by E. L. Todd
“Even then…” I rubbed my chin because I couldn’t figure it out.
“Why does it bother you so much?” he asked seriously. “It’s not a big deal. It probably makes your life easier anyway.”
“I just…” I didn’t want to tell him about that night. She left when I was still asleep, and feeling abandoned like that hurt. Ever since then, I hadn’t pulled that number on a girl. I frankly told them from the beginning I wouldn’t be around in the morning. What goes around comes back around, right?
“What?” Jett asked.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s not a big deal.”
“Hey, when you fuck her again it’ll be fun.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“She’s my client now,” I reminded him.
“She won’t be your client forever.”
Katarina
Hiring an escort was something I never thought I would do in a million years. I was perfectly fine being alone, and I always wanted to be alone. Relationships were something I just couldn’t handle, and I would never change my mind about that.
Why wouldn’t my family understand that?
I was working in my office at home when there was a knock on the door. I stopped typing and wondered who it was. If a friend came by, they usually let me know first. I headed to the peephole then looked through.
Joey was on the other side, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. It fit him nicely along the chest. He was a nice guy who was respectful and sweet, but sometimes he couldn’t take a hint.
I opened the door and plastered a smile on my face. “Hey, what’s up?”
His eyes honed in on me, like usual. Trying to be discreet, he examined every inch of me. When his eyes settled on my face, he looked at me like he hadn’t seen me in years. I hated the attention he gave me sometimes. I felt like a specimen in a lab being studied. “I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to see if you’d be interested in lunch.”
“I actually have a lot of work today.”
He gave me that look that told me he thought I was crazy. “It’s Saturday.”
“And…?”
“Come on, it’s just a bite.” He gave me a smile, and a dimple formed on each cheek. Joey really was a sweet person. He had classically handsome features. He was tall and broad, and he had a stern jaw with bright eyes. It was clear he hit the gym often, and he was a sweetheart.
But I didn’t feel anything.
And I never would.
“You have to eat sometime, right?” he pressed. He put his hands in his pockets and stayed on my doorstep. I was grateful he never tried to hug me or cross the line. He seemed to understand I was off limits unless I specified otherwise.
He wore me down. “Sure, why not?”
“Awesome.” He stepped back and waited for me to grab my purse. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Anything.”
“Burgers, it is.”
***
I picked at my fries then sipped my coke.
He rested his elbows on the table while he shoved the burger into his mouth. He took a large bite like an animal then chewed it slowly. As soon as he had the food in his mouth, he removed his elbows off the table. “Like your food?”
“It’s amazing, like always.”
“Aren’t you glad you came out?”
I gave him a smile. “I suppose.”
“If not the food, at least the company.” He had a teasing look in his eyes.
“Of course.” I ate a few more fries and felt my stomach stretch with fullness.
“What are you working on at home?”
“Just paperwork,” I said with a sigh. “It never ends.”
“I can tell,” he noted.
“How’s work for you?”
He shrugged. “The same.”
I looked out the window and watched the people walk up the street of Manhattan. Some had shopping bags and others held tall cups of coffee. I absentmindedly played with an earring while I watched them go.
“What are you thinking?” he blurted.
I turned back to him, realizing I drifted. “Sorry, I wasn’t really thinking anything.”
He finished his food then stared at me. He hardly blinked as he did it. He did this from time to time and I tried to pretend I didn’t notice. But he was making it really obvious. I turned to him and faced him head-on.
He held my gaze, confident, and then looked away when he took a drink of his soda.
Sometimes I wondered if he did have feelings for me. He never expressed his annoyance that our parents were trying to put us together. But he never said he wanted it either.
“So, are you excited for the benefit?”
I gave him a look that said, “What do you think?”
His mouth stretched into a wide smile, and he looked handsome like always. Our waitress was making eyes at him but he didn’t seem to notice. He seemed to be oblivious to the world around him. I hadn’t even seen him with a girlfriend before. If I didn’t know he was straight, I might wonder if he was gay. “Come on, it won’t be that bad.”
“Socializing with snooty people who can only discuss how much money they have? There are a million other things I’d rather be doing.” At least I would have a date. He was pretty quiet and didn’t say much. But, he might be interesting.
“It’s not my cup of tea either but at least there will be free food—and booze.”
“Booze is good.”
He took another sip of his soda then tapped his knuckles on the counter lightly. His eyes were downcast, and his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. When he finally gathered his ideas, he spoke. “How about we go together?” His eyes turned to my face and he watched my reaction.
Uh…this was awkward.
Joey continued to watch me, his eyes guarded. But I knew he was hoping for a yes.
“Actually, I already have a date.” He’d never asked me something like this before so I wasn’t prepared to give the answer.
He stared at me blankly, like he was still waiting for me to respond. Then his eyes fell noticeably. His shoulders relaxed like there was no strength left in his muscles. He looked away, a quizzical expression on his face.
I looked down because I didn’t like his reaction.
Then Joey turned his gaze on me, still caught off guard. “A date?”
I understood his skepticism since I never brought a date to anything. I never dated anyone and I never brought anyone around the family. “Yeah. His name is Cato.”
“Cato…” He said the name like it was displeasing.
“We’ve been seeing each other for a while…I thought I’d bring him around.”
Now he looked appalled. “You’ve been seeing someone?” Disbelief was in his voice. “When…how…what?” He completely lost his composure and wasn’t the calm and cocky friend I knew.
“We met through mutual friends and…it just happened.” I tried to be as vague as possible. I was a terrible liar and I couldn’t pull off something complex. The less detail I gave, the easier I’d be able to carry this story.
“How long has this been going on for?” His food was abandoned.
“I don’t know…a while.” Stay vague.
“Oh.” He nodded. “Oh…” He nodded again. “I see.”
I’d never seen Joey react that way so I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Cato…” He said the name again, letting it roll off his tongue.
“Yeah…” Why was this so awkward right now?
He ran his fingers through his hair, catching looks as he did it, and then stood up abruptly. “Actually…I have somewhere to be. I’ll talk to you later.” He wouldn’t look at me as he spoke.
“Joey?”
He walked away without turning back.
The waitress brought the tab and left it on the counter.
Joey always insisted on paying for everything, and it was even more odd for him just to storm out like that. He was clearly flustered and uncomfortable by what I said. I wasn’t sure what to make of it.<
br />
What just happened?
***
I did my hair in an elaborate up do and applied dark eye shadow around my eyes. I wore a maroon gown that reached the floor, and it reminded me of the color of the grapes we used on the vineyard.
Right at six, Cato knocked on the door.
My escort was exactly what I paid for. He was extremely good-looking and got right to the point. He didn’t insert fillers into conversations, and he did what he was told.
It was the best investment I ever made.
But he did look familiar. I couldn’t quite put my thumb on it. Perhaps I’d seen him on a billboard or in a magazine. With looks like that, he was obviously a model on the side. He had the large muscles of a man who hit the gym often, and he had a dark side to him. I could tell he was dangerous even though I couldn’t exactly explain how I knew that.
I opened the door and tried to hide my reaction to him. He wore a three-piece black suit with a gray tie. It fit him to a T and he looked like a million dollar man. His shoulders were outlined in the crisp jacket, and his legs were lean and long. Shiny dress shoes were on his feet. He was every inch of an ideal man. “Hello, Cato.” I managed to keep the blush out of my cheeks and greet him as a friend. He was someone I wouldn’t mind having a fling with, but Danielle made it clear nothing physical could happen with my escort. It would immediately terminate the arrangement. At the time, I didn’t think it would be an issue. But now that I looked at him, I realized just how hard it would be to keep my hands to myself.
“Hello, Katarina. You look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you.” He was hot and he had manners. Score.
“Ready to go?” he asked as he put his hands in his pockets.
I grabbed the tiny clutch that could barely fit anything inside and we walked out together. “Where’s your car?”
“Right here.” He walked to a black Audi A7 and opened the passenger door for me.
Wow, no wonder why he was so pricey. I got inside then watched him close the door. When he walked around the car, I got a nice view of his ass. It was very nice.
Cato drove with one hand and migrated through the city with ease. The radio was on and he didn’t make small talk. He kept to himself.
It was relaxing.
I looked out the window and watched the city lights disappear as we entered Connecticut. The benefit was taking place at the vineyard and it would be nice to see the wide-open spaces again.
Cato finally spoke. “Here?”
“Yeah. Follow the roundabout and the valet will take your car.”
He nodded then pulled over.
The valet took my hand and helped me out, but Cato came to him and snatched me away quickly. He tucked my arm through his and kept me close. “How do you want me to behave?” he said quietly into my ear.
“I don’t understand your meaning.”
“Do you want me to be all over you, madly in love, or do you want me to be distant but clearly be your date?”
People wouldn’t believe this would last unless we acted like we were in love. “The first one.”
“Okay.” He escorted me inside until we entered the ballroom. People held glass flutes while they quietly mingled. The women were dressed in their finest gowns, and the men wore designer suits.
I just had to stay for a few hours, mingle, and then Cato and I could hightail it out of there.
“Can I get you a drink?” Cato asked politely.
“Sure.”
“Champagne?”
“Yes, please.”
“Coming right up.” He approached a passing waiter and grabbed two glasses. Then he returned and handed me one.
I immediately downed it then released a satisfied gasp.
He watched me with interest, his blue eyes dark and stunning like the skin of a blue whale. “You either have a drinking problem or you really don’t want to be here.”
“Both.”
He nodded then sipped his glass. “Anything I should know about your family?”
“Just pretend your rich and you’ll fit in with everyone else.”
“I am rich.”
“But don’t tell them you’re an escort.”
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” he said without looking at me. “I have a cover story.”
“Don’t get caught up in your lies. My parents have a good memory.”
“You obviously didn’t inherit that.”
I turned to him, and my eyebrow arched. “Sorry?” What did he mean by that? At first, I thought Cato was the strong and silent type. Now I got the impression he didn’t like me. But why? He hardly knew me.
“Nothing,” he said vaguely.
Okay…that was weird.
“Where this guy who’s intent on marrying you?” He searched the crowd with one arm around my waist.
“His name is Joey.”
“Good to know.”
“And I’m not sure.” Based on his peculiar behavior he may not even want to see me. “Don’t expect to run into him tonight.”
“Why not?”
“We had…a weird thing last week.” I thought it was odd we hadn’t spoken since. Joey usually texted me throughout the week.
“A weird thing?” he asked. “Is that how you describe hook-ups?”
How did he jump to that conclusion? “No…when I told him I had a date he acted weird. That’s all.”
Cato sipped his glass again and held his silence.
I tugged him along and made introductions to people I worked with. As the inheritor of the wine company, I had to make a good impression to everyone my father was connected with. People were nice, for the most part, but they were also fake. If my family lost everything we had, they wouldn’t still call us friends. They would ride in the limo with us, but the second it broke down and we needed a cab, they would bail.
Cato had impeccable manners, and like he was a completely different person, he was charming and funny. He had a quick wit and easily made everyone adore him. He was making such a good impression I wasn’t sure if I was paying him enough money.
When we walked away from the crowd, I spoke quietly to him. “Why don’t you use that charm on me?”
His happy countenance disappeared the moment there wasn’t an audience. “It didn’t seem like it worked.”
“You haven’t tried.”
“Actually, I have.” He headed to the bar without telling me what he was doing. He ordered a scotch, downed it with a quick swallow, and then slowly made his way over to me.
What was I missing? He was so vague and said all these ominous things. What was the deal?
He returned to my side. “Now, where are your parents?”
“Do you have a problem with me?” I blurted.
He lowered his hand from my waist for a moment and regarded me coldly. The look was icy and covered in frost. I didn’t even need him to answer the question at that point. “I’m doing my job and I’m doing it well. So, what does it matter? You don’t strike me as a kind of woman with deep emotions.”
Again, he was subtly insulting me. “If I did something to offend you, I’m sorry.”
He looked away and put his arm around my waist. Let’s meet the parents.”
The subject seemed to be dropped. I couldn’t figure out why Cato was being so disgruntled toward me. What did I do to him? But he was right. He was doing what I paid him to do, and he was already causing ripples through the crowd. Now it was too late to back out and switch him with a different escort. I’d have to deal with him and his odd prejudice.
Mom and Dad were talking quietly together. Dad wore an Armani suit, and his slightly gray hair matched the color. His mustache was the same color, and he wore slightly large eyeglasses. Mom was seven years younger than him, and their age difference was obvious. She was good-looking for her age, and she still ran marathons religiously. She was a typical trophy wife, someone my dad married solely for her looks. When they spotted us, Mom’s jaw was practically on the floor. D
ad did a double take, clearly surprised I brought a man to the benefit.
“There they are,” I said quietly to Cato.
“I could tell she was your mom without you pointing it out. You look a lot alike.”
“Thanks…I think.”
“It was a compliment.” He pulled me close to him then approached my parents. “Good evening, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Cato shook his hand and introduced himself.
Dad was impressed from the beginning. “I didn’t realize my daughter was bringing a date, and such a charming young man.”
“She’s the charming one, sir.” He turned to me and gave me an affectionate look. It seemed genuine to everyone else, but I knew it was just an act. He made it abundantly clear he didn’t fancy me.
I gave him a fake smile in return and acted like I adored him.
Then Cato approached my mother and swept her off her feet. “I would have thought you two were sisters.”
She blushed and waved his comment away. “I’m much younger than my husband, but it worked out well.” She rubbed Dad’s shoulder. “He gets more handsome as he ages.”
“You guys look really happy,” Cato noted. His arm snaked back to my side. “I can only hope I’ll have something like that someday.” He gave me a particular look, saying a lot without using words.
Man, he was smooth.
My parents watched us intently.
Then Cato made small talk with my parents, keeping up with their aristocratic tones and customs. He fit right in, like he belonged at this benefit. But then I remembered he did this for a living, so he had a lot of practice.
Cato politely excused himself then headed to the bathroom. When he was gone, my parents immediately rounded on me.
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”
“Where did you find him?”
“What about Joey?”
All the questions came out at the same time. I felt like I was in a batting cage and the ball machine wouldn’t stop throwing high-speed baseballs at me. “We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks and I really care about him. I think this is going to go somewhere.”
Mom’s eyes shined with joy, but there was also apprehension. She turned to Dad, having a silent conversation with him. I knew they were rooting for Joey, hoping we would settle down together. We’d been friends since we were kids. I wasn’t sure why they thought anything would ever happen between us. Men had come and gone from my life and Joey was never one of them.