And as much as I hate to even think about it, it’s definitely not normal for an escort to go past a client’s allotted time without discussion.
…right?
Is it possible she’s more comfortable with me than anyone else? That she actually likesme? That I’m not alone in this attraction toward her?
God, I hope that’s possible.
I can’t stop looking at her, can’t stop stroking her hair. I’ve been dying to ask her out—on anormaldate. I want to get to know her, want to ask her questions that she’ll answer for real. I want to take her on a date that’s not inside this hotel room, that doesn’t have a time limit, and that doesn’t need to include sex or intimacy or anything that she’s used to being paid for.
But she’s so closed off that I’m nervous to ask, too terrified to ruin any semblance of a connection I have with her.
My worry is interrupted by her stirring in my arms. I quickly pull my hand from her hair, but I can’t bring myself to move away.
She wakes with the sweetest little moan, her body stretching free of sleep before she’s even opened her eyes. When she finally does, she smiles up at me.
My heart stops at the sight.
And then it all goes to shit.
I watch the realization enter her eyes, and the smile drops from her lips. Suddenly, she’s crawling backwards to the other end of the couch, shock and regret on her face.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” she breathes. “I-I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you, I’m so sorry.”
I hold my hands up in a gesture ofthere’s nothing to be scared of.“You’re fine, I promise. I’m not mad.”Far from it.
She leaps for her phone on the coffee table. When she sees the time, her eyes go impossibly wider.
“Oh myGod,” she nearly yelps. “I slept for over an hour! Why didn’t you wake me up?”
I frown, suddenly worried that she missed something because I let her sleep.Another client?
I try to fight down the jealousy. And fail.
“I didn’t wake you because you looked like you needed the rest,” I tell her carefully. “From my end, it’s not a problem. Areyouokay?”
Now that shock morphs to horror.
“No, I-I didn’t mean it for me. I just… Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I wasted your time like this.” Her head whips around, searching for something.An answer?“Obviously, there’s no charge for tonight. This was completely my fault.”
“Red…”
“No, I mean it.” She grabs for my hand, looking desperate. “I can’t charge you for this. This was completely unprofessional, and I can’t apologize enough.”
“It really is fine?—”
“I hope you won’t hold it against the agency,” she continues, not hearing any of what I’m saying. She’s in a panic spiral. “If you’d like to see another girl, I can get Amara to comp your next appointment.”
I wonder if the horror is showing on myface. “Uh…no. I want to seeyouagain.”
Finally, that gets her attention.
“You… You what?”
I take a chance and shift her hand in mine so I’m holding it, my thumb brushing over her skin. “I want to seeyouagain. I’m not mad that you fell asleep.” Another risk, but I take it. “I actually really enjoyed our night.” I give her a lopsided smile to break the tension. “It was relaxing.”
A small fraction of her tension disappears, her shoulders dropping.
“Well…” She gives me a look of uncertainty. “If you’d like to see me again, then I’llcomp your date. No charge.”
