He scooted his chair closer to hers, and took hold of her hands, again. “This was just all a mix-up, that’s all. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” He paused, and during those seconds, his expression changed again. Lines appeared on his forehead and around his eyes. Even his lips thinned. “Brittany? If Derek didn’t send you, then why did you come to see me?”
She tried to remain calm. After all, she and Kurt had discussed this part. She knew what to say, but now…she was going to sound extremely foolish. But there was no other way, especially, if she needed to ask him about Hillary.
She cleared her throat. “I’d led you to believe that Derek sent me, but the truth is, Hillary Banks recommended you.”
Gasping, he released her hands and pulled back. “She recommended me? For what?”
“That you would be the one to help me.”
Slowly, his head shook back and forth. “I still don’t quite understand. Why would she send you to me?”
Here it comes…the shame of telling him such an unbelievable tale.“I’m desperate for money. You see, I’d just lost my job, and I needed something to pay rent until something else came along. I’m about to be evicted. What am I going to do if that happens?” She raised her voice, laying it on thick. “I’ve never done this—thisthingbefore, but Hillary mentioned she had, and it helped her get the money she needed.”
“Just say it, Brittany,” he said. “There’s no need to try and sugar-coat it.”
“Sex for money.” Good grief. Where was the hole?
He nodded. “Go on.”
“Anyway, Hillary said you could help me. That’s why I came to see you the other day. I was very nervous. I didn’t know what was going to happen. And then, after the kiss…well, I just couldn’t do it. That’s why I ran out the way I had.”
Empathy glowed in his hypnotic green eyes. He stroked his thumbs over her knuckles so very tenderly, she could have melted right off the chair and to the floor.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. Hillary shouldn’t have sent you here. She knew better.” He shook his head. “You see, a few years ago, I had helped her when she was down on her luck. She was working for a place called Belle’s Escort Service, and Hillary was in over her head. A few months ago, she came back and needed money to start her own business. Something to do with creating a clothing line. I can’t remember. Anyway, I gave her a little money, and she was upset that I didn’t give her more, so she stormed out and I’ve never seen her since.”
Although this whole conversation was humiliating, at least she was getting him to talk. But then…why wasn’t Kurt hearing any of this?
“Oh, Austin. I feel so foolish now.” She lowered her head, laying on the drama. “Hillary took advantage of my stressful situation, and I’m ashamed I fell for her lies. She made me think that you…well, would trade sex for money.” To add to her Academy Award acting, she lifted a hand to her mouth as if she was holding back a sob.
“Don’t blame yourself, Brittany.”
He scooted his chair closer and wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head on his chest. Inhaling deeply had been a huge mistake.Oh, why did he have to smell so good?
“Brittany? Are you there? What’s going on?”
Kurt’s voice in her ear startled her, and she snapped up. Another big mistake, because now she was looking at the very sexy, Austin Reeder, right in the face. If there were two inches between them, she’d be lucky. She prayed he hadn’t heard Kurt’s voice since she was still in his arms.
“What’s wrong?” Austin asked.
“I, um… Well, I just don’t want you to think this is your fault at all.” Her mind scrambled for words. “This was Hillary’s sick joke, and that’s all.”
“Sick joke?” Kurt asked in a lower voice this time. “What did I miss?” He swore. “I knew I should have kept my earpiece in.”
“Yes, it was.” Austin stroked her cheek. “And so I don’t want you to feel guilty, either. She knew what kind of man I was, and she took advantage of me, too. Apparently, Hillary enjoyed playing with people’s lives.”
Brittany nodded. “Can you forgive me? I was just so…desperate. Now I realize how wrong I was.”
A slow smile stretched across his face. “There is nothing to forgive. But, how is our housing situation? Are you going to get evicted? Because I don’t want you thinking you have to find other men who will pay. I can give you a small loan until you find a new job.”
Her heart wrenched with an unknown feeling. He would really do that to someone he’d only met once, and who he’d shared an electrifying kiss with? Perhaps she’d judged him too harshly at first. Of course, knowing he didn’t pay for women was a great relief, too. “I…I…I don’t know what to say, Austin. Why are you being so kind to me? I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about that now. I just want you to rest assured that I’ll help you in any way I can.” His fingers moved to her bottom lip and traced underneath. “As long as you promise you’ll not try to find the men who will pay for sex ever again.”
Her heartbeat quickened. The tone in his voice had changed—deepened—turned sexy. And the way he stared at her mouth let her know he wanted to kiss her again. She couldn’t let that happen! Especially, not with Kurt in her ear. “I promise.”
Just when she thought Austin was going to place his lips on hers, he pulled away. Instead, he picked up his brandy and nearly gulped it down. She took this moment to breathe slower, hoping to regulate her heartbeat. She was glad he decided to withdraw first, because she seriously doubted she had the strength, even knowing Kurt would hear.
“I suppose I should go.” She stood.
He quickly rose to his feet and grasped her hand. “Forgive me for being busy today. I just don’t have much time to spend with you. However, I hope you’ll be free for dinner later tonight. I’d really like to get to know you better.”
Tell him no!“Uh, all right.”Way to go, Russell. You’re such a coward sometimes.But she tried to convince herself she needed more time to ask him about Hillary. It didn’t matter what he’d told her earlier, he was still a suspect. However, his innocence was becoming clearer the more she got to know him. “Do you want to pick me up?” Her mind screeched to a halt. No! She couldn’t have him knowing where she lived. “Or,” she quickly added, “should I come here? I’m sure this hotel has a nice restaurant.”
“Yes, it does.” He winked. “Why don’t you come here around seven o’clock.”
She nodded and smiled. “Okay. It’s a date.”
Just thinking about it being a real date sent her mind into a frenzy, and her heart into overdrive.
