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“But beautiful pretend,” she whispers. “Life-changing, life-giving, dreams-can-come-true pretend. I, for one, think you both deserve that.”
I pull in a breath, holding it as my conscience does battle with the wild curiosity pumping through my veins.
In the end, curiosity wins.
I’m dying to know more about this girl, and agreeing to a meeting doesn’t mean I have to agree to the rest of the job.
Though I should probably know what that “job” would entail, just in case.
“A week of playing the attentive, passionate boyfriend, that’s it," Twyla says when I ask, a smug grin on her face that makes it clear she thinks she’s already won this game. “She’s from Maine and is only in the city for a week, specifically to learn about romance and pleasure from someone patient and trustworthy whom she’ll never have to see again.”
“Never is a long time. I do have a public presence, Twyla. She might see pictures of me online at some point, and learn who I really am.”
Twyla shrugs. “Perhaps. But I doubt she’ll be upset to learn that her sexy older escort was more than he appeared to be at the time. Hell, she’d probably be thrilled. Either way, she can’t expose you without exposing herself. You’d be safe.”
“Right,” I mutter with a roll of my eyes, but my thoughts are already racing ahead.
One week. No strings.
No expectations beyond teaching a beautiful young woman about pleasure, making her feel good, sexy, worshipped between the sheets…
Fuck me, but I want that.
I wanther, and it looks like my logical mind is once again on the losing side of the table.
“I’ll take the meeting,” I say, adding in a firm voice as Twyla exhales a soft sound of victory, “but I can’t promise anything beyond that. Not until I’ve talked to her.”
“Of course,” she stands, pausing before she adds, “but don’t be afraid to do more than talk. That’s what she’s here for and you look gorgeous tonight.”
“I thought you said I looked like hell?” I challenge.
She shrugs. “Even hell looks good on a man like you, darling.” She motions to her left, where another hidden panel is slowly opening, revealing a friendly-looking young man in an elegant black suit. “Theo will show you to the dressing room and help fit you for a comfortable mask.” To Theo she adds, “Anything he needs, make it happen. Anthony isn’t just any new hire, he’s a dear friend.”
“I haven’t said I’ll take the job yet,” I remind her as I rise from my chair. “And even if I do, I don’t want to be paid. I’ll take the job pro bono.”
Twyla rolls her eyes. “You’re not a lawyer, and this isn’t Wall Street. Go. Have fun. Forget to be bossy and in control for once in your life.” She bites her lip before adding with a husky laugh, “Or be bossy and in control in a different way. I think Maya might like that. You might, too. There are worse things than a beautiful woman telling you ‘yes, sir’ when you ask her to unbutton her blouse.”
I pause at the exit, turning back to point a warning finger at my friend, “Stop.”
“Why?” she asks, still grinning. “Don’t like it when I give you delicious new ideas.”
“I don’t like making private things public,” I say. “If I decide to spend the week with Maya, what we do behind closed doors will be between her and me.”
Sobering, Twyla nods. “Of course. I understand. And I respect that.”
“Good,” I say, unable to resist adding as I grip the door handle, “and I’m not as tightly wound as you think. I know how to take control when control is what’s called for.”
“I knew it,” Twyla hisses. “I knew you had a bossy daddy side. You should embrace it. Women love that kind of thing. I can give you a few tips for establishing guidelines and safe words, if you’d like.”
I shut the door on her offer.
I don’t need that kind of advice.
More importantly, I don’t have time for it.
I have a meeting to prepare for, and a beautiful, intriguing young woman I don’t want to keep waiting…
chapter 4