She sipped her wine and thought about it. “Hmm… I don’t know. Maybe something cheesy like complimenting my looks and things like that.”

  “Ah, those are way too obvious. And you think those are cheesy too. I’m highly sought after because of my ability to read my clients well. And I already figured out that my current client doesn’t care for blatant compliments.”

  She raised a brow. “Not very modest, are we?”

  “Let’s just say that in my line of work, one can’t afford to be modest. One has to constantly market oneself.”

  “Market oneself? And you spoke about expansion and investing too. That’s a lot of business lingo for an… an…” She couldn’t complete the sentence.

  “For an escort,” he finished helpfully.

  She shifted slightly in her seat. “Yes.”

  He laughed. “Even escorts have to invest their money somewhere. And I have a special interest in finance.”

  She was reluctantly intrigued. She had imagined an escort to be somewhat dull and boring. But the man in front of her with his smart comebacks was far from dull or boring like she had initially thought. Intelligence shone in his eyes as he carefully observed everything with a small smile.

  “Hoping to start your own business someday?” she asked.

  “Something like that.”

  As soon as they were done with the appetizers, she immediately served the main course onto their plates.

  “Trying to get rid of me soon?” he asked in amusement.

  “Something like that,” she replied, repeating his previous words.

  He laughed, the sound of which was quite attractive. She felt the fluttering in her stomach resume.

  “You haven’t finished telling me about yourself,” he reminded while sipping wine.

  “Nothing much to tell. Maybe you should tell me about yourself since you lead a more interesting life than me. I’ve heard that many women, including celebrities, have availed your… special services.”

  His eyes crinkled at corners as he smiled. “That’s confidential.”

  That made her more curious. But she could see why those celebrity women sought him out despite the many choices they must have. The raw magnetism along with intelligence worked as quite a potent combination.

  “I don’t think I’m any more interesting than you,” he remarked. “You are the one entertaining an escort for your birthday. It takes a really bold and interesting woman to do something like that.”

  “I’m hardly bold or interesting. In fact, I’m—” She broke off not wanting to say the word ‘boring’. It was an old habit because she was called boring by her ex-husband many times. And it was because she preferred to stay home and read a book or bake something rather than party all the time like him.

  The old memories made her pick up the wine bottle to pour herself another glass. She extended her hand with the bottle to pour some into his glass as well. But her hand shook slightly making her tip the wine on his clothes rather than just his glass.

  “Oh no!” She got up from her chair with a clean napkin in her hand and immediately began to dab at his clothes, trying to stop the wine from spreading on his suit. But the wet blotch on his pants appeared big. Even his pristine white shirt inside the suit jacket was stained red.

  “God! That was so clumsy of me.” She continued to rub at the spot until she felt the warmth of his fingers encircling her wrist.

  “Anjali. You should stop.” His voice sounded husky and held a note of laughter.

  “But your suit. It looks so expensive, and I might have ruined it.” She was about to resume the task when he shook his head with a short laugh before looking down.

  Her eyes followed his path, and immediately her cheeks burned in mortification. There was a clear bulge on his lap that hadn’t been there before.

  Oh God! She had more or less assaulted the escort.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Let me wash up a bit,” he said.

  “Of course,” she said hurriedly. “The washroom is right there.” She pointed at the guest bathroom.

  When his big, warm hand left her wrist, she immediately felt the loss of warmth.

  “Continue with dinner. I’ll be right back.” He shrugged out of the suit jacket and strode towards the bathroom.

  As soon as he disappeared from her view, she hurriedly took another sip of her wine. She still couldn’t believe that her friends had hired an escort for her as her birthday gift.

  Yes, granted she did feel lonely at times and sometimes craved a companion. But an escort? How was an escort supposed to solve the loneliness problem? All an escort could possibly do was remove physical loneliness.

  She felt a flutter in her stomach at the thought of indulging in passionate acts with the man inside her house. She actually liked him. He wasn’t sleazy or arrogant like most men who hit on her. He was respectful, funny and intelligent.

  Yes, he was an escort. But that fact only came out as a positive and in his favor.

  Without any added complications, she could discover how it felt to have a man giving all of his attention.

  Oh my God! She wanted to spend the night with her escort.

  CHAPTER 3

  Anjali jumped slightly when the door to the bathroom opened and her escort strode out. His shirt looked quite damp since he got most of the stains out. And the material was clinging to his torso displaying his muscular form.

  Her stomach fluttered even more. This time along with appreciation, it was also due to a healthy dose of nerves.

  He joined her at the table and smiled. She sucked in a breath and looked down at her plate where most of her food remained untouched.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, sensing a change in her.

  Before she lost her courage, she took a deep breath and blurted out the words. “Tomorrow is my birthday, and I don’t want to spend the night alone. I have decided to make use of your services.”

  There was silence.

  When the silence went on for a couple of seconds, she felt dread consuming her, and all of her doubts and insecurities rushed in.

  Did he not want to spend time with her? Of course, he didn’t. She wasn’t a great beauty or even that witty, and he was used to going out with celebrities for God’s sake!

  “Anjali. Look at me.”

  At his soft command, she slowly raised her head and met his eyes. And when she saw his stunningly handsome face with an unreadable look, her doubts overwhelmed her.

  She hurriedly got up from her chair. “I’m sorry. I made a mistake. I didn’t mean any of it.” She went towards the doorway, and opened the door. She stood next to it looking down at the floor. “Please, leave. J-Just send me the bill for the dry cleaning or if you replace the suit. I’ll transfer the payment to you.”

  Her heart thudded as she felt him come closer.

  He stopped right in front of her. “Anjali. Look at me,” he softly commanded once again.

  Slowly and reluctantly, she met his eyes.

  “I’ll leave. But not right away.”

  She was about to protest, but she stopped when he spoke.

  “I like you,” he said, shocking her. “It’s been a while since I met someone who genuinely interests me and attracts me the way you do. I want to spend my time with you too.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t have to lie and fake an interest in me. I know who I am and how I look.”

  He took a few steps closer until there were only a few inches between them. Gently, he pried her hand away from the door and shut it.

  “I’m not lying. I know you might find it hard to believe me because you think it’s my job to fake an attraction. But before I leave, I want to prove to you that I find you fascinating and beautiful.”

  She jumped when his hand held her waist. She didn’t protest when he led her to the middle of the living room. “Be right back,” he said.

  He increased the sound of the music playing in her kitchen. The song playing was one of her favorites.

  He returned with a small smile. “I know you like dancing,” he said.

  She was surprised. “How?”

  “The pictures on the wall with your friends. You were dressed to go out for a dance.”

  With another smile, he pulled her close. Her heart began to thud when she felt his arms around her waist while they slowly began to move to the thumping, rhythmic music.

  “Tonight, I’m all yours. Tell me everything your heart desires,” he murmured against her forehead.

  Her heart pounded hard as his lips grazed her forehead and slowly moved along her cheeks.

  “I love dancing,” she whispered. “And tonight, I want you to make me forget the world outside. I want you to make me relive this night forever.”

  There was a brief silence before he spoke. “Anjali, I think there is something you should know about me,” he said.

  “What?” she asked, feeling nervous.

  There was another long silence before he spoke again. Her breath caught when his mouth brushed the delicate rim of her ear before whispering his next words. “Just that I promise you I’ll make tonight memorable for you.”

  Soon, all of her doubts were gone as they continued dancing slowly to the rousing beats of the music.

  She had always enjoyed dancing, but never got a chance to go out during her marriage because her ex-husband had preferred to spend time with his friends or in a group. And now, in the arms of an escort, she was finding out how much she enjoyed and craved the act of simple intimacy.

  Meanwhile, his lips continued to explore her cheek and then her ear.

  “You smell so good. Good enough to eat.” She felt his nose rubbing against her hair.

  Her breaths came out choppy. “It’s nothing fancy, just coconut shampoo. And I already told you, there’s no need for you to compliment me.”

  He drew back all of a sudden and looked at her. She felt uncomfortable under his piercing gaze.

  “And I already told you that I don’t lie,” he said.

  When she remained quiet and let her doubts show, he moved in even closer. She gasped when she felt his hard arousal.

  “Trust me. Unlike women, men cannot fake this. I want you, Anjali. And I want you more than anything right now. Allow me to spend the night with you to show you how much I want you and enjoy your company.”

  A thrill ran through her body at his words. They made her feel desirable. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to argue and let the feeling of euphoria leave her.

  The combination of heat and tenderness in his eyes made her feel good. The fact that she was with a professional escort should sound dirty and crass to anyone who came to know. But she felt warm and cherished, thanks to the man who made her feel that way.

  He pulled her head closer and gave her a gentle kiss. It was the barest of touches as though he didn’t want to scare her. Slowly, his palm cupped her cheek. Her breath sped up as he gently tugged her closer using his other hand at the back of her neck. And then, he leaned his head towards her until their faces were only inches apart. His breath came out as fast as hers.

  Her breath caught in her throat as his warm lips brushed against hers. “Open your mouth and kiss me back,” he murmured against her lips.

  She parted her lips slightly, and immediately the kiss deepened. His lips caught hers while his tongue slid inside and began exploring her mouth.

  Heat exploded inside her, and her breath became choppier. She clutched his shirt which was still damp and pulled him closer. A small, involuntary moan escaped her as she felt the heat radiating from his hard, wet chest seeping into her. Tingles erupted all over her body.

  When her hands moved over his hard chest, he emitted a low growl. She felt his hands moving to her hips and lifting her. He carried her towards a wall in the living room and placed her back against it, all the while continuing to passionately kiss her.

  But suddenly he pulled his mouth away. She sucked in deep breaths of much-needed air.

  She held his thick hair and pulled him closer. “Rohit…” she gasped out. She didn’t want to use his name because she didn’t want to think of what happened that night as real. But right then, she wanted to remember every little detail of that night so she could cherish it when she felt lonely the rest of her life.

  “You are beautiful,” he said watching her and taking in her features in detail.

  She didn’t argue with him this time that she wasn’t beautiful. Because she did feel pretty, and he did make her feel like she was the most beautiful and desirable woman.

  “I want you,” he continued. “I wish I could make you mine in every sense. But I know we shouldn’t. Not tonight.”

  She wanted him too. But she knew he was right. It was too soon to do anything drastic. Although she liked him a lot and was strongly attracted to him, she knew she couldn’t do something drastic such as being intimate with a man she had just met. She might end up regretting it the next morning.

  Then suddenly another thought crossed her mind, jolting her and making her tense in his arms.

  “A-are you married? Or do you have a girlfriend?” she asked even though she dreaded the answer.

  Oh God. She didn’t think she could bear it if he were committed to someone. Even though he was doing this as part of his job, it would still devastate her to know she was intimate with another woman’s man.

  “No,” he replied. “I’m neither married nor in a committed relationship with anyone.”

  Immediately and visibly, she relaxed. “Why not?” she asked.

  “Because my… lifestyle doesn’t allow me to be in a relationship.”

  “I see.” She understood what he meant. Most women would not want to have an emotional commitment with a man who was with other women, even if it were part of his job.

  “What about you?” he asked. “Why aren’t you in a relationship?”

  She opened her mouth to give out a canned reply of what she had been telling her friends—that she didn’t have time or interest. But something made her stop and tell the truth.

  “I’m scared.”

  There was a momentary silence. “Why?” he softly asked.

  “I didn’t have the best experience during my marriage. And even though it took me a long time to realize it wasn’t my fault entirely, I still don’t want to repeat it. Although… I still dream of having children and a family someday.”

  “I see,” he said. “Everyone deserves love, especially a woman like you. I’m sure you would make a wonderful mother. Don’t let one bad experience ruin your chances of happiness.”

  He repeated the words she had heard her friends tell her often.

  She let out a sigh and then smiled at him. “I should advise you the same. I know it’ll be hard with your lifestyle, but even you deserve love.”

  He smiled. “And who would date someone like me?”

  She frowned. “I know it’s hard. But when you give up being an escort after starting your own business, I’m sure many women will not hold your past against you.”

  “Even you?” he asked.

  The smile caused her stomach to flip. “Yes, even me.”

  “Then I’m going to hold you to that promise.”

  “What promise?”

  “Today is my last day. After today, I’ll no longer be an escort. So when we meet again, will you go out on a date with me?”

  She was taken aback by the information and his question.

  “Ah… I see you are having second thoughts already,” he said.

  She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m not the kind to judge someone because of their past. I promise that when we meet again, I’ll go on a date with you. You are a wonderful man and any woman would be happy to spend her time with you.”

  His smile widened. “Promise?”

  “Promise,” she replied.

  They continued to dance once again. And just before midnight, he pulled her towards the kitchen. He put a cupcake on a plate and asked her for a candle. When she handed him one, he put it on the cupcake and waited for it to be midnight. He then lit the candle and asked her to blow it.

  He raised a toast when he fed her a piece of her cupcake. “To Anjali. A beautiful woman with a beautiful heart. Wishing you a very happy birthday. May all of your dreams come true.” His smile widened and turned naughty. “And may you also fulfill all of your promises, especially the one made to me.”

  She laughed. “Thank you. And yes, I will fulfill my promise to you.”

  After they had the small cupcake, she reheated their dinner.

  And the moment she finished her meal, he pulled her out of her chair and swung her back into his arms.

  For the rest of the night, they danced. And in between dances, they continued to kiss heatedly. Each time they reached a point where they wanted to continue to something more, he pulled away and kissed her gently, calming her down.

  “Soon, my love,” he whispered against her forehead.

  When it was close to two o’clock, her legs felt tired. They stopped dancing and he led her to the couch. He sat on it and pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. Surprisingly, she didn’t feel uncomfortable. It felt right.

  They spent the rest of the night that way. She told him about her dreams and desires. She also told him about her friends and their close bond. She only held off on talking about her marriage because she didn’t want anything to dampen the spirit of the best night of her life.

  The soothing sound of his heartbeat under her chest combined with the eventful night made her tired. Just before she slid into a deep sleep in his arms, there was only one thought remaining in her mind—she had received her best and perfect birthday gift.

  CHAPTER 4

  Anjali woke up slowly. When she opened her eyes, she noticed she was on her bed inside her room. It was quite bright and sunny.

  She had overslept. But since it was a Sunday and the bakery was closed, she didn’t feel the urgency to spring out of bed. Groaning softly due to her aching calf muscles, she rolled over with a smile.

  Even though she hadn’t spent a passionate night with anyone, her escortt kept his promise of making her night the most memorable one.

 

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