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Caroline lowered her eyes, a slight smile on her mouth as she blushed. “Thank you.”
A swell of attraction held firm in Eva’s stomach, her mouth dry as Caroline pressed a hand to her lower back. She didn’t want to be Caroline’s escort. She didn’t want to beanyone’sescort. But certainly not Caroline’s. What she wanted was to ask Caroline on a date, perhaps test the water with a kiss, but it could never possibly work. Eva needed this job; she had bills to pay. And Caroline…well, she wouldn’t possibly want to date a woman who allowed others to pay for her. Nor would Eva expect Caroline to.Nobodywanted that.
But then Caroline looked at her, a devastating smile spread on her mouth, and Eva felt all control slip through her fingers. She lifted Caroline’s chin with the tip of her finger. Eva knew this was going to be a mistake, but she found herself drawn to Caroline. “Did you want to get out of here?”
Caroline visibly swallowed, her bottom lip between her teeth. But then she shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry. It wouldn’t be right.”
Eva’s brows drew together. “Wouldn’t be right?”
“I’m having an amazing night, but I can’t pay you…f-for that.”
Eva cocked her head, stroking a thumb across Caroline’s cheek. Even if she needed the money, she wouldn’t take it. No, that wasn’t the type of night she wanted to spend with Caroline. “I don’t want you to pay me, Caz. I want you to let go and enjoy yourself.”
Caroline draped her arms over Eva’s shoulders as the music slowed again. “You’re my escort. We can’t cross that line.”
“And if I wasn’t your escort?”Why the hell had she asked that question? There was no denying they were drawn to one another, but it didn’t matter how Caroline responded to her question. Shewasher escort. Plain and simple.
“God, I’d have left this bar with you an hour ago.”
There was a light in Caroline’s eyes that Eva was seeing for the first time tonight. A confidence, perhaps. And then it faded no sooner than it had appeared. Caroline had a story to tell, but could Eva—Hannah—be the one to listen?
“You’re really beautiful. Far too good for me. But I appreciate that you’re only doing your job. I know none of this is real… I’d be an idiot to assume it was.”
Eva didn’t know whether to run away or to grip Caroline’s face and kiss her until the bar closed. “I wish I hadn’t met you like this. You’re not like anyone I’ve come across in here before.”
Caroline’s hips continued to move against Eva, that slow sensual beat drowning out everything else around them. “Well, for the first time in over ten years, you’ve made me feel wanted. So, thank you…for helping me to believe that I can put myself out there again.”
“Sweetheart, you should always put yourself out there. You’re gorgeous.” Eva ran a hand through Caroline’s dark hair, thrilled when the softness reached her fingertips. “And this body…it can move.”
Caroline looked into Eva’s eyes, tears brimming on her lids. She didn’t say anything; she just continued to stare as the people around them moved on and off the dance floor.
“Are you okay?” Eva found her voice, concerned by Caroline’s reaction to her words. “Have I done something to upset you?”
“H-how much?” Caroline asked, swallowing and looking away as though she didn’t want to ask that question. “To spend t-the night with you…”
Eva’s heart broke just from the look in Caroline’s eyes. She wanted Eva, but not like this. And if Eva was being honest, she didn’t want Caroline like this either. “Hey, we don’t need to do this. You don’t want this, Caz. You don’t want to sleep with your escort.”
“Right.” Caroline untangled herself from Eva, taking a step back. “It’s just…those things you were saying.” She shook her head, genuine disappointment clouding those intense green eyes. “I should have known it was part of your job. Idoknow it’s a part of your job. But nobody has ever looked at me how you do.” Caroline suddenly had embarrassment written all over her face. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Eva’s forehead creased as Caroline suddenly rushed away and towards their table. She took her coat and slid it on, turning to leave, but Eva caught her wrist before she could. “Everything I’ve said to you tonight, I meant it.”
“That’s sweet, but we both know what this is. And as much as I’ve enjoyed my evening with you, it’s not real.You’renot real. You’re doing your job.”
Eva leaned in towards Caroline’s ear. “My name is Hannah. If you want to meet me again, tell me the day and time, and I’ll be here. As me. Not as your escort.”
And just like that, Caroline was gone, the door swinging closed behind her.
But her perfume lingered in the air around Eva. Her eyes burned into her memory.
Escorting…was ruining her potential love life.
Face it. Nobody wants a woman like you.
Chapter3
Caroline sunk downon the couch, dragging her legs up and under a blanket. It was Saturday afternoon, and she’d avoided Gail’s calls, embarrassment rolling through her for how she’d handled last night. This was the exact reason why Caroline didn’t bother to date…or even go looking. It didn’t matter if Eva had been wonderful and accommodating; Caroline had made a complete idiot out of herself the moment she looked at Eva as someone other than an escort.
It seemed they’d just clicked. When Eva spoke about her choice to become an escort, she didn’t seem overjoyed by it. But that wasn’t Caroline’s business to involve herself with, and Eva…when all was said and done…wasn’t attracted to Caroline for who she was. It was all a game. A job. Caroline, as miserable as she felt about it, was her client.
