all care about, the continuation of our race.”
He nodded in agreement. “I’ll definitely work hard to get your father’s approval. I have to get you in the seat of power.”
It was a very sweet thing to say and I doubt he even realized it. “I appreciate it.”
“Can I ask you something?” He sipped his coffee then set it down.
“Sure.” What did he want to know?
“Why have you decided to use an escort service? I apologize in advance if this offends you, but you’re a beautiful woman and I doubt you have trouble finding men to spend time with.”
Beautiful woman? Me? I never thought I was ugly, but I didn’t think this ridiculously handsome man had the same standards I did. Compared to the women he must sleep with, I had to be a troll. Perhaps he was just flattering me to make me feel more comfortable around him. He was a salesman, in a complicated way, and it was his job to sell himself, to me and everyone else. “I didn’t want to use someone for my gain. I would feel terrible if I dated someone just for appearances. It wouldn’t be fair to him. This way, no one gets hurt.”
“But you must date often, right? If you really liked the guy, I doubt he would mind being your poster boy.”
“Well…I don’t date much.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling him that. He was just so hypnotic. It was easy to spill secrets and insecurities. We were practically strangers but I already felt like he was a friend.
“Any reason why?” he asked.
I pulled out the tea bag from my cup and set it on the napkin. “It’s just not for me.”
Rhett seemed to understand this was a topic not up for discussion because he didn’t ask any more questions. “What are your father’s hobbies?”
“Cars, golfing, and beautiful women. Oh, and of course, money.” I said everything quickly, knowing the answer to that question like the back of my hand.
“Women?” he asked. “Are your parents divorced?”
“My mom passed away years ago.”
His eyes fell in sadness. Perhaps he was pretending to care because it was his job but he seemed sincere. “I’m very sorry to hear that.” He didn’t ask how she passed away and I was relieved. I didn’t like talking about it.
“My dad will never remarry but he still enjoys female company. He loves to take them on luxurious vacations and out to dinner in his fancy car. They’re usually half his age and more interested in his money than his personality, but I don’t think he cares. He likes the attention. Or perhaps he’s just senile.”
He felt the rim of his cup with his thumb. “You don’t strike me as a spoiled rich girl.”
“Because I’m not,” I said immediately. “My dad didn’t give me much. I earn my salary and have always worked for everything I’ve achieved. He didn’t ever just hand me money or gifts. I was taught to work hard. That’s the one thing I do appreciate about my dad. However, he’ll make me work for everything I have but he’ll pay for some chick’s boob job. It doesn’t make much sense to me.” I stared into my tea, seeing the dregs at the bottom. “But, in the end, I’m glad it worked out the way it did. I wouldn’t take his money even if he offered it.”
Rhett watched me with his full attention. He hung on every word, making me feel like we were friends who’d known each other for years.
I realized I was babbling and droning on about my daddy issues. “I’m sorry. I said too much and made you uncomfortable.”
“No, not at all,” he said. “This is the stuff I like to know. It will make it easier for me to help you. I’m sure you assume an escort service is just men taking women out on fake dates, but it’s actually a lot more than that. We help people get through their issues, the real reason why they need us at all.”
“Yeah?” I asked. I didn’t challenge him. I just wanted him to elaborate.
“Yeah,” he said. “I have a client I’ve been working with for years. He’s a sixty-two-year-old man.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“I play chess with him a few times a month in the park. That’s all we do. Play chess. He talks about his kids, whom he
never sees, and I try to persuade him to reach out to them. He tells me other things too. Overall, he just wants me as a friend. He pays for my company, but in reality, I would do it for free.”
“Then why don’t you tell him that?”
He gave me a playful look. “I need eggs, butter, milk, and cheese.”
“Dairy products?”
He chuckled. It was a beautiful sound. It was hearty and full of joy. His chest rumbled as he did it, and his lips broke out in a smile that made the sun darken in comparison. “I meant food in general, which includes dairy products.”
Seeing him laugh made me smile. It was infectious. “It’s nice your escort services apply to more than fake romances.”
“We’re a friend service more than anything else. It’s just unfortunate the friendships can’t continue when the service ends.”
I didn’t ask him why they ended. “Do you enjoy what you do?”
“Very much. Some people look down on me because they assume I’m a glorified prostitute, but I’m not. I stopped trying to change people’s opinions a long time ago. They can think what they want. People will judge me no matter what I do. I may as well do what I want.”
“Words to live by,” I noted. “How long have you been doing this?”
“A few years,” he answered.
“How did it come about? It’s such an unusual profession.”
“I started when I was in college. A friend needed a date to a wedding, and after that, her friend asked me to do something similar. It snowballed from there and I started charging them for it. Then I got my friends together and we decided to make it into a company. It’s been very successful.”
I assumed he went to college. He seemed educated and knowledgeable. “Where did you go to school?” I asked, being curious about this unnaturally attractive man.
“New York.”
“What did you study?” I knew I should let him ask the questions but I found him so interesting I couldn’t stop.
“Business,” he answered. “I worked in an office for a credit card corporation for a while. But, I was very unhappy there. It was mindless, and I did the same tasks over and over. I was restricted to my cubicle and it was far too quiet.”
“Then why did you work there to begin with?”
He rubbed the back of his neck while he pondered my question. The curiosity was harmless, but it must mean something to him. “I’d rather not say. But, I quit when I couldn’t handle it anymore and continued the escort business. In the end, it makes me happy. I enjoy it.”
“Does it affect your personal relationships?”
He seemed uncomfortable again. He pressed his lips together like he was debating whether to answer or not.
“I apologize,” I said. “It’s none of my business.”
After a long pause, he spoke. “It’s difficult. A lot of women don’t like the fact I take other women out and hold their hands and pretend to be their boyfriend. It’s understandable. However, I wish they realized how professional it was.” He shrugged.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“You can’t have it all, right?”
Actually, he could. He had the looks, the intelligence, and the charm. “Have you done modeling?”
His eyes turned back to me then he quickly looked away. A light coloring filled his cheeks. Then a grin broke out on his face. He turned back to me, the redness still in his face.
I loved seeing him smile. I’d never been so moved by the simple gesture before. A smile from John never gave me butterflies the way it did with Rhett.
“That’s a flattering thing to say,” he said. “But no, I’ve never modeled and I don’t plan to.”
“Well, it’s always an option.”
“It’s not for me,” he said simply.
“So, all the men you work with are your friends?”
“Yes,” he answered. “One has been my best friend since grade school, and the others are guys I met on the journey.”
“Then work must be a lot of fun.”
“It is.” The smile reappeared. “We don’t interact often. But we have stories to tell—a lot of stories.”
“Are you going to tell them about me?”
His eyes turned serious as he regarded me. He rubbed his chin before he returned his hand to the table. “I will.”
“And what will you say?” I had no idea why I asked that. It just came out. My boldness surprised even me.
“That you’re beautiful and a delight to talk to.”
I smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“You have nice eyes.”
Had he ever looked at his own? They were breathtaking. “I like yours.”
“I’ve always loved green eyes. They’re so bright and noticeable. Most people have blue or brown eyes. But it seems like no one ever has green ones.”
“I’ve never noticed.”
“Now you will,” he said. “So, when is my first outing as your man?”
His last words made my body tense. I wasn’t sure why. “There’s a work party this weekend. It’s a silent auction fundraiser for charity.”
“I thought your dad wasn’t generous with his money.”
“He never donates any himself,” I said. “But he throws the party for tax purposes.”
He nodded. “I understand. What evening?”
“Saturday.”
“What would you like me to wear?”
“I get to decide?” I asked incredulously.
“You’re paying me. I’m at your mercy.” He gave me a playful look.
“A suit.”
“What color?”
“Black,” I said.
“I can do that,” he said. “Would you like me to pick you up or meet you there?”
“You can pick me up.” I didn’t want to risk anyone seeing our meeting on the sidewalk.
He pushed his napkin toward me. “Write down your address and I’ll pick you up. What time?”
“It begins at seven.”
“I’ll be there at six thirty.”
I wrote down the address then slid it back to him.
He pocketed it. “Thank you, Aspen.”
I liked it when he said my name. The baritone of his voice made it come out sexy, even though he didn’t do it intentionally. Some people were naturally sexy. I was naturally not sexy. “Thank you for doing this.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he said. “We’ll get you that company.”
“I hope so.”
“And when we do, you better save the world.”
I stared into his eyes and almost forgot to speak. “I intend to.”
“Tell me what happened!” Harper walked through my door without knocking.
I was sitting on the couch eating a bowl of cereal for dinner. “Uh, hi?”
“Uh, hello?” She jumped onto my couch. “So, what’s he like?”
I put down the cereal and turned to her. “Okay, you know how that waiter had a nice ass?”
“Yes…” She leaned forward in excitement.
“Well, this guy’s ass is a million times nicer than that.”
She smacked my arm. “Lucky!”
“He was dreamy. Like, wow.”
“Like, really wow?”
“Like, whoa.” I realized we sounded like teenage girls but I didn’t care.
“It’s a shame they don’t offer sex,” she said with a sigh. “I’d tell you to go for it.”
“He wouldn’t be nearly as dreamy if he did perform sexual favors for money.”
“If a guy is hot, he’s hot,” she said. “No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
Harper always saw things in black and white. I was more of a shades of gray type of person.
“I told you it was a good idea.”
“I haven’t introduced him to my father yet. It could be a disaster.”
“I find that extremely unlikely,” she said. “If he charmed you in five minutes, imagine what he could do to everyone else in an hour.”
>
“Well, since my father is straight, I doubt Rhett will have the same effect on him as he did on me.”
“Rhett?” she said. “That’s his name?”
“Yeah.”
“Even his name is hot.”
“I know. I wonder if that’s even his real name.”
“I bet his real name is even hotter, like Jasper or something.”
“Maybe,” I said with a chuckle.
“How awesome would it be if you two fell in love?” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“Whoa…hold on there. Let’s not get carried away.”
“It could happen.”
“It won’t,” I said firmly. “He made it clear he doesn’t date clients.”
“Maybe the right girl hasn’t come along…” She nudged me in the side playfully.
“This guy looks like he belongs on a billboard. There’s no way he’d be interested in me. I’m not fascinating, and I couldn’t even keep John around.”
She pointed her finger in my face and gave me a catfight look. “Don’t you ever say that again! That’s not true and you know it. John was just a weasel. You think he won’t do the same thing to Isabella that he did to you? He will, and she’ll hate her life. Do not let a man determine your value. Ever. That’s a sisterhood promise.”
She was right.
“My best friend is sexy as hell, has a great ass, and is the coolest person on the planet. You belong on a billboard long before this Rhett guy does.”
“You’ll change your mind once you see him.”
“Okay…maybe I will. But you still deserve your own billboard. Don’t let John make you doubt yourself. He’s just one shrimp in a sea of sharks. He’s nothing but a bottom feeder, munching on whatever is left over. His opinion is irrelevant.”
“You’re right.” Harper was always right. “Thanks for being my best friend.”
“It’s my job to tell you when you’re being stupid. And you’re being damn stupid.”
I smiled. “Thanks. So, how’d it go with waiter boy?”
“It was okay,” she said. “He was decent in bed.”
“Did he…you know?”
“Just say it, Aspen.” She rolled her eyes. “Did he make me come? Yes. But only once.”