His Escort

Chapter 3

Ava

I blink twice as I watch the epitome of male beauty leaning against the wall. I recognize him in a flash. How can I forget him?

I obviously can't; not when his scent is lingering on me and the feel of his strong arm around my waist is still fresh in my perverted mind.

I close my eyes and fight a groan. Why him? Of all males who could have contacted me, he had to be the one?

Did he know that I was the one before be contacted me? I honestly don't think so. The photo on my profile is faceless. It's an alluring picture of me in a red dress and black high heeled sandals which I bought with my very first cash as an escort.

I open my eyes and Mr good looks hasn't moved an inch. He is standing there looking... Scratch that...staring at me. His full lips are slightly parted and his prominent jaw is tilted in am arrogant pose.

I briefly wonder who he is. If he can afford a presidential suite in this hotel and he had the paparazzi creeping on him earlier, he must be walking on dollars.

"It's you." He finally speaks and I immediately notice the slur in his voice. I have dealt with way too many drunk clients in the past to notice such.

He doesn't appear to be drunk though. His eyes are sharp and calculating and his hands are stuck in his jeans pockets in that way that drives girls crazy. He is wearing a tight black T-shirt, which clings to his biceps and his muscular chest and I let out a sigh. How the hell does he look so freaking good?

"Come in." I say in the most confident voice I can master. I'm not feeling too confident right now. He is not eyeing me with desire like the other clients I've worked with, he is looking at me with pure curiosity.

He walks towards me and I'm very aware that I am holding my breath. He, however, walks past me into the room. I follow him hesitantly after closing the door and I'm almost wishing that I wore a longer dress.

He tugs his tight T-shirt off and tosses it on the dresser and I choke on air. I avert my eyes from the rippling muscles on his back and I sit on the bed. I should engage him in a conversation, that's my job, but I guess the cat got my tongue.

Usually, the clients who call me want to rant about their frustrations and I listen to them patiently. Others want me to play girlfriend to them for a day or two, others need me as a companion on trips and events.

One thing though; I never have s*x with any of them. That's my policy and my regular clients know that. I make them understand that I'm an escort not a call girl and there's a big difference between the two.

I have kissed a few of them but that's about it. I need the money badly but I understand it's not worth trading my dignity. Being an escort involves very little dignity but I salvage the little that I can manage.

My new mysterious client here walks to the mini bar and pours a shot of whiskey into a glass. He twirls it in his hand for a moment before he finally turns to me. His eyes move not so subtly to my exposed cleavage and he shakes his head.

That's a first.

"What's your name?" He asks, propping a hip on the couch.

"Ava."

His brow creases ever so slightly.

"That's short for what?"

I shrug.

"Just Ava. What's yours?"

He doesn't tell me.

"Ava." He tests the name and it rolls off his tongue in a way that makes me feel hot and bothered.

He stands up and edges close to me, and I keep my eyes on his face; challenging him. He purposefully hardens his eyes and I watch them go dark.

"How long have done this... This job?" He asks, coming to a stop right in front of me and placing the glass in my hands.

I swallow when his fingers accidentally brush against my hand.

"Tell me." He insists in a quiet whisper, his eyes holding mine in a gaze.

"Two years now." I reply honestly and his brow creases.

"Then why are you so nervous?"

I blow out my breath.

"I'm not nervous."

"You're trying to convince yourself."

He gestures at the glass in my hand. "Drink that. It'll take away the edge."

Is he trying to get me drunk?

"I'm not having s*x with you." I blurt out. I have to get that out of the way. He should know that I am not that kind of an escort. If he thinks getting me drunk will loosen me up then he is in for a rude shock.

I swear a smirk tugs the edges of his sensual lips.

"I'm offended, Ava. Do you have such little faith in my skills?"

I roll my eyes.

"I'm serious. I don't sleep with my clients."

He squats in front of me, balancing on the heels of his feet. The curiosity is back in his eyes and his gaze travels to my exposed thighs and back up. I really shouldn't have worn this dress.

The tip of his pink tongue traces his lower lip and I quickly look away..

What the hell is wrong with me? I should be focusing on what brought me here.

"What's your story?" He asks, his fingers tracing his chin..

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you here?"

"Because I'm working."

"What does your job entail?"

"You didn't read the bio on our website?"

"Answer the damn question Ava."

He's not relenting. I know his type. He is a control freak who would strangle you for not calling him daddy during s*x. He has the allure, the looks, the money and the sense of entitlement.

I know instantly that he is going to be trouble if I don't play my cards well. By playing my cards well, I mean getting the hell out of here as soon as I can.

"How long do you need me?" I ask him, standing up and walking to the nightstand. I place the glass with the untouched dash of alcohol on it before turning back to the dark Knight watching me with curiosity and interest.

"Do you have to go somewhere?" He asks with a lifted eyebrow.

"Yes. I'm meeting a client in an hour."

That's actually a lie.

He lifts the second eyebrow.

"I remember seeing in your bio that you should stay with a client for as long as he wishes as long as he is not harassing you."

"So you did read that bio.''

He shrugs.

"Maybe."

"So how long do you want me to stay here?"

He is quiet for a moment, his eyes studying me thoughtfully. He looks aloof and mysterious standing there and I can guess his soul is darker than the Lucifer's. I know that something is remotely bothering him but I don't question him.

"Stay the night." He says suddenly and I grip the edge of nightstand. The f**k?

"I already told you that I'm not having s*x with you."

"I heard you the first time. Stay the night."

"What's the catch?"

"I'll double your hourly rate."

I blink in surprise.

"You are kidding me.''

"Am I?"

"Wait." I take a careful step towards him. "You will pay me double to stay here with you tonight knowing very well I won't be having s*x with you?"

He looks at me like I'm not making any sense.

"Is it that hard to believe? Is everyone you meet just after s*x?"

I shake my head. The only time a client offered to double the money was because he wanted to sleep with me badly and he only wanted an hour, not a whole night. I was desperately in need of cash and I gave in. The s*x was really bad and he had a fetish for flat tummies. Needless to say, that was the first and the last time I slept with a client and it was a long ass time ago.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask in a near whisper.

"Doing what? Paying you double?"

"That, plus wanting to spend the night with me. It's going to be very expensive for you."

"I'm not complaining, am I?" He dares me, walking towards me in sure steps until he pins me to the wall.

I gasp.

He plants his hands on either side of me on the wall above my head and looks down at me. I gulp when he moves in and for a moment there I think he is going to have his way with me.

However, he stops once our eyes are leveled and his warm breath is on my face.

"I don't want to have s*x with you. All I need is company and I'm giving you a reasonable deal. You need the money, Ava."

"How would you know that?" I challenge him, my eyes straying briefly to his naked torso.

Damn. My ovaries.

"For starters, you need a car."

"I love my car." I tell him angrily. My car is very old and rickety but it is mine. It serves the purpose.

He lifts that amused eyebrow that makes me want to bash his skull in.

"Are we talking about the same car?"

"Why do you care?"

He sighs and steps back.

"My fiancee slept with my brother."

Ooh

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I don't want sympathy. I want to make you an offer."

"Okay?"

"I want to use you to make her jealous."

I do a double take, a frown taking over my face.

"How?"

"Just spend time with me for a day or two. The paparazzi will be all over us and the rumor that we are together will be slapped all over the tabloids. I'll get the desired reaction from Kate if she thinks I'm seeing someone else."

I observe his face for a quick second. There's a vulnerability there that is hard to trace if you haven't spend a lot time in male company.

"You love her." I whisper with compassion.

He hesitates before nodding.

"Yes. I do."

Everything starts to click into place then. How did I miss it before; the heartbreak in his eyes? My heart goes out to him.

Sort of.

"Making her jealous won't change the fact that she cheated on you."

"I know that. I just...I don't know. I want her to feel jealous and lost when she sees me with someone else."

"To what end?"

"You don't have to worry about that, Ava. I'll give you your money and you will help me out. That should be your only concern."

I keep looking at him and he is staring at me, waiting for an answer.

"Do it. Say yes." He implores with his eyes. He doesn't say please but it's unspoken in between his words.

I know I'm going to say yes. He saved my life earlier tonight and I owe him one.

That's not the whole truth though. I need the money.

Badly.

"Yes." I tell him confidently.

"Good. Now we need to set some things straight first."

"What things?"

His eyes fleet over me and I feel self conscious all over again.

"First things first, you'll have to dress more decently. I have a reputation and people looking up to me so stepping out with you looking ratchet won't go well with a lot of people."

"I'm an escort. The dress code is part of my job."

"I was getting to that. I don't want you escorting for as long as you are doing this for me. I don't know about you but I don't like sharing."

"I'm not one of your acquisitions." I counter and he lifts that eyebrow.

"I'd like to think of you as one. I'm paying for the services, remember? I won't allow you to embarrass me by being spotted with other men after the paparazzi catch us together."

He has a point and he is parting with good cash so I nod.

"Fine. That's all?"

He looks me over.

"For now."

"Why do I feel like I'm signing a deal with the devil?"

"Because you are."

"So what's your name?"

He smirks.

"You called me babe when I saved you earlier tonight. You can stick to that."

I roll my eyes.

"Okay babe."

He chuckles lightly and I bite my lip to fight the laughter that is bubbling inside me.