Page 18 of Personal Escort

The right man isn’t answering his phone. Also, he’s off-limits. And way older than me. And Ben’s best friend.Andhe lives in California…

Wait.

My heart pounds in my chest. No, Toby isn’t the right man. Not for me.

But that mouth…

Well, yeah, anyone who’d been kissed like that would think they might like another taste. That’s normal.

My phone rings, surprising me. I squeak and jump and die a little inside as I flop to the floor. Toby’s name is flashing on the screen.

“Hi,” I say as I answer it.

“What’s wrong?” Oh God, he’s all sleepy. His voice is warm and rough and sounds like sex.

Did I interrupt sex?

Did he call me back after I interrupted sex?

Except the sleepy… That doesn’t make any sense. “Where are you?”

“Tokyo,” he mumbles. “It’s almost five in the morning.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. I forgot.”

“It’s okay.” His words slur together before he takes a long, slow inhale, then grunts. “I’m up. I’d have to get up in half an hour anyway, I have a breakfast meeting with Sony people.”

“Fancy.”

He laughs and I picture him stretching. What does he sleep in when he’s traveling the world? Pajama pants that hang low on his hips? Boxer briefs? Nothing?

I suddenly want more of that picture. Not just the X-rated, Toby-is-built-like-an-Olympic-swimmer picture, but all of it. “Where are you staying?”

“The Park Hyatt. They know how I like my bacon.”

“That’s what you’re having for breakfast?”

“Always. But they’ll have these little Japanese pastries, too, and tea.”

“I’ve had the tea there. Elana took me with her on a trip once, and we did the high tea service. And then we went to a shrine…”

“I should have brought you with me, you probably know more about being a tourist here than I do.”

“How many times have you been to Japan?”

“Half a dozen at least. Always whirlwind trips.”

I shake my head and smile. “That’s no fun.”

“This is what I’m saying. You need to teach me the way, Cara-san. Now why did you wake me up in the middle of the night?” he asks gently.

“Ah, it’s…nothing. Doesn’t matter.”

“Is this about your need for a groom?”

“Maybe.”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d dropped it.”

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