Allure Read Free Page A

whatever reason. But I’ve been that reason, on more than one occasion. So I can recognise these men a mile off. I’m sensing the man I’m meeting tonight is different, though. He’s American, for starters. That doesn’t mean he can’t be from around here, of course, but I’m almost certain he isn’t.
    My eyes move to the bar, and that’s when I spot him. Straightaway. I know it’s him. Dark pants, white shirt, sleeves rolled up over his forearms; dark hair just long enough to brush the back of his collar. He’s talking to a man seated on the stool next to him, and for a second I just watch their exchange. And I need to take that second, I really do, because at first glance this man who’s willing to pay six hundred and fifty pounds for dinner and a meaningless fuck – because I know he wants sex, I got that from our earlier conversation – he’s probably the most incredible looking man I have ever laid eyes on. So incredible, in fact, that I have to swallow hard to dislodge the breath that’s caught in my throat, and I silently curse myself for that brief and unfamiliar moment of weakness. I’ve been with a lot of good-looking men in my time. This one will be no exception.
    I start to walk over to him, and as he slowly looks up our eyes lock, and I have to quickly swallow again to dislodge another trapped breath.
    He stands up and comes over to greet me, placing a hand on my hip as he stops in front of me, pulling me closer as he leans in to plant a feather-light kiss on my cheek. Act like we aren’t complete strangers. He knows the drill. He’s done this before. But the second his lips touch my skin I feel my stomach give an unexpected jolt, and I ignore it. I’m at work. This is business. He’s just another client.
    ‘You must be Kira.’ He smiles, and I’ve never seen a smile like it. It changes his entire face, in that it seems to make him even more attractive. If that could be possible. The only way I can describe this man is impossibly handsome. I mean, seriously, he needs women like me? He must have a queue of them waiting to snap him up, but that’s not for me to question. His reasons for booking me, they’re his business. ‘I’m Neal. Neal Cannon.’
    I return his smile, and once more ignore my misbehaving stomach as he rests a hand gently in the small of my back, his fingers splaying out as he guides me towards a secluded table in the corner, waiting until I sit down before he takes a seat. A gentleman. I’m definitely not the first escort he’s used. I can always tell the ones who are experienced in this kind of situation.
    ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve ordered a bottle of champagne.’
    I smile again. I can’t help it. He’s one of the few men I’ve genuinely felt instantly comfortable with. ‘I love champagne.’
    ‘Good.’
    His eyes meet mine, and I can’t help but notice what a truly beautiful colour his are; piercing blue with tiny flecks of gold. An unusual eye colour for someone as dark-haired as he is.
    ‘And I’ve booked us a table in the restaurant for nine 0’clock. I hear they do a great lobster here.’
    ‘They do, apparently.’ Although I’ve never had the pleasure of trying it. Maybe I’ll get a chance to change that tonight. I just wish I felt more hungry. My appetite’s suddenly waned somewhat. ‘I know the chef.’ I’ve fucked the chef, but, hey, his money’s as good as anyone else’s.
    He raises an eyebrow, his mouth twisting up into a slight smirk. ‘You haven’t tried it?’
    I lean forward, resting an elbow on the table and my chin in my hand. ‘Not yet. No.’
    He laughs quietly, our eyes still firmly locked together. There’s an electricity fizzing between us that I’m still trying hard to ignore, but I can’t help looking forward to dessert, and not the kind they’re going to serve us in the restaurant. Enjoying the sex is a perk that doesn’t happen too often for me, but I’ve got a feeling tonight could be one of those