Alex Chase wasn’t hard to spot. Basking in the glow of the Southern California sunlight, he looked every inch the movie star with his designer sunglasses and million-dollar smile.
He was holding court with three people in business attire, but he was in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, sipping a beer like he was on vacation. An open box in front of him contained one remaining dessert of some sort. These Instagram people obviously knew his weakness and had brought him something special.
He was going to rot that smile right out of his mouth with his sweet tooth. How did he maintain his physique on that much sugar? His whole life seemed like a vacation from reality.
When we got to the table, everyone stood up and Asha made the introductions, pointing me to the seat on the couch next to Alex Chase. The vibe between us was charged with tension, but I greeted him warmly, conscious of the fact we had an audience.
Asha gestured in my direction, but leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone. “This is on the DL, but you guys should keep an eye on Elena here.”
Three heads swiveled to me with calculating interest and carrion smiles.
“I thought she looked familiar,” the guy on the left exclaimed. “You’re from—” He snapped his fingers like he was trying to recall where he’d seen me. I saw the moment it clicked for him. “From that video! You’re the infamous Lady Elena!”
The looks on their faces had changed now they recognized I was a sex worker, but if anything they looked even more eager to capitalize on my fifteen minutes of fame.
Asha whispered with conspiratorial glee, “We’ve been keeping it secret until it’s all announced, but she’s gotbig thingscoming down the pipeline so you guys should talk.”
She was good. From her tone, even I felt like I had just landed a TV show, though nothing like that had been discussed yet.
“I’m pretty proud of her.” Alex weaved his fingers into mine, gazing at me adoringly.
The three suits glanced at each other, understanding gleaming on their faces. I fought the urge to swat his hand away, and I swore he knew. His thumb stroked my wrist gently, as though soothing me.
Condescending fucker.
“Thanks, darling,” I cooed with an equally saccharine smile. I reached for the last tiny cake he’d saved and popped it in my mouth with a flourish. Theft had never tasted so satisfying.
He grinned, watching my mouth with fascination as I chewed.
“Here, you’ve got a little…” He reached for my face. I was positive there was nothing there, but he swiped the corner of my bottom lip with his thumb.
Biting an A-lister at the Chateau Marmont was most likely frowned upon, so I resisted, giving him a look that promised retribution without dropping my smile.
“Well, we’ll leave you to it!” one of the Instagram guys said, jumping up. “But here’s my card. We should set up a meeting.” He held it out to me and I smiled graciously and tucked it away as they said their goodbyes to the others.
Once they were gone, I tried to pry my fingers away, but Alex patted my hand with his other one and refused to budge. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had simply held my hand. It freaked me the fuck out.
A waitress appeared at the table, clearly trained not to make an imbecile of herself in front of famous people because she looked bored as she said, “Would you ladies like a drink? Mr. Chase, another?”
Asha was frantically texting and shook her head without looking up.
“Sweetheart, you must be thirsty after that cake? Or maybe you’d prefer to just finish my beer for me too?”
“I don’t need anything, thanks. Would it be possible for us to move into the shade, though?” I asked the waitress.
“Sure, let me see what I can do.”
“Are you going to burst into flames in the sunlight?” Alex said with mock alarm.
“No, I’m just used to meetings being conducted indoors, so I didn’t think to wear sunscreen on my arms. I’ll burn. We can’t all look like Greek gods.”
The difference between us was comical. I had black hair and skin so pale it was basically translucent. His hair was surfer blonde and he had the kind of deep tan I’d fantasized about as a teen until I came to understand that instead of tanning, I just turned purple, peeled, and went back to being pasty white.
Asha’s phone rang and she said, “I’m sorry. I’ve been waiting for this producer to call me back and I really need to catch her. You two relax and chat for a bit and I’ll be right back.” She stepped away from the table and began her ritual of pacing and talking a million miles an hour again.
“What were you saying about me being a god?” Alex Chase preened.
I rolled my eyes and took a sip of his beer, subconsciously noting he liked a stout. When I looked up from setting it back on the table, I froze for a split second. Maximilian Gates, my former client and the director ofCrown of Swordshad just walked in and was about to sit with his companion at the table nearby. I knew without looking at him the moment he’d noticed me sitting there. I could feel his eyes on my skin.
