Sweat pooled on my forehead.This was a difficult conversation.Halle had been lied to before and I knew it took a lot to get her to a place where she not only felt comfortable talking and interacting with another guy, especially one in the public eye, but also trusting me enough for us to sleep together.If I told her the whole truth, she wouldn’t trust me or maybe anyone else again.
I’d already been upfront and told her that this couldn’t be anything serious and obviously, I had no intention of plastering her all over social media, which meant the reality TV show and all of that other bullshit wasn’t even a consideration.So now that I thought about it, it didn’t make sense to blow everything up between us unnecessarily by talking about something that was irrelevant.
The important thing was that I’d been honest about not wanting a relationship.I hadn’t led her on.And I’d respected her privacy by not posting photos with her without permission.
No.It was better that she didn’t know the full story.For her own protection.Once we left the hotel she would’ve had a good time and could go back to New York with more confidence and the knowledge that not all men, including has-been musicians like me, were total dicks.
‘Kinda,’ I replied.‘If I’m honest, Ididtell my agent that I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to come here, given that I wasn’t looking for something serious.’ That was definitely true.‘But she told me that…’
Shit.Maybe if I told Halle that Wilma said I’d be matched with someone else in the public eye it might make Halle think that I was disappointed about being paired up with her.
Obviously for work purposes and the whole objective of me being here that was true.But now I was glad that we’d been set up.That was selfish though, because Halle had come here expecting to find her perfect guy.
Fuck.
This was so damn messy.If I ever got back on my feet, I’d refund Halle for every cent she’d paid to come here.That wouldn’t compensate her for the time she’d wasted or for crushing her romantic dreams though, so the only way I could make up for that would be to show her the best damn time here.
Right then and there I vowed to fulfil every sexual desire Halle ever had, to worship her body and to give her the best holiday of her life.It probably wouldn’t ease my guilt, but hopefully it’d make her happy.
‘My agent said that it’d be good for me.’
‘Maybe she thought that once you got here and met an amazing woman, you’d change your mind about not wanting to be in a relationship,’ Halle said.‘Y’know, sometimes people say they don’t want something serious but then they fall in love.Happens all the time in romcoms.Maybe she’s hoping that by the end of your stay, you’ll be so loved up, you’ll end up getting engaged!’ she laughed.
My stomach dropped like a stone.
Halle had no idea how accurate her joke was.
No, Wilma wasn’t expecting me to fall in love.But shewasexpecting me to go through with some fake engagement bullshit.
‘Maybe.’ I forced a smile.
‘Oh…’ Halle’s face fell.‘Sorry!I was joking.I hope you don’t think that I was trying to say that I want you to change your mind about what this is.I know it’s just sex.You were honest about that from the start and I appreciate that.I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t… y’know, a bit disappointed.I mean, I came here for love.A relationship.I was hoping for the whole fairytale experience.’
‘I’m sorry.’ My chest tightened.‘I feel really shitty about that.’
‘I’ve accepted it.I’m trying to just go with the flow for a change.And after being with so many guys that lie about their intentions, it’s kind of refreshing to find someone who’s upfront.You told me where you stand so I’m not gonna stalk you or start demanding that you call when we leave.I’m fine with our arrangement.More than fine.How can I not be with all the orgasms you’ve given me!’
‘Glad I could be of service.’ I flashed a small smile.
‘In fact, to prove how fine I am with it, I’m gonna return the favour.’ She sat up in the bed and propped a pillow behind her.‘You can post a photo with me.’
‘Wait, what?’ A puzzled expression spread across my face as I tried to process her offer.‘Hell, no.’ I shook my head so vigorously I was surprised it didn’t fall off.‘It’d make you uncomfortable.I couldn’t ask you to do that.I know what you’ve been through.I’m not gonna expose you.No fucking way.’
‘I appreciate you looking out for me, but you wouldn’t beexposingme.I’m nervous, but it’s time.Plus, this wouldn’t be like before.I’dchoose which photo you’d post.Knowing I had that control would make a big difference to me because I didn’t have that before.And I already know which picture it’d be.’
‘Which one?’ I asked, curious but still shocked she’d even suggested it.
‘The one of us horse riding where our backs are to the camera.No one could see my face and I’m wearing a helmet so my hair is covered.If you post that picture, it’d get your agent off your back and my identity would be protected.It’s a win-win.’
I paused for a second.Itwasn’ta bad idea, but I still felt shitty about putting Halle in the spotlight.Then again, she was right.If no one knew it was her then maybe it’d be fine?
‘I’m not sure…’ I rubbed my jaw.‘Maybe it’d help temporarily, but what’d happen if she asks for more photos?’
‘Then we’ll take more.But none that show my face or too much of my body.I could even wear a wig.No one would know.Then we could enjoy our time here and when I leave, no one would be hunting me down because they wouldn’t know what I looked like.’
‘That might work,’ I said, still surprised that she’d really do all that for me.
‘I’d choose the photos though and if I didn’t like them, you’d have to agree not to post them.Okay?’
