Page 103 of Sin City Lights

“From what you’ve told me, he’s acting like a boyfriend and paying for the privilege instead of just taking what he paid for.”

Eve said nothing. That was a pretty good assessment of what was going on.

“Sometimes these guys let themselves believe in the fantasy because it’s easier to do that than to admit they’re paying for a service,” Lauren said.

Eve carefully finished painting Lauren’s pinkie. “I’ve never had this happen to me before.” She capped the bottle and shook it.“Other hand.”

Lauren inspected Eve’s work, nodded approvingly, then placed her left hand on the table.“Definethis,please.”

“I don’t know… He’s different.”

“How?”

“I’ve neverhad a client who wasn’t a taker. He’s…” How to describe Adam?

“Please don’t sayspecial. Orawesome. I really, really hate those words.”

Eve laughed.“I won’t. But I will say that all he has to do is show up, and I can’t control myself. It’s like I’m a different person when he’s around. Me, Jane; he, Tarzan.”

Lauren’s lips twitched.“OK, I get it. But amazing sexualchemistry doesn’t guarantee long-term relationship success, even in a normal situation.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had amazing sexual chemistry or a relationship. Or a normal situation, for that matter.”

“I’m glad you’re having one of the three, at least. Just be careful. Remember, you’re working. It’s like clocking in for a shift. Some clients can’t stay on the right side of boundaries if they feel they’ve cultivated some sort of relationship. And getting into an intimate relationship with clients comes with the risk of someone getting hurt.”

Lauren was right, of course. She wasn’t saying anything Eve didn’t know, but hearing it was rather brutal.

“How does he feel about what you do for a living?” Lauren watched the crimson brush drag over her thumb.

“Not sure.”

“Does it bother him?”

“We haven’t talked about that.”

“Maybe you ought to.”

“I don’t know how to bring it up.”

“Hmmm…”

All this talk of Adam was making Eve shift in her chair.

It was finally Sunday. They’d texted back and forth, but he’d been very busy. Communication had been sparse, but he’d found time to send several photos of interesting things he’d seen in Tokyo.

“How long has he been away?”

“A little over a week. He’s coming back on Tuesday.”

Two more days. This week had seemed to drag on forever.

Her phone chimed with the unique tone she’d set for him. Eve quickly capped the bottle but wasn’t fast enough because the text disappeared from the top of the screen. Impatiently, she typed in her passcode.

Lauren watched her in bemusement.“That him? You even gave the man your number. Wow, that’s a first.”

Adam: Which one?

Huh? Eve’s brow furrowed.

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