The Escort: BBW Romance (The Escort Series Book 1)

by Raines, Harmony

  "Oh, really." Her voice wavered.

  “Yes, Max, and for all the right reasons. You look like a voluptuous vamp."

  She laughed. “That was not exactly what I was aiming for. I wanted to look classy."

  "You do, but with a hint of undiscovered delights."

  "I want to go home."

  "Don't worry we can face the demons inside together."

  "I'm worried I'm going to make a fool of myself, I don't want you to witness that if I do."

  "I've made a fool of myself enough times to know it's best not to judge."

  She breathed in very slowly, and out again keeping her breath even. "One last thing before we go in."

  "Anything."

  "I can trust you, can't I Dan?"

  "Yes, Maxine. You can,” he said solemnly.

  "Only I was wondering why you told me your name was Dan, when you're supposed to be called Drake."

  "I thought I told you, I’m more comfortable with Dan. Drake is a bit melodramatic for a business woman like you."

  She wanted to ask him if that was his real name, or made up, but she couldn't. Instead she focused on his hand, and the warmth and reassurance he gave her.

  "Ready," he asked.

  She nodded. "Ready."

  He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, whispering, "You look stunning. And no I'm not just saying that, you really do look beautiful."

  "Thank you," she said breathlessly, and followed him up the steps, feeling as though she was going to an impending doom. Yet she would go anywhere with him, and that made her a fool. This wasn't real. But for tonight they had to make it real, so she gave herself permission to live in the land of make-believe for the rest of the evening.

  However, as they were about to go inside she had second thoughts. What was she doing? Surely it would be better to arrive alone, than to have someone find out she had hired Dan to accompany her. Robin was right, and the whole thing had got out of hand, and needed to stop. She could just imagine her father's face when he heard about it. His chubby daughter disappointing him again.

  "Dan, I... "

  "Hello, again." Too late to change anything, Phil climbed the steps into the hotel, right behind them. There was no way she could back out, She looked at Dan imploringly, and he seemed to read her mind, he slipped an arm around her shoulder, possessively, and pivoted them both around to present a firm, and very much together, front.

  "Hello, Phil. Amy." He reached out and took Amy's hand, his eyes going to hers. Max was mortified to see Amy blush, and cover her mouth with her hand.

  Phil had gone red for a different reason. "We'd better get inside." He blustered past Max and Dan.

  Amy followed him, saying to Dan on passing, "Perhaps you could save a dance for me?"

  Dan simply smiled and watched them leave. Max on the other hand was furious, probably on a par with Phil, but managed to keep her composure. "What the hell was that about ?" she asked once Phil was out of earshot.

  "I couldn't resist."

  "If you're going to make a fool of me, then please leave now. I'll give you your money, just leave."

  "Hey, Max, no. That's not my intention at all."

  "Then what is your intention? To make Phil jealous by flirting with his wife."

  "A little. She will have her eye on me all evening, but I am not going to leave your side. Phil can stew for a bit."

  "That's mean."

  "I'm sorry. It's only the way he looked at you last night. It really got me. Thinking there was no way we should be together."

  "But he's right isn't he." She lowered her voice to a very quiet whisper. "If I wasn't paying for your services, you wouldn't be here."

  "Max. I enjoyed myself last night. More than I have for a very long time. I wish I could explain things to you, but I can't. So for now will you please believe that I genuinely had a great time. And money aside, I would date you in a heart beat."

  Max examined his face, using her years of experience with clients to try to read him, If he was lying them he was very good at it. She had no choice but to take his word, and hope he kept his part of the deal.

  "By the way, we didn't discuss what job we were going to say you did. I told my secretary you were in construction. I hope you can bluff your way through that."

  "Construction. I can go with that. At least you didn't say I was in insurance, or a lawyer."

  "I don't think anyone would believe me. You're too fit for an office worker."

  "Fit. That's nice to know."

  "I mean physically in shape. Nothing more."

  "Don't kid yourself, Max. We both know you're attracted to me."

  "I've never said that."

  "You don't need to. Your lips did all the talking last night."

  His hand was on the small of her back, guiding her forward into the bar where drinks were being served. She wanted to turn and give him some clever retort, but she couldn't, her nerves took over, and she felt sixteen again. Awkward and naive. They headed over to the bar, she figured a glass of wine might calm her nerves, but she told herself to stay off the alcoholic punch, to get through the evening, she had to leave her faculties fully functioning.

  "Here," he said, passing her a long stemmed glass.

  "Thanks," she said, sipping it while looking around the room. Everyone was here, and quite a few people were taking an interest in her and her partner. That's what happened when you always turned up alone or with a girlfriend. Max decided she didn't like being centre of attention, not one bit.

  "Should we mingle? Is there anyone you want to talk to?" he asked.

  "Not really. We should have come later, and then we could have just slipped into dinner. I feel totally unprepared."

  "Then wing it."

  "I've never done that in my life."

  "Then this is the time to learn." With that he grabbed her hand and propelled her into a group of people. People she didn't know, they must work in a different department. Well, if they were going to do this anywhere, this might be the best place. No one to trip her up, or question her about anything she might say, at a later date.

  That plan worked well until she heard. "Oh, hi, there you are Maxine."

  She turned to see her secretary, fiancé in tow, heading their way.

  Chapter Seven

  "Hi, Shirley and... " She had forgotten his name, but held out her hand to shake his.

  "Carl." He filled in for her.

  "Of course. Head like a sieve," she said awkwardly.

  "And this is Dan who I've heard so much about. But not from Maxine. She has been very secretive about you, I can see why." Shirley eyed him up and down.

  Dan smiled. "Good to meet you Shirley." He leaned forward and kissed her on both cheeks, and then shook hands with Carl.

  "Likewise. So how long have you been together?"

  Straight into interrogation, there was a reason she chose Shirley to work for her. Always ferreting out things her clients might be trying to hide. Usually her questions were welcome, tonight not so much. She looked at Dan, and then said, "Three months."

  "That is a long time to keep a secret, as yummy as Dan."

  Carl took Shirley's obvious flirtations in his stride, Max liked that about him, he was secure in their relationship, which gave her a pang of guilt, with more than a hint of jealousy.

  "We decided to take it slow," Dan added, And slipped his hand around Max's waist, pulling her close. "Now we're full steam ahead. Aren't we honey?"

  "Absolutely," Max said, taking a long drink of her wine to calm her nerves.

  "What about you guys, Max tells me you're engaged. Set a date yet?"

  Max wondered how he knew, then noticed the large engagement ring Shirley liked to flash about. Very observant. And very well played, because Shirley launched into a long description of her wedding dress, the way she wanted the ceremony, complete with a blow by blow account of how she had organised the cake, and flowers. After that Max switched off, her eyes sliding up over Dan's body, to see him smil
ing indulgently at Shirley. His eyes glittered, filled with warmth, making her heart clench tight. If only it was them organising a wedding. What she wouldn’t give to walk down the aisle with him waiting for her. For a moment she struggled to breathe, her mind filled with the knowledge he would never be hers. Not without a big bank balance, and never for keeps.

  "Oh. Great, dinner," Shirley said, downing the rest of her punch in one go. “I am starving.”

  Max started out of her fantasy, a shame he was just about to kiss the bride. "Bright idea getting Shirley on to weddings,” she said after Shirley and Carl were out of earshot.

  "Seemed a safe bet. When my sister was getting married we had wedding talk for months."

  She stored that little gem of information with the rest that he had let slip. Slowly she was building a picture of him in her head. "I don't think I'll be able to eat a thing," Max said. "My stomach feels as though it's full of knots."

  "Relax, this is going fine."

  They were making their way into the dining room. It was set out with tables seating ten people. Name cards were placed prominently in each place, and there was a waiter at the side of each of the two doors leading in telling people which table they were at. Max hoped they would be with people she didn't know.

  No such luck. Although they avoided another encounter with Phil.

  Instead they were sat with her boss, and a couple of PA's. Max longed to tell Dan to be very careful about what he said, the stories would be round the office in no time tomorrow. Her need to keep a low profile had gone horribly wrong, but what did she expect bringing a man like Dan here? There was nothing about him that did not attract your eyes, whether male or female she acknowledged.

  "Good evening, to you all," her boss said, sounding as though he had already had a few glassfuls of the punch. Max always remembered him as a dower man, never much in the way of a smile crossed his lips, except for tonight.

  "Good evening sir," the other's murmured.

  "Oh, we aren't going to be so formal tonight. You know it’s first names only, so, Bob, please. And this is my wife, Elaine."

  Everyone smiled at Elaine, who looked on good naturedly. She was an old fashioned wife, from before the need to have eye candy on your arm became a must.

  "Now, I know you Maxine, and who have you bought with you?" He turned to look at Dan.

  "This is my boyfriend Dan." She waited for someone to shout liar, imposter, but that duty only fell to the voice in her head.

  "Dan, nice to have you here." And so it went around the table until they all were introduced. Thankfully by then the first course arrived, and they ate, the conversation light and stilted.

  Wine glasses constantly filled by waiters who appeared from nowhere, soon Max felt the buzz in her head telling her to stop drinking. She tried to sensibly switch to water instead, but her head already felt slightly lighter than the rest of her, not quite anchored as it should be.

  Luckily he turned his attention to she rest of the people at their table while they ate. The PA's were in awe, and wanted to talk about themselves and their ambitions, which suited Max perfectly.

  "How you coping there?" Dan asked, quietly.

  "OK. The food is making me feel better."

  "It's good isn't it. I guess they don't skimp on quality at dinners like this."

  "No. Not when the reputation of the firm is on the line. There are specially invited guests, other than employees. Big clients, prospective clients too. That's why we all have to be on our best behaviour."

  "I thought you were always on your best behaviour, or is there a wild woman in there waiting to come out."

  "I'll have you know I am very well regarded professionally."

  "I don't doubt that Maxine, you fit right in here. But what about at home, when no one is looking?"

  She stared straight into his face, "What do you think?"

  "I have my fantasies, but I would like to know the truth, see it for myself."

  She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out, so she forked more of the first course in her mouth, and tried not to let the heat inside her get out of control.

  "So what plans do you two love-birds have?"

  It took a moment for Max to realise Elaine was watching them with interest, an indulgent smile on her face. "None, really." Max tried not to sound defensive in her reply.

  "Of, you don't mind me prying do you? It's so nice to meet a young couple so in love."

  Max nearly choked on her asparagus. She reached out for her glass of water, to find it being placed in her hand by Dan.

  "Here, Sweetheart."

  "Thank you," she coughed, and took a sip. One look at Dan's face told her he was going to run with this one, he had a mischievous glint in his eye. Her heart sank.

  "Well, Elaine. We don't make too many plans. Max works so hard, and is very dedicated to the firm. I expect you can sympathise with that.” Obviously, Elaine could, so Dan carried on. "In the near future we hope to visit Max's father."

  "Oh, so you haven't met Max's parents yet?"

  "No, we haven't had a chance. My parents live overseas." Max wanted to kick Dan under the table, but restrained herself.

  "Oh, really. Are they retired?"

  "I think Max's father is similar to Bob perhaps, don't know what retirement is all about. Is that about right, Max."

  She nodded, wiping her mouth on a napkin, and then dabbing her eyes where tears had sprung up from her coughing fit. She hoped she wasn't in her panda disguise again. Then she turned her attention back to the conversation.

  "Bob wouldn't know what to do if he retired. I'd like to go on a round the world cruise, but I doubt he could pull himself away."

  "How many years have you been married," Max asked, trying to steer the conversation into a neutral, danger free area.

  "Fifty years next year."

  "Wow. You must have married young."

  "I was eighteen. It was long before he became an important business man. We've helped each other through a lot. He's my best friend."

  "Do you have children?" Max asked, not knowing if she should know or not. It wasn't the kind of thing that ever cropped up in the bank's internal newsletter.

  "Three, all grown up of course. My daughter is a doctor, Bob was disappointed she wasn't going to join him at work. She always was his favourite."

  "That's not wholly true, Elaine," Bob said, joining the conversation.

  "Yes, it is Bob. She was a daddy's girl, she’s got your stubborn attitude, and went off to change the world in a different way."

  "She works in third world countries. Helping those less fortunate."

  "You must be very proud."

  "We are, but sometimes it's a worry."

  "How about you two, kids on the horizon?" Elaine asked.

  "Oh, no." Max shook her head.

  "Not until we've known each other a good deal longer," Dan added.

  "Sensible. Sensible. And I would hate to lose Max to maternity leave any time soon."

  "Don't worry, Bob." She still felt awkward calling him that, especially seems she would have to go back to calling him, Sir, on Monday.

  "Oh, main course. I've been looking forward to this all day," Elaine said. "They came over to the house with sample menus, and when I say samples they actually cooked them all and let me try them. The beef was delightful, so we went with that. Let's hope they maintained the standard."

  Max watched Elaine. She might be matronly, but she had the look of a woman who was made of steel. No wonder Bob had never strayed, she would give him what for if he ever stepped out of line. They certainly complemented each other. Right now she was telling him very tactfully to cut down on his wine. Max hid her smile, and moved her attention away from them, looking around the dining room instead.

  So many of her work colleagues were here with their partners, it was good to feel part of that for once. Through her working career she had dined alone at these dinners, or brought Robin along as a substitute. Finally she fitted in
, and she planned to enjoy every moment of it. they had passed the test so far, managing to believably act like a couple. She could kiss Dan for doing this. Well, she could kiss Dan for anything, any excuse would do. While they ate, she remembered the feel of his lips on hers, his tongue exciting her sensitive flesh, probing for more.

  She would need a cold shower by the end of the evening. That drew her thoughts to when she would have to pay him and say goodbye. Would it be after dinner, or after sex? She swallowed a piece of meat that was too big, and had to gulp it down, her eyes watering again, but she managed not to cough. Not exactly a vision of sophistication, but Dan didn't seem to notice. He was chatting to the husband of one of the PA's, they were talking sport, the level at which all men seemed to find a common language.

  Realising she had slipped into silence for too long, she made small talk with everyone else, but her mind kept slipping back to images of Dan, in various states of undress.

  "So what happens after dinner?" Dan asked, innocently, but the look in his eyes was far from that.

  "There's music, dancing, that kind of thing."

  "And how long are we expected to stay for?"

  "I don't know. I usually go home early."

  "Sounds good to me."

  "Is my company boring?"

  "Oh, no. But I much prefer it when there's no one else around."

  She swallowed down her panic, and bravely asked, "What do you have in mind?"

  "You, me a room somewhere."

  Dessert was placed in front of them, and she picked up her spoon, gripping it so hard her fingers went numb. What would happen if she slept with him, apart from the obvious. The deeper she stepped into this lie, the more it smothered her. If she went with him, and they had sex, would she ever get over it? She knew it would be good, too good, she would be ruined, unable to take a lesser man seriously. And next to Dan, no other man could measure up.

  Max wasn't simply caught up on his looks, his humour, his understated intelligence. He was a force to be reckoned with, polite, but also firm. Compared to the men she met in day to day business she could trust him, but would he break her heart anyway?