When With Rome (Perfect Gentlemen Book 1)

by Natalie Gayle

  Instinct assures me Carlene won’t mind if I spend some time in the gym, I just don’t like to ask, more from habit than anything else. When I’m with a client, my time is theirs. Some like some distance. Carlene hasn’t asked for it yet. Until she does, I’ll try to be with her as much as possible.

  When I return to the suite, she’s sitting up in bed scrolling through her phone.

  “Morning, Oz. Did you sleep well?”

  A slow smile slips across her lips, and a hint of blush rises into her cheeks. “Like you don’t know I slept like a log. You made sure of it.” Her words are strong even if her face is a little sheepish.

  When she puts it like that, I kind of did. It wasn’t kind of at all, it was definitely.

  “I did, and I think you should get used to that. Yesterday was just the beginning,” I joke with her playfully.

  “Seems I’ve inadvertently found the natural cure for insomnia, a night with you.”

  “Guaranteed to be better than any sleeping pill and all natural,” I agree with a smirk.

  I pull off my shirt and head toward the bathroom. “I’m just going to shower. You’re welcome to join me, if you want.”

  She eyes me with a surprised look.

  “You want me to…”

  “I’m heading to the shower. Shower sex is a lot of fun. If you want some, head on in. I’ll leave it up to you.”

  I don’t make it to the bathroom door. Nor does Carlene get a chance to respond before my phone vibrates in my pocket. Very few people have this number. Roxie, my office manager and closest friend, is the one who mainly uses it. She knows better than to call me when I’m on an assignment, though.

  I glance down at the key pad before sneaking a guilty look over at Carlene.

  She immediately picks up on my unease. “Answer it. I don’t mind.”

  “You sure?”

  “Rome…” she all but growls. “Answer the phone.”

  I swipe across the screen and head out to the balcony to take the call, closing the glass door behind me.

  “What’s up, Roxie?”

  “I’m so glad you picked up. I don’t know what I would have done if it had gone to voicemail.” She sounds frantic.

  “What’s the problem?” It has to be something major for her to be calling me, and Roxie is damned capable.

  “It’s Jayden. He’s been arrested.”

  “Fuck,” I spit at the news, and my temper rises in equal proportions to my concern. “Is prostitution the charge?”

  “Yep.”

  “What happened?”

  “He took on a personal client. The client was an undercover cop. I don’t know much more.”

  I huff out a breath. “Idiot. Greedy little shit.” There’s nothing stopping the guys from taking on other clients as long as they put all clients I introduce through my business, Perfect Gentlemen. The vast majority chose to stick strictly with the clients I provide. They can make a very good living, and I make sure the clients were all thoroughly assessed and screened before the guys met with them. My screening processes stop situations like this from happening.

  In the ten years I’ve been operating, I can count the brushes we’ve had with the law on one hand. I run a clean show, and I have every intention of keeping it that way. My reputation is everything. It’s paramount women feel comfortable and can trust their identity and privacy is strictly guarded and assured.

  “I know, I know.”

  “Has he got a lawyer?” It’s time to move from the emotional to the practical.

  “Not yet. He just called me.” No wonder, Roxie sounds stressed.

  I have a good mind to let him sort his own shit out. It would serve him right. Problem is, Jayden’s a good kid, and I’ve recruited him to this game. That alone makes him my responsibility from where I sit.

  “Call Patrick and have him sort it out.” Patrick is my very highly priced lawyer. It’s time for him to earn that retainer he keeps billing me each month.

  “Okay. That’s what I thought you’d want me to do.” Then she hesitates, “I just wanted to make sure you were wanting to be involved.”

  What she really means is she isn’t sure if I’m going to distance myself. The smart play would be to do exactly that. Abandoning people isn’t how I roll. I’ll try to protect the kid and, hopefully, my business in the process.

  A glance at the bed and I see Carlene looking out at me, concern etched on her face. Fuck, I must be letting off vibes, everything isn’t cool. With a deep breath and a hell of a lot of mental force, I relax my shoulders and try to calm the storm Roxie’s news has delivered. I need to get back to her—fast.

  “I won’t let him swing in the breeze, even if he got busted operating outside my business.” Then I have to ask the question I dread the answer to. “Has there been any media about this yet?”

  “I’ve been checking, and so far, I haven’t found anything, but you know how the media loves a juicy story like this one.”

  The media just love to sensationalize a story. Hang the expense to the people involved. I’d witnessed a friend of mine go through that a couple of years back.

  “Keep an eye on it and keep me posted.” I groan inwardly at the thought of what is about to happen. My quiet assignment with Carlene is now more than likely going to be a juggling act.

  “I’ll try not to bother you too much. I’ll text first.”

  “Thanks. My client is not the demanding type, but that might change if she’s suddenly competing with my phone for my attention. She’s a really nice lady. I don’t want to do the wrong thing by her.”

  A sexy whistle greets my ear. Roxie knows me well. I rarely offer an opinion on a client. It’s just easier to remain neutral and totally professional. “Sounds like she’s something.”

  “She is.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you get back to her.”

  “Thanks, Roxie. And Anton is sitting at home on his butt. You’re likely to have your hands full with this, and me not being there. Why don’t you get him to give you a hand? It’s the least he can do seeing he’s the one keeping me from the office and leaving this all on your shoulders.”

  “Will do, Rome. Now get back to your lady.”

  My lady.

  It’s a slip of the tongue, but why did it sound so right? Two things: Carlene is a lady, but she’s never going to be yours, Rome. The voice of logic in my head reminds me.

  “Okay, thanks Rox. I’ll talk to you later.” I end the

  call and glance back through the glass door to Carlene.

  She looks gorgeous lazing on the bed. If you asked me what Carlene’s best feature is, I couldn’t tell you. It’s a combination of all of them. Not one in particular stood out more than another. From a looks perspective, she’s attractive in a wholesome, honest sort of way—nothing flashy, nothing fake. The sort of inner beauty that will last a lifetime because it’s real.

  Her outward looks are just part of it. What makes her most attractive, in my opinion, is the genuineness of her personality. Oz is one hundred percent real, right through to the core. There’s no pretense about this woman, and it’s so refreshing from the circles I usually run in and the clients I interact with.

  For about the hundredth time, I wonder why she’s doing this. Carlene could easily have a real man by her side doing all this for her.

  Hell, guys I know not in the game would be falling all over themselves for the opportunity to be with her for real. Yet, here I am, the one enjoying everything about her and being paid to do it. For the first time ever, something feels very wrong about taking money for my time. This isn’t work. It’s something entirely different.

  And now I have another problem besides my crazy conscience to deal with.

  I really hope this thing with Jayden isn’t going to turn into a clusterfuck. I’d learned a long time ago, some things were often beyond my control and this, I fear, could be one of those things.

  As I open the door and move inside, Carlene shoots me a look I can’t read, a
nd I think I’m getting pretty good at reading what’s going through her head.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Fine,” I offer and try to keep any sign to the contrary from my voice. I head to the bathroom, returning to my original plan. As I reach the door, I throw over my shoulder, “Offer still stands.”

  She nods once and says nothing, nor does she make any attempt to move from the bed. I have no idea what she’s thinking, and that worries me. To date, Oz has been totally upfront and straightforward.

  Suddenly, I feel like there’s a wall between us. Not the easy companionship and sizzling hot sexual chemistry we’ve been enjoying.

  And this is what I hate about extended assignments. Unlike in real life, when things get weird, you take a time out and give each other a little space for a few days. With an assignment, I have no choice but to keep going.

  Carlene

  Something’s up with Rome. I’ve spent enough time with him now, to know when things aren’t right. The way his back stiffened and his shoulders locked. The man is normally all easy, fluid grace. Watching him on the balcony while on the phone, is about as close to an impersonation of the Tin-Man as I ever think I’ll see.

  Something is definitely up.

  Whatever news he’s hearing isn’t good.

  And this prompts my mind to start working…flashes of the call I received the night Phil passed careen through my mind. Has Rome received similar news? That leads my mind to start racing to other things.

  Does Rome have a family?

  Where does he live?

  Who does he spend his time with?

  God forbid, does he have a wife or girlfriend?

  What do I really know about him?

  I hear the shower start, and I briefly consider joining him. The idea of shower sex with Rome sounds fun for about two seconds before my mind clicks in. I don’t want to be a task he “has to do.” Does he feel this way about being intimate with me? I know it’s his job, but still…

  Dread runs through me. Yes, it’s part of what he gets paid to do, but don’t escorts make a big deal out of it being two adults who want to take it further than just companionship? Regardless, I don’t want to feel like a chore. No woman wants to feel as she’s an effort for a man.

  If this is the case, then no, just no.

  I’d rather go without the intimacy if this is how it is to Rome. Does he feel like this or am I putting too much on it? I‘d be happy with just his company, I tell myself. I’d miss the most amazing sex of my life, but I’d regret it more if it is totally meaningless, because it’s more to me. His company is enough for me, or is that all acting too?

  Suddenly, the magic of the last few days vanishes. As if the clock has struck midnight and the glass carriage has disappeared to leave me with a pumpkin.

  The more I think, the more I doubt everything. The more self-conscious, the more I remember this isn’t real. I’ve inadvertently signed myself up to live the boyfriend fantasy experience for a couple of weeks. As a mature woman with two adult kids, I should have known better. It’s a timely reminder.

  I’ve been getting swept up in all the “magic.”

  I need to remember this is just make-believe. At the end of our time together, Rome will go on to do whatever it is he does, and I will head back home to Australia.

  All that will remain between us are memories, and more than likely, mine will be fonder than his. I’ll just be another. I knew this from the outset, I remind myself.

  Now I just need to remember it more than ever.

  Chapter 12

  Rome

  The shower helped with washing away the annoyance and the dread from my body the call created. What is it with water? Somehow, regardless how pissed off, how shit, or crappy you feel, a shower always makes you feel better. At least, that’s how it works with me.

  The only thing which would have made the shower better, would have been Carlene pushed hard up against the wall and my cock buried to the hilt inside her hot, wet pussy.

  Shit! Are these really my thoughts? I never think such things about a client. Yeah, I mostly enjoy sex with clients, but it’s still work. Since when has Carlene moved to different territory in my own mind? In my own desires?

  It happened sometime.

  Was it when she first came through the doors of the airport or was it when she looked at the crystal in cynical wonder? Maybe it was when she let go with a full body shiver as my tongue touched her clit for the first time?

  I really thought she’d have joined me in the shower. In fact, I would have sworn it would have been the case until I saw the strange look on her face as I walked in from the balcony. The one I’m still trying to figure out hours later. What’s been going through her head? Is she annoyed I took the call?

  If that’s the case, then it sure surprises me. Oz doesn’t seem the type of woman to get bent out of shape over something like a call. And isn’t that the fundamental rule with this game—you never can pick ‘em. It’s a timely reminder. Even if I did feel real desire for her. Client, Rome.

  Not yours to keep.

  Client.

  We arrived in San Fran early afternoon and headed straight to the Japanese Tea Gardens. It’s one of the spots Oz mentioned she was looking forward to seeing. I’m hoping a walk through the garden will return the Carlene I’ve come to know.

  Carlene has been pleasant and cordial the whole drive up the coast. Ordinarily, I’d have happily taken such a demeanor from a client. Problem is, we’ve moved past that point. At least, I thought we had.

  I’m the master of small talk, intimacy, sex, and fuck it—relationships—if I needed to be. God knows, I’ve provided more relationship advice than Dr Phil over the years. Most people don’t realize just how often an escort is very much a relationship or sex counsellor.

  Women love to talk, and they love a guy who will listen to them talk. My number one attribute for a new guy to my team is his ability to really listen to a lady. If he can’t listen sincerely and care, he isn’t the sort of guy I want at Perfect Gentlemen. We’re the perfect partners, even if it is fantasy.

  Right now, I’m at a loss as to what her problem is. She’s normally so up front and direct. It’s one of the things I find most attractive about her. I’d expect her to just come out with it if she had a problem.

  “Oh Rome, look at how beautiful that is.” Her voice is thick with wonder. It’s the first truly genuine sentence she’s spoken today. She’s speaking from the heart; her emotions are unguarded.

  My eyes follow the line of her finger. She’s pointing at a giant size bonsai tree on the bank of the koi pond. Around it are a ring of scarlet shrubs. It’s picture postcard beautiful. I can feel the serenity radiating across the pond, and immediately, some of the weight of my thoughts lifts.

  I lace my fingers through hers and squeeze, wanting to be joined to her in the moment, wanting to experience the magic connected to her. It’s one of those standout moments in life from the pure beauty of it, and I can’t think of another person I’d rather enjoy it with than Carlene.

  “It’s hard to find the words to describe just how beautiful it is,” I eventually murmur, not wanting to break the moment.

  “It’s so powerful, I can feel the energy pulsing around us,” she says and squeezes my hand tighter. The energy isn’t limited to what our eyes can take in. It’s so much more. I can feel it pulsing through us, from her to me. From me to her.

  The energy is bigger than both of us, rejuvenating, positive.

  Time stands still, and we both pause, transfixed by the power of the moment—experiencing it as individuals and together, connected by our hands.

  Maybe it’s the power of the moment giving me the courage—I have to know. “Are you okay?”

  She turns her face up to me, her eyes hidden behind her sunglasses. “Are you?”

  Straight back at me, I get her directness, but her words confuse me. What does she mean?

  “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”


  “You got that call this morning, and, well, it looked like it wasn’t good news. And I guess I realized you’re kind of stuck here with me, and I got to thinking about things…” Her voice trails off, and I can only imagine what she’s thinking.

  “It wasn’t great news, no. But nothing I can do anything about at the moment.”

  Her face drops away and turns to look across the pond. I can see her weighing up things in her mind. Then she turns back to me.

  “If you need to go, then please don’t feel obligated to stay on with me. I’ll be fine.” There’s a stubborn finality to what she says. It feels as though she’s forcing herself to do the right thing. And yes, I’m confident Carlene will be just fine. She’s a capable and resourceful lady. If you want practical and reliable, Carlene’s your girl.

  She’s giving me an out if I want it. Immediately I realize, it’s the last thing I want. I want to finish the journey with her to be the woman I know she has the potential to be, the sensual feminine goddess. The other side of her personality she knows so little about.

  I run my fingertips gently down her cheek. I can’t resist the need to touch her any longer. Her skin is warm and silky soft beneath my fingers. I angle my body in a little more to hers.

  “I don’t have to go anywhere. The call, although annoying, was nothing more than that, annoying.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her everything, but they’re my problems, not hers. She isn’t paying me to listen to my problems. Client relationship, I chant in the back of my mind.

  She nods slowly. “I want you to know that if you have to go or if you need to talk to your family or something, I’m okay with that. I realize you’ve been incredibly attentive to me, and I’ve probably been unreasonably monopolizing your time. I’m not sure how these things work or whether you’re supposed to have time out from me or what…?”

  I kick myself for being a fool. I should have realized it. Carlene is a kind and considerate person, she’d feel awful if she thought she’s been imposing or somehow taking more than what she should.

  “You’re not monopolizing my time. I’m here for you, full stop. It’s all about experiencing new things, seeing new places. This trip is all about you, and I’m honored to be the one who’s got to show you all these things.” I leave the “it’s what you’re paying me for” unsaid. It would have most definitely cheapened our time together, and what is between us doesn’t feel cheap or plastic in any way. In fact, it feels anything but and isn’t that confusing? Maybe, I really have been out of the game for too long if this is how I’m feeling?