‘Fine,’ she says, nodding her head. ‘Jade is my number one girl, so if you insist on seeing her on her day off, know that she doesn’t come cheap. She also comes with restrictions.’
‘Which are?’
‘We can discuss that once I have your test results.’
‘I’ll be in contact,’ I say as I leave. I’m already on the phone to my doctor’s receptionist, scheduling an appointment as I walk down the front stairs towards my car.
Sunday night, Jade will be mine again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
JADE
Sunday morning, I get a call from M requesting that I attend the house. She quite often does this, so I’m not particularly worried. But this woman is full of surprises, so I never know what to expect. I’d only just left the gym, so I rush home to shower and change. I knew she’d be pissed off at me for taking longer than expected, but she would’ve been even angrier if I turned up in my gym clothes looking like a hot mess.
‘I shouldn’t be long,’ I tell Rupert after he pulls up outside her home.
‘Good luck,’ he replies, making me laugh. Hopefully I won’t need it.
‘You took your sweet time,’ M snaps when I enter the house. ‘I called you over an hour ago.’
‘I was at the gym. I had to go home to shower and change.’
She walks towards her office, and I follow. ‘Sit,’ she demands. Once she’s seated, she picks up a white envelope, handing it to me.
‘What’s this?’ I ask.
‘Your job for tonight.’
What? ‘But it’s my day off.’
Her eyes narrow as they meet mine. ‘Was,’ she scoffs.
I deflate. I was looking forward to some me time. I’ve bought all the ingredients to try a new recipe I’d seen on the cooking channel. I’ve tweaked it a little and was excited to see how it would turn out.
‘Okay,’ I reply with a sigh. There’s no point in arguing, I’d never win. ‘With who?’
‘A new client.’
‘Not a regular?’ My stomach churns at the thought. It’s been a few years since I’ve had anyone new. I’m used to the men I have. I always know what to expect going in. What if he’s like that horrible man I got on my first night? Or even worse? ‘Who is he?’
‘You’ll find out tonight,’ she says, picking up a pen and writing something down in her diary. ‘Be back here at five for inspection.’
I sit there dumbfounded. I don’t want to do this, but at the same time I know I don’t have a choice.
‘You can go.’
I have to bite my tongue when she flicks her hand at me. I hate her so much. The rude bitch doesn’t even bother to look up at me when she speaks. Ever since my outburst when I returned from New York she’s been a lot colder towards me than normal.
The nervousness I’m feeling when Rupert stops at the end of the long driveway of my new client’s house must be showing, because he turns in his seat and locks his eyes with mine. ‘You have my number, Jade. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll be back here in a flash.’
I rest my hand on his shoulder. ‘Thank you, Rupert. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’ He doesn’t reply, but his hand is now covering mine and the gracious smile on his face is enough.
A sense of foreboding fills me as Rupert heads back to the street along the circled driveway. I admire a beautiful fountain before climbing the front stairs. When I reach the top, I freeze. All the fears I had as a foster child fill me—I don’t know what awaits me behind that door, and I don’t know if I want to find out.
Tilting my head back, I take in the opulent mansion that stands before me. It’s breathtaking. The light grey render of the walls make the black finishes around the windows stand out. There’s a beautiful wrought-iron balcony above me. I bet the view of the city would be spectacular from up there. Whoever lives here is extremely wealthy. That thought doesn’t ease my worries at all. Some of the rich people I’ve associated with over the years think their social status comes with certain entitlements.
I have the sudden feeling my lucky streak is about to end. A new client usually always means sex. The fact that he’s requested that I attend his house and stay the night virtually guarantees it. That thought makes me feel physically sick. Images of Brock flash through my mind and I have to fight back the tears.
The door before me flies open and I jump.
‘Are you going to stand out here all night, beautiful, or are you coming inside?’
Oh. My. God. I blink a couple of times to make sure I’m not seeing things that aren’t really there. ‘Brock!’ I squeal as I launch myself into his awaiting arms. ‘What? How?’ But before I get a chance to say another word, his mouth hungrily collides into mine. ‘Mmm,’ I moan as he draws me closer, my body melting into his. His kisses are intoxicating.