The Billionaire and the Escort

by Evelyn Mahony

  James had given him the universal ‘one minute’ motion with his finger before stepping out onto the back patio. As he’d paced, Josh had read the paper that had been sprawled along the counter, mindlessly going through the articles before he realized it wasn’t the Times. It was one from Miami. Huh.

  “Sorry about that, Josh,” James had interrupted his reading, and Josh had raised his head to truly take a moment to appreciate James Barnwell in the morning. He’d showered and dressed in jeans and a gray button-down, which was rolled up to the elbows. His hair had been just slightly damp and his beard so perfect in the brightness of the morning that Josh had wanted to look away. It had been like looking into the sun.

  “No problem at all. Thank you for the coffee. I’m sorry I slept in. Usually my clients are eager to throw me out.” Josh had said the words with a chuckle—but they had been true. “Your bed is very comfortable.” Josh wasn’t sure when he’d last slept so well.

  James’ smile had been sincere as he’d picked up his own coffee mug—a matte-black one. “You looked very comfortable when I got up at seven to hit the gym. I couldn’t bear to wake you. It was the least I could do in return after the night you gave me.” James had slid an envelope across the counter. “I hope cash is okay. I’d prefer to keep this off my statements for now. My assistant would have a field day with it. No offense.”

  Josh had blushed a little and laughed, still surprised by James’ honesty. “None taken. I understand completely. And cash is totally fine.” He’d slid the envelope into the pocket of his jacket and picked his coffee back up. “So, you enjoyed your night then? Any complaints?” Josh had pressed, curious. James had shaken his head almost immediately, that damn grin seemingly permanent.

  “Not one. You’re just as good as you say. I’m impressed, to say the least. And you’re professional, which I appreciate.”

  “Would you like to book another session? I have some dates available…”

  “I’m actually headed out of town for a few weeks. But when I get back, I’ll definitely call you.”

  Josh had suddenly been unable to tell if James was being genuine or not. He’d been rounding the counter toward Josh and while Josh had wanted to press, he’d known better. “No problem,” he’d repeated. “You have my card. Call me whenever the mood strikes.” He’d flashed James a grin and blushed when it had been returned.

  And that was the last he had heard from James. It had only been three days, but he’d hoped to see James again sooner. He’d also paid him an extra thousand dollars. Josh tried to tell himself that was the reason why he wanted to see him again. He was obviously good for the money.

  “Earth to Josh,” Andrew called, rattling Josh from his memory. “God, what is with you?”

  “Nothin’,” Josh quickly defended himself. “I’m just trying to get this tree right.” He focused on the large oak tree across the street, beginning to sketch. Andrew looked at him, seeming less than convinced.

  “Sure, whatever. Just don’t forget it’s your night to cook. Nadia will be home by seven. I’m going for a run. He’ll call. Relax.”

  Andrew shut the door behind him, leaving Josh alone with his thoughts. He’ll call in a few weeks. It’s just good money. That’s all.

  * * * *

  It was a week later, while Josh was cooking on his night, when the phone rang. Distracted by the boiling water and the chicken in the pan, he probably shouldn’t have answered. Nadia and Andrew were going back and forth about painting the small living room, and the television was blaring over their argument. It was a normal night in for the three roommates but definitely made a less-than-professional moment for him to answer such a call.

  Not recognizing the number, Josh slid the bar across the screen and put the phone to his ear, stirring the pasta as he answered, “Hello?”

  There was a short pause, one that almost made him pull the phone away from his face to see if the person had hung up, when Josh immediately recognized the voice. “Josh? Is this…Josh Roberts?”

  Josh dropped the wooden spoon with a clatter and grabbed the television remote off the kitchen island, muting the TV frantically. Nadia and Andrew both turned to look at him like he’d lost his mind, but he was far too distracted to care. “Yes, hi, hello… It is.” He was suddenly out of breath for no damn reason and his cheeks were heating up instantly.

  “Hi, Josh. It’s James Barnwell from a couple Saturdays ago when we—”

  “Yeah,” Josh interrupted quickly with a chuckle then immediately regretted it, “I remember.” He was smiling as he stood in the kitchen, ignoring his roommates’ curious glances.

  “Oh.” James cleared his throat before continuing, “Good. I, um… Is this a good time?”

  Josh spun to look at the overflowing pot and the sizzling chicken then spun back with a look of desperation at Nadia and Andrew. “Yeah! Yeah, absolutely!” He tried to sound smooth and relaxed, but judging by the giggles Nadia was holding back, he knew he was failing. She stepped in to man the stove as he moved away and down into the short hall.

  “Oh, good.”

  James sounded great, Josh decided. He liked the sound of him over the phone. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he cursed himself and pushed it away.

  “I’ve been thinking about our time together and I had an offer for you, if you’re available.”

  An offer? “I can check. What are you thinking?” He chewed his lip and paced a little. He’d been waiting for this call like some silly girl. Whatever the offer was, he was determined to take it.

  “I’m in Jamaica on Saturday. If you’re available, I’d like to fly you down and pay for you to stay the week I’m there.” James sounded so confident and at ease as he spoke. Josh’s heart thumped away.

  “Let me check my calendar. Just give me a second here.” As Josh pulled the phone away, he made a conscious decision that regardless of who he had scheduled, he’d move them for this opportunity.

  And sure enough, he had three appointments that week. Taking a moment to gather himself, he reinforced his decision. “I can do it, definitely,” he replied, trying to sound just as confident.

  “Great.”

  Was that relief in James’ voice?

  “That’s great, Josh. Text me your email and I’m going to have my assistant get in touch with you. She’ll book your flight and give you all the information. Everything is on me. You won’t need to pay for anything, okay?”

  Josh didn’t know what to say, so he simply replied, “Okay… Wow, that sounds great. I’ve never been to Jamaica.” He wanted to smack his head against the wall as he mentally replayed the words. James chuckled, and it was a lovely sound.

  “I think you’ll love it. Stephanie will be in touch. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me.”

  “Okay, I look forward to it,” Josh replied with a small smile before they exchanged goodbyes. He ended the call and stared at the phone.

  “So, you’re going to Jamaica? With James Barnwell, CEO of Winter Luxury Resorts?” Nadia asked expectantly, holding the bowl of salad Josh had made earlier. He snapped out of his trance to find both of them smirking at him.

  He glowered.

  “Yeah? So what?” He tried to act like he didn’t care, feigning nonchalance as he went back to the stove to find that Nadia had already handled the pasta and tossed it in the lemon sauce with the chicken. He shot her a look of apology.

  “You’ve been thinking about this guy nonstop since you slept with him,” she began as Andrew sipped his beer and looked on. “Is this a good idea? You know we’re not supposed to get attached to clients. You had this guy one time, and he has messed with your head already.”

  Josh and Nadia had met one night, trying to pick up the same man in a high-end club downtown. They’d each ended up determining that the other was also an escort and had taken the man back to his room, showing him a good time—and also getting to know each other. And while sexual chemistry was there—and it was very good c
hemistry—they only saw each other as a best friend. They’d met Andrew, a firefighter and paramedic, through their mutual friend Clint when Andrew had been looking for roommates. While Andrew wasn’t sure what he’d gotten himself into by sharing his Brooklyn apartment with two escorts, the rent was always on time and they both knew how to cook—so it worked out for all parties.

  “He hasn’t messed with anything,” Josh argued, setting the table. “And besides, who turns down an all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica?”

  Andrew and Nadia exchanged silent looks that Josh ignored, and they all seemingly decided to put the subject to bed. Andrew turned the Yankees playoff game back on and Nadia brought the food over. They picked up baseball talk throughout dinner, but her words didn’t leave easily. He had to get his head on straight or this would go downhill—fast.

  * * * *

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into Montego Bay.”

  Josh buckled his seat belt and powered off his phone, knowing he’d have to go through customs before he could power it back on. James’ assistant Stephanie had assured him that she’d be waiting with a driver for his arrival. Staring out at the ocean from his window seat, he pondered how this trip would go. What did James expect from him? Sex, surely, but what else?

  He was also secretly excited for a week of vacation. Maybe he could get some sun, work on his art. He’d been on business trips with clients, but it had always been to someplace less exciting. He’d never been to the Caribbean before. A trip to Ireland in his senior year had ensured that he had his passport, but he hadn’t used it since. He was eager to see what Jamaica was like, to experience things he’d only seen in pictures, like sunsets against palm trees and clear blue ocean.

  The plane landed smoothly, and customs was easy. Josh had packed a reasonably sized suitcase with various outfits and plenty of bathing suits, just in case. He’d also packed two suits—expensive ones, because James was a CEO, and the last thing he ever wanted to do was embarrass the man. His suits were nowhere near the caliber James wore. Josh was certain James wore Armani and Hugo Boss, but his would be fine in a pinch.

  Walking down the long corridor, he spotted a pretty, curvy brunette and an older man holding a sign that read in big block letters ‘Roberts’. Josh wondered for a brief moment if this was what it felt like to be James Barnwell. Probably not, he quickly corrected himself. James flew on private planes that he owned. But for a moment in time, Josh felt important. He relished it and put it away deep inside, in case it never happened again.

  “Mr. Roberts?” she asked, smiling brightly as he got closer. Josh wondered if it was the eye contact that had given him away. He grinned.

  “Yes, but please, it’s Josh. You must be Stephanie.” He shifted his garment bag into his left hand and shook her right hand firmly.

  “Yes, Stephanie Markus. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.” She had a sparkle to her eyes that caught Josh by surprise, but he just gave her a friendly smile in return. “Mr. Barnwell is waiting for you back at the resort. He tried to come but he unfortunately got caught up in meetings. He sends his apologies.”

  Josh shrugged a little as he followed the older gentleman, who was obviously the driver and very familiar with the airport, to the baggage carousel. “It’s not a problem. I was figuring you’d be here to make sure I didn’t get lost.” He laughed a little and she blushed as they stopped by the claim area.

  “Oh, he wanted to surprise you,” she explained—and Josh couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in question. She didn’t seem to notice. “He’s been very excited for your arrival.”

  She glanced up at him with what Josh perceived as a knowing smile, making him shift a little awkwardly under his backpack and garment bag. Had James told them that he was an…?

  “Wait until you see the view from the room. It’s incredible.”

  Well, at least that sounded promising. Having James’ staff knowing he had hired an escort for the week sounded a little less so. There was sure to be judgment, right? Why would he tell everyone? Josh blinked and shook his head a little, coming back to the conversation to hear Stephanie going on about some kind of event at the end of the week. By then they were moving too, out into the small and crowded lobby toward the exit.

  “Mr. Barnwell has been working so hard on this remodel,” she explained, thinking he’d been listening this entire time. Josh nodded as if he had, pushing the rest of his thoughts away. “I’m sure he’s told you, but this is going to change the resort—the common area, the stage, the shows and shops, not to mention the chefs he’s hired for the Italian and Asian restaurants. I don’t know how he does what he does and manages to find time in between all that for you. I admire him. I haven’t been on a date in two years.”

  She rambled on as she opened the door to the Mercedes sedan waiting for them. “Which is fine,” she added, as Josh had yet to reply—because what exactly was he supposed to say?— “because I truly am married to my work at this point. I couldn’t ask for a better boss. Mr. Barnwell is wonderful to me, to everyone.”

  Josh slid into the car and wondered for a moment what exactly was going on and who exactly Stephanie was. He also wondered what on earth he was in for this week, because he usually operated under complete cover. No one ever knew he was an escort. A bubble of anxiety started to grow in his stomach, but he slid on his sunglasses and managed a smile, turning his phone back on as the car started. It was warm out, but in the most inviting way. Josh wasn’t going to argue, though, when the driver turned on the air conditioning.

  “So, Josh,” she began again once she seemed to realize he wasn’t exactly sure how to reply to her previous conversation, “Mr. Barnwell tells me you’re from Brooklyn. I grew up in Queens.”

  Josh had to admit that her bubbly attitude did make her endearing, and she obviously had enough energy to keep up with whatever James seemed to put on her plate.

  “Where do you live now? Do you miss it?” She cocked her head and waited wide-eyed and curious for an answer, and Josh wondered what kind of twilight zone he’d just stepped into. What the actual….?

  “I live about three blocks from where I grew up. My mom still lives in the same house,” he replied with a friendly smile. Stephanie seemed delighted with that answer.

  “Oh, wow! That must be so nice, to be able to go home. I visit as often as I can, but Mr. Barnwell has me based in Miami, working out of the office I have there, so I don’t get home much more than during the holidays. He gives great time off.”

  “How’s Miami?” Josh decided that if he could keep the conversation steered away from him, maybe this would be easier and less awkward—and maybe the anxiety causing his blood pressure to rise would ease.

  Luckily Stephanie had a lot to say about Miami, and it took up the entire fifteen-minute ride until they were pulling through the security gate at the resort. At that point, she grew much quieter, seemingly wanting to let Josh take in the sights of the resort James had designed and built.

  Winter Montego Bay stood out in a rich cursive font on either side of the large wall into the grounds. Stephanie explained briefly that there was an adult side and a family side, but people could intermingle if they wished. The car steered toward the family side, to which Stephanie said, “Mr. Barnwell resides on the seventh floor on the family side. He likes the view, and he has a soft spot for families. His sister is actually visiting this week, too, as part of the big grand-reopening.”

  Josh absorbed all that information, but he was far too busy staring out of the window as they came to a stop at the front doors of the open-air lobby. The driver opened the doors and Stephanie explained that he would get Josh’s luggage. She’d see him up to the room first. Hefting his carry-on only, Josh followed her through the lobby and questioned if everything was made of white marble. It was gorgeous. The view out of the main windows overlooked the pools and the ocean, a gazebo standing out among two coves. Every staff member acknowledged him with a smile and a hand over their heart as she gu
ided him through the hotel, giving a mini tour. She assured him that Mr. Barnwell would give him the full one later. If he didn’t, Josh was sure he could explore on his own—and planned on it. He had to see every inch of this place and send pictures back to Nadia and Andrew, who had sworn they’d evict him if he didn’t buy them Jamaican coffee and rum and give them a full report, including pictures.

  A special key unlocked the elevator to rise to the higher floor, and Stephanie went on to tell him about the owner’s lounge he’d have access to during his stay. All his drinks and food were included, anything he wished. It was also an all-inclusive resort, but Stephanie made sure to repeat that “anything you wish” was his, at no expense. Josh thanked her graciously, but she just smiled and told him to thank Mr. Barnwell. Josh would surely do that—as best he could, anyway.

  “If you need anything at all, dial twenty-two for the concierge on this level. If you need me”—she handed him a business card—“my cell is at the bottom, and it works over here on and off Wi-Fi, day or night. While you’re here, I’m happy to help with anything you need. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around quite a bit anyway, but just in case…” Stephanie offered him a very sincere smile as he handed him the key to the room. “It was wonderful to meet you, Josh. We’re very happy to have you.”

  As he thanked her again, genuinely, because she had in fact been a wonderful hostess thus far, she headed back toward the elevator and Josh flashed the keycard over the round door lock. The light turned green, and he pushed open the heavy door, taking a moment to marvel at the details as he stepped inside.

  He forgot all about his sudden curiosity with James as he looked around the room. It was bigger than his entire apartment, with a balcony extending along the entire front of the room displaying an ocean view he didn’t even know could really exist. There was a dining area all the way to his left and a king-size four-poster bed to his right—in its own bedroom. In front of him was a desk area and a living room, with far more furniture than he could ever need. The room was immaculate. The sliding doors to the balcony in the bedroom were open, the sea breeze enticing him. After going into the bedroom and dropping his backpack on the bed, he looked around, still in complete awe. This was far beyond a first for him. This was a dream. Josh almost pinched himself, just to make sure this was real life.