Choices

by Galia Ryan

  “Good idea,” she mouthed back.

  Pinocchio’s was one of her favourite restaurants. Unpretentious, it was the antithesis of many of the places she was taken as an escort. It also helped that the food they served was exceptional.

  “You know, I hope this place never changes.” She looked around at the red-checked tablecloths and dusty Chianti bottles in wicker baskets before twisting her fork into her tagliatelle.

  “Don’t you think it’s a bit clichéd?”

  “Yes, but that’s why I like it.”

  He took a mouthful of valpolicella and leaned back.

  “Good?” He was talking about her food.

  “Mmm,” she said between mouthfuls.

  “I was wondering ...” he began.

  “What?”

  “Well, do you think we should try living together? You know, just to see if it works out?”

  Anna’s heart was pounding. “Why not?”

  Jake was obviously pleased.

  “You think you could put up with having me around all the time?”

  “I think I could manage. I’m more worried about you putting up with me.”

  “Well, let’s see ...” He thought for a moment. “Have you any bad habits I should know about?”

  “None that I’m aware of.”

  “Any ex-boyfriends who might turn up at inopportune moments?”

  “No.” That at least was true.

  “Well, unless there is some dark and sordid secret in your past, I think we stand a good chance, don’t you? So what do you say? Shall I bring my stuff over to your place, or do you want to come to mine?”

  She had no intention of going back to her old apartment block. His place was even smaller than hers had been. But worst of all were the friends who expected to be able to crash on his couch at the last minute.

  “You’d better make it mine.”

  “Glad you said that. How about I borrow a van and we do it the weekend after next when I’m off?”

  “That’s the one before Christmas,” she reminded him.

  “Is that a problem? I didn’t think you had made any plans.”

  “I hadn’t.”

  How on earth was she going to wrap up her affairs in time? Leaving the agency was only a matter of a phone call, but there was the financial aspect to sort out. Like everyone else she had the usual bills and other outgoings to pay. And he would find out she wasn’t really a mobile mortgage manager. She would have to make something up. Tell him she had resigned.

  He touched his glass to hers. “Does the thought of it make you nervous?”

  “A bit.” That’s an understatement, she thought.

  “Me, too.” He leaned forward and took her hand. “But I think it’ll be okay.”

  * * *

  That night their lovemaking was a slow and languid affair. Jake loved to play with her body and watch her reaction. When he touched a fingertip to her nipple, it immediately responded, and she would groan and lift herself a little as if to demand more. As he had come to know it would, her tongue worked its way between his lips when he leaned down to kiss her.

  “Fuck me,” she whispered.

  “Anytime,” he said softly, his hand moving down to slip between her legs. He marvelled that she was always wet for him. He found her clit and closed his fingers around it. Suddenly he wanted to taste her and edged down her body, leaving a trail of kisses as he went. Her legs immediately opened for him, and her fingers tightened in his hair to hold him hard against her.

  “Oh yes, oh yes,” she was murmuring incoherently.

  She was both sweet and salty. His tongue probed her opening before moving back to her clit.

  When he sensed she couldn’t take any more, he entered her. God, her cunt was so hot. She was demanding, meeting him stroke for stroke. Watching her fingers pull and twist her nipples, he knew there was no way he would last. Praying she was close enough to orgasm at the same time, he thrust hard into her.

  * * *

  “Shall we finish the last of the wine?” Jake asked drowsily.

  “Can you reach the bottle?”

  “Not without disturbing you,” he replied. They were still wrapped together, her head on his shoulder, their legs entwined.

  “Then don’t. Not yet.”

  Jake lightly kissed the top of her head.

  “You know I love you.”

  “I don’t deserve you,” she said.

  “You’re right,” he said.

  She had just enough energy to give him the lightest slap.

  “Are you still okay with me moving in?” he added. Anna caught the slightest hint of uncertainty.

  “Of course.”

  “Good. I can get a couple of the guys to give me a hand to shift what little I own. You won’t even know I’m here.”

  “Won’t that be missing the point?” She snuggled closer.

  “That reminds me, I’ve got something for you.”

  “What is it?” She lifted her head curiously.

  “Well, if you want it you will have to let me get up.”

  “I want it. Get the wine at the same time.”

  “Is this how our life is going to be? You bossing me around?” He laughed as he untangled himself from her.

  “Of course. Didn’t you know women are naturally superior?”

  “We’ll have to see about that!” He handed her a small bag. “It’s nothing, really,” he said shyly, as he filled their glasses. “It’s supposed to be for Christmas but you can have it now if you want.”

  She did want and pulled out a tissue-wrapped package. Inside was a delicate silver chain on which were nestled three stylised charms. “Oh. It’s lovely.”

  “Do you really like it?”

  He might be tough on the outside, but really he was no more than a little boy, she thought happily.

  “I love it.”

  “Do you know what they mean?”

  “Tell me.” She touched each charm with the tip of her finger.

  “The cross represents faith—a belief in yourself and your choices. The anchor is the symbol of hope and thus the future, and the heart of course is love, to be given and received. Faith, hope and love.”

  She stared at the gift, lost for words. Slowly a tear trickled down her cheek. “It’s beautiful.”

  Chapter 26.

  “So Anna,” Stephanie said, “Maddie tells me you are leaving us.”

  They were in the same elegant room in which they had first met a lifetime earlier. Anna couldn’t help but recall that first evening. The artwork she had admired. The muted vibrancy of the Turkish rug she had wanted to disappear into. And Stephanie, so beautiful and so poised, writing in her calfskin notebook.

  She also remembered how nervous she had been. The decision to become an escort had not been an easy one. Now it was all over and she was moving on.

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Has anything happened? I take it you haven’t had a bad experience or anything.”

  “No, nothing like that.” She fleetingly thought of Adam. “No.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Anna hesitated. “I’ve met someone.”

  “So, why is that a problem?”

  “He doesn’t know I’ve been doing this.”

  “Ah.” Stephanie settled back into her chair, her fingertips forming a pyramid. “And do you intend to tell him?” She asked evenly.

  “No.”

  “Does he love you?”

  “Yes, he does.”

  “And do you love him?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Anna was uncomfortable under Stephanie’s gaze.

  “Coffee?” Stephanie offered after a moment.

  “Please.”

  “I’ll go and tell Maddie to bring some in.”

  Anna had decided it wouldn’t be right to simply call and say she was leaving. She had come to know Maddie, Leah, Sabine and some of the others fairly well and was grateful to have been given the opportunity to turn her lif
e around. Not only that, she had been allowed to grow, to see life from a different side.

  But she was uncomfortable facing Stephanie and a little unsure of exactly how much to tell her.

  “I think you have a problem.”

  Stephanie had returned and was closing the door behind her.

  “You are talking about starting a new life with the man you love and yet you haven’t the courage to tell him what you have been doing for the past year. Is that really a good basis for the future?”

  “I’m hoping he never finds out.”

  “And if he does?”

  “I’ll have to worry about that at the time.”

  “You do have another choice. You could try telling him and hope he appreciates your honesty.”

  “No,” Anna said simply.

  “Can I ask a personal question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Have you worked out whether you can survive without the money you make here?”

  Anna gave a little laugh.

  “I’ve thought of nothing else. I will probably go back to banking. Do I want to? No. I like having control of my life, and I really don’t think I can be micro-managed again. So that’s another problem.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. What about starting your own business?”

  “I’ve thought of that, too. And I’ve been considering buying a rental property. How ironic; I have just about enough for a deposit now, but without a regular income, no bank would look at me for a mortgage.”

  “Well, whatever you decide, you need to act soon. Do you intend to carry on with us for a while longer while you get things sorted out?”

  “No. Jake’s moving in next weekend. I can’t do that to him.”

  * * *

  It was the last thing Stephanie expected. She’d had high hopes for Anna, especially since the girl had at last begun to show a willingness to take part in some of the more lucrative requests the agency received. Doubling up with Sabine, for instance. That had been very successful.

  But she was also puzzled. Where had Anna’s sparkle gone? Sure, she had financial issues to resolve, but she was in love and wasn’t that supposed to conquer all? If it wasn’t the money, what was it?

  “Anna, what is it you aren’t telling me?”

  Anna avoided meeting her eyes.

  She decided to take a stab in the dark.

  “There’s someone else, isn’t there?” She couldn’t miss the flash of fear. “Oh Anna! I take it your boyfriend knows nothing of his rival?”

  “No.” It was little more than a whisper.

  “And the rival. Does he know about your boyfriend?”

  “No.”

  “Does the rival know about the agency and what you do here?”

  “Yes.”

  “And he doesn’t mind?”

  “No.”

  She felt the first stirrings of concern.

  “Anna, is he a client?”

  Tears appeared on Anna’s cheeks.

  “Oh Anna, darling.” She went and sat beside her. “Nothing is worth this. Come on, dry your eyes. Why don’t we forget the coffee? Let’s have champagne instead.”

  Anna gave a strangled laugh. “A panacea for all ills?”

  “Well, it certainly makes me feel better. Not that I have been head over heels in love for a while. Do you want to talk about it? You don’t have to if you don’t, but I do need to know if this will affect the agency in any way.”

  “I don’t think so. I won’t be seeing him again.”

  “I’m so sorry. Look, give me a moment and I’ll tell Maddie to bring us a bottle instead. By the way, did she get a hold of you earlier?”

  “No. Was it important?”

  “I believe one of your clients wanted to see you tonight. Adam, I think.” Stephanie made it a point to know her clients’ preferences; it was her grasp of the little things that ensured her success.

  Anna paled.

  “Are you …?” She began in concern, and then the answer dawned on her.

  “Oh my God! It’s Adam, isn’t it?”

  Anna’s face said it all.

  “Do you want me to check the diary?”

  After a moment Anna nodded.

  It took longer than expected and when Stephanie returned Anna was nervously pacing.

  “When she couldn’t get hold of you Maddie told him you weren’t available.”

  “Oh.”

  “So I called him. Was that the right thing to do?”

  “Yes. No.” Anna contradicted herself.

  “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

  “No I don’t. Not at all.”

  “Well, if you want to see him he is waiting for you.”

  “At his place?”

  “Yes. You’d better go and freshen up. I’ll get Maddie to call a taxi. Anna,” she caught her just before she left the room, “I hope it all works out for you, whatever happens.”

  “So do I.”

  Stephanie had no intention of allowing Anna to leave the agency. From the beginning she had watched over her, ensuring that each step of her journey was made only when she had gained enough experience and confidence to cope with it. The only concern she’d had back then was what to do when Anna settled the last of her accounts, but even that had fallen into place after they had discussed investment opportunities. It had been so easy to suggest the benefit a larger amount of capital would make to any financial decision.

  In a few weeks or so Anna would be ready for the more lucrative opportunities offered to the agency, and Stephanie had not brought her this far only to lose her to a boyfriend. The situation would have to be dealt with efficiently and effectively.

  The inclusion of Adam in the drama was a godsend. A favoured client for a number of years, he had been one of the first to be told of the agency’s newest acquisition—the night Anna was sent to Daniel Morin to be broken in to her new role. Really, with Adam’s preference to dominate she should not be surprised that Anna had fallen for him.

  Thankfully he had shared her concern when she had called earlier to inform him of Anna’s decision. Like her, he had a vested interest in ensuring Anna remained a whore and immediately offered to do whatever he could to help maintain the status quo.

  Stephanie hoped that, however he played it, it would be enough.

  Chapter 27.

  Anna told herself she was looking for closure. She knew now that she loved Jake; she just needed to prove that she didn’t need to subjugate herself to be truly happy.

  “I heard the taxi,” Adam said as he greeted her at the door.

  She took a deep breath, determined this meeting would be on her terms.

  “Thank you for wanting to see me. I hope you won’t be too disappointed, but I have come to say goodbye.”

  To her surprise he showed little reaction.

  “You will come in, though?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  They went into the sitting room that overlooked the estuary and his boat.

  “I love this view,” she said, gazing out as she had on that first day.

  “Do I offer you champagne, or would you prefer something a little more ordinary, like coffee?”

  “You can offer me champagne.” She smiled, knowing it would be less readily available once Jake had moved in.

  He lifted the bottle from the ice bucket. The cork was already popped.

  “You were so sure of me?” She shook her head in amazement as he filled two flutes.

  “You would have been disappointed had I not been. To you,” he handed her a flute, “and to whatever your future holds.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, tell me, are you farewelling Elite or just me?”

  “Both. I’m having a change of lifestyle.”

  “I’m curious. Not that it’s any of my business,” he added, “but what are you going to do with yourself?”

  “Settle down with a good man.”

  “Ah. You’re in love.”

  “Yes.�
�� Why did she feel so defensive?

  “I envy you.”

  “Why? You have everything you could possibly want.”

  “Not everything.”

  “Your life seems complete to me.” Anna looked around the room.

  “It does, doesn’t it? But appearances can be deceiving.”

  He held out an envelope.

  “One last time?”

  That was not what she was there for, but electrical impulses were already coursing through her body. Her heart was racing.

  “No. Like I said, I’ve come to say goodbye.”

  “Are you sure?” He was watching her intently.

  “I’m sure.”

  “If you leave now, you will never see me again.”

  He was undermining everything.

  “I know.”

  “Does he demand that you show him your breasts?”

  Anna was silent. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

  “Does he use your cunt for his own pleasure?”

  Her body was betraying her, her nipples hardening with each unwanted word.

  “Does he treat you in the way you need, Anna?”

  “No.” Her voice was low. “That’s not what I want anymore.”

  “Really?”

  She couldn’t breathe.

  He took the glass from her hand.

  “You know I’m going to use you, don’t you?” he whispered.

  There was nothing she could say.

  “Lift up your skirt.”

  Her heart was heavy as she did as she was told.

  “Pull them down.”

  A solitary tear rolled down her cheek as she eased her white lace briefs down her thighs. How could she have ever thought she had the strength to refuse him?

  He pulled her towards him and his finger found her clit.

  “Feel better?” he asked tenderly. His fingers were stroking one minute, expertly massaging the next. She was clinging to his neck, sobbing and moaning as he worked on her.

  “You’re soaking wet.” He slipped his glistening fingers into her mouth. She cleaned each one with her tongue, relishing the taste of her own juices.

  “Oh Anna, did you really think you could say no to me? Now, tell me what you really want.”

  “I want you to use me.” Her voice was low—an acknowledgement that she had been wrong to think she didn’t need what only he could give her.

  Adam waited.