Page 15 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
“The penthouse is empty ninety percent of the time. I only stay here when I’m visiting New York.”
“I’m confused.”
“You need a place to live. I’m offering you one, free of charge. Hopefully this relieves some of the stress the flood caused you. You’ll only have to share the penthouse with me when I’m in town. Considering how big this place is, I’m sure you won’t even know I’m here.”
“Okay, butwhyare you offering me your penthouse? We don’t get along.”
He chuckles. “I get along fine with you. You’re the one with the issue. I’m still trying to figure out what I did to offend you.”
I roll my eyes and take another bite of my eggs, not wanting to have that embarrassing conversation with Daxton.
He gets the hint and changes the subject. “Along with offering you a place to live, I’d also like to pay for your exclusivity. I’d like you to escort for me and only me.”
My food goes down the wrong way again, so I push the plate away from myself, deciding I could do without the choking hazard. This whole conversation with Daxton is triggering alarm bells in my head. He’s being nice and I don’t trust it one bit. Up until now, he’s been using me to please the eyes of lustful men and close business deals. He’s handed my number to them, knowing their intentions.
I fold my arms and am immediately on the defense. “Why are you doing any of this? You’re suddenly being nice, trying to take care of me. I don’t understand. There has to be some ulterior motive.”
“You were upset last night. Understandably. No one would want to be in your situation. I spent the night contemplating how I can help you—”
“Butwhy?”
He places his coffee on the counter and watches me for a long moment, observing, before answering in a calm manner. “Despite what you may think, I’m not a total asshole. If you need help, I’ll help you. There is no hidden motive. You’re in need of money and a place to live. I can offer you both. As for me, I want to avoid the situation I was in last week where you weren’t available and I had to find another date. On a more personal note, you mentioned Tom Sanders wants to hire you, which I cannotallow. The man hits women and I won’t let him hit you. Also, if Tom has his eyes on you, it will please me to piss him off. He’s a big name in hotel development and is convinced I stole a deal from him, which I didn’t. As a result, he’s always speaking bad about me among our crowd, trying to sabotage my success. So, there you go, Delphine. Full transparency.”
I rub my eyes with the heels of my palms. My mind is running a million miles per hour trying to keep up with Daxton and whether I can trust his word. How is he so concerned about my physical safety, yet had no qualms spreading my number around town?
“I wantyouto be my escort,” he continues, seeing my hesitation. “I explained this to you at the restaurant last night. No matter how clear I am about being strictly business, the women I hire always want something more from me. But not you. You’re only after a paycheck, which I appreciate. That’s why I’m offering you this deal. I’m happy to pay any price you see fit.”
“How long would this arrangement be for?” My hands twist in my lap, growing more clammy by the second. Why am I even asking this question? I can’t possibly tell himyes.
“Ongoing. Either of us can cancel when the arrangement is no longer working for us.”
“And the conditions?”
“You’d get to treat this place like your home. Do whatever you want with your time, just be available for dates when I need you. How does ten thousand a week sound?”
“Ten thousand what?”
“Dollars. That’s how much I’ll pay you for your availability.”
Shocked by his offer, I swallow the wrong way and choke on my saliva this time.
Daxton watches me with a smirk, deeply entertained. “Unless you think ten thousand isn’t adequate?”
“Um… ten thousand is good,” I say once I’ve managed to compose myself, the words leaving my mouth like a squeak.
Holy shit. How is this actually happening? A few moments ago, I was convinced accepting Daxton’s offer was preposterous. But with ten thousand dollars a week… That’s forty grand a month. If I held up this gig for a few months, I would be so loaded in cash I could buy my own home. I could buy anything I want.
“Can I accept your offer but live elsewhere?” I can’t imagine sharing a roof with Daxton and having more encounters like last night where he basically saw me naked. Even without the nudity issues, I’ll take every opportunity to get as far away from him as possible.
“Sure, you can live wherever you want,” he says, preoccupied with his phone again. “But seriously, I won’t be here often. The penthouse is available if you want and it has everything you could need. Room service, housekeeping, your own private pool, gym, movie theater.”
Daxtondoesmake a tempting argument. Who wouldn’t want those things? Plus, we’re in the Upper East Side. This penthouse is gorgeous. Literal heaven.
It’s either live here or crash at Mina’s house—for the next little while anyway, until I’ve earned money. Mina and Zac will be accommodating. I know they will, but I also don’t want to impose. They’re in their newly engaged, loved up stage. For them, that means constant sex, which I could really do without hearing.
I take a deep breath, attempting to calm my pounding heart. I must be out of my mind because the next words to leave my mouth are, “Okay, let’s do this. I’ll live here and be your exclusive escort.”
“Perfect.” Daxton slips his phone inside his jacket and pulls out a wallet, placing a Mastercard in front of me.
