The Billionaire and the Escort

by Evelyn Mahony

  “Mr. Roberts, follow me right this way.” Cherie smiled and directed him back toward the suits. Josh couldn’t help but plan his next text to Nadia and Andrew as he followed. You will not believe this, guys…

  * * * *

  Josh would be lying if he said he didn’t feel a little like Cinderella in this moment. Hours after James had left him at the hands of his stylists, he stood showered and dressed in front of the suite’s mirror, shamelessly snapping a full-length picture for his friends. The suit was navy blue with a light blue checkered shirt underneath, fitted with a tie, a vest and a pocket square. He was used to looking dapper. That was how he’d picked up James. But this particular suit cost more than Josh had made in the previous year in total. And the new watch on his wrist was so beautiful and so expensive that it hurt.

  He grabbed his sunglasses and made his way to the door, knowing he needed to meet James down in the holding area in ten minutes. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a toast, a live band, dancing and dinner. The new common area was being unveiled and opened for the first time and James had spared no expense in preparing for it. Josh had to admire his dedication to his job and his resorts. The man took serious pride in what he did—and it obviously paid off.

  Josh felt out of place as he walked up the stairs to the private bar area above the new commons. The sun was beginning to set, and while it was quite warm for the few layers he was wearing, he knew he’d be able to shed his jacket for dancing as soon as the band started. Fans blew a light breeze from all directions as Josh reached the top of the marble staircase, three flights up with an incredible view of the mountains of Jamaica. He was busy looking around when a waiter handed him a glass of champagne. He took it graciously and caught sight of James a few feet away, chatting animatedly with whom Josh figured were celebrities or investors. He was dressed slightly more casually, but he was handsome as ever. Josh caught himself staring, ripping his gaze away as Rebecca and her husband came up the same set of stairs he just had.

  “Hey, guys,” he greeted, thankful for people he knew. Rebecca kissed his cheek and Dan shook his hand with a friendly grin. “Rebecca, you look gorgeous. Dan, I really like that suit.”

  “It’s nice to get all dressed up.” Rebecca blushed, slipping her arm around her husband’s waist as another waiter brought them each a glass of champagne.

  “It is,” Josh agreed. “James is over there schmoozing.” Josh gestured with a fond grin. He could watch James in his element all day.

  “He’s always been good at that,” Rebecca agreed, “ever since college. He’s always been able to sway people his way.”

  “He’s very good at what he does…” Josh complimented, his voice drifting off as he watched James laugh.

  Soon James was heading their way, stealing a glass of champagne off a tray as he went.

  Josh blushed a little under James’ direct gaze as he neared, as it was apparent that James was looking over the suit. As he reached them, James ran a hand over the lapel of the jacket, fingering the expensive material. For the first time, Josh noticed a designer platinum ring on James’ middle finger. For whatever reason, it made his stomach clench in the best ways.

  “They did a number on you,” James replied without taking his eyes off Josh—and his cheeks heated.

  “They sure went to town. I don’t think I’ve ever worn shoes or a watch as nice as this. Any of it, to be honest,” he replied bashfully. James just smiled wider.

  “You’re so fuckin’ handsome when you blush like that, dammit,” James murmured, sliding his hand up to caress Josh’s cheek. Sometimes, Josh realized as he swallowed hard, it was difficult to tell when and if James were acting. “You look absolutely gorgeous.” He’d said it loud enough for anyone near to hear. Josh wanted to melt. He was so flushed from James’ attention.

  “So do you, Jamie,” he replied, hoping his voice wasn’t too husky from his apparent heavy attraction to the man in front of him. James blushed just slightly and nodded. “I mean…thank you,” he amended.

  “Thank you.” Before they could go on, James leaned forward and pressed a sweet, closed-lip kiss to Josh’s mouth, surprising him a little and making the world fade away. Josh found James’ arm and squeezed. It was all far more affectionate than Josh had ever played on these types of trips—all of it had been—but Josh was relishing it. Was this what it was like to have a real relationship with someone? God, it had been so, so long, and had he missed it? Maybe I have…

  He yanked those thoughts from his mind as James leaned back, reaching down to tangle their fingers. Rebecca intruded playfully then, displaying her beautiful sequin gown for her brother, and the night wore on like that—fun and easy.

  Josh minded his surroundings, staying close to James, playing it well and effortlessly. The part of the sweet, adoring boyfriend wasn’t difficult at all. It was still shocking to Josh, after six days, how well they’d settled in together. Josh never let his mind wander back to those relationship thoughts, however. That wasn’t anything he needed to think about now. Getting attached, forming bonds, getting in over his head…not a good idea. Especially when James Barnwell was the man he was getting attached to.

  The ribbon cutting was a success and a great photo-op. Josh snagged a few photos as he stood by, beaming for James and his latest creation. That wasn’t hard, either. James smiled like this was the best feeling in the world. And as his guests toured the new common area, white marble with beautiful fountain pools and lights strung all around, Josh could tell he was marveling in it himself. This was James and his vision, and Josh felt honored to see it.

  They chatted along the way together, hand in hand, sipping champagne at first then gin for Josh, whiskey for James. James graciously introduced Josh to each and every person they met as his ‘significant other’ and Josh wasn’t sure he’d ever felt so high on playing pretend.

  Dinner was delicious, a plated array of steak, seafood and the island’s delicious jerk chicken. James had taken Josh off the resort one day, down the road to a real jerk chicken stand, and ever since, Josh had been obsessed with the food from the island. He’d taken recipe notes with every intention of attempting to recreate it for his roommates.

  Josh tried not to think about how the next day the trip would all come to an end.

  He didn’t drink too much, just enough to loosen his tie, literally, and relax into James’ welcoming arm at the table. They sat with Rebecca and Dan, Stephanie and a few other close employees of James’. That helped Josh feel even more at ease.

  Stephanie has been a godsend the entire trip, as well. She’d been there for Josh at each and every turn, sweet as could be and just as helpful. She was always in the background, only stepping in when needed, but he’d grown to like her very much. James surrounded himself with a great group of people. Josh, in many ways, felt lucky to be there.

  After dinner, a Jamaican band started on the stage, and the large grounds opened for dancing. Josh couldn’t resist the urge, and as James excused himself to chat with a few tables, he encouraged Josh to take Rebecca to the floor when she’d asked. With a quick kiss, they parted for the time being as Dan sat back and visibly marveled at his wife, Josh and their antics.

  Josh wasn’t a professionally trained dancer, despite Nadia’s tries, but he had rhythm and wasn’t bad on the dance floor. Maybe all that stuff about ‘if men were good in bed, they were good on the dance floor’ had some truth to it. He didn’t know and didn’t care. He just followed along with his partners and moved how he felt comfortable. And with Rebecca, it was easy. She was a blast.

  They danced until Josh had to shed his jacket, then they danced some more. If this was his last night in paradise and his ‘boyfriend’ was busy working, Josh was going to live it up alongside James’ sister. What better way to keep up the charade?

  James had been doing very well. He’d managed to say hello and thank you to everyone who’d attended, eaten dinner then found himself another drink. Not all events went that smoothly. He was tryin
g to figure out how this one had when his eyes landed on Josh and Rebecca dancing hand in hand on the expansive dance floor, laughing and enjoying themselves.

  Josh had put him at ease. He saw that now. Normally, he was a reckless, nervous mess leading up to these events, overstressing every detail. Josh had been a pleasant distraction—a beyond pleasant distraction to James’ normally addled mind. He had given James joy and focus. Honestly, that alone was priceless. James would pay him any amount for such a service.

  Service. Something about that word put a sour taste in James’ mouth. He tipped his whiskey back to wash it down as Stephanie slipped up beside him, her eyes fixed on the same view.

  “It’s so nice to see you happy, James.” Stephanie pulled James’ attention away for a minute, only to make him flush as he turned back toward Josh and Rebecca. “You’ve been so…relaxed this trip. You should bring him along more often.”

  Josh spun Rebecca quickly and dipped her, and James had to wonder if there was anything Josh wasn’t good at. He contemplated Stephanie’s words for a moment as she voiced his personal thoughts. “It’s been nice having him here,” James finally said. “Thank you for helping him this week.”

  “That’s my job,” she replied easily, sipping her champagne. “I’m here to help you, and by extension, that means him. He’s so nice too. I like seeing you happy. You deserve someone like him.”

  James chewed his lip, trying to determine how to reply. While he had absolutely intended for this charade to work, he hadn’t intended for his family and employees to create such a bond with the man. Obviously, he hadn’t thought that through. That seemed to be a recurring theme, he realized.

  As the song ended, Rebecca and Josh laughed their way toward James. Josh caught James’ eyes and he’d be lying to say he didn’t enjoy the flush that rose in Josh’s cheeks every time that happened.

  “Did you know your man had such moves?” Rebecca exclaimed through her laughter as they reached Stephanie and James.

  “I didn’t.” James rocked on his heels, grinning. “Seems he’s just full of surprises.” He said it sweetly, because all the surprises were very, very good ones. Except…

  “Come dance with me.” Josh took James’ free hand, pulling him slightly. James balked immediately.

  “Oh no. That’s one thing I don’t do. I don’t dance.”

  Stephanie, Josh and Rebecca all badgered him, begging him as the band picked up another song. He dug his heels in, shaking his head avidly. “Absolutely not,” he pressed. “I don’t dance.”

  “Everyone dances,” Josh argued, laughing. James was really beginning to enjoy the sound—not that he’d admit it, though. “Come on. I can carry you through it.”

  “No way.” James stood fast, holding Josh’s hand but unrelenting. “You go on. Keep on dancing. I’ll just keep watching from over here.”

  Josh stepped forward, and James wasn’t sure if it was the drinks or him truly just playing pretend as Josh settled his hand on James’ chest, toying with the open section of his white shirt. Suddenly James wanted to get him back to the room sooner rather than later. “Come on, Jamie. It’s only me,” Josh encouraged, dropping his voice a little and making James’ heart rate spike. James licked his lips, his focus flickering from those icy blue eyes to Josh’s plump bottom lip. Sucking on it had become one of James’ favorite things to do in the throes…

  While Josh’s sultry words pulled at him, he wasn’t about to get out there and make a fool of himself. “As much as I want to”—he stepped closer and slipped his arm around Josh’s waist—“and I do, I don’t dance. No good at it and not ready to make a fool of myself,” he admitted quietly to Josh. Josh’s grin was wide and sweet, his cheeks once again a little flushed.

  “Fine. Maybe later then,” Josh negotiated, and James couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Doubtful. But you’re cute when you beg, so we’ll see.”

  Stephanie and Rebecca both raised their eyebrows while Josh stepped closer, their chests pressed together as he murmured for only James to hear, “We’ll see who’s begging later, won’t we?” He leaned in and stole a kiss that stopped James from breathing before the world continued to spin on. Josh took Stephanie’s hand and led her out to the floor. James laughed to cover his falter as he and Rebecca watched them go.

  “So, when’s the wedding?” Rebecca asked coyly. James shot her a glare, and she raised her hands in surrender. “What? That’s the man you should be marrying. Just wait until Mom meets him. She’ll propose for you.”

  * * * *

  “James, I haven’t had that much fun at a party in years—maybe ever. That was a blast!”

  Josh laid his expensive suit coat over the back of the couch, still smiling from exhilaration. They’d slipped away as the party had dwindled a little after midnight, hand in hand down the lighted walkway. It felt like a dream—a dream Josh didn’t want to wake up from the next morning, when he had to pack up and fly home, going back to his regular life.

  James sipped his cocktail and grinned, taking a seat on the couch and propping his feet up on the coffee table. “I’m very glad you enjoyed yourself,” he replied sincerely, enjoying Josh’s high mood. “You were the life of the party. My sister adores you.”

  Josh threw a smile over his shoulder as he fussed with the stereo. “Rebecca is fantastic. Her whole family is. You’re lucky to have such a cool sister.” Josh clicked along on his phone until a song began to play that James recognized. Josh set his phone down and turned, undoing his tie as his hips began to sway. “Up.”

  James cocked his head curiously and narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

  “You said you don’t dance. I don’t believe you. So I picked a song from your era, old man. Get up. We’re dancing.”

  “I was born in the seventies. This song is older than me.” James flushed a little and played offended as he watched the way Josh moved to the sensual beat. He clearly felt the music and was very sure of himself, which was no surprise to James, knowing how Josh was behind closed doors.

  “Whatever… Come.” Josh extended his hand, using those mesmerizing blues to pull at James’ resolve. He swayed in front of him, singing the words softly until James couldn’t stand it anymore. He stood, his mouth in a thin line as Josh pushed the table out of the way. He stepped closer, appraising Josh as he continued to try to appear unimpressed. It was difficult when Josh moved like that.

  “You’re drunk,” James teased with a straight face. Josh laughed, rolling his eyes.

  “A little. I prefer to call it ‘feeling good’.” Josh took James’ free hand and pulled him closer, pressing their hips together.

  “You youngsters,” James rasped, trying desperately to keep his stoic appearance. It was now even harder. Being this close to Josh did more to him than he wanted to admit.

  “If you want me to call you daddy, all you have to do is ask,” Josh replied slowly, wrapping his other hand around James and moving them in sync. James didn’t fight him. He couldn’t. But he did groan deep in his throat at Josh’s words.

  “You’re playing with fire, pretty boy,” he taunted, watching the way Josh’s eyes darkened, the ice blue turning to something of a midnight color. He tightened his hands and arousal pooled in James’ belly. How had it become this natural between them? He didn’t bother to think about it as Josh brushed his nose with his own.

  “You think I’m pretty?” Josh asked quietly, seemingly staring into James’ soul. He held the eye contact as he replied easily.

  “Oh, Josh,” James whispered, forgetting about the song and the dancing, solely focused on Josh now, “I couldn’t take my eyes off you tonight—on the dance floor, at dinner, the entire night. You are far more than pretty.” He was completely sure and sincere in his words. And the way Josh blushed was entirely worth it.

  “Jamie,” Josh whispered, as he ghosted a kiss over James’ lips. James chased it, addicted and needing it. They played the game for a very short moment before Josh indulged him, all dancing forgo
tten as their lips and tongues meshed together perfectly.

  James pulled at Josh’s collar as Josh pushed James’ jacket off his shoulders. It was quick, messy and the definition of rushed as their passion ignited a fire between them that could only be tamed with their naked bodies touching. James had no recollection of setting his glass down or where the condom and lube had come from. Josh had him naked expertly fast, Josh’s mouth on his cock before James could comprehend how quickly the dynamic had changed. It was a flurry, heated and rushed. How lovers behave, James’ wrecked mind told him as he fucked his cock up into Josh’s hungry mouth. Josh swallowed him down as slick fingers teased his hole, and God, he didn’t want this trip to end. Parting ways the next day was going to be painful.

  And as Josh slid his cock into James slowly, praising him just like he had all week, James wondered how long he could possibly go without feeling Josh’s hard length inside him, without tasting those lips, sucking on that plump bottom one he’d unknowingly gotten attached to? He gripped Josh’s ass as he thrust into him over and over, not caring who heard their moans or James’ submissive cries. He only cared that Josh heard them and that they spurred on the rapid thrusts, driving him closer toward his explosive end.

  And as Josh groaned those sweet words about how good James felt, about how tight he was and about how hard Josh was going to come…well, no one needed to know James was burning every bit of that into his memory. He’d play the charade he’d created outside the bedroom, but inside was another story—one he wasn’t ready to write just yet.

  Chapter Four

  “James, I just can’t believe you let me find out from your sister. It wasn’t like he’s new. Six months is so good for you, honey.”

  The Miami sun beat down on him, despite it being the beginning of November, and James wished he’d declined her lunch invitation. The intercoastal restaurant was the perfect place for Saturday lunch. The view was phenomenal and the food casual. But it was far too early for how much this conversation made him want to drink.