Page 9 of Hire A Cuddler

He sits up a little taller and shrugs as if the question is no big deal. “I’m just curious about the status of your current relationships. It will help me better understand the timeframe and what we’re dealing with.”

“Okaaaay,” I drag out. “Well, I don’t have a boyfriend. In fact—geez this is so embarrassing. It’s pretty safe to say I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

It’s his turn to be surprised. “What? You’ve never had a boyfriend?”

I let my head drop down and try not to let the embarrassment swallow me up. “It’s hard when I don’t enjoy being touched by anyone… it just makes it difficult, ya know.”

He swallows, hard. “Right… uh, so no one has touched you?”

Without blinking, I stare at him and lick my lips before I answer. “Uh, in high school, I kissed a boy, but no, other than that, I haven’t been touched. I don’t even let people hug me, King.”

He nods, and his breathing has picked up. “Right.” He stands up suddenly. “Well, I think that’s enough for today.”

“Oh… right. You’re right. Thanks for staying later with me.”

He nods, and I walk over to the door, stopping before opening it. “Thank you, King. I know it sounds crazy, but this was good… this helped me.”

He searches my eyes, nodding his head. “When will I see you again?”

“Oh… uh, will Victor be back next week? Or are you stuck with me now?”

He puts his hand to his chest. “I’d like to keep seeing you if that’s okay.”

I can’t stop the smile that forms on my face.This is not a date. This is not a date,I keep repeating to myself. “I would like that,” I answer him truthfully.

He brings his hand up, and I’m surprised to see he’s giving me the orange slices. “Take them. They’re for you.”

I grab the bag with my left hand, and for the first time ever, I initiate contact and hold out my right hand for him to shake. His eyebrows lift, but he doesn’t hesitate. His hand is huge, and he wraps it around mine with ease. I try to commit to memory the feel and the heat of his skin. It feels good, and before I’m ready, he releases his hold on me and asks me gruffly. “When? When can you come again?”

I tilt my head to look up at him. “Victor said twice a week… so I guess next week. I can be here Tuesday.”

He nods. “Pick a time.”

I look around the room, expecting him to write it in a schedule book or something, but he doesn’t reach for one. He doesn’t even reach for his phone to put it in. “Uh, I don’t know… can you do four?”

“I’ll see you Tuesday at four.”

I nod, and as I turn to leave, King starts to move with me. I walk into the hallway, and he joinsme. Another two steps, and he’s right beside me. I laugh. “Where are you going?”

“I’m walking you to your car.”

I stop and shake my head. “You don’t have to do that.”

He reaches for me and then rethinks it, dropping his hands to his side. “I’d like to know you make it to your car safely. I mean, if that’s okay with you.”

I try to hide my smile as we walk side by side through the hotel and outside to where I’m parked. The whole way, I’m reminding myself,This is not a date.

6

KING

I’ve been countingdown the days and minutes until I get to see Haven again. I’ve stalked her on social media, researched everything I can find on her, and now I’m pacing back and forth, waiting for her to arrive at her appointment.

As soon as there’s a knock on the door, I stride across the room and rip the door open with more force than I should. She jumps at the sudden movement of it, but she’s smiling nonetheless.

“Hi,” she says with a pretty blush on her cheeks.

It takes everything in me not to reach for her. “Hello, Haven. Come on in.”

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