Page 7 of Five Days

Turning from his focus, I helped myself to the chips and salsa—mango, I identified as the sweet tang hit my tongue. Perhaps my churning stomach wouldn’t mind an addition to the roiling bile.

“I don’t usually offer personal information with clients,” Zack stated quietly, also reaching for the chips.

We both crunched in silence, eyeing each other with appreciation and a hint of wariness.

“Why are you asking?” he finally questioned when I didn’t speak.

“Because I would like to learn a little more about you before we…become involved.”

“Is this your first time hiring an escort, Callum?”

A shiver once more licked at my spine as my name whispered off his lips. “Yes.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about?—”

I barely withheld my snort. If only he knew.

“—and I promise EEMM is professional. Nothing we say or do will leave this island unless you choose to speak of it.”

Being at my wit’s end, anxiety having ridden my body since I’d made the decision for a vacation, lended toward a stirring of impatience in my mind.

“If that’s the case, then what does it matter if I wish to know more about the man I hired for the next five days?” I shot back with more snip to my tone than I’d planned on.

A slow smirk curled one corner of Zack’s lips, and he lifted his wine in a mock toast. “You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?”

I’d rather have you on your knees.

My eyelids fluttered closed. I was not supposed to feel this way, damnit.

“Callum.”

I chose to meet Zack’s gaze when I would rather have ignored his inquiry.

He leaned onto the table with both elbows, the intensity of his stare making it impossible for me to hide.

“You’re obviously uncomfortable with your decision to bring me here, so if you’d rather return to your room alone for the evening, I won’t be offended. I would love to try again tomorrow, or we could just pack up and return home if you prefer. I’m sure I could talk to my manager about getting you some sort of refund.”

I licked over my lower lip, feeling as though I drowned when I supposedly had my shit together. I’d been the safe haven, the rock, for so long, that I suddenly floundered at finding myself on shaky ground all because I was desperate for my best friend’s love.

“No,” I managed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to keep my next words from sounding like a desperate plea. “I—need this. Please.”

“Then I’ll give it to you.” A softer smile curved Zack’s lips and lightened his gaze as he once more settled back in his chair. “To answer your question, I spend a lot of my spare time in the gym.”

Zack’s shoulders and prominent pecs bulging against the cotton of his shirt already suggested that truth about him. Add in his clear skin, groomed scruff, and styled hair, and there was no question the man cared about his health and appearance. But nothing about his character thus far, unfortunately, suggested cockiness or an untamed ego that would have been a complete turnoff to me.

“What else?” I asked, my desire for information troubling to my already anxious mind.

“I enjoy reading about places I hope to visit someday,” he continued without hesitation. “Italy. Switzerland. Cyprus. Thailand and Japan—I want to see the world. And lucky me,” he said with a wink, “I finally got a stamp on my passport that has been sitting unopened atop my bureau for the past seven years.”

He crunched on a chip loaded with guacamole, and I allowed my hungry gaze to trail over his strong jawline and the muscle bunching there as he chewed.

“What’s your passion?” I asked, focusing on his mouth.

He licked lingering salt from his lower lip as I’d done moments earlier.

The sensual move shot lust through my groin, and I barely managed to contain my groan.

I expected another slow grin, a knowing look, but Zack shifted his gaze from me as though seeking out the live band playing quietly in the warm night off to my left.

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