by Robin Stone
“Great view of the park, especially in the daytime,” Brooke said. “The cool air feels nice.”
She turned to face me, and I took in the shape of her mouth, her full lips, and the curve of her chin. She stepped closer, and I felt a puff of her breath on my chin.
“Thanks for coming with me tonight,” she said.
“No problem. I wanted to get to know you better.”
Her breath hitched. I took a step closer and rubbed my thumb over her cheek. It was softer than silk. I wet my lips, wanting to kiss her so badly, my chest ached.
Why did she ask me to go out with her? Women like this never gave me a second glance. I was invisible to the residents of the building, most of them not even offering a thanks if I held a door open for them.
“Brooke...” I said.
She lifted her face to mine.
“Kiss me, Evan.”
I cupped her face with my hands and leaned in. Her lips brushed mine, tentatively at first, then with more pressure. Her arms slid around my waist, and her lips parted a little.
Her mouth was hot and soft. She sucked on my lower lip, and I let out a moan. She made a noise in the back of her throat, then surprised me by sliding her hands over the back of my pants and cupping my ass.
Blood rushed to my cock. Damn, I missed having a woman grab me like that. I deepened the kiss, pressing my tongue against hers, tasting her and breathing in her scent. The sounds of the party faded, and I forgot where we were.
The balcony doorknob rattled, and the door opened. Brooke quickly released me.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” a man said. “I didn’t realize anyone was out here.”
“It’s fine,” Brooke said.
She was suddenly standing several feet away from me, as if she didn’t have her hands full of my ass cheeks seconds earlier. The door opened and four people filed out to the balcony, chattering and laughing.
I stuck my hands in my pockets and grinned.
“Sorry,” she said. “I got carried away.”
“I’m not sorry,” I said.
Seconds passed where she looked into my eyes, and a smile quirked her lips.
“Let’s go back inside,” she said. “There’s one more person I need to see, then we’ll get a drink you’ll like.”
“Sure.”
I let her go first and tried to calm my breathing from our hot and heavy kiss. She opened the door, and we worked our way through the room. The crowd had dispersed a little, filling the hallway outside the reception room.
“There she is,” Brooke said.
“Who?”
“My boss. The short woman in red.”
I looked around and saw her. “Got it.”
Make sure the boss sees you, then duck out. I understood. The woman made her way toward us, and Brooke put herself directly in her path.
“Diane,” Brooke said. “Good to see you.”
Diane was holding a glass of champagne. “Brooke, nice to see you. Have you seen the plans? They’re ready to start now, thanks to you.”
I glanced at Brooke, but her face gave nothing away. “I was happy to help. This is my friend, Evan.”
Friend? Okay.
I offered my hand, and Diane gave it a little shake.
“Lovely to meet you. Would you like some champagne, Evan?”
“We already had some, but we need to get going,” Brooke said.
“Oh, alright. See you tomorrow.”
I was relieved when she grabbed my hand and led me out to the cooler hallway.
“Well, that was interesting,” I said.
“Go ahead, say it. It was boring.”
“Yeah, a place like this isn’t my typical hangout.”
We reached the main lobby, but instead of turning left toward the exit, she turned a sharp right.
“This way,” she said. “I’ll buy you a beer.”
I walked beside her down a narrow hallway with plush green carpeting. We took a right, then a left, then…
“Wow,” I said.
We came to a low-ceilinged room with a long mahogany bar and a man playing the piano in the corner. A few patrons sat at the bar, drinking tall glasses of beer. They glanced appreciatively at Brooke.
“Hey, Charlie,” she said to the bartender.
“Brooke.” His brown hair was threaded with gray, and he wore a black shirt and pants. His rolled-up sleeves showed off heavily tattooed forearms. “Want your usual?”
“Two,” she said, leading me to a table in the corner.
After pulling out a chair for her, I sat down and took in the dark paneled walls, textured blue wallpaper, and the scarred but heavily polished table. The floors were clean, not sticky like Cooper’s.
“I had no idea there was a bar back here,” I said.
“They just renovated it. They refinished the woodwork and had the original wallpaper reproduced by a company in New York...” She shook her head. “There I go, boring you again.”
“No way. I like old buildings, too. Wish I worked in one. I don’t care for modern buildings as much.” I realized what I said and mentally kicked myself. “Well, the building where you live is okay, I just—”
“No, say what you mean. You prefer older buildings.”
Charlie came over with our drinks. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks, Charlie.”
“No problem, Brooke.” His dark eyes scanned my face, my shirt, and my blazer. I had the feeling I was being sized up. “Just holler if you need anything.”
He left, and I wondered if I was reading too much into his once-over. The beer was ice cold, and I couldn’t wait to drink it. I held it up high, ready to make a toast. Brooke held her glass up.
“To old buildings and new friendships,” I said.
Brooke smiled, and it lit up her whole face. She was beautiful, radiant, so intelligent—and I had no idea what the hell she was doing with a guy like me.
I took a long sip and swallowed. “Damn, this is good. What is it?”
“It’s from the brewery in Carlton. It’s my favorite.”
I took in her blue tailored suit and jewelry while she drank. She gave her bottom lip a small lick to remove the beer foam, and my skin tingled with awareness.
“Seems like you’re a regular here.”
She looked away for a second, then nodded. “I used to be.”
“You know the bartender.”
Her eyes met mine. “Yes, he’s a good friend of mine.”
I considered that and took another sip. There was more to that story.
“So, you like craft beer?” she asked.
“Yeah, I like to try different kinds.”
“Do you drink much?” she asked.
“Nah, not really. Maybe a beer with dinner at the bar, or at a game with my buddies. I don’t get drunk any more. Too old for that shit.”
“Oh, come on,” she said. “How old are you, twenty-five?”
“I’m twenty-seven,” I said. “Why, how old are you?”
Damn, there I go again, saying something stupid.
“I’m sorry, it’s rude to ask.”
Her laugh was husky, and it made me smile.
“It’s okay. I’m thirty-four,” she said. “I just had a birthday last week.”
“Thirty-four? I never woulda guessed.”
She leaned a little closer. “You’re good for my ego.”
I took another sip, wondering just where this was going. Tapping her fingers on the scarred table, she looked at my hands, then her gaze traveled up my arms. She wet her lips a little. A zing went through me, and I wanted to kiss her again, to finish what we started on that balcony—preferably near a bed.
“Evan,” she said. “I have a proposal for you. I hope you’ll keep an open mind.”
That’s not what I was expecting to hear.
I placed my glass on the table, waiting to hear what kind of proposal a woman like this could have for a guy like me.
Five
“Okay,” I said. “What is it
?”
The guy playing the piano stopped, and the bar went silent a few seconds. The few patrons applauded, and he got up and went to the bar.
Brooke sat up a little straighter. “I’d like to propose a business arrangement. I need a companion for some upcoming business events. Things like tonight, cocktail parties, maybe a few charity events.”
I blinked. “But why do you need me? You could get any guy you want. Hell, ask Charlie.”
“No, Charlie wouldn’t want to. Plus, I need someone who’s available weekends.”
I grinned. “How do you know what I’m up to? I could be busy weekends.”
“Well, what do you do on the weekend?”
“Let’s see.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “I do laundry, hang out with Liam and the guys at Cooper’s…”
I knew my list sounded lame.
“Sometimes I pick up extra work with one of the guys from Cooper’s, but I haven’t done that in a while. If the roofers or drywall guys need an extra set of hands, sometimes they’ll pay me under the table to work with them on the weekend. I’m saving up for...”
For what? A run-down house on the wrong side of the tracks? A house that needed thousands of dollars in renovations I couldn’t afford? I was handy, but new wiring, plumbing, and heating systems cost a shitload of money.
“Saving for what?” Brooke asked.
“I’m saving up for a house, remember?”
“That’s right.”
She clasped her hands, and I looked down at them—long, delicate fingers with perfectly shaped fingernails coated in a clear polish, a delicate gold bracelet sparkling on her wrist, and a ring with a red stone. I was suddenly self-conscious about my own rough hands.
“I think it’s wonderful that you’re saving for a house. I can help you with that.”
“Yeah, you gave me your card. I’m not ready yet.”
She shifted in her seat. The piano playing started up again, this time with a ballad. Brooke cleared her throat.
“I’d like to pay you to be my companion. I’d like you to be on call for any engagements that might pop up the next two weeks. Are you interested?”
“Wait a second.” I put my hand up. “You want to pay me?”
She gave me a dazzling smile, one that said she knew exactly what she was doing.
“Yes.”
“How much?” I asked.
She took a sip of beer, and the seconds ticked by slowly. She put her glass down.
“Name your price,” she said.
I searched her face for a hint of a smile, but there was nothing. Her blue eyes met mine, and suddenly I wanted to kiss her again, to feel her body against mine.
“Dance with me,” I said, putting out my hand.
“What?”
I shoved my chair back and stood. “Dance with me, Miss Fancy Pants, and we’ll talk terms.”
Her nostrils flared, and her cheeks flushed. The piano player went into a second ballad, and she rose to her feet. Taking her hand, I led her to an open spot on the floor and pulled her close. I took her left hand in my right and swirled her around.
Brooke laughed, and the sound made my heart squeeze in my chest.
“Wow,” she said. “You know how to dance!”
“Surprised?” I asked.
“A little. Where did you learn to dance?”
She moved closer, her clothes brushing against mine. I inhaled her flowery perfume.
“I’m not a caveman,” I said. “I know how to dance with a woman.”
We swayed to the music, and her body relaxed a little more. I studied her face—her dark eyelashes, nice skin, and those lips… Now I knew how soft they were and how good they felt, I wanted to feel them again.
“I know how to tie a Windsor knot in a tie, too.”
“Yes, you’ll do nicely.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I liked the way her body was pressing against mine.
“You really gonna pay me to be your date?” I asked.
“Yes. I said before, name your price.”
I looked away for a few seconds, considering. How much to be at her beck and call for a couple of weeks? I thought about the balance in my savings account. She was loaded. I thought about her high-end condo unit. I saw her in the parking lot once, getting into a pricey sedan.
I decided to go for broke.
“You couldn’t afford me,” I said.
She grinned. “Try me.”
I twirled her again, then pulled her close. “Be on call for dinners, parties, nights and weekends for the next two weeks?”
“Yes. It might require some travel and late nights. Some overnights, perhaps.”
Wow, overnights.
Heat zinged to my groin. I could deal with a few more ritzy parties if it meant adding to my savings account and spending the night with a beautiful woman.
“I work Monday through Friday, seven-thirty until four or so.”
“I wouldn’t need your services during your regular work hours,” she said. “I’m usually working during those hours as well.”
I wet my lips. I had to play this right. I couldn’t ask for too little, or too much, but what was too much for a woman like this?
I decided I could use another five grand. That would put my savings in a much better place. Ten thousand more, and I could afford a down payment and some renovations.
“Ten thousand,” I said firmly.
She didn’t flinch or give away what she was thinking.
“Done,” she said. “But for that price, I’ll definitely need some overnights.”
Heat rushed over my body, making my pulse pound and my cock throb. I wanted this woman. I wondered if her sexiness extended to the bedroom.
Our dancing slowed, then stopped. I lifted her chin and kissed her, a soft press of lips, a quick reminder of our earlier kiss on the balcony. She sighed and pressed the tip of her tongue against mine. I’d just started to deepen the kiss when I heard a small cough.
We looked up to find the bartender standing a few feet away, brows furrowed, big hands on his hips.
“Everything okay, Brooke?”
“Yeah, Charlie. Everything’s fine.”
He gave me a withering stare, then slowly turned and walked away.
“What the hell was that about?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing.” She waved her hand and laughed again, but this laugh sounded forced. “He’s just a bit protective of me.”
“Okay...” I said.
“We never dated, it’s nothing like that.”
“None of my business,” I said.
The piano music changed to an upbeat song as the bar filled up with chatting people.
“You finished with your beer?” I asked.
“Yes. I’ll just get my purse—”
I was already pulling my wallet out of my back pocket. “No, when you’re with me, I pay.”
“Alright.”
She picked up her purse and waited. Thankfully Charlie had dropped off a bill on our table. My eyes nearly popped out of my head at the cost of the beers. I pulled out enough bills for the beers and a tip and left it on the table.
Making our way through the bar, I looked up and caught Charlie’s eye on the way out. He gave me a small nod. We walked through the maze of hallways, past the front desk, and reached the glass entry doors. I held one open for Brooke, and soon we were out in the cool night air.
“Where’s your car?” I asked.
“This way,” she said, walking in the opposite direction from my truck.
We walked slowly, my mind spinning with the possibilities. Just a couple of weeks squiring this beautiful woman around, and I could start looking for a house. I couldn’t wait to tell Liam.
“Thanks for coming with me tonight,” she said.
“No problem. It was interesting.”
She stopped. “It’s going to get a lot more interesting over the next two weeks.”
She dug in her purse and pulled out some keys.
“Is this where I give you a polite kiss goodnight?” I asked.
Half her face was in shadow, and the other half was lit by a streetlight. I admired the slant of her high cheekbones and the full bow of her top lip. Putting my hand on her waist, I waited for permission to kiss her again.
She reached up and slid her warm hand around the back of my neck, pulling me down. Our lips met softly at first, then a little more urgently. Before I could deepen the kiss, she pulled away.
“Any chance our overnights could start tonight?” I asked.
“Can’t,” she said. “Have a very early meeting tomorrow.”
“Oh,” I said, unable to hide my disappointment.
“You’ll hear from me soon.” She winked, then walked around to the driver’s side of her car. “Have a good night, Evan.”
The automatic door locks clicked open, and she opened the door and climbed inside. She started the car, turned on the headlights, and drove off.
I turned and walked back to my truck with ten thousand reasons to be happy.
Six
“Ten thousand dollars?” Liam asked. “Are you crazy? No, wait, is she crazy?”
Liam sat across the kitchen table, his fork in midair, a piece of pancake drooping from his fork.
“A little louder, Liam, I don’t think all the neighbors heard.”
“You shoulda asked for twenty! She can afford it.”
“I thought ten was pushing it,” I said. “I only need five. Ten gives me some extra padding for repairs and stuff. I’m still gonna end up with a fixer-upper.”
Liam stuffed the pancake bite into his mouth and chewed furiously. He swallowed and leaned forward.
“She wants you to go to parties and to...service her?” He smirked. “Shit, you have all the luck. First, you get this job, then this chick wants you to be her…”
“Date.”
“Gigolo,” Liam said, smirking. “Damn! Wait’ll I tell the guys at Cooper’s!”
I dropped my fork, and it clattered on my plate. “Liam, you can’t tell the guys about this. Please!”
He let out a long sigh and busied himself cutting up more of his pancakes.
“Don’t fuck this up for me. This is my chance to get the rest of the money together faster and help Matty.”
Liam sighed. “Does it suck that much?”
