Page 14 of At His Wife's Behest

After marching up and changing, he grabbed a towel from the bathroom and returned to the water’s edge. He dove in, the warmth delightful after his long trek there. He did a few slow laps, his tight muscles appreciating the gentle workout. Stopping at the waterfall edge, he surveyed the area, reveling in the beauty.

That alone was worth the trip. If he ended up an unwelcome guest and kicked out, at least he’d have witnessed that view.

Kellan searched for the hidden key Emma had promised would be left for him—but couldn’t find it. He dragged out his cell phone and dialed her number, only for the call to fail.Fuck.Examining the front of the house, he wondered if it were possible a door or window might’ve been left unlocked. Probably not, and if it was, he’d have to contend with the alarm system, but what else could he do? Leaving his luggage at the front door, he circled the property, testing every window he came across.

When he reached the back, he noted the stunning view. He’d come to Lake Como once before with Emma and her family and been enamored, but sadly it wasn’t a happy memory. Two weeks with Marshall Shelby had been three weeks too long. Hopefully, his current trip might erase the last. Balance out the scales, so to speak.

It’s a shame she’s selling it. It would be wonderful to bring Abigail someday.

He missed his daughter desperately. He’d already called on the drive to the house, wishing her a good morning. The time difference was going to drive him mad the whole week.

A splash came from the pool, and Kellan’s head whipped in that direction. A stranger was swimming in their pool?

“Scusi, scusi!”Kellan called, fear mounting. The guy could be dangerous.

The man stopped and spun to face him.

“What are you doin—”Midway through the question, a familiar smile formed on the man’s lips. It took a few seconds before realization hit. “Mr. Quaid?”

Connor Quaid washed water from his face with both hands. His eyes widened, mouth dropping open.“Mr. Rhodes?”

Silence hung for a few more seconds as they stared at one another.

Connor swam to the edge of the pool and stepped out—in a tiny white Speedo. Kellan gasped, getting an eyeful. The Speedo left little to the imagination. Lots of bare, tanned flesh and perfectly formed muscles. Mr. Quaid grabbed a towel from a nearby lounge chair and dried his hair as he wandered closer. Kellan turned his gaze away from the bulge in the man’s swimsuit, face warming.

“What areyoudoing here?”

“I was asked to keep you company this week,” Connor said. “Although, I didn’t know it wasyou,Mr. Rhodes. I would’ve said no had I known.”

He would’ve said no to being in my company?Kellan forced the disappointment from his thoughts. “Asked bywhom?”

Connor wrapped the towel around his body, shivering. “Mind if we go inside to talk? It’s a bit brisk.”

The cold was helping slow Kellan’s thickening cock. Inside, he wouldn’t have that assistance. “I’dloveto go inside. I can’t find the key. That’s why I was back here. Did you grab it?”

“No, but I left one unlocked.” Connor marched to the back doors and swung one open. He turned to eye Kellan, beckoning with a glance. He’d seen that same look in his fantasies over and over.A tremor raced up his spine as he fought the lust pounding in his veins.

“You coming?” Connor called before walking inside.

Kellan stood frozen for a couple more seconds. Lust coiled in his belly. His legs were rubber. Yet, the need for answers demanded he go inside. As soon as Kellan entered, he couldn’t help but get another eyeful of nearly naked Connor Quaid.

He was leaner than Kellan had assumed. Less football, more Michael Phelps. How was he supposed to get to the bottom of things with the man looking that good?“Whyare you here?”

“I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but…” Connor sighed. “In my off time, I work as a companion.” Connor’s face turned red. “To help pay off my student loans.”

“A companion?”An escort?

“Well-to-do folks are often too busy to find a date for a function, so they hire someone like me. I’ve attended charity galas, high school reunions, weddings. Sometimes, it’s simply someone who’s lonely and wants to go out for dinner and dancing. This is my first lavish, week-long trip, though. I’m excited to see the sights with you.”

“Do you mean…an escort?”

Something flickered in Connor’s eyes, and fire burned in Kellan’s belly.

“While my employer does have a stable of escorts, sex is not required for my role.”

Kellen relaxed a bit, the pressure off.

“But intimacyisat the discretion of the companion.”

---