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“I was going to say ‘sweet.’”
She laughs. “Margaux told me what you had in mind, and I figured I’d try to be accommodating.”
I raise a brow, intrigued. “Why? Do you get “respectable” requests very often?”
She shrugs playfully.
“Not particularly. Every client is different, and being in my line of work, you see it all.” But then she smiles. “I hope you think this outfit is respectable,” she tinkles, twirling a brown ringlet around one finger. My eyes drop to her décolletage, rising and falling softly beneath the velvet fabric, and under the table, my hand clenches into a fist. Oh, this woman. This woman! Does she know what she’s doing to me? I watch Patricia sip her wine, and she glances at me over the rim before letting her gaze slide away. What am I thinking? She’s a professional at seducing men. Of course she knows what she’s doing.
“You know, you’re not what I had in mind either,” she says in a light tone.
I laugh roughly.
“No? Then, I’m curious. What were you expecting?”
“If you want the truth, I was imagining an elderly guy who wanted to show me off to his business partners. You look like you might be closer to… thirty-four? Thirty-five?”
“I’m thirty-five.” I laugh. “You say that like you’ve had experience with that kind of situation before.”
She snorts, and again, I’m drawn by her unladylike mannerisms. “Oh, trust me I have. I could go on and on about the experiences I’ve had with rich men, but I doubt you want to hear it.” She shakes her head drolly. “I’m glad that you’re not what I pictured.”
I smirk. “Hey, it takes a lot of different people to make the world go around. But tell me something about yourself, Patricia. Something most of your other clients don’t know about you.”
She thinks for a moment.
“Hmm, getting intimate are we? But I’ll tell you one secret: Patricia, or Patty, is actually my real name. I don’t use a fake one the way most girls in my line of work do.”
I pretend shock. “So most of the girls aren’t really named Candy, Amber, or Mystic?”
She laughs, and again her giggle is utterly mesmerizing.
“No, I don’t think City Girls would let my co-workers pick a stripper-like name because we’re too classy for that. But yes, Patty is my real name, and another fun tidbit: I’m a classical pianist on the side.”
My eyebrows raise. That, I had not expected. “That’s impressive. How long have you been playing?”
She smiles shyly.
“Close to all of my life actually. I graduated from Juilliard a few years ago, and I’ve always been really into the music scene.”
“Wow.” I glance behind her at the grand piano near the back of the restaurant. “Could you play at a moment’s notice? Because there’s a piano right over there.”
The pretty girl looks over her shoulder, and when she returns her gaze to mine, she’s grinning. “I could absolutely dazzle you on that piano.”
A smile spreads slowly across my face. Patty’s confidence is infectious, and I’m seconds away from taking her up on her challenge, but at that moment, our server returns with our order. He sets the steaming plates in front of us, and as he tops off our wine, the pretty girl gives me a little coquettish grin and says, “Let’s continue this another time because I’m starving!”
With a chuckle, we begin to eat and it’s very satisfying. Our steaks are cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the asparagus is tender. But really, the only thing on my mind is Patty. She’s fascinating, quick witted, talented, and beautiful to boot. And even if she doesn’t come from money, she clearly knows how to pretend she is, which is key for what I need. I can’t imagine someone more perfect for what I have in mind, and in some ways, I’m almost disappointed that our relationship needs to be professional. But again, I have a job for her, and there’s no sense in beating around the bush.
“You know,” I say once we’re halfway through the meal. “I’m glad that you’re not what I was expecting.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, her tone teasing. “I’m still not sure what you’re looking for, Mr. Montgomery, if it’s not a business dinner you have planned.”
I chuckle. “Again, call me Luke, Patty. Mr. Montgomery is my father, may he rest in peace. But again, you’re perfect.”
Her eyebrow raises. “Is that so?”
I nod. “You’re classy, articulate, and incredibly beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have you by his side.”
Her lips part slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, she nods.
“Yes, but what do you have in mind? You still haven’t specified,” she says archly.
With that, I decide to ditch the meal. There’s no sense in stuffing ourselves full when I want to sample the goods, right here, right now. Quickly, I get to my feet and hold out my hand to her.
