Page 95 of Powerless

“She’s a woman I have an arrangement with.”

“You’ve hired a hooker?”

“No, she’s an escort. I pay for her time.”

“Her time? And you have sex with her?”

“We enjoy each other’s company,” he says cryptically.

I shove the card back into his hand. “No, I’m not doing that.”

“Why? The company Julianne works for is incredibly discreet, and they have a way of matching people. Julianne is great; she’s exactly what I need. She’s low maintenance, we know precisely where we both stand, and the best part is there are no emotions. Neither of us are walking away thinking the other wants a relationship. She knows who I am, and she doesn’t ask any questions at all. And I had her and the company completely investigated so I know no one is going to be leaking this to the press.”

I swirl my second scotch around in my glass. Walking over to the phone, I call down to the kitchen and order two steaks with a side of mushrooms and broccoli to be delivered up to the residence. Though, my head is reeling with the possibility of having no-strings-attached company from time to time. “How long have you been seeing Julianne?”

“A little over six months.”

“What are the arrangements?”

“What do you mean?”

I head over to the two wing chairs in front of the fire and indicate for Liam to sit with me. It’s crazy I’m even entertaining this bizarre idea of hiring an escort. “How do you pay for the service?”

“They have two options, first there’s a monthly subscription fee, or there’s a one-off fee. However, you have to have four one-off dates before the subscription service is offered.”

A smile stretches my lips as I stare at the roaring fire. “I take it the one-off fees are high?”

“They are, but so are the monthly subscription fees.”

“What exactly are you paying for?” I clear my throat, completely surprised by my interest. However, this may be an option to alleviate some of this frustration that my hand is a poor remedy for.

“The subscription service depends on your...” Liam smirks and tries to gesture with his hands. “...needs,” he finally says.

“Tell me about your arrangement with Julianne.” I squint and shake my head. “Let me clarify, how many times a month do you see her?”

“I have a standing date with her every Tuesday and Saturday.”

“Wow, okay. Is it...” Now this is turning awkward. “Is it dinner and more, or just the more?”

Liam laughs. “She comes to my house for two hours, and sometimes we talk, sometimes her mouth is too busy doing other things.”

I scrub my hand across the sudden tension at my forehead. “That might be a little too much information for me.”

“Bennett, I know you can’t go out and pick someone up. You’re also not the kind of guy who’s ever been interested in one-night stands. But it might be best for you to experience something more than this.” Liam looks around the dining room.

“Mr. President,” Mark announces from the entry of the dining room.

The waiter enters with a food cart and places the food on the dining table. “Thank you,” I say.

“Thank you,” Liam echoes.

“You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, sir?”

“No, that’s all. You can go.”

“Have a good evening.” The waiter pushes the now-empty food cart out, leaving Liam and me alone.

“So,” I start as I look at the juicy steak. “You and Julianne.”

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