Page 34 of Tequila & Lace
“Andi… Andi with an I.” He smiled.
“And you are?”
“Derrick.”
“Thank you for the drink, Derrick.” I tipped the drink toward him and stood. “Contact me if you want company at the craps tables.”
“I will Andi with an I.”
Approaching a potential client on my own wasn’t that bad after all.
Chapter Twelve
Paul
Finally, it was Saturday night.
It felt as if I were still in high school—except in high school I’d had more confidence. Usually, I had a date on Saturdays with clients, but I’d made sure to have the day off. I wasn’t worried about the money I’d miss out on—I was going to be with the most beautiful woman in Vegas. It was worth it.
All week it was hard to see Andi. It was almost as if we were dating, but we weren’t. Every time I saw her, I wanted to just… kiss her. If we were dating, I could wrap her in my arms and kiss her whenever I wanted, but we weren’t so I couldn’t. I had to be a perfect gentleman when I saw her.
During the week I’d had to leave a few times to go on a couple of dates, which felt awkward, but I hadn’t had sex with any of the clients I went on dates with. It wasn’t as if I could get “in trouble” for not having sex with clients. We weren’t hired to sleep with them. We were hired for dates—companionship. If things led to sex, then they led to sex. I, however, had my eye on my new roommate and I didn’t want anyone else, so at the end of the date, I’d tell them I had a nice time and call it a night. I didn’t even care if they re-booked anymore. Each time I thought about forgetting the escort thing. I didn’t need it anymore. I had my new business with Gabe and Autumn and I was happy doing it.Happier.I felt alive now that Gabe and I were shooting again and teaching women how to defend themselves.
When I became an escort, it was my way to forget about Vanessa, but I no longer needed to forget aboutherand what she’d done. I was ready to move on. Even if Andi and I just went out for the night, it was a step in the right direction.
While Andi got ready in her room, I showered then changed into a pair of dark denim jeans and a black button-down shirt. After combing my hair back, I rolled up my long sleeves and went out to the living room where I waited for her to be ready. When she came out, I wanted to tell her how good she looked in her tight jeans and sparkly top. How good she smelled as she stepped closer to me. How fucking perfect she was.
But I had a plan.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.” I grabbed my keys, my wallet, and my cell phone and started to walk toward the garage.
“Um, it’s 6:55 now.”
“Seven o’clock, gorgeous.” I closed the door to the house from the garage before she could respond. After starting up myJeep, I backed it out of the garage, drove around the block and stopped in front of our house so I could pick her up for a proper date.
At seven o’clock sharp I stepped out of theJeepand walked to the front door. I knocked and waited for Andi to open the door. She smiled brightly when she answered it.
“Damn,” I said, dragging out the word. “Gorgeous, you’re stunning.”
She looked down at herself and then back up to my eyes. “Thank you.”
I reached out my hand. “Ready?”
“Is it seven?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’re lucky I love your feisty mouth.” She blushed and grabbed my hand. “You’re cute when you blush.”
“Let’s go, Paul,” she groaned and I laughed. This was going to be fun and I couldn’t wait.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Andi asked, breaking the silence. We’d barely driven out of our neighborhood.
“How do you feel about heights?”
Her eyes became huge. “Seriously?” I nodded and returned my gaze to the road. “What if I say I don’t like them?”
I shrugged and glanced at her. “Too bad.”
“Paul!”
