Pleasure Read Free Page A

Her nipples tightened in response to the warm, firm touch.
    “Jim,” he said and then pulled his attention from her. He
pulled out another bill from his pocket. “Another drink for the lady. On me.”
Another smile at Helen and he picked up the two glasses of water and sauntered
away.
    Helen shook with reaction. She’d never met anyone as bold as
Fallon whatever his name was in her life. She turned to look at the bartender
as he placed the drink in front of her.
    “Who is that?”
    Jim grinned. “That’s Fallon. He’s in here a lot. He works
the hotel.”
    She was afraid to turn around again, to see him with the
young, beautiful woman. “Excuse me?”
    “He’s a paid escort. High priced and in demand, too. A lot
of the regular hotel guests use his services. But he’s real particular about
what new clients he’ll take on these days. I hear he’s quite the stud, if you
know what I mean.” He winked in a knowing way. “Damn good tipper, too.”
    Again, the bartender moved away to head off to the other end
of the bar. Helen could feel the edge of the card pressing into her skin like a
brand. With a shaking hand, she pulled it out and looked at it.
    Why was she not surprised to find “Fantasy Escorts”
emblazoned across one side, with a phone number and a website address? Confidential
and Attentive to Your Needs. Call for an Appointment. On the other side was
one word: Fallon. Below it was what appeared to be a voicemail number.
    She raised the card and inhaled the faint, expensive scent
clinging to it. Helen dropped the card into her purse.
    Fantasy Escorts. There was that name again. She slid from
the stool, picked up the glass of wine and left the bar, returning to her room.
    Once inside, she dropped into a chair at the small,
nondescript circular table and looked out at the brilliant, glittering lights
of Sin City. She pulled the card from her purse and looked down at it. Then she
found the ripped-out advertisement from the newspaper. It was the same phone
number.
    Something had pulled her here, away from her solid, peaceful
life. It was reaffirmed by the seductive presence of the man, first in the
restaurant and then in the bar.
    It should matter that he was a paid escort and earned his
keep escorting women throughout the city. Among other things. One shouldn’t
have to pay for companionship, should they?
    But he was attractive. He was exactly what she’d come here
for. He was exactly what she wanted. What could it hurt to pay for a little
attentive companionship for an evening? It certainly would help her to break
out of her solid, ordinary mold, something she really wanted to do. Her life
was so predictable she wanted to scream. She hadn’t realized just how
unsatisfied she was until tonight.
    Helen turned the card over in her hand. Fallon. He intrigued
her—the man and the name. According to the bartender, Fallon was rather
selective in his clients. So why had he approached her if he didn’t normally
take on new clients?
    She shouldn’t do it, but she’d been drawn to the ad, the
idea of uncomplicated companionship, and that’s what had brought her here. No
expectations. A man who wasn’t looking to gain recognition because he was
escorting the mayor.
    Yes, a paid companion. Without strings. But it was upfront
and about as honest as it was going to get. She paid him, he gave her…whatever
she desired, more or less. And then it was over. No commitments. Just a little
fun.
    She pulled out her cell phone. It didn’t mean she had to
have sex. In fact, it was probably better if she didn’t. It was much too iffy a
proposition these days even with someone you knew really well.
    It excited her at the thought of going out with a handsome
stranger. A young, handsome stranger. One who catered to her needs and every
whim. From what she’d seen both in the restaurant and in the bar, he was
extremely attentive. Could that by any stretch be considered the interview? A
sampling so to speak of the merchandise?