Hooker(38)

When we finally come up for air, he rests his forehead against mine. ‘I’ve been dying to do that all week.’ Happy tears well in my eyes, making his brow furrow. Tenderly, he cups my face in his hands. ‘Hey. Don’t cry.’

‘I’m just … I’m just so happy to see you,’ I say as I wipe my finger under my eye to catch the stray tear that has escaped.

‘You have no idea how happy I am to see you, too. You’ve been on my mind night and day.’ This time when his lips cover mine the kiss isn’t so desperate, it’s sweet and passionate. It not only melts my heart, it makes my toes curl.

‘I love that your paperwork said that kissing was a hard limit for you, but you have no problems kissing me.’

‘There are no hard limits where you’re concerned,’ I admit, because there aren’t. I’m not a prostitute when I’m with him, I’m just plain old Jade. Even now that he knows the truth about me, I can tell he doesn’t see me that way either.

‘I’m pleased to hear that.’ He reaches for the small suitcase I’m holding and grabs hold of my hand, lacing our fingers together. It sends my heart into a flutter. ‘Let me get you inside.’

‘Your place is beautiful,’ I say. I’ve always wondered what his home would look like. It suits him perfectly. He’s carried the black and grey theme inside and he has exquisite taste—well, his designer does. The rich wooden floors and staircase are stained in a dark charcoal grey. The wrought-iron bannisters are black. There are bright paintings framed in black on every wall, adding colour to the space.

‘I still can’t believe I’m actually here with you.’

Brock’s hand tightens around mine as he places a soft kiss on the side of my head. ‘You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here, sweetheart.’ The sincerity behind his words warms my heart. ‘Come. We’ll put your bag in my room and I’ll give you a tour before we eat.’

‘Do you live here all by yourself?’ I ask as we walk up the stairs.

‘I do. I had my brother living here for a few years, but he has his own place now.’

‘How old is your brother?’

‘Twenty-three, five years younger than me. We weren’t close growing up because of the age gap, but we are now.’

‘That’s nice. Don’t you get lonely living in this big house all on your own?’

‘I like my privacy, but sometimes, I guess,’ he says with a shrug.

When we reach his room, he sets my bag down just inside the door. ‘I’m not sure if I trust myself having you in here right now,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘How about I give you a tour of my room later, otherwise we’ll never eat.’

‘Who needs food when I have you,’ I say seductively as my arms slide around his waist. I’m used to acting like this around my clients, but with Brock, it isn’t an act. With Brock, everything I say and do comes naturally. Nothing is forced. I hear a growl in the back of his throat as he draws my body in closer.

‘Don’t tempt me,’ he moans, resting his forehead on mine. ‘I’m already hanging by a thread here.’ He places a chaste kiss on my lips before untangling my arms from his body. ‘I didn’t bring you here for sex, Jade. I wanted to see you, spend time with you.’ Nobody has ever said that to me before. ‘Mark my words, though,’ he adds, ‘I will have you in my bed before the night’s out.’

‘I look forward to it.’ My finger trails a path down his chest. As much as I want him right now, I’m touched that he wants me for more than my body. That’s another thing I’m not used to.



BROCK

After the tour, we head into the lounge room. I’m struggling to keep my hands off her, but tonight isn’t about that. I want Jade to know she means more to me than a good time. That in itself proves how special she is to me. Until her, it was only ever about the sex.

I had contemplated taking her out to dinner tonight, but I’m selfish. I find myself wanting to give her everything she deserves, but I also wanted her all to myself. She’s the first woman I’ve ever had in my home, apart from my mother. Before Jade came along, the last thing I wanted was one of my casual lays tainting my sanctuary.

‘Sit,’ I command, gesturing to the white leather couch. ‘I hope you’re hungry.’

‘Are you cooking?’

Her comment makes me laugh. ‘Hardly. My housekeeper usually cooks for me, but I’ve given her the night off. I had something else in mind.’

The moment she takes a seat, I have to quickly divert my eyes. Her sexy-as-hell white dress rides up, revealing more of her beautiful legs. Everything in me feels compelled to reach out and touch her. It’s not about the sex, Weston, I try to remind myself. I’m pretty sure in her profession, she’s used to being treated more like a sexual object than an actual person, but I don’t want her to feel like that when she’s with me. Ever.