Page 11 of The Alpha Escort Agency

“Oh, you know, hot, but not terrible so far.” She fans her fingers in front of her face.

“Aw sweetie,” Maria says with sympathy. “When does he get there?”

Alice retrieves the phone from her shoulder and peers at the time.

“Hmmm, in about an hour.”

“And how do you feel about it, I mean, about him?”

“Nervous … excited … nervous.”

“And you're definitely gonna go through with it?” Maria’s voice sounds unsure.

“Of course I am — why do you say that?”

“I don't know, I guess I just thought you'd wimp out.” Maria laughs. “But this is good. I'm glad you're doing this rather than ending up with another creepy Alpha. So, code word? Backup plan?”

“Code word for this heat is orange juice.” She picks up a pillow and smacks it with her fist to puff it up. “If it doesn't work out, I'm just going to text you or call you, and just come get me okay? Or send Ed over or something.”

“Sweetie, I've got your back.”

“I know you do.”

“Alice.”

“Yes?”

“Just be assertive, okay? You're paying for this so make sure you get what you want, not what he wants.”

“Yes, Mum,” Alice giggles.

“Enjoy yourself too.”

Enjoy herself? Alice is not sure she ever has enjoyed a heat before. They've always been something to be endured. Even when she's coming, and her body is swimming with ecstasy, her mind has never quite been able to savour it. There's always been a part of her holding back, unable to immerse herself in the feelings, too self-conscious, too cautious.

Alice collapses onto the edge of the bed, feeling even more nervous than she had done. She doesn't want to talk about this anymore, but she doesn't want to let Maria go either because then she'd be left alone thinking about this.

“Are you at work?” Alice says, returning the pillow to the bed.

“Yep. It's quiet here today. You're not missing anything.”

“And what are you doing this weekend?”

Her friend is quiet for a moment down the line. “Ed says he has to work on Saturday.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly! He never works Saturdays.” There's a loud puff of air into the receiver. “I think I'm going to have to do some snooping?”

“Snooping?”

“Yes. I reckon I could work out his password and break into his email and Facebook and Twitter messages, have a poke about, see what he's been up to.” Her friend's voice sounds agitated.

“Maria, no!” She shifts the phone to her other ear, emphasising the word into the mouthpiece.

“He's lying to me though, Alice, I just know it. When he told me he had to go into the office this weekend, he couldn't even look me in the eye.”

“But if it's the truth, and he finds out you did that, he'd be devastated.”