Page 4 of Doxed

A woman’s delicate hand glides up my outer thigh, her perfectly manicured, almond-shaped nails shine, and she leans closer to me on the low couch in one of the lounges of La Lujuria.

I close the small distance between us, my lips grazing over her neck, goosebumps rising on her skin, when someone clears their throat.

I pull away to see what asshole is interrupting me and a client.

One of our security, Josh, is standing with his hands behind his back, looking around the room but trying not to linger on any one person too long.

“Mr. Vicario is here to see you, B,” Josh says when he sees that I’m looking at him.

My brows come together. “Again?” I ask, and Josh shrugs and waits for me.

He’s going to escort me to him, apparently.

Carlos was here yesterday. We spent most of the night talking in the lounge alone.

He got a call after midnight and said he had to leave.

He paid me ten thousand dollars and left, and since that was more than I usually made in a night, I left too.

I follow Josh into the same lounge, which is empty just like last night, aside from Carlos and his guards. Josh leaves me at the large entrance to the room and I walk to the couch to join Carlos.

“Purple looks good on you.” Carlos nods toward the lilac set I have on today, and I smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Vicario,” I say politely. I enjoyed talking to him last night, but that’s not really what my job is, so I'm just kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him to ask to go upstairs or here if that’s his thing.

“I told you to call me Carlos,” he chastises, his eyes soft with a smile on his lips.

“Carlos,” I correct myself.

He nods and grabs a wooden humidor from next to him on the couch, lifting the lid and sorting through an abundance of cigars.

“Would you like one?” he asks, pulling one out and running it under his nose.

“No, thank you.” I scrunch my nose.

“Do you not like cigars?” he asks, holding the cigar in midair, his eyes watching me again.

I purse my lips. I feel like I just failed a test. “I don’t really like the smell, it clings to skin.”

He places the cigar back in the box and closes the lid. He holds his hand up, and a guard steps forward, taking the box and leaving the room with it.

He grins at me, and I feel guilty now. “You didn’t have to do that.” I shake my head.

His warm hand rests gently on my thigh, right above my knee. “It’s okay, Hermosa. Your company is much more enjoyable.”

I nod once and place my hand over his. I don't want him to move it. It’s been nice talking to him, and I find him interesting. The pull he has around here. The lengths to which Hector will go to make Carlos happy are astounding. I don't know who he is, but it’s clear that he is someone.

The power intrigues me.

“What do you do, Carlos?” I ask, leaning against the couch and resting my arm on the back of it. Both of us sitting in a mirrored position, facing each other. I rest my head on my hand and watch him.

He rolls his bottom lip between his teeth and stokes his short beard. “I’m a businessman,” he drawls.

“What kind of business?” I ask, watching his fingers stroke over his chin. The small gold signet ring on his pinky.

“Sales.” His caramel stare holds mine.

“What kinds of sales?” I push, trying to pull more answers from him with just my stare, but I can't read anything on him.

“Various things,” he answers. One of his security steps forward and leans over the couch, whispering in his ear.

The man steps away and Carlos clears his throat.

“I have matters that I have to attend to, Hermosa, but I enjoyed tonight with you.” He reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out several hundred-dollar bills.

He takes my hand that was loosely resting in my lap and places the money in it. Smiling before he stands and leaves the room, his security walking closely behind him and one talking into a phone.

I count the bills and, once again, ten thousand dollars.

I fold up the bills, walk to the elevator, and take it to my room.

I pack up my stuff, change into my sweatshirt and shorts and leave my room, locking it behind me.

I head out the back entrance to the company helicopter and Rafé takes me home.