The Prospect

by Jordan, Lucia

  Bea’s eyes widened, suitably impressed. Even she had heard of the mega successful company that was into anything and everything. “I’m sorry. What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know,” Lisa cried, her fingers tightening in her hair for a few moments, before she released it and dropped her hands with a sigh. “These were going to be my most valued clients. They’ve never used our agency before and this would have been a great way to establish some fantastic working relationship that could lead to return bookings in future.”

  Bea chewed on her lip, really worried for her stressed-looking friend. “Can’t your agency get someone else?”

  “Not at such short notice. I just called them and they say it’s all up to me. I’ve rung a few of my girls, but…” Lisa paused, viewing Bea with interest.

  “What?” Bea said, eyes darting quizzically.

  “Bea…I need to ask you a huge, colossal favor…”

  Chapter Two

  Long story short, Lisa had managed to talk her into making the booking and here Bea was.

  At first, Bea had flatly refused, of course…

  Bea’s head was shaking firmly. “Look, I’m truly sorry about the mix-up but Lisa, there’s no way…”

  “Please, please, please…” Lisa’s big blue eyes had been beseeching.

  “Lisa, I thought this was just some pleasant pastime for you. What does it matter if you happen to lose this one booking? I mean, it’s not like it’s your fault,” Bea said, already panicking at the thought of having to take Lisa’s place. “I wouldn’t even know what to do…”

  “It’s simple! Just sit there, make great conversation, a bit of dancing, and it’s over. Nothing happens that you aren’t comfortable with. And yes, it started out as a fun thing to pass the time, but now it’s a career I take very seriously. A career that is helping me put my younger brother through college.”

  Bea paused, thinking of Lisa’s young, bright brother Harry who was now in Harvard. Bea hadn’t known Lisa was responsible for paying for her younger brother’s education. Although Lisa’s folks were both gone, Bea had always assumed there was some kind of college fund going on. Just like she’d been mistaken that Lisa had some family money that got her to live so extravagantly…Bea felt like such an idiot.

  Lisa sighed deeply. “Bea, all these trappings I surround myself with – the fabulous clothes, shoes and jewelry – the fancy car and the regular spa treatments and trips to the hair salon…they’re just stuff I need to do to play the part. When I said I was in it all for the glamour, I wasn’t being perfectly honest. It’s mostly for my younger brother Harry. I want him to have the future our parents didn’t get the chance to provide for him when they died when we were just kids.”

  Bea bit hard on her lip. “I’m so sorry, Lisa, I wish I could do something to help. But I’m not like you. I’m just not that kind of girl. You know me, hardly the social butterfly. I’ll probably ruin your agency’s reputation for good if I show up. Trust me; you’re better off cancelling the appointment with the billionaire brothers than inflicting me on them.”

  Lisa was suddenly smiling, cocking her head to the side. “Bea, I’m sure I’ve told you many times before: you’re hot. Girls like you wouldn’t even have to open their mouths and you’ll have men drooling. Okay, seriously,” she added when Bea scowled with feigned offense, “These two guys haven’t met me; they don’t know what I really look like or what to expect. Sure, they’ve seen the photos in the profile, but once they meet you, it wouldn’t matter. They’ve heard of my reputation as a reliable and professional escort, so they’re probably just looking forward to meeting someone sexy, entertaining, and charming.”

  “See, I told you! That’s so not me,” Bea said with a hint of triumph.

  Lisa advanced and grasped Bea’s face in both hands. “You know what? You were right. This is just one booking; it’s not the end of the world if I lose them. So here’s my suggestion. Don’t do this for me, Bea. Do this for you,” she said softly, compellingly. “I actually want you to try it. Go out and have fun for once. You’ve been holed up in this flat for months now. The last time you went on a date was three months ago.”

  “And even that wasn’t a real date,” Bea spoke up, pouting slightly. “Just an after-thought thing when some guy from admin decided we should meet up for drinks after work. And it bombed. He got tipsy and tried to paw me in his car.”

  “Ugh,” Lisa said playfully. “Well, tonight honey, you’ll get to meet two incredible hunks. I’ve heard about them; they’re so hot in Scotland where they come from. Treat yourself to something different and exciting. And you’ll get paid for it, too, I promise. You’ll get my fee.”

  “It’s not about the money,” Bea said with a sigh, then looked into Lisa’s pleading face. “You really think I can pull this off? You really want me to do this?”

  “Yes,” Lisa said, her tone firm as she gazed into Bea’s face. “This just might have happened for a reason. Maybe this is your chance to just…enjoy a new experience. Have some dinner and drinks – maybe some dancing, with two very gorgeous and debonair men. Something to giggle with the girls about over coffee later.”

  Bea smirked humorously. “Lord knows I never have anything to give them to giggle about.”

  Lisa laughed. “After tonight, you certainly will. And I’ve got just the outfit to suit your lovely curves and coloring. I bought it a month ago in Italy. I knew it wasn’t the right fit but I couldn’t resist the dress. It looked so gorgeous in the shop. I always thought I’d have it fitted for me – but now I’m glad I didn’t. It would be your perfect size. And then your hair, make-up…baby, I’ll make you look and feel like the amazing beauty you are. And my clients – your clients – are going to be blown away.”

  *

  Now, sitting with the two men known as Ryan and Jason Wallace, Bea was getting the funny feeling she was the one feeling the blown-away sensation.

  She’d been shown to the table just a few minutes earlier, and she’d instantly wanted to run right back where she’d come from.

  Not that Bea was frightened of being faced with not one, but two blindingly gorgeous guys – no. But she suddenly had the feeling of getting into a deep-end situation that she just might not be able to swim out of in time. Why oh why had she let Lisa talk her into this?

  Somehow, she’d managed to smile and take the seat they offered. Something about the way they’d looked at her, in pleasant surprise and appreciation, had somewhat strengthened her resolve to stay. One thing she was grateful for, was that she’d allowed Lisa to primp and pomp her up to Lisa’s content. Now, Bea did feel every inch as sophisticated and elegant as she hoped she looked to her dashing companions.

  “I’m Ryan,” the gorgeous one on her right said, holding out his hand. “And this is my brother Jason.” He indicted the gorgeous other on her left. Bea swallowed. Damn, they were freaking hot if looks were anything to go by. And that accent! Heavens above. It was Scottish indeed. Just deep enough to jumble up the meager contents of her belly. It was a good thing she’d been too anxious to eat all day thanks to the prospect of going through with the dinner appointment.

  Ryan, whom she knew was the elder, looked just above thirty, with a devilish smile to go with his blond good looks. In fact both men were deliciously blond, though Ryan’s golden locks were a lot more tamed and conservatively styled than his rakish-looking younger brother Jason, who was roughly thirty. With their soft golden curls and square, handsomely tanned faces, they could easily pass for very sexy, very grown-up Cupids just waiting to plunge their pair of arrows into an unsuspecting female breast such as hers. Hmm…the very allusion made her shiver inwardly. But why the heck was she letting her mind wander? Barely five minutes into the “job” and she was already all aflutter.

  They both had equal lashings of virility just rushing at her like a tide, and she felt dizzy just looking from one to the other. Focus, Bea. Focus. What would Lisa do?

  Well, Lisa probably met hunky CEOs li
ke these two on a daily basis. Heck, Bea knew she did. But still…

  She drew in a deep breath and told herself to get into the mood. Just a few hours of playing the professional and glamorous escort to two hot billionaires, and she could scurry back into her warm and safe little hole. Free from the very wicked and wild thoughts that came to mind as she looked into their piercing eyes. Ryan’s a startling blue, and Jason’s an equally remarkable green. They smiled at her knowingly, as if well aware of the effect they were having on her. Dredging up some of her hard-won poise gained from working in a male-dominated IT environment, she smiled elegantly.

  “Nice to meet you…both,” she said with feminine demureness, shaking their hands lightly in turn. How was it possible that just that casual gesture of a handshake from both of them had equal whippings of electricity?

  She drew in an inaudible breath. It would really have been much easier if there’d been someone else to pair along with these doubly delightful devils. Seriously, which two guys booked a date with just one escort? Bea remembered asking Lisa this same question as Lisa had put finishing touches to pinning up Bea’s lustrous dark brown hair.

  “It must simply be their personal preference. Perhaps, like some men, these brothers enjoy the idea of lavishing their attention on one woman. Just count yourself lucky and enjoy,” Lisa had teased.

  Bea had made a face at her flat mate then, but she wasn’t being so disdainful now. Oh, no way. Because these two guys were more than ample distraction for any right-thinking woman. Individually they had their special masculine appeal – but together, they were quite utterly overwhelming.

  However, Bea remembered the part she was to play. Save the day, leave with dignity and a sense of fulfillment that she had at least, done something spontaneous for a change…

  ***

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Miss Hamilton. Bea,” Jason said with a small smile, as he slowly withdrew his hand from hers. “I must confess you’re very much different from what we expected. From your photos, you were distinctly blonde.”

  Bea resisted the urge to bite on her lip. “Well…I’d like to start off by apologizing. I’m not Lisa Kendrick whom you were expecting to meet tonight. I’m…I’m Bea Hamilton. I had to fill in at the last minute for my um…colleague who had an urgent emergency.” She saw their eyes narrow, and added quickly, already taking up her purse, “Look, I’ll understand if you don’t like the idea of me taking her place. I’ll leave right away and perhaps you both can reschedule her when…”

  “You misunderstand,” Jason said, a slightly lifted hand making her pause in her rush. “What I meant is that, I find you a pleasant surprise. Quite honestly, far preferable to what we imagined.”

  “Oh,” Bea said quietly, settling back slowly into her seat and fighting down the pink from her cheeks.

  “Jason is right,” Ryan drawled, and her eyes flew to his. “Your colleague, Lisa came highly recommended from one of our business contacts. In fact, it was he who insisted on making an appointment for us with a professional escort. Something about giving us both a “treat”.” Ryan smiled, and just that simple gesture was enough to make Bea blink as somewhere deep in the juncture of her thighs, she quivered. Bloody hell what were these guys made from? Pussy magnets? They were dangerous to her very much neglected hormones.

  Ryan added smoothly, “I can assure you that suddenly, my brother and I are quite glad we changed our mind about refusing the kind offer. You see, we don’t really do escorts.”

  I can tell; Bea almost blurted. Looking at these two, they’d never need to pay a dime for female companionship. If anything, they’d be batting off the ladies left and right. And not just due to their billions. Even Bea could tell that they gave out that special aura that appealed to the deepest and darkest needs in a woman’s soul. Thank goodness, Bea thought with an inner sigh, that she was virtually immune to such tendencies. Oh, they were desirable no doubt, but knowing they were beyond her reach and could never be anything but her charming dinner companions, made her feel somewhat secure and relieved. Since she knew there was no chance in hell she could have them, she could rest easy.

  “I understand, and I’m glad that we’re getting to share this lovely evening together,” Bea heard herself say with a courteous, very escort-ish smile and demeanor. Once again, she noticed both their gazes narrow speculatively, as the brothers sent each other a brief, unfathomable look.

  At last, Ryan turned to her with another of his gorgeous smiles. “Well, shall we order?”

  Chapter Three

  In time, Bea was beginning to relax and actually act normal. The food and wine was impeccable. Enjoying such a fabulous repast with two charming and quite divinely handsome Scots was enough to mellow any normal girl down. She still quivered when they sent her those strange, hooded looks of theirs, but she managed to ignore the sudden chills and heat waves she felt alternatively each time she looked up and met either man’s stirring gaze.

  To her relief, there was so much they found to talk about, and many times, she knew she surprised them with her contributions to certain topics. She was no airhead; she definitely knew how to make good conversation. And wasn’t that what a true professional companion was all about, she thought, feeling quite happy with herself. As she relaxed, her smiles grew warmer, and her face shone brighter.

  This escort thing wasn’t so bad after all, Bea mused. She began to see the benefit to be had in such a vocation. Without a doubt, it was quite a thrill being able to finally meet men of like minds. They were cultured and truly delightful. Jason was the quieter of the two, she noticed. He liked to listen and watch more, while Ryan was the more outgoing, more inclined to draw Bea out of her shell with his questions that were sometimes even teasing. All in all, they were quite friendly, likeable chaps if she could just get over the fact that they were just too beddable to be borne.

  At last, the last of the courses were cleared away, and suddenly Bea began to realize the evening would soon draw to a close at some point. Why did she feel such a twinge of disappointment? Lisa had mentioned something about dancing, or even end the evening with some cocktails at the bar. But Bea wondered if she’d enthralled them enough to make the brothers wish to spend more time within her charming presence?

  Suddenly needing a reprieve, she smiled and rose with her purse as she excused herself to go to the restroom. They both rose immediately, and she felt impressed by their gallantry. She strode away and resisted the urge to put more than a usual sway to her walk as she secretly wondered if the brothers were watching her go.

  Inside the empty, classy ladies room, she slumped against the door, for the first time being able to draw a proper breath. She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead for a moment, before turning to the mirrors lining the marbled room. Staring at her reflection, she almost didn’t recognize herself. The make-up made her look more mature, more womanly, as did the flattering dress. Her hair was still perfectly in place, and she couldn’t help smiling as she thought she didn’t look too bad for an evening with the two most eligible bachelors ever. She chewed on her bottom lip as she finally remembered why she’d escaped to the bathroom. Quickly, she hunted in her purse for her cell phone as she hurried made to call Lisa. She had asked her before she’d left to make sure she called to let Lisa know how things were going.

  But when she rang her friend’s number, it was switched off. And then she remembered that by now, Lisa would be well on the plane to Vegas. Bea really should have excused herself ages ago to let Lisa know there was nothing to worry about; the two Scottish gents were quite happy with their replacement date and the evening had gone splendidly so far…

  Giving up after three more tries, she did some minor touch-ups to her appearance, drew in one last deep breath, and left the silent haven of the ladies room.

  Bea’s relief at having made it so far on the date without embarrassing herself or her “clients”, shattered the minute she returned to the table to join her two dashing companions.

>   *

  “Now that you’re back, Bea; there’s something we’d like to ask you. Do you do outcalls?”

  Surprised by Ryan’s sudden question and the hooded glint in his eyes, Bea looked to him and echoed, “Outcalls?” She was a bit lost; was that some kind of escort term she should know about? Damnit! Lisa really should have briefed her better.

  “Yes,” Ryan said slowly. “Do you do visits? For example, would you follow us back to our hotel?”

  Oh, now she got it. Bea might be somewhat green but even she knew the universal language of, would you fuck?

  “I’m sorry, but that wasn’t part of the arrangement,” she said primly. What the hell! She was thinking in alarm and more than a little jolt of excitement.

  “We know this,” Ryan told her calmly. “But we’re also aware that whatever acts the escort finally chooses to share with the client – or in this case, clients, would be her choice and nothing to do with what’s been arranged with the agency. So I ask again, Bea. Will you accompany us to our hotel suite? We’re at the Waldrof, and we have a very discreet, extensive and charming suite. We could order a bottle of wine, get to know you better.”

  Bea was caught between fury, arousal, embarrassment, and dismay at herself for even for a millisecond considering this. “No,” she gasped, fingers tightening on her napkin. “I’m not a call girl, Mr. Wallace – “

  “Twenty thousand dollars,” Jason cut through briskly, fingers tapping quietly on the tablecloth. “We would be willing to part with this if you agree to join us.”

  Bea turned to him with an indrawn, open-mouthed gasp. Another what-the-hell moment hit her as she realized these two wanted to actually blow a load of cash just to get her into bed. Twenty grand, in fact. Really? Was she worth that much in their eyes, for a night? Just what did they mean to do to her anyway?