Hooker (13 page)

‘You’re in luck, Mr Weston. I’m prepared to make allowances now that I know you’re Maxwell’s son.’

‘You are?’

‘I am. Sometimes it’s not what you know, Mr Weston, but rather whom.’

Although I remain calm on the outside, my heart thumps furiously against my rib cage as pure elation courses through me. I’m going to see Jade again. I think this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever been grateful that prick of a man is my father.

She picks up the phone. ‘Bring me Jade’s schedule for the next week,’ she barks. This woman has absolutely no manners. A few seconds later, the plain-looking but meticulously dressed young woman who had me fill in the questionnaire enters the room. After she places a manila folder on the desk, I see Jade’s name printed on the front. The woman immediately turns
and leaves. I suppose she doesn’t wait for a response because she probably has enough sense to know she won’t get one.

My eyes scan the list of names when Melody opens the folder. I hate that I have to share her with other men.
She’s mine
.

‘When was the last time you were tested, Mr Weston?’

‘Excuse me?’ I look at her.

‘Tested?’ she snaps. ‘For STDs.’

Oh. ‘A few months ago.’

‘That’s not good enough. I’ll require something more recent before this can go ahead. If you can get your test results to me by Friday, you can have Jade on Sunday evening.’

‘I can arrange that,’ I say as I stand.

‘Sit. Mr Weston, we need to discuss a price.’

‘I’ll pay whatever the going rate is.’

‘Fine,’ she says, nodding her head. ‘Jade is my number one girl, so if you insist on seeing her on her day off, know that she doesn’t come cheap. She also comes with restrictions.’

‘Which are?’

‘We can discuss that once I have your test results.’

‘I’ll be in contact,’ I say as I leave. I’m already on the phone to my doctor’s receptionist, scheduling an appointment as I walk down the front stairs towards my car.

Sunday night, Jade will be mine again
.

JADE

Sunday
morning, I get a call from M requesting that I attend the house. She quite often does this, so I’m not particularly worried. But this woman is full of surprises, so I never know what to expect. I’d only just left the gym, so I rush home to shower and change. I knew she’d be pissed off at me for taking longer than expected, but she would’ve been even angrier if I turned up in my gym clothes looking like a hot mess.

‘I shouldn’t be long,’ I tell Rupert after he pulls up outside her home.

‘Good luck,’ he replies, making me laugh. Hopefully I won’t need it.

‘You took your sweet time,’ M snaps when I enter the house. ‘I called you over an hour ago.’

‘I was at the gym. I had to go home to shower and change.’

She walks towards her office, and I follow. ‘Sit,’ she demands. Once she’s seated, she picks up a white envelope, handing it to me.

‘What’s this?’ I ask.

‘Your job for tonight.’

What? ‘But it’s my day off.’

Her
eyes narrow as they meet mine. ‘
Was
,’ she scoffs.

I deflate. I was looking forward to some
me
time. I’ve bought all the ingredients to try a new recipe I’d seen on the cooking channel. I’ve tweaked it a little and was excited to see how it would turn out.

‘Okay,’ I reply with a sigh. There’s no point in arguing, I’d never win. ‘With who?’

‘A new client.’

‘Not a regular?’ My stomach churns at the thought. It’s been a few years since I’ve had anyone new. I’m used to the men I have. I always know what to expect going in. What if he’s like that horrible man I got on my first night? Or even worse? ‘Who is he?’

‘You’ll find out tonight,’ she says, picking up a pen and writing something down in her diary. ‘Be back here at five for inspection.’

I sit there dumbfounded. I don’t want to do this, but at the same time I know I don’t have a choice.

‘You can go.’

I have to bite my tongue when she flicks her hand at me. I hate her so much. The rude bitch doesn’t even bother to look up at me when she speaks. Ever since my outburst when I returned from New York she’s been a lot colder towards me than normal.

*

The nervousness I’m feeling when Rupert stops at the end of the long driveway of my new client’s house must be showing, because he turns in his seat and locks his eyes with mine. ‘You have my number, Jade. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll be back here in a flash.’

I
rest my hand on his shoulder. ‘Thank you, Rupert. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’ He doesn’t reply, but his hand is now covering mine and the gracious smile on his face is enough.

A sense of foreboding fills me as Rupert heads back to the street along the circled driveway. I admire a beautiful fountain before climbing the front stairs. When I reach the top, I freeze. All the fears I had as a foster child fill me—I don’t know what awaits me behind that door, and I don’t know if I want to find out.

Tilting my head back, I take in the opulent mansion that stands before me. It’s breathtaking. The light grey render of the walls make the black finishes around the windows stand out. There’s a beautiful wrought-iron balcony above me. I bet the view of the city would be spectacular from up there. Whoever lives here is extremely wealthy. That thought doesn’t ease my worries at all. Some of the rich people I’ve associated with over the years think their social status comes with certain entitlements.

I have the sudden feeling my lucky streak is about to end. A new client usually always means sex. The fact that he’s requested that I attend his house and stay the night virtually guarantees it. That thought makes me feel physically sick. Images of Brock flash through my mind and I have to fight back the tears.

The door before me flies open and I jump.

‘Are you going to stand out here all night, beautiful, or are you coming inside?’

Oh. My. God. I blink a couple of times to make sure I’m not seeing things that aren’t really there. ‘Brock!’ I squeal as I launch myself into his awaiting arms. ‘What? How?’ But
before I get a chance to say another word, his mouth hungrily collides into mine. ‘Mmm,’ I moan as he draws me closer, my body melting into his. His kisses are intoxicating.

When we finally come up for air, he rests his forehead against mine. ‘I’ve been dying to do that all week.’ Happy tears well in my eyes, making his brow furrow. Tenderly, he cups my face in his hands. ‘Hey. Don’t cry.’

‘I’m just … I’m just so happy to see you,’ I say as I wipe my finger under my eye to catch the stray tear that has escaped.

‘You have no idea how happy I am to see you, too. You’ve been on my mind night and day.’ This time when his lips cover mine the kiss isn’t so desperate, it’s sweet and passionate. It not only melts my heart, it makes my toes curl.

‘I love that your paperwork said that kissing was a hard limit for you, but you have no problems kissing me.’

‘There are no hard limits where you’re concerned,’ I admit, because there aren’t. I’m not a prostitute when I’m with him, I’m just plain old Jade. Even now that he knows the truth about me, I can tell he doesn’t see me that way either.

‘I’m pleased to hear that.’ He reaches for the small suitcase I’m holding and grabs hold of my hand, lacing our fingers together. It sends my heart into a flutter. ‘Let me get you inside.’

‘Your place is beautiful,’ I say. I’ve always wondered what his home would look like. It suits him perfectly. He’s carried the black and grey theme inside and he has exquisite taste—well, his designer does. The rich wooden floors and staircase are stained in a dark charcoal grey. The wrought-iron bannisters are black. There are bright paintings framed in black on every wall, adding colour to the space.

‘I still can’t believe I’m actually here with you.’

Brock’s
hand tightens around mine as he places a soft kiss on the side of my head. ‘You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here, sweetheart.’ The sincerity behind his words warms my heart. ‘Come. We’ll put your bag in my room and I’ll give you a tour before we eat.’

‘Do you live here all by yourself?’ I ask as we walk up the stairs.

‘I do. I had my brother living here for a few years, but he has his own place now.’

‘How old is your brother?’

‘Twenty-three, five years younger than me. We weren’t close growing up because of the age gap, but we are now.’

‘That’s nice. Don’t you get lonely living in this big house all on your own?’

‘I like my privacy, but sometimes, I guess,’ he says with a shrug.

When we reach his room, he sets my bag down just inside the door. ‘I’m not sure if I trust myself having you in here right now,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘How about I give you a tour of my room later, otherwise we’ll never eat.’

‘Who needs food when I have you,’ I say seductively as my arms slide around his waist. I’m used to acting like this around my clients, but with Brock, it isn’t an act. With Brock, everything I say and do comes naturally. Nothing is forced. I hear a growl in the back of his throat as he draws my body in closer.

‘Don’t tempt me,’ he moans, resting his forehead on mine. ‘I’m already hanging by a thread here.’ He places a chaste kiss on my lips before untangling my arms from his body. ‘I didn’t bring you here for sex, Jade. I wanted to see you, spend time with you.’ Nobody has ever said that to me before. ‘Mark my
words, though,’ he adds, ‘I
will
have you in my bed before the night’s out.’

‘I look forward to it.’ My finger trails a path down his chest. As much as I want him right now, I’m touched that he wants me for more than my body. That’s another thing I’m not used to.

*

BROCK

After the tour, we head into the lounge room. I’m struggling to keep my hands off her, but tonight isn’t about that. I want Jade to know she means more to me than a good time. That in itself proves how special she is to me. Until her, it was only ever about the sex.

I had contemplated taking her out to dinner tonight, but I’m selfish. I find myself wanting to give her everything she deserves, but I also wanted her all to myself. She’s the first woman I’ve ever had in my home, apart from my mother. Before Jade came along, the last thing I wanted was one of my casual lays tainting my sanctuary.

‘Sit,’ I command, gesturing to the white leather couch. ‘I hope you’re hungry.’

‘Are you cooking?’

Her comment makes me laugh. ‘Hardly. My housekeeper usually cooks for me, but I’ve given her the night off. I had something else in mind.’

The moment she takes a seat, I have to quickly divert my eyes. Her sexy-as-hell white dress rides up, revealing more of her beautiful legs. Everything in me feels compelled to reach
out and touch her.
It’s not about the sex, Weston
, I try to remind myself. I’m pretty sure in her profession, she’s used to being treated more like a sexual object than an actual person, but I don’t want her to feel like that when she’s with me. Ever.

‘You have me intrigued,’ she says, smiling, tapping the space beside her with her hand.

Against my better judgement, I sit. If I can’t touch her right now, at least I can be near her. A few seconds later the doorbell rings.

‘You ordered pizza,’ she laughs when I walk back into the main room carrying the box and two bottles of beer.

I shrug. ‘I did. I hope you don’t mind. It’s what we ate the first time we were together.’ I’m suddenly feeling stupid. This kind of behaviour isn’t me. I was trying to be sweet, but in all honesty, I’m far from it. This woman has turned my whole fucking life upside down and it scares the hell out of me.

After placing the box on the coffee table, I hand her one of the beers and sit. The moment my arse hits the couch, she grabs my shirt, pulling me towards her.

‘It’s a perfect choice,’ she whispers against my mouth. ‘Perfect, just like you.’

And there you have it, a few encouraging words from her and she’s now made me glad I did it.
I’m fucking bewitched
.

‘Shit, plates,’ I say.

‘Let’s just eat straight from the box. We don’t need plates.’

‘Are you sure? You don’t seem like a straight-from-the-box type of girl.’

When she throws back her head and laughs, it’s like music to my ears. ‘The real me—the Jade on the inside—is a simple girl at heart.’ Taking a slice, she brings it to her mouth, taking a bite.

‘That’s
what I love about you. You’re a breath of fresh air.’

She looks away as a blush spreads on her cheeks. I get the feeling this woman isn’t used to being complimented. And that astounds me. She’s not only breathtakingly beautiful, she’s smart, funny and so adorable. I have an urge to pull her into my arms and hug her tightly, but I don’t. I ache to protect her and keep her safe. I want to shelter her from all the ugliness in this world. And surprisingly, more than anything I want to make her
mine
.

Once the pizza and beers are consumed, we both seem more relaxed. We’ve been talking about insignificant things, but I need more. I want to know everything there is about her, but I still get the impression she’s not ready to open up. I don’t want to force her into doing anything she’s not ready for, but I’m hoping in time that will change.

‘I almost forgot, I got you dessert.’ I rise from the couch. ‘I’ll go grab it.’

‘You bought me a Snickers bar,’ she says when I walk back into the room and hand it to her. She hugs it to her chest, just like she did the day on the plane. She must really love chocolate.

‘I did.’ I sit down beside her.

‘I still have the one you gave me on the plane.’

‘You do?’

‘I couldn’t bring myself to eat it,’ she admits. ‘It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.’

I love that my small gesture meant so much to her, but it also saddens me to think nobody does nice things for her. Surely her family does?

‘I want you to eat this one.’

‘You’re not having one?’

‘I
have something else in mind for me.’ When I wink, a pretty pink blush spreads across her cheeks. How can this woman do what she does for a living, and yet still exude such innocence?