Page 35 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“Hello? Earth to Sloan.” Blake waves a hand in front of my face, causing my hand to slip and knock a bunch of lotion bottles off the shelf.

“Shit!”

He crouches down to help pick them up, calling me out as he plucks bottles off the ground. “Dreamy expression, red cheeks, I’d say you not only gave your client the happy ending he wanted, but you’re starting to think he’s more than just a client.”

Keeping my eyes focused on the floor I casually lift my shoulder. “Maybe.” I don’t bother trying to lie about what he can clearly see.

“You remember the part where I suggested catch and release?”

“I do. I also remember how you said importing wasn’t a bad thing.” I stand with my armful of bottles and start replacing the shelves.

“True.” Blake’s head bobs cautiously up and down. “But I didn’t suggest mixing the two.”

“What do you mean?” I pause with a bottle midway to the shelf.

He opens his mouth then abruptly shuts it with a small shake of his head. “Let’s just say it seems early to try to keep your catch. Especially if you found him here.”

“Does that matter if he’s the right one?” Admittedly, I’m getting way ahead of myself, but Blake’s questions are ruining the excitement of only minutes before, so I’m feeling a little defensive.

“Hey.” He waves his hands in surrender. “I’ve seen what happens when people believe the fairy tale that some rich client is going to steal you away and take care of you. It doesn’t work like that.”

“I don’t want it to work like that.” I force my attention to stay on restocking the lotion, so I don’t blush, or inadvertently imply Blake’s words hit a little too close to home.

I get what this will look like to anyone on the outside, and being rescued by Prince Charming is actually the lesser evil compared tosleeping my way to the top, though both inherently imply I need someone else to save me, which isn’t remotely true. Given that Blake just suggested I’ve latched onto a Prince Charming makes me wonder if people will ever believe I like the man himself, not his name or the size of his bank account.

“The look on your face says you do,” Blake says softly.

“What look?” I face him with my best scowl.

“The dreamy one you were wearing earlier.”

“I think he’s a nice guy, big deal. I wouldn’t have crossed any lines with him otherwise.”

“That’s exactly why you need to be careful. This is personal for you, and every time you give him what he wants you risk falling deeper. If he doesn’t feel the same—and after years of playing this game, I’m telling you that’s a long shot—you’re the one who gets hurt. You start reading into things or getting too clingy… bam. He reports you and you’re out. Keep it to sex and tips. That’s the only safe way to do this.”

“Thisisn’t something I plan to make a habit of. I’m not for sale. Everything I’ve done is because I actuallylikethe guy, not because I’m looking for better tips.” I try to storm past him, but he stops with a hand to my arm.

“Sloan, I’m not trying to make you sound cheap or unethical. I know that’s not who you are, which makes my warning that much more important. If you can’t keep your feelings out of it don’t go down this road. Stop taking him as a client.”

“I already have.” That’s not a total lie since the last massage I gave him was before we started sleeping together.

Blake drops my arm as his eyebrows disappear beneath his shaggy brown hair. “For real? That’s great news. I should’ve given you more credit. You’re too smart to keep risking your career for a little fun. Smarter than me.” He’s smiling as he says it, though once again hisvoice doesn’t match his expression. I’d call him on that if I weren’t at a loss for words.

He thinks I’m too smart to put my career on the line, but I’ve done that in a much bigger way than he can possibly imagine. What would he say if he knew the extent to which I’ve jeopardized things?

“Hey, uh. Can I ask you a favor?” Blake’s deep, soft voice jolts me from another wayward train of thought.

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Can you tell Ally I have to bail on the bike race?” He holds his breath, seeming to shrink in front of me. Clearly, he thinks I’ll react like my sister. I won’t, but that doesn’t mean I’ll do his dirty work.

“Uh, uh. No way.” I shake my head vigorously. “You know how hard she works on all the costumes and stuff. I am not going to suffer her wrath for you.” I can’t overstate how important costumes are to my sister. It borders on obsession. I love the girl like crazy, but this is the one thing about her I don’t get. It’s also the one thing I don’t fight her on, because life’s just easier that way.

“You’ll get less wrath than I will.” Blake averts his eyes, knowing the magnitude of his little favor.

“You know that’s not true, or you’d tell her yourself. Why can’t you make it?”

“A friend invited me to go surfing in Mexico. I’ve never been but always wanted to go.”

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