‘O, angel,’ he sighed and wrapped his arms around me. I sobbed against his chest. Why did I suddenly feel safe again? My emotions were spinning so fast. I was tired, beyond tired. I’d worked so hard lately, I’d just had the biggest night of my life, I had this gorgeous man who seemed to want me, who’d made me come so many times my legs still felt like jelly and I felt all at sea. This wasn’t the right time to try to talk about what we wanted from each other. I needed some time and space. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you, or hurt you. But if I cancel on my clients to date you and you decide that you don’t want me, that I’m not good enough for you, it’s an uphill struggle to try and rebuild my reputation again. You’re asking a lot of me.’
‘You’re asking a lot of me to expect me to give up acting and to be faithful when you aren’t. You didn’t like the idea of me faking it on screen, imagine how you’d feel if I was actually having sex with someone else?’ I felt him tense up immediately.
‘I’d hate it, I’d want to kill anyone who touched you,’ he snarled.
‘You can’t ask something of me, something more of me, than you’re prepared to do yourself. I … I really like you, Logan. But if I’m going to have sex with you again, I won’t share you.’
‘So what? You want to forget this? Give up on whatever we have? Because we have something, Summer. I’ve been with enough women, feeling nothing, to know that this is real.’
‘I don’t need anyone else, to know that I want more with you, but I need to know you better. The man beneath Logan Steele. The way you are when you’re not being paid to be perfect. I need you to explain to me what me being submissive would mean? What you’d do to me in that bedroom? Because that terrifies me, Logan.’
‘You really want to get to know me, the real me?’
‘I don’t want to fall in love with one man, to find I’m actually seeing another,’ I replied, as I sniffed against his bare chest.
‘Last night and this morning, that was the real man. You think you could fall in love with him?’ he asked, his heart beating wildly against my cheek.
‘In time, yes,’ I whispered. ‘But not if you’re still doing what you do.’
‘So where the hell do we go from here?’ he replied, as he reached up to stroke my hair and kissed the top of my head.
‘I think we have to take sex out of the equation, just see each other as friends, until we’re both sure we want to move forward with this.’
‘No sex? Seriously?’
‘I have feelings for you Logan and it would hurt me to share you. I understand your reluctance to give up your job, but you have to accept my reluctance to be just one of many the women you sleep with. If it happens again, I want to be the only woman.’
‘Do you have any idea how hard that’s going to be?’ he whispered as his grip tightened. ‘To see you but not be able to kiss you, or touch you?’
‘About as hard as that erection currently bruising my stomach,’ I replied as I kissed his chest. I suddenly wasn’t so sure that I could cope seeing him, even as friends, not knowing he was still having sex, touching other women the way he touched me, but there again I liked him so much that if I walked away, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over him. Could I live with that regret if I didn’t go through with this crazy friendship plan?
‘I think you’d better leave then, sooner than later. Having you in here, dressed like that, it’s too much of a temptation.’
‘Agreed,’ I nodded, without looking up at him. One look at those beautiful grey eyes and I’d cave, but I deserved better than to be one of many. I wanted to be his only, just as I’d be his.
‘I’ll call James to take you wherever you want. When will I see you again?’ he asked as his fingers tangled in my hair.
‘I’ll email you.’
‘No,’ he shot back. ‘That email is for clients, I told you that you’re not a client. I’ll give you my personal mobile number. Just don’t make me wait, I’m not a patient man.’
As the doorbell rang I was sitting in his lap, my head on his shoulder, my arms around his waist, as he had his around mine. We’d sat there for half an hour in silence, just holding each other tightly. I was scared to let go. What if I walked out that door, decided to call him only to find he’d changed his mind? Or what if I rang him and he never even answered or returned my call? He was my Prince, an unconventional one, but I knew it without even getting to know him better. Why couldn’t I have just met and fallen for a regular guy? The doorbell rang again and he sighed.
‘Someone needs to make a move here.’
‘I know,’ I replied, as I lifted my head and kept my eyes downcast.
‘Look at me,’ he whispered.
‘I can’t, I don’t want to think that I may be looking at you for the last time with tears in my eyes.’
‘It won’t be the last time, Summer. It can’t be the last time,’ he replied firmly. I took a deep shaky breath as he used his fingers to tip my head back up, as tears rolled down my cheeks. ‘Kiss me again.’
‘Logan,’ I objected.
‘Please, in case you change your mind and don’t ring me. I’ve chased you twice now, Summer Beresford, I won’t chase you again, I couldn’t take another rejection.’
‘It’s not a rejection,’ I sniffed, still not totally convinced myself, as I dragged his shirt sleeve across my eyes. ‘It’s a stall, a time out, to see if all we have is this physical attraction to each other.’
‘It better just be a time out, not a goodbye, because I don’t ever want to feel pain like this again,’ he sighed.
‘Tell me about it,’ I nodded. He clasped my face as he looked at me sadly and his lips moved closer. I knew I should resist, but I couldn’t help myself. If it was our last kiss, I wanted the memories of it to last me a lifetime. I flung my arms around his neck and trembled as he wrapped me up in his. Sparklers wrote his name in my eyes, brightly coloured fireworks exploded in my head and I felt like popping candy was going off in my mouth. I heard him groan as his grip on me tightened. We both ignored the third ring of the bell as we lost ourselves in each other, in the most perfect kiss we’d had to date. I could feel all of his emotion in it and it felt real, I only hoped he felt mine in return. We only broke away when we heard the intercom crackle and a voice boom down it.
‘Sir, I’ve rung your doorbell three times and I now fear for your safety. If you can hear me, you have precisely thirty seconds to respond with our safe phrase, when I end this message with the word “Over,” or I’ll be coming through the door. I really don’t want to be traumatised for life by catching you in the middle of the act, with your naked backside in the air. No matter how attractive the ladies might think it is. Are we clear? And please tell me that you haven’t dead bolted the door, as I really don’t fancy putting my shoulder out of joint, or ruining my suit by performing water manoeuvres through the canal to reach your balcony. Over.’
We both burst out laughing, poor James.
‘Sorry, I’d better let him know we’re ok, he’s too old to damage his shoulder and that canal isn’t the cleanest,’ Logan grinned, as he stood up and set me on the floor. I wiped my eyes as he jogged over to the intercom on the wall. ‘Sorry, I was doing the housework,’ he stated, with a wink over at me.
‘Thank God, I’m getting too old for all this commando shit,’ came James’s voice. ‘Apologies if I was the cause for anything to … deflate. I shall wait patiently in the car if more time is required to get back on track.’
‘No, no deflation. Miss Beresford is ready to leave once she puts her shoes on, James.’
‘Sorry to swear, Sir. I was a little worked up.’
‘No apology required. I’m a creature of habit, why wouldn’t you think something was wrong when I didn’t answer immediately. We’ll be out in a moment.’
‘“Sorry, I was doing the housework?”’ I enquired.
‘Hate it, I have a cleaner,’ he replied, as he disappeared into the bedroom. He returned wearing a pair of jeans with a grey t-sh
irt stretched over his taut torso, carrying my shoes and gestured with his head to a stool at the island. I padded over and took a seat as he lifted one foot after the other and did up the straps for me, placing a kiss on each ankle when he was done. He laced his fingers through mine and opened the front door. I had no recollection of arriving last night. He had a glossy black front door, with two large round box hedges in stainless steel pots either side under a glass canopy. James was waiting with the limo door open for me. ‘I’ve got it, James, thank you,’ Logan advised. James nodded, got into the driving seat and closed his door.
‘So,’ I sighed.
‘I had the best night, don’t give up on me. Give me a chance, take the time to get to know me?’ Logan asked as he held my gaze.
‘You promise to be honest with me? No lies, no keeping things from me that you think I can’t handle?’
‘I promise. Here’s my number, it’s not to be given to anyone else and you need to promise to call me,’ he countered, as he pushed a folded piece of paper in my hand.
‘Then expect a call from me very soon,’ I nodded. He leaned forward and I thought he was going to kiss me again, my lips automatically parted, but he lay one on my forehead.
‘Take care, angel.’
‘You too,’ I choked. If I’d liked “baby” I loved “angel.” I quickly slid onto the back seat before I broke down on the street. Logan took one last look at me, before he closed the door and rapped on the roof.
‘Home, Miss Beresford?’ asked James.
‘Do you mind going via my hotel?’ I replied, as I tried to discreetly wipe my eyes, wondering what he made of me being at Logan’s, dressed in just a shirt and heels. ‘My bags are still there.’
‘Of course not,’ he replied. ‘I’ll give you some privacy, but press the button directly in front of you if you want my attention.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied, as he slid the privacy screen up. I looked out of my window to see Logan had his hands in his pockets as he stared in. I knew he couldn’t see me, because of the blacked out windows, but I kissed my fingers and put them against the glass anyway and twisted my head to watch him, until we pulled out of sight, then started crying again. I lay down on the seat, tucking up my legs and smiled through my tears to see my purple dress from last night carefully folded in the corner of the seat opposite. I unwrapped the piece of paper in my hand to see a little note, along with Logan’s number, which made me cry even harder.
Client Evaluation
Logan
I watched the limo drive off, feeling sick. I’d never been needy with a woman, never, but the effect she had on me was unprecedented. This was going to be my fastest evaluation after an appointment ever. I pulled out my phone and marked her email as a VIP, joining the ranks of my best friend, Ian, James and my family. It was a short list and no other woman had ever graced it.
I couldn’t believe she’d walked into my room and seen the St Andrew’s cross and the bed. I’d never used either of them, they were there ready for the person that one day I’d hoped to share my life with. I already knew she was that woman, but that wasn’t the way I wanted her to find out, she was too naïve and innocent to understand that I’d never hurt her against her will, or without her begging me to inflict a little pain on her. She may not trust me yet, but I excelled in everything I did. If she wanted to just try being friends first and getting to know each other better, I was going to be the best God damn friend she’d ever known. Having no sex until she truly felt I was for real, was going to be a killer, but I’d warrant her sexual desire for me would soon override this crazy plan of hers. I’d never had a woman resist me yet, it was both infuriating and a seriously hot challenge.
I’d been stupid refusing to give up my clients, I’d just risked her for pride and money, money I already had and didn’t need. What the fuck was wrong with me? I was a stubborn, old fashioned guy, that was what. I didn’t like having a woman tell me what to do and I’d retaliated the only way I knew how, by digging in my heels. In my eyes Daron seeing her breasts, touching her body and faking sex with her, was no different to what I did, week in, week out. I was also kind of scared how fast my feelings for her were developing, maybe it was a last ditch attempt at self-protection. Trying to push her away, before she did the same to me. All I knew was that if she wasn’t going to date me, I didn’t want anyone else. I’d only considered the possibility of giving up the escorting for her last night, it had never been in my master plan, not for some years anyway.
I flicked through my files, I was supposed to be seeing Eve Myers on Saturday night, all the arrangements were already in place. I was going to have to cancel, I was going to have to cancel all of my clients. Even if we were just seeing each other as friends, I knew how I’d feel if Summer even kissed another man, it would eat me up inside, I felt angry just at the thought of it. She was right, I couldn’t expect her to refrain if I wasn’t going to. I waited until the limo disappeared from view, then went in, closed the door and poured myself a glass of water with a twist of lime. I needed to go and work out, get some of this tension out of my body. She’d ring, of course she’d ring, look at the state of her when she left. She hurt, as much as I did saying goodbye. If I was a betting man I’d lay all of my money and worldly possessions on the fact that I’d be answering her call, long before I crawled into my bed tonight. A bed what would still have her scent all over it. I grinned at the thought and rang my best friend, to tell him my good news.
I obliterated my punching bag and tore off my gloves to look at my bruised and bleeding knuckles. I’d never felt rage like it. It was nearly a week since James drove off with Summer, five fucking days and I’d not had one call, text or email. I’d been like a bloody teenage girl with a crush, checking my phone every few minutes for the first few days, never venturing anywhere without it by my side, in case I missed her call. Who waited that long to set up a date? Even if it was just a date as friends? My spirits had diminished with each hour that passed that I didn’t get a call from her. I’d come to the realisation that I’d put her on the spot on Sunday, and she’d obviously felt pressured and now she’d changed her mind, yet she didn’t even have the courtesy to send me a damn message to tell me thanks, but no? I’d told her I’d be holding my breath, well she’d just sucked all the fucking oxygen out of my lungs, as well as taking my damn heart at the same time. All I felt was angry and empty inside. Nothing I did made me feel, not even the blood trickling down my fingers. I was completely numb. I hadn’t even masturbated, I refused to, as every time I gripped my cock, her face would fill my head. I needed a serious distraction. I’d been so focussed on waiting to hear from her, that I’d not got around to cancelling my appointments and it was a good job I hadn’t. Here was me willing to give it all up for her, when she obviously decided I wasn’t worthy of her time. I was too high risk. I’d known getting involved in this profession could screw with my personal life, but I’d never imagined it would be the death of it.
With a heavy heart I reluctantly turned my attention to my booking tomorrow with Eve. If I couldn’t have Summer, I’d fuck her well and truly out of my system, however many clients it took. So what if my newly found and short lived personal life was screwed, it didn’t mean my professional life had to be.
Biker for the Night
Eve Myers, a new client, had always craved a bad boy in leathers fantasy, which I was in the perfect position to fulfil. I had a vintage bike of my own, which I often rode to blow off steam and clear my head. Given my last encounter, a night like that was just what was needed, raw, rough and hard. Eve’s fantasy involved a workshop, oil and sweat, then a long ride, in more ways than one, followed by some outdoor night time action in the country. I had the feeling that this was going to be one dirty job, but Logan Steele and dirty were seriously old friends. Well buckle up Eve, because you’re about to have the ride of your life.
Logan Steele
I flexed my knuckles with a wince, I’d ripped them up pounding on the punch bag yes
terday morning, trying to get rid of some anger. It hadn’t worked at all. In five years I’d slept with countless clients and I’d never got emotionally attached to a single one. Except for her. My beautiful angel, Summer Beresford. Ten months ago she’d booked me to take her virginity, to help build her confidence for her first film role in the Broken Promises Trilogy, based on a series of successful erotic romance novels. She’d wanted to tap into her sexuality. While the appointment had some success for her, it had blown my mind and she’d become all I could think about. I’d driven her home the next morning, another first, then turned up on her street again, toying with the idea of asking her out. I’d bottled it, until my green eyed monster raised his ugly head when rumours of an affair with her co-star Daron Beck surfaced the week before her film premiere. I’d turned up and surprised her in a limo, having arranged to accompany her myself without her finding out. After some initial resistance on her part, we’d spent another amazing night together, where both of us had admitted that we had feelings for each other, that we wanted more.
Sadly things hadn’t gone so well the next morning, when she discovered my real life sexual preference for BDSM and I stubbornly refused to give up my escorting career until I knew if we could work out a relationship. It had been left that I’d given her my private number, a number that was rarer than a picture of Kim Kardashian without her backside in focus. Summer had promised to call me, so we could go on a date as friends, get to know each other, before making a decision how we were going to move forwards. That had been a week ago. A whole damn week of me acting like a lovesick teenager, checking my phone every few minutes waiting for her to contact me. I’d made it clear that the ball was in her court, that I wouldn’t pursue her again. I’d even written a heartfelt note on the slip of paper containing my number, telling her I’d be holding my breath until she called. Well she’d obviously decided she’d rather I asphyxiate, than take a risk and give me a chance. Sure, I knew I was a gamble, I was a male escort for God’s sake, lying was something I’d had to get used to pretty damn fast with some of the vain self-centred women who paid me, but I’d never lied to her. I may be evasive in my personal life, to cover up my career, but I never lied, only with clients. When I’d told her she was beautiful, that our nights together had been the best of my life, that I wanted her like I’d never wanted anybody, that had been the truth. I’d even realised, after she left my place in tears on Sunday, that I’d been a fool refusing to give up my escorting for her, I’d been prepared to give it all up, for her.
For the Night - Complete Box Set Page 33