Page 15 of The Midnight Club

“You have certainly made an impression on Maceo.” Marcella told her, smiling, “I can’t remember the last time he introduced us to a date.”

Ori was surprised but kept her counsel. “How long have you and Benoit been together?”

Marcella smiled. “Oh, we’re not together in that sense. I mean, we do spend time together, shall we say, but we’re not a couple. Just very good friends. Benoit does not have the time to commit to a full relationship.”

Ori frowned. “Like Maceo.”

Marcella looked taken aback. “No, I don’t think so. Anyway, my dear, to answer your question, Benoit pays very well for my company. Not that I wouldn’t do it for free, you understand, but he insists.”

Anescort?This glamourous, elegant, intelligent woman?

Marcella chuckled. “The expression on your face is why I love to tell Americans the truth about Benoit and me, about what I do. He’s quite open about it, you see? We’re consenting adults.”

Ori grinned. “Hey, no judgment here. As long as it’s consensual, have at it.”

“Being an escort is my choice, Ori, but it is not my occupation. I do it because I enjoy sex with handsome men. At the same time, I prefer to live alone.”

They chatted a little while longer, then Ori remembered something. “Do you know anything about someone called Viola? I believe she was one of Maceo’s friends?”

The smile faded from Marcella’s face, and she sighed. “Poor girl. She was murdered—horribly, too—shot with a crossbow.”

Ori felt sick. “God, who would do that?”

“They haven’t found anyone responsible yet...” Benoit broke into their conversation, and Ori realized the two men had been listening to them. “Alex is a mess; until he knows why, he can’t move past it.”

The rest of the dinner was a more somber affair after that and Ori regretted asking. As she and Maceo were being driven back to the George V, she looked over at him. “Maceo?”

He smiled at her. “What is it,bella?”

“I’m sorry for asking about Alex’s girlfriend.”

“It’s okay. It’s playing on all of our minds.”

“Did you know her well?”

He nodded, but said nothing more. He took her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. “Caro, there’s something we need to talk about when we get to the hotel.”

Ori’s heart started to pound uncomfortably.No, not yet. I’m not ready for you to dump me. Not here, not now, please …but she just smiled and said, “Okay.”

In the hotel room, he led her out to the balcony and pulled her onto his lap. “Ori, something has been bothering me this evening. I hope I didn’t ruin our evening.”

“Of course not, Maceo, but what’s wrong?”

Maceo sighed. “I know how people see me, and a lot of it has to do with my past behavior. With the opposite sex, I mean. I’m sure Lucia warned you away from me.”

Ori grinned, hoping to lighten the atmosphere by teasing him. “Warneddoesn’t really cover it.”

Maceo gave a small chuckle. “You see? What chance do I stand? But, Ori, these last few days with you … I feel so differently that I’m having trouble reconciling it. You make me want to see if I could do it, if I could commit.”

Ori stared at him, shocked. “What?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you I’m crazy about you, Orianthi Roy.”

Every emotion that flooded her body left her speechless.No. No, this was a line … surely? This was what men like him did—made you fall for them and then dumped you. It was a game. Maceo was a world-class player.

“I don’t believe you,” she said flatly and slid from his arms, pacing the room.

Maceo watched her, his eyes never leaving her face. “Why is it so hard to believe that someone might love you, Ori?”