Page 23 of A Billion Desires

But from what I’d learned about Cherry this week, she wasn’t like any other escort in the world. And that right there was why my guts were twisted in a knot, wondering if she’d go for my suggestion or not.

She’d have to, though.

I needed this.

I needed her.

Once she was within reaching distance, I grabbed her arm and smiled down at her. Then I led her to the bathroom, snapping up her purse as we walked.

When we were in the bathroom, I used my sleeve to clear the fog away from a spot on the mirror. “You are beautiful, Cherry. I love how you look,” I said, then grabbed a plastic container on the counter. “I would like to see you without all of this makeup, though. Please?”

I opened the container and pulled out a large wipe and handed it to her. I stood behind her and said, “Then I want you to shower, and wash your hair. Dry it until you’re comfortable—like you would during a quiet night at home. Okay?”

Her eyes fell to the counter, and I saw her shoulders sag. When she gazed up at me in the mirror again, she said, “I’ll look like a drowned rat, Nick.” The sound of defeat in her voice made me chuckle.

“There is no way in hell you could ever look like that. I want to see you. We have things to discuss, and I want to know who I’m speaking to when we do,” I said, holding her eyes with mine in the mirror.

“We do?” she asked, her head tilting to the side as she frowned, and it made my heart warm.

“We do. Makeup off. Shower and wash your hair. Then put on that robe before you come out to me, please.” I gave her my final orders before leaving and shutting the door behind me.

I called housekeeping when I sat down on the couch and poured myself another drink. The ice in the bucket was still plenty cold, so I dropped a few square cubes into my glass as I stared out the window, going over again what I’d planned to say to Cherry.

My nerves were getting the best of me, and it both surprised and scared the shit out of me at the same time.

I was never nervous.

To do my job, one required nerves of steel.

And that was exactly what I had.

Until now.

At this moment, I felt like a lowly high school boy about to ask the prom queen on a date.

Except for the fact that Cherry was a highly paid sex worker instead of the prom queen.

And I was the fucking prom King.

So, why in the hell was I nervous?

I pondered that for a long time as I drank two more glasses of whiskey, letting the burn give me the strength I needed for the conversation I was about to have.

Cherry took a long time in the shower, and an even longer time blow drying her hair. When the dryer finally shut off, I smiled while I watched the handle on the bathroom door turn.

My cock jumped when I saw her come out dressed in the matching white robe to mine. Hers was smaller, of course.

As my eyes traveled up to her face, my glass stilled at my lips.

My heart stopped.

My lungs froze.

My brain scrambled, trying to make sense of what I was feeling.

It felt like I’d just been hit by a truck while simultaneously seeing the brightest, most heavenly light.

She was beautiful.

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