Page 30 of Escorted

She gave him acrooked smile. “I’m pretty good.”

“The sex wasall right?” he asked, his eyes sharp and observant as if he were searching forsomething in her expression.

Now, Lori wasincredibly confused. “Um, yeah. Did you miss it? All right is a massiveunderstatement.”

His facerelaxed slightly. “And you...you came enough?”

Lori frowned.Surely he hadn’t been so distracted that he hadn’t even been paying attentionto the way she’d enjoyed the sex and her multiple orgasms. She knew theirs wasa professional relationship, but she didn’t like the idea of his focus beingelsewhere. In fact, it bothered her a lot. “Yes. Three times is pretty good. Isit not enough for your ego?”

Ander relaxedhis expression even more. He even smiled at her. “My ego is doing all right.Thank you.”

He seemed morenatural now, so she hoped it had just been a temporary distraction. Shecertainly didn’t want Ander swooning over her like a tragic romance hero, butshe hated the idea that he was just going through empty motions with her. Theyweren’t in love. They weren’t even friends. But they got along pretty well. Andshe hoped that maybe he could enjoy the sex a little with her.

“So how wasyour trip?” he asked, turning onto his side the way he usually did when theychatted in between rounds of sex.

Morecomfortable now that they’d fallen into their normal routine, she talked to himfor a while. She told him about her research in Hong Kong. Part of her knew sheneeded to be careful, or he would figure out who she was when her next book wasreleased. Still, she couldn’t help sharing some of the funny stories andinteresting tidbits she’d discovered.

As theychatted, she realized she hadn’t just missed the sex. She’d missed theirconversations. His wry, intelligent perspective and understated, dry humor.

When she askedhim about his month, he gave her no details. He never did. But he mentioned afew books he’d read and a trip he’d made to Martha’s Vineyard. She assumed thetrip was part of a job, but she avoided asking for information about it. Shereally didn’t want to know who’d hired him for the weekend trip or what they’ddone together.

“How did youlike that position just now?” Ander asked, after they’d fallen intocompanionable silence after a long chat.

“Good.Obviously.” Lori slanted him an ironic smile. “Is that a favorite one for men?”

“Rear entryusually is.”

“I guess itgives a man a caveman thrill.”

Ander arched aneyebrow at her. “I suppose.”

Genuinelycurious, she asked, “Doyouever get a caveman thrill?”

He was staringat the ceiling now and, at the question, he let out a slightly bitter chuckle.“I don’t think there’s much caveman left of me.”

Lori frowned,wondering what that meant. Wondering if he’d grown so cosmopolitan, cultured,and cynical that he felt like all surface—no longer possessing core, innatepassions or drives.

The thoughtmade her a little bit sad.

She’d nevergotten much out of him about his background, beyond the little he’d said abouthis parents and the loss of his hair. Several things he said implied he’d beenborn wealthy. She knew he’d been to college and maybe even graduate school. Andshe knew it was his bitter relationship with his father that had pushed himinto his chosen profession.

She didn’t knowif his life-choices were acts of revenge or desperation. Maybe they were both.

“I’m sure youcan act the caveman pretty well,” she said casually, realizing his eyes wereresting on her and not wanting him to know what she’d been thinking.

“Of course, Ican. Are you interested in that?”

She sneered athim. “How many times do I have to say that I don’t want to pretend anything withyou?”

Ander gave ahalf-shrug. “Just asking.”

“I know whatyou can do. And do very well. So whatwon’tyou do with one of yourclients?” Lori asked randomly, not even sure what prompted the question.

Raising hiseyebrows, he asked, “Looking to expand your repertoire?”

Lori snickered.“No. I’m pretty happy with what we have going. I was just curious. Are therethings that you refuse to do as part of your services?”

“Of course.”

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