Hooker(12)

She returns a few minutes later with my drink and the chocolate, placing them on my tray in front of me. ‘You’re in luck.’

‘Actually, the chocolate is for Miss Davis. Could you give it to her for me, please?’

Clara gives me a sceptical look when I point to where Miss Davis is sitting.

‘Are you friends?’ she asks.

‘Yes.’ It’s an untruth, but I’ll gladly be her friend if she wants that. Friends with benefits, that is.

I’m actually feeling nervous when Clara walks towards her. I never get fucking nervous.

‘Excuse me, Miss Davis, Mr Weston asked me to give this to you.’ She takes the chocolate bar from Clara then swings around in her seat. Her surprised eyes lock with mine and her face turns a sweet shade of pink before it breaks into the most beautiful smile. It literally takes my breath away. Seeing her smile at me like that makes my heartbeat accelerate.

When I notice her clutch the chocolate to her chest, my smile grows. For some reason, her gesture touches me. How can such a small act make her so happy? Maybe she isn’t a spoilt little rich girl.

‘Thank you,’ she mouths.

‘You’re welcome,’ I mouth back, wishing I was that chocolate bar, wanting her luscious mouth on me. More. Than. Anything. This woman has bewitched me.





CHAPTER FOUR


JADE

Rupert escorts me to my suite when we reach the hotel. I’m dead on my feet. We left Sydney at 4 pm Wednesday. With the time difference between both countries it was 7 pm New York time, yet still Wednesday, after our twenty-one-hour journey. I hate those long-haul flights. I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours because I have trouble sleeping on planes.

We wait together in my room until the bags arrive, so we can unload my casual clothes out of his suitcase before Rupert makes his way to his own suite next door. M likes him to be as close as possible. I’m surprised she doesn’t make us bunk together so he can monitor my every move.

After retrieving my silk nightgown, I head to the bathroom. I can unpack in the morning. All I want to do now is shower and climb into bed. I’m exhausted.

The second my head hits the pillow my thoughts drift to Mr Delicious. I lost sight of him once we disembarked. I can’t tell you how disappointed that made me. This attraction I feel for him is foreign to me. Given my experience with men, I’ve yet to come across one who has made me feel anything remotely close to this. Maybe with a bit of luck, I’ll run into him in the streets of New York. On the other hand though, maybe it’s better if I don’t. No point wishing for something that can never be.

I still have the Snickers bar he gave me in my handbag. I couldn’t bring myself to eat it. No man, apart from Rupert, has ever done anything so sweet for me. To him, it may have been an insignificant joke. To me, it meant everything.



I’m jolted from my sleep when I hear a knock at the door. Looking at the clock beside the bed, I see it’s 10.20 am. Guilt floods me. I never sleep this late. I’m not allowed too, is more like it. M makes sure I’m up and at the gym by six every morning. Seven days a week. There’s no reprieve from her demands. Even on my days off I have to put up with her bullshit.

I reach for the pink silk dressing gown that matches the silk nightie I’m wearing. Rubbing my eyes, I go to the door, where I’m greeted by Rupert’s cheerful face as he holds a takeaway coffee cup up to me.

‘You missed breakfast, so I thought you might like this,’ he says. ‘You have your appointment with José at 11.30, remember? You’ll need to get ready if we’re going to make it across town on time.’

‘Shit. I forgot that was today.’ I always visit José when I’m in New York. He designs the most exquisite lingerie. His pieces are sought after worldwide. He caters exclusively to the rich and famous. When I called to tell him I’d be coming to New York, he said he’d design some special pieces for me. In my line of work, lingerie is important; M makes all her girls keep a spreadsheet on what we wear and with whom. We’re forbidden to wear the same garments with each client more than once.

‘I’ve organised a car to pick us up at eleven. I’ll meet you down in the foyer.’

‘Thank you. I’ll be ready in time.’

He nods his head approvingly before heading towards his suite.

‘Oh, and thank you for the coffee.’

‘You’re welcome.’



After my fitting with José, I leave with fifteen new pieces. I know M will be pleased with my purchases. Rupert and I stop for lunch on our way back to the hotel. Since I missed breakfast, I’m starved.

We wander the streets of New York after lunch, doing a little more retail therapy. I love this city. The people. The atmosphere. Everything. Once Rupert’s hands were overloaded with bags, I decided it was time to head back to the hotel. Poor Rupert. He never complains though.