Page 78 of Escorted

She couldn’tbelieve a man as practiced in business and political strategy as Peter wouldhave misfired. But she didn’t at all understand his aim.

Evidently, theblow hit home. Ander’s spine stiffened and his lips went momentarily white.“Did you have a purpose for coming to speak to me?”

“You aren’t goingto introduce me to yourcompanion?” Peter emphasized the last word,making it sound somehow dirty and demeaning.

“No,” Andersaid, his voice as smoothly venomous as his father’s. “And I'm sure you'llunderstand, since obviously you felt compelled to hide yours. Not surprising,considering.”

It must havebeen a shot in the dark—unless Ander knew something about Peter’s date thatevening—but it worked. For the first time, a flash of cold anger flashed acrossPeter’s craggy face.

Lori shouldhave known to expect Peter to parry unmercifully, without hesitation or a senseof fair play. He turned away from Ander with cruel indifference and held out ahand to Lori. “Peter Milton,” he murmured, “Have you been Ander’s client forlong? He was always the kind of boy who liked to play make-believe. I alwayshoped he’d grow up to be a man. But alas...”

Hissuperficially mild tone cracked through Lori like a whip. His words physicallyhurt her—mostly because she knew they deeply they would pierce the tender,sensitive core of Ander’s nature.

Respondingautomatically, without any thought to wisdom or strategy, she reached up andtook Peter’s hand. It was cool and dry. Not anything like Ander’s always warmclasp.

She used theleverage his hand offered her to pull herself up to her feet. With a brightsmile and intentional innocence, she said, “I’ve never heard anyone use ‘alas’in casual conversation before.”

Lori had heldonto her wine as she stood. As she stepped forward, she tilted the glass.

Slopped anearly full glass full of red wine all over the front of Peter’s cool, palesuit.

** *

Lori knew the wine thing was pettyand a little childish, but she greatly enjoyed it, and it accomplished what sheneeded.

Peter wasclearly startled and perturbed by the deluge of dark red wine. He didn’t lingeramong the amused onlookers, and he made no more verbal assaults on his son.

Once Peter leftthe restaurant, Ander and Lori could return to their meals. Ander was stilltense, still pulsing with leashed angst, but he no longer appeared on the vergeof implosion.

They left therestaurant twenty minutes later. Lori felt shaky and emotional, and shesilently fell in step with Ander. She had no idea where they were going, but Anderstarted walking, clearly absorbed in his own thoughts.

They walkedseveral blocks until he came to a stop in front of a historic stone buildingwith clean lines and large windows.

He blinked ashis stared at an unmarked door that clearly led upstairs. “What am I doinghere?” he muttered, as if he had just become aware of his surroundings.

“I don’t know,”Lori said, feeling nervous and confused. “You were just walking so I walkedwith you. Is this your place?”

“Yeah.” Andercleared his throat and gave his head a little shake. “Sorry. I was out of it.We were going back to the hotel, weren’t we?”

Lori reachedout to take his arm in concern. He looked shaken, exhausted, and more batteredthan she’d ever seen him. She had no idea the kind of emotional turmoil he’dsuffered this evening, but the feeling she sensed from him was wrenching.

Ander washiding it well, but he looked traumatized. And Lori would be damned if she madeit any worse.

“Ander, whydon’t you just go home? We don’t need to go back to the hotel tonight.”

Rubbing hiseyes, Ander made another obvious effort to pull himself together. He glanced athis watch. “It’s just ten.”

“I don’t care.Really. I know that wasn’t any fun for you.” She used understatement onpurpose, intuitively knowing he would be uncomfortable if she made a big dealabout what had happened. “You look tired. Go on up. I’ll get a cab home.”

Ander shook hishead. “No. I’m fine.”

“I mean it,” Loriinsisted. “I’d feel like a heartless monster if I made you fuck me tonight.”

“You don’t makeme—”

“You know whatI mean. I want...I want tohelpyou.”

He stared at anempty spot in the air, his breathing fast and uneven. He looked like he wasshuddering again, just under the surface of his composure, and the tension wasso brutal she feared he would shatter.

---