Well, shit. All I did was work, even if it wasn’t escorting. I shrugged again as I took another piece of the cookie. “Normal girl stuff like manis, pedis, getting my hair done.” Really I did none of that stuff. I occasionally treated myself to a pedicure and I, of course, got my haircut. But I didn’t care. I didn’t care about any if it.
“Why did you move to Vegas?”
“I’d heard escorts made more money here, so I wanted to give it a shot.” Luckily I was prepared for that question. It really didn’t make any sense for me to move to Vegas without any friends or family here.
“Friends?”
I decided to tell him the truth on this question. “My best friend is a guy who I’ve known practically my entire life. My other best friend, Catherine, lives in Florida and I see her maybe once a year.”
“Why is that?”
I sighed. “We’re just too busy and don’t plan anything since we don’t live in the same state.”
“I guess I can see that, but your job allows you to make your own schedule.”
Shit! “Not Cat’s. She works as a dental assistant and I’m not really sure how her vacation works, but we don’t plan vacations. Sometimes she comes up to see Seth and I. You’re right, though, we definitely need a girl’s trip … I’m just not a big flyer.”
“You’re scared to fly?”
“Not scared really. Just only flown a few times.”
Paul sat up and reached over, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Well, anyone who doesn’t take the time to spend even a minute with you, is crazy.”
The way he looked at me caused my insides to flip flop. In a simple look, he made me feel as though I was the only girl who existed.
He made me feel wanted.
Needed.
Cared for.
They say the eyes are windows to the soul and Paul’s eyes gave him away. There was something there. Deep. He came off as a smart ass, sexy as sin escort who did everything on a whim because he could; never wanting to settle down and having too much fun. But I could see right through him. I saw the way he looked at the older couples on our date and felt him hold my hand that much tighter.
Paul Jackson could easily be my forever.
I cleared my throat to keep myself from attacking his lips. I was loving my time with him, and I didn’t want it to end too soon. “Okay, your turn. Tell me something about yourself I don’t know. Past. Present. Future. I don’t care.” It was silly. I had done such extensive research on him, there was not much he could tell me I didn’t already know.
Looking up to the darkening clouds as in deep thought for just a few moments he looked at me and shrugged, “I don’t like Brussel sprouts.”
Laughing, I went to playfully punch his shoulder for being a smart ass, but when my fist connected to his shoulder, he grabbed it and yanked me toward him. He fell to his back, pulling me down so I was laying on top of him. Just that fast, the air around us went dense.
I couldn’t breathe.
Using both hands to swipe the loose hair from my ponytail, he paused and cupped my face with both hands. “Who are you, Andi?” he whispered. “How has some lucky bastard not swept you off your feet yet?”
I took my first full, deep breath in what felt like way too long and smiled. “I’m just me.”
When he didn’t smile back but continued to look at me as if he was seriously trying to answer his own question, the butterflies in my stomach started up again. Doing the only thing physically possible—because I knew I wouldn’t be able to speak a single word—I brought my lips to his.
This kiss wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t wild as if we were trying to satisfy a craving we were both fixing for. This connection was slow and passionate. This was one of those moments little girls watch in movies, hoping and praying they will experience it at least once in their lifetime just to feel that connection with another person.
The more I got to really know Paul, the more he was chipping away at my resolve. I didn’t come here with the intention of getting into any kind of relationship, but he was slowly working his way in …
And I loved it.
Paul sat us up with my knees straddling his hips and softly ran his lips over mine before I advanced again. It was as if my mouth was designed for his. I parted my lips, inviting the invasion of his tongue. He swept one hand to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss while the other hand traveled down and wrapped around my lower back to hold me tighter.
As though someone had flipped a switch, the sky opened up and started pouring. On instinct, I started to stand and make a bee line for the nearest cover, but before I could lift myself up, he grabbed my arm and stilled me.
“Wait …” he pleaded. He was wearing his usual devious smile.
Being in this moment with him I felt happy and free. Like I didn’t have a care in the world. It was just us—Andi and Paul—enjoying the here and now, and I didn’t want it to end.
I tipped my head back feeling the rain on my face and spread my arms out to the sides. Paul’s hands gripped my hips, making their way around my waist. I looked back down at him and laughed. Needing to touch him, I brought my hands back and ran them through his finger length brown hair. He dipped his head, resting against my chest and in response, I simply wrapped my arms around him. I knew what he was saying without him speaking a single word. I felt it too.
And it scared the hell out of me.
“Should I be jealous?” Paul asked as I came into the living room dressed for my date.
I looked down at my fire engine red dress. “It’s not my fault you told me to dress casual for our two dates.”
He pulled me down so I was straddling him on the couch and it caused me to squeal. “But I’m the lucky one who gets to see you in your pajamas.”
I smiled and leaned forward to kiss him briefly. “Exactly and you’re gonna make me late.”
“Where are you going?”
“The Palazzo to play craps.”
“Do you know how to play?”
I shook my head and laughed. “Do I even need to know how to play?”
“Not looking like this.” He laughed and ran his hands up both of my bare thighs until they rested on my ass. Goosebumps pricked my skin and that butterfly feeling returned to the pit of my stomach.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
“Well, I’m going to wing it, blow on the dice, flirt.” I shrugged.
He groaned. “Yeah, this whole dating other people thing isn’t working.”
“How do you think I felt all week?”
He leaned his head back on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, but not removing his hands from my butt. “I never thought I was a jealous man before you.”
“I thought you didn’t date before me?”
He raised his head just enough so his gaze could meet mine. “No, I said I hadn’t been in a serious relationship in a long time.”
I smirked. “So we’re in a serious relationship?”
The grip on my ass tightened and he moved in one swift motion so I was laying on the couch and he was hovering over me, one leg on the floor. “Yeah, gorgeous, we are.”
“I’m kidding, sugar lips.”
“Sugar lips?” He grinned.
“You don’t like it?”
“I’ve upgraded to a nickname?”
I nodded.
“I guess it could be worse like,” he paused for a beat, “dingleberry.”
I laughed—hard. My stomach clenching and tears pricking my eyes. If I didn’t stop, I would have to fix my makeup and for sure be late for my date. “Dingleberry?” I finally said, still with laughter in my voice.
“Do you know what a dingleberry is?”
I chuckled again at the visual. “I do, and if you want me to call you a turd, I will.”
He kissed my lips. “Sugar lips is better.”
“Good. Now I’m really going to be late.” I pushed on his chest so he would let me up off the couch.
He kissed me one last time.