A fake. A cheat. A man with a past.
I watch Stanley walk up the stairs, and with each step he takes, my heart seems to plummet even more.
“Shit,” I curse beneath my breath.
And here I thought things were going so well. I thought I had everyone under my thumb and on my side. I’d received points from the man in charge of the house…but then the protective older brother charges in and blows that shit right up in my face.
Piper was right. This family is extreme. Who would have thought someone would actually investigate me? Who could blame me for what I did with my life?
After being released from jail, I wanted to become a better man, create a life worth living. I got a job that paid me four dollars an hour to start as a Town Car driver. With a job like that in Manhattan, I figured why not?
I drove rich people around, to and from parties and organized events—all over the city. It wasn’t much money, but the tips they gave were decent. I’m glad I took the job because that’s how I met Renee.
A rich, older woman. A woman that changed my life for good.
She had blonde hair and blue eyes and she was one stuck-up bitch.
Her date had bailed on her at the very last minute, and with as much pride as she had, she refused to go to the party alone. It was her event—she’d organized it.
I pulled up to the curb, opened her door, but she didn’t get in.
Her eyes ran up and down the length of my body as I stood in my black suit. She liked what she saw.
And then she finally said, “I will pay you $8,000 at the end of the night if you attend this party as my date.”
I was shocked. Stunned, really, but most of all, suspicious. I thought it was a trick, and I immediately turned it down. I didn’t need to get into any more trouble.
I couldn’t afford it. I needed to turn a new leaf. I needed a fresh start and I wasn’t about to let a rich, self-righteous woman ruin that for me.
But when she pulled a wad of cash from her purse, fanned it in the air—in my face—and repeated her offer, I knew she was serious.
I knew it was official when she took me to an Armani store, had me fitted for a tuxedo, and then rushed us to the party with her elbow hooked through mine and a large smile on her face.
It was easy money and the night ran so smoothly that I got hooked. I made my own business out of it, and since that night I haven’t gone back.
With that first $8,000, I invested in new, fashionable attire and created a website for my escorting business, using a fake name on there so I couldn’t be traced. Matthew Cooper is my real name and is shared in confidentiality after a non-disclosure contract is signed.
There were women out there—desperate women—that needed a man at the last minute to boost their reputations. Renee sent several women my way to get me started.
Renee also gave me seven simple rules that changed my life and turned me into the professional escort I am today:
Play the part and do it well.
Be professional and smart about my answers.
Be affectionate when needed.
Ogle her so people will find things between us believable.
Always be confident.
Don’t have sex with the client.
Don’t get attached.
I took those rules with me and I worked hard at keeping true to them.
But rules six and seven have been tricky to stick with while around Piper.
Chapter 12
Piper
I walk through the front door with paper bags of groceries in hand.
Spotting Matthew, Stanley, and Dad in the living room as I pass, I smile at my pretend boyfriend, glad he’s doing some sort of bonding with them. Matthew doesn’t return the smile. Instead he gets off the couch, marches my way, and takes the bags from me.
“I got it,” he grunts.
His eyes dart over to Stanley. “Are you okay?” I ask as his jaw ticks.
“I need to talk to you,” is all he says.
I frown, confused, as I let go of the bags. “What is it?” I ask, peering over at Stanley before looking at Matthew again. Something obviously happened between the two of them.
I follow him into the kitchen, watching as he drops the bags on the counter and then grabs my elbow, hurrying for the bedroom before anyone can notice.
“Matthew,” I whisper-hiss. He doesn’t turn to look at me.
We enter the bedroom and when he shuts the door behind me, that’s when he gives me his attention.
I move to the middle of the room, holding my hands out with a slight frown. “What the hell is going on with you? Why are you acting so weird?”
“Stanley knows.” His words come out quick, his voice deep.
I watch his face for a sign of humor. “What the hell are you talking about? He knows what?”
“He knows you hired me,” he says very clearly, so I don’t misunderstand.
“What?” My heart sinks and I reach up to snatch my beanie off. “How would he know that?”
“He said he did some digging…had someone look into me, and I guess he saw my website.” He drops his head, his throat working up and down. “Piper, I can’t have my cover blown. If he knows and he tells, it could destroy my business and I don’t need that right now. I know there is always a risk of someone finding out the truth when it comes to working for my clients but you—well, shit. My situation with you is obviously different and…I don’t know.” He roughly rakes his fingers through his hair.
I mimic his reaction, eyes wide and drifting to the floor. “I…I don’t get why he would do that,” I whisper.
“He said he knew as soon as he saw me—and he said you would have told him if you had a boyfriend. He was onto it.”
“Shit,” I whisper. “I—Matthew. I’m sorry—I thought…shit. I don’t know what I thought.” I focus on the hardwood floor.
He steps forward, gripping my shoulders. “Inhale. Exhale.”
I do as told, meeting his soft eyes. “How can you be so calm?” I ask.
“Because you know your brother would never tell a soul. You trust him.”
“Yeah,” I reply enthusiastically. I point a finger at the door. “Stanley wouldn’t tell anyone. Just like I’m the only one he can share a secret with, he’s the only one I can share a secret with too.”
“He told me in the basement that he won’t say anything.”
“Well, that’s good, right?” I’m so hopeful, but so confused by his sudden blue mood. When he doesn’t respond, I speak up again. “Matthew…that’s good, right?”
His head lifts, eyes locking with mine. “He told me you get too attached—that you latch on to people once you actually get to know them.”
I lean back, watching his face turn serious. “That’s—that’s not true. Why would he tell you that?”
“Because he doesn’t want you getting hurt. I told you, Piper, that once this is done, that’s it. Okay? I’ll finish what I have to do—my job. I’ll do what you need me to do, but when it’s over, it’s over.”
I drop my gaze, focusing on his navy blue sweater. I try and blink, form words to let him know that I don’t care—that he means nothing to me—but I can’t seem to get those words to come out of my mouth.
So, maybe I am a little fond of Matthew. I think he’s a nice guy with a great personality. I think he could do better than escorting, and I do wonder about the personal aspects of his life, things he’d only share with someone he cares about, but that doesn’t make me attached…does it?
“I understand,” I whisper.
He steps back, his eyes running across my face. “Good. Now, let’s go back out there. Don’t want them thinking something’s wrong.”
“Yeah,” I breathe as he turns and grips the doorknob. “Right.” I force a smile as he does, and when the door opens and he steps out while offering a hand, I smile and take it.
I walk out the door behind him, and when we go our separate ways—him to the living room again and
me in the kitchen with the women—I realize this was stupid.
So fucking stupid.
I shouldn’t have hired him.
I shouldn’t have had sex with him.
I knew I would feel something, but I wanted to pretend no feelings would arise. He just made me feel so comfortable and at ease. He put my heart in the right place for the holidays and had my back during it all…but I realize now what I should have known before.
This is his job.
This is what he does and he will not let anyone jeopardize that.
He makes you feel comfortable and bold and confident. He makes a woman think she can conquer the world—do whatever she wants to do while he’s by her side, but it’s all a façade.
The most important thing to him is the end result. Getting the money.
And he shouldn’t worry because he’ll get it.
I wouldn’t hold my problems against him.
I take out the rectangular gift-wrapped package at the bottom of one of the bags. It’s the comic collection I bought him, all wrapped up in pretty blue wrapping paper, topped nicely with a white bow.
I was happy to buy this, but I’m not giving it to him now.
It’s too personal, too deep, and it shows that I am getting involved way too much with a man I don’t even know. A man who doesn’t have the slightest clue who I really am. A man that I damn well can’t share any sort of future with.
What Stanley told him isn’t a lie. I could bash Stanley’s head in right now, but that would involve feelings and I want to prove him and Matthew wrong. I want to prove to them that I don’t care, and that it is just business.
It’s whatever.
I don’t care…
Oh, God.
What was I thinking?
I do care.
I had hope.
I kind of wanted to see what more we could make out of this.
Man…
I am such an idiot.
Chapter 13
Piper
It’s sugar cookie decorating time.
I’m sitting in between the twins at the dinner table. Matthew is sitting across from me and not once have I made eye contact with him since leaving the bedroom.
My eyes constantly move over to Stanley, who is dropping dabs of white frosting on his Santa-shaped cookie.
“I want you all to know that I have been having such a great time so far this weekend!” Mom chimes, clasping her sugarcoated hands together.
I roll my eyes, making a thin line of pink frosting on the outside of my ornament cookie.
“It’s always fun to be here, Mom,” Stanley says, smiling at her. Oh, shut up, Stanley.
“Auntie Piper, can you help me with my sprinkles?” Jana looks up at me with a container of red sprinkles in hand. “I want to make my Santa really yummy and really pretty.”
“Sure, sweetie.” I open the lid of the sprinkles and then hand it back to her, shaking the sprinkles on top of the cookie with my hand on top of hers.
“Mr. Matthew?” Joey speaks up.
Matthew’s head whips up, eyes inquisitive. “Yeah, Joey?”
“Are you and Auntie Piper going to get married and do a honeymoon like the movies?”
The question clearly takes Matthew off guard. His eyes shift up to mine, and for a split second we hold gazes, but I purposely snatch mine away, taking the container of sprinkles from Jana and putting a little on mine when she insists.
“Joey, that’s none of your business,” Lena says, looking at him from her seat. She glances at Matthew apologetically but he simply shrugs, remaining calm.
“No, it’s okay.” Matthew laughs it off. “I do hope to accomplish that one day, Joey.”
Mom gasps. “Really?”
Dad gives him a nod of respect. “Sounds like something a real man would do.”
“That would be beautiful,” Mom sings. “And we could help with planning and organizing! Oh, it would be amazing!”
“Mom,” I groan loudly.
She looks at me. “Oh, stop it, Pipey. That is very exciting to think about. Is it not exciting for you?”
“Yeah. Sure,” I mutter. I look up at Matthew. He watches my face for several seconds before picking up his bottle of water and taking a sip.
“Are we almost done with our cookies?” Mom asks, looking around the table. She flips her wrist. “It’s around seven now and we still have to watch the Grinch and then get the kids to bed before eggnog.”
I sigh.
“I’m all done,” Bailey says, dusting her hands off.
“Me too.” Stanley pushes from the table, going for the fridge and taking out a beer.
“Grab me one too,” Dad calls after Stanley.
Mom shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “You two are going to drink yourselves to death.”
“That would be a dream come true,” Stanley snickers, handing Dad the beer. “At least we wouldn’t be alive to watch that damn movie again.”
Dad laughs with him, accepting the cold drink. “We just might need them tomorrow too, right, son?”
“Yep.” Stanley sits back down at the table. Lena and Bailey stand and start to clean it off, and I decide to help. Matthew does as I do, glancing up at me occasionally. I can feel him looking, but I don’t bother meeting his eyes.
I walk to the sink, dropping some of the plates in it. A hand touches my shoulder and when I turn, I look up, into Matthew’s honey irises. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I respond quickly. “Why?”
“You aren’t acting okay.”
“I’m fine, Matthew. Don’t worry about me.” I pat his chest, turning to rinse the plates off.
“Uh-oh!” Lena’s voice fills the kitchen, and when I look back, she’s standing behind us with a batch of undecorated cookies in a container.
“What?” I ask, one brow shooting up defensively.
“Mistletoeeee,” she sings, and then she points up to the mistletoe hanging above the sink.
Matthew and I look up quickly and then down at each other. His mouth twitches, forming into a nervous smile.
“Oh, no,” I shake my head, meeting Lena’s eyes. “I’m really not in the mood.”
“Come on now! You know the rules. You have to!” Mom encourages, stepping to Lena’s side.
I groan. “Seriously?” I mutter beneath my breath. “Why do they want to see us kiss so badly?”
Matthew chuckles, and to shut my mother and sister up, he grabs my upper arms, pulls my chest to his, and plants his lips on top of mine.
The gesture is quick and takes me by total surprise, but I can’t help melting into him. Warmth courses through me, and I moan a little because this kiss is necessary. I sort of need it. After our intense conversation in the bedroom, I’ve felt like shit—like I need to keep my distance—but this kiss is whole and sweet and…comforting.
“Aww, look at that,” Stanley says from the table, and I jerk away from Matthew. The sound of his voice grates my nerves. I almost want to cry because this whole situation is stupid.
Kissing the escort and feeling good about it?
Pretending we are something we both know we aren’t.
Stanley ruined everything. Again. It was fun playing make-believe while it lasted.
I step back, and I’m glad everyone decides to carry on with their business—Dad and Stanley heading out of the kitchen and Mom, Lena, Bailey, and the twins at the table chatting over uneaten cookies and milk.
“Piper,” Matthew murmurs, and I whip my head up. “Are you upset about what I said in the room? Is that why you’re acting like this?”
“No. Of course not! Why would I be?” I force a smile.
“Because it seems like it’s getting to you. You walked through the door earlier so happy and relaxed, but now…well…I can feel how tense you are. You aren’t having fun.” He pauses, those brown eyes running over my face. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No,” I whisper. “No. Everything’s fine. We never should have pu
t our hands on each other. That’s all.”
“I don’t regret it,” he says, leaning closer, eyes locking on my mouth.
“Well, if you want me to forget about it, you have to stop doing stuff like what we just did.” I press a hand to his chest so he can’t come any closer. “Kissing me like you actually mean it.”
“You needed a pick-me-up. I thought it would lift your spirit.” He strokes my cheek, watching my eyes very briefly. And then he steps back. “Playing the part, remember?”
“Yeah…right.” I don’t know why those words make my heart thunder in my chest, and not in a good way. “Let’s just keep on playing the part.”
Chapter 14
Matthew
After watching the Grinch with the Madisons, I’m certain their family needs to find a new Christmas movie tradition. They know every word of it. Even Piper was mumbling a few of the Grinch’s lines without even realizing it.
After watching the flick, Lena got her twins tucked in bed and the family drank eggnog. I’m not a fan of it, but I drank it anyway, hoping to remain on Mrs. Madison’s good side.
Piper isn’t acting like she was before. She’s upset with me.
I feel bad but what I said to her had to be known. I can’t have her thinking any more will come out of this. Hell, after hearing what Stanley said about her latching on, I have to admit it freaked me out.
I can’t afford a clinger. Not right now.
I don’t regret sleeping with her, I honestly don’t, but had I known she was a latcher, I would have stuck with my code and wouldn’t have gone through with it.
Well, that’s what I tell myself. But after having spiked eggnog and a beer, a glass of scotch and then another beer, I’m starting to realize this job of mine is only holding me back.
We’re in the basement playing pool, and every time she bends over, sliding her fingers over and around the glossy wooden stick, my cock twitches.
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