Page 5 of Nothing to Deny

Topping out at five two herself, she’d never been the tallest anywhere in her life. This guy had to be six three, maybe even six four. His height dwarfed her. And while he wasn’t built like a quarterback, there was breadth in his shoulders and a strength in his form that betrayed he took care of his physique.

In his line of work, he was probably required to stay in shape. Imagining what may be beneath his black slacks and gray shirt felt like a violation, so she fought to clear her mind, or more aptly, clean her mind.

“B6,” he said.

Having been so busy chastising herself for thinking about what was under his clothes, she almost forgot the task at hand. Blinking from her daze, she checked the price and scraped through the coins in her palm before slotting the right ones in and pressing the buttons.

Returning the remaining change to his hand without looking at him, the machine did its thing. The potato chips dropped into the well at the bottom. Delighted as a child, she dropped to a crouch to retrieve them, twisting while still down there to hold them up to him.

Her delight waned to something much more intense when their eyes met again. He didn’t move to take the chips, instead he searched her gaze for a few seconds before his attention slithered to her mouth.

“Tell me something about yourself, Little Skit,” he murmured, in that deep, intimate drawl he was so good at. “When was the last time you tasted a man?”

If any other person was so forward or indiscreet, she’d be offended, embarrassed even. Instead of her face flaming or her anger flaring, a different kind of heat seeped through her. From the depths of her gut, it simmered up within her, tormenting her curiosity and arousing her in a way she couldn’t recall experiencing in the past.

Before she could answer, he opened his hand to her. “Forgive me, that was crude.”

Sliding her hand into his, she let him draw her to her feet. Their hands stayed linked as he took hold of the chips.

Except Freya didn’t let them go. “Baer—”

“Coffee’s getting cold,” he said and turned around, forcing her to let go of the chips and him.

Being attracted to someone wasn’t a crime. True, it wasn’t usually her first thought on meeting someone new, but she did notice when a man was good-looking… though not usually on such an instinctive level.

“I should find my cousin,” she said, wishing she could use the vending machine for support.

Shame her breeding wouldn’t let her slump.

“To tell her you’ve changed your mind?” he asked, tossing the chips toward the couch that had its back to the kitchen. “Would you join me on the couch?”

Picking up both coffees from the island, he carried them across to where he’d tossed the chips and put them on the coffee table. Standing in front of the couch, he gestured to the seat.

“You’re polite,” she said, leaving the vending machine to go to him. “Respectful of women.”

“And you’re wondering if that’s upbringing or training,” he said. “Maybe it’s a little of both.”

Only once she was sitting did he do the same. He was quick to retrieve her coffee and put it in her hand.

“Is it against the rules to ask personal questions?”

“You can ask anything you like,” he said. “Just as I can… Our role is to make clients feel good… whatever that takes… whatever you need…” His arm rested along the low back of the couch; he raised a finger to brush the tip against her sleeve. “What is your name, Little Skit?”

“Freya,” she said. “Freya Dere.”

“This event that brought you and your cousin here. Will you tell me something about it?” he asked. Without answering, she examined him closer. He flashed another smile. “It’s talking. Just talking. No charge.”

This man could have a wife and kids, or a girlfriend… he could have a boyfriend… maybe he had several of each. Had she ever been so curious about a person and their life? His avoidance of her query about personal questions was practiced. This wasn’t the first time a client tried to get into his private life. She’d bet he made a point to keep the two separate.

It made sense. He had to date dozens, maybe hundreds of people a year. Some of them probably spent more time with him than others. Women, in general, liked to talk and bond more than men. A lot of his dates probably valued conversation. From what she’d seen so far, he was good at it. How many women fell for him while he was just doing his job?

Despite liking him, being attracted to him, this wasn’t real. It wasn’t a genuine interaction. Romance didn’t exist there. It was a business transaction.

Opening her mouth, she filled her lungs with air. “My cousin announced her engagement to a man the family don’t know and have never met. Her father, my uncle Ger, was ready to veto the whole thing and refuse his permission until Kelly, that’s the potential bride, convinced everyone to go awaytogether. So we’re supposed to pack up and go on vacation to get to know this Nickson who wants to marry Kelly.”

“And you need a plus one.”

Gulping her coffee, she shook her head and made a noise of rejection. “Me? No, I don’t need a plus one. I do just fine without a man in my life… But, Holly, Kelly’s sister, she was with her fiancé for several years before she found out he’d been cheating on her… After the relationship ended, she…”

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