are absolutely pathetic behind closed doors. Nothing shocks me.”
Talent slouches in his seat with his knees parted, resting his hand on my thigh while I give him a very quick rundown on how I conduct business. My bra strap slips down my shoulder, and my long fringe falls loose in my eyes. At the other side of the bar, the band sets up their equipment, checking the drum kick and whispering, “Testing, testing,” into the microphone.
“What did you think about me?” Talent asks. There’s not a tinge of skepticism in his tone, only genuine interest about the first time we met.
Using booze as a buffer between us, I take a small swallow before answering. “To be honest, I went to your office with the same expectations I have for every client: none at all. You’ll be surprised to learn that everyone’s offices look exactly the same—neutral color on the walls, large desks, and furniture that gets uncomfortable pretty fast.”
“Basically, the Ridge & Sons waiting room.”
“After a while, every office and every client starts to blend together. They’re different squares in different buildings around the city, but the people inside want the exact same thing. I used to be able to get through my week because it’s so mundane.”
“What happened?”
I stare at his lips before capturing his eyes and admit, “You happened.”
“Can you tell me how it works? Don’t escorts get paid to … escort? I had the impression escorts accompany older men to work functions and vacations to show off to their friends.”
Chuckling, I say, “I’m more hands-on.”
“Women solicit themselves to me all the time,” he says conversationally without ego.
“In Grand Haven, they’re definitely one of Inez’s girls. She has a monopoly from here to San Francisco. I’m the only one who works the way I do, but I don’t leave the city. Everyone else is free to roam.”
An image of Camilla flashes through my mind. If she’s determined to live this lifestyle, showing her how I managed to make it this far is the kind thing to do. I know from experience that if she’s left to her own devices, it’ll only be a matter of time before she finds herself in the company of someone who won’t take her safety into consideration. Inez sees possibility in the girl, and I have to respect her instinct. She let me use her as a stepping-stone, after all.
Motioning between Talent and me, I say, “I don’t do this with clients. The only reason you have access to me is because I dropped my phone in your office. But nothing concerning you has been routine, and it drives me fucking insane.”
Conversation around us rises in volume, getting louder, like the humming of bees as the bar fills to capacity. Talent and I gravitate toward one another, with my leg pressed against his and his arm draped entirely across the back of my chair. I hover somewhere between resting into his side and maintaining an illusion that I’m not drunk and in total control, thank you very much.
Our faces wait inches apart. Up close, I can see the whispering of freckles across his cheeks and the different shades of gray in his irises. The woodsy aroma of whisky hangs on his lips, and it takes every bit of restraint I have not to lick it off.
Talent closes the space between us and whispers into my ear, “At least you finally admit it.”
Chills run down my arms, and I shiver as his warm breath caresses the side of my face. Talent studies my reaction to him, and a low moan rumbles in his chest. Then his mouth is on my burning skin, pressing open-mouthed kisses from the top of my shoulder to the spot where my pulse sails in his honor. I tilt my head to the side, giving Talent permission to continue. My eyes slowly fall shut as his tongue touches my skin, leaving behind the whisky’s sting as he moves closer and closer to my mouth.
“You’re the fucking devil,” he says over my lips.
I finally lick his mouth like I’ve wanted to all night to show I don’t disagree with him. What we’re doing is straight evil.
Whisky tastes better on his lips than it does coming out of a glass. I decide it’s the only way I’m going to taste it for the rest of the night. Anything else is a sad comparison. I don’t know if it’s Talent or the liquor, but this is the best I’ve felt since … since