Chapter 1

 

Camden James stared at his drink as the quiet clinking of glass behind the bar and the gentle hum of conversation filled the room. His sister’s words swirled around in his head. Dating is simply playing the odds. The more you do it, the greater your chance at finding love. Easy for Kelly to say. She was happily married with kid number two on the way. He wasn’t so lucky; somehow he brought out the crazy in every girl.

He glowered and sipped his bourbon. His last girlfriend, Lexi, had been the worst. She seemed nice at first—but soon turned nuts-o. She accused him of cheating on her and followed him to make sure he wasn’t with other women. He caught her sneaking onto his computer. She even took pictures of him when he was with clients. The last straw had been when she burst into the room in the middle of a meeting.

She didn’t take the breakup well this morning. Too bad she lived in his apartment complex. He wasn’t looking forward to running into her again.

He shuddered, shoving Lexi out of his mind. If this was how his relationships were going to go, he’d rather pronounce himself a permanent bachelor at age thirty. Sure, he was lonely, but his business kept him busy. And if he stayed single, he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone dating him just for his money. He could think of at least three or four women who had fallen into that category.

His construction company was his passion, and that had paid off in a big way. He’d built it from the ground up. Now it’s a national business, with offices in one hundred and sixty cities across the United States. His business had made him a billionaire. In some ways, he missed the days when he was in the mud, handling the steel, and working the large machines. That was why days like today were good for his soul. He looked down at his muddy jeans and work boots. He’d had a ball at the construction site. Unfortunately, tomorrow he’d be back in his office.

A woman walked into the restaurant. She was hard to miss. Curls that ran down her back. Hair so deep red it almost looked burgundy. She glanced around the room as if she were looking for someone. When she spied Camden, she headed over to his table.

“Oh, I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said, flashing him a dazzling smile and removing her raincoat. “I got caught in traffic.” She hung her coat on the chair and reached across the table, and her large bracelet with dangling charms swayed and clinked. “I’m Kenzie Bennett, but you probably already know that. I’m sure they told you everything about me. And of course now I’m babbling because I’m nervous.”

Camden blinked, shaking her hand. She wore a long shirt and leggings with a crazy pattern on them. He opened his mouth to correct her, but she continued. “I have never done this kind of thing before, so forgive me if I ask too many questions.” She sat down, continuing to talk. “It’s not every day a woman hires a male escort.”

Camden sputtered. “What?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s not what you’re called, is it?” She blushed. “See? I’m already making a fool of myself.”

She finally paused long enough for him to say something. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”

Her eyes grew wide and her blush deepened. “Seriously?”

He suppressed a smile. She was adorable. “Yeah. I’m just here to unwind.”

She moaned and leaned her head back. “I can’t believe it. I walked up to a stranger and called him a male escort.”

He chuckled, picking up his drink. “Could happen to anyone.”

Kenzie pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I’m so embarrassed. I was told to meet my date-for-hire here. And I saw you and assumed. . .” She shook her head. “You’re not dressed for a meeting like this. I should have known. There wasn’t anyone else here alone. I’m so sorry.”

She started to stand but he held out his hand to stop her. “Why don’t you sit with me and wait? He’s obviously not here yet.” Camden wasn’t sure what had made him say that. Maybe it was the way his dark mood had lifted at her smile.

Kenzie sat back down. “Thanks. That would be nice. I’m so nervous, if you can’t tell. Did I already say I was nervous? Ugh, I’m repeating myself. It’s just—I have to go to my sister’s wedding and I can’t show up alone, so I called this service my friend said was super nice and discreet.” She glanced around the bar. “They’re supposed to be really professional. It’s not like some seedy thing. It’s strictly on the up-and-up.”

Camden couldn’t hold back another chuckle.

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t even ask your name. How rude of me.” She peered at him like she was looking at him for the first time.

“Camden.”

“Camden,” she said, like the name tasted good to her. “Nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure to meet you as well.” He liked the woman even though she was strange. He didn’t sense anything fake about her, which was refreshing.

She eyed his jeans. “Let me guess, because I’m kind of good at it. I do this thing, like Sherlock Holmes, where I notice things and can make a decent guess from it. You’re a farmer, right?”

He chuckled and shook his head. Who was this woman? He opened his mouth to correct her.

“No! Don’t tell me. I need the practice.” She narrowed her eyes at him, studying him closer. “You work outside. . .”

Not really, but today he had, so he gave her a subtle nod.

“In a . . . field. . .”

He shook his head.

“I mean . . . you’re a. . .” She eyed his boots. “Construction worker!”

Not quite, but she was close, and he didn’t want to correct her. “I worked on a construction site all day today.”

She slapped the table, her bracelet clinking. “Ha! I got it!”

Camden couldn’t help but like her. He was enjoying the game. “What else can you deduce?”

She studied him more carefully for a moment. She picked up one of his hands. “You have strong hands. Probably from the construction job, but they’re not particularly rough. You wear gloves while you work.”

No. He worked in an office, but he smiled and let her continue.

“You have well-defined muscles, again from your job.”

Wrong again. He worked out at the gym in his apartment building every morning. He kept that to himself as well.

“You are a handsome man. Strong jaw. Mysterious smile. You have many women in your life.”

No. At least, not right now.

She squinted. “You have a cat.”

Surprised, his jaw dropped. She’d actually gotten one right. “How did you know that?”

A wide smile spread across her face. “You have a cat hair on your shirt.”

He looked down, but he didn’t see any hair. “Where?”

She reached over and pulled something off his shoulder. “Here.”

“That was impressive,” he said, sitting back in his chair. It was only a small white lie. She’d gotten the cat, but most everything else wrong. But, for some reason, he wanted to see her smile again. And he didn’t have to wait long.

“It’s just something I like to do.” She glanced around the room again. “I don’t see him. You don’t think I got stood up, do you?” Her eyes widened. “I can’t go to my sister’s wedding alone.”

“I’m sure he’ll show up. It’s his job.”

She relaxed into her chair. “Yes. You’re right.”

“Do you want something to drink?”

She waved her hand. “No, thank you; I don’t drink.”

He held in a chuckle. “And yet you’re in a bar to meet a male escort.”

She slapped the table again and laughed. “I know, right? This is the strangest thing I’ve ever done. Well, not ever. I mean, there was the time I jumped in the car and drove to California on a whim, but that was sort of normal. This is kind of . . . well not really sane, is it? I’m going to Myrtle Beach with a total stranger, and I’m going to act like he’s my boyfriend.”

“Why are you doing it then?” He couldn’t help but ask. He was curious.

She lowered her gaze, her cheeks turning pink again. “It’s silly.”

Now he really wanted to know. He sat forward and put on his sexiest grin. “Tell me.”

She sighed. “My mother always compared me to my little sister. She was the cheerleader. Homecoming queen. Straight-A student. And now she’s marrying the perfect man. He’s got a great job, and he’s a real looker.” She fiddled with the strap on her purse. “I guess I just want to show up with a handsome man on my arm so my mother doesn’t look at me like I’m a loser.”

A pang of sympathy flashed through Camden. “I’m sure you’re far from being a loser.”

She laughed, and it rang out through the room. “You’re sweet. You also know nothing about me, but you’re very kind to say that.” She motioned to him. “What are you doing here? Oh, gosh, are you meeting someone? A date?”

He shook his head. “I came for a drink before heading home. I was at work later than I’d planned.” More like he was avoiding Lexi, but whatever.

“Are you married?”

“No.”

She gave him an appraising look. “I would have guessed you were married. Most single men don’t choose to have a cat.” Her eyes widened again. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

“The cat chose me, actually.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Do tell.”

“I saw him one day, hanging around work.”

“Ah, at your job site.”

No, at the office, but Camden kind of liked Kenzie thinking he was just a construction worker, so he didn’t correct her. “He was skin and bones, and I felt sorry for the little guy. The next day, I brought a can of tuna in case he came back. We sort of hit it off, and now he lives with me.”

Kenzie brushed a strand of wild curls out of her face. “That’s great. It really says a lot about you, you know.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You’re a caring person. You don’t like to see suffering. You think about others.” She leaned forward. “And you probably live in an apartment.”

Penthouse, but she was close. “How did you know that?”

She lifted one shoulder. “Something I read about cat owners once. I have a photographic memory.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” She fiddled with her bracelet. “I can remember pages of text long after I’ve seen them. It’s both a blessing and a curse.”

“Impressive. What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I’m kind of between gigs right now, which is another reason I want to have some man candy on my arm when I go to the wedding.”

Man candy? Camden held in a smile. “When is the wedding?”

“The pre-wedding stuff starts tomorrow.” Another blush graced her cheeks. “I know, I’m such a last-minute planner. I was hoping to leave from here.” She tapped the table and looked around again. “And it appears I’ll be going by myself. My date-for-hire is a no-show.”

Kenzie stood and wrapped her rain coat around her shoulders. “Really pathetic that I got stood up by a male escort.” She laughed. “I guess it’s fate. I’m off to play the part of the disappointing daughter.”

The most interesting woman he’d ever met was about to walk away . . . and leave him with Lexi. An idea formed in his mind and he stood. “I’ll go with you,” he blurted.

She stared at him. “Pardon?”

“I’ll go to your sister’s wedding with you. I know I don’t look like much,” he said, indicating his dirty clothes, “but I clean up nice. I’d be happy to play the part of your boyfriend.”

And if he left town now, it would give Lexi time to cool off before he’d have to see her again. He could dodge her wrath and help this woman out as well. Sounded like a win-win.

Kenzie studied him. “Are you serious? You’d be my date to my sister’s wedding? In South Carolina?”

“Sure.”

She looked like she was doing another analysis of him, her eyes squinting. Finally, she nodded. “I can see you’re a good person. Hardworking. Man of your word. Maybe a little down on your luck. I’ll pay for all your expenses plus three hundred dollars for your time.”

Camden hadn’t meant to suggest she should pay him. He didn’t want her three hundred dollars, especially when she was out of work. He shook his head. “No, I—”

“Four hundred, then? That’s my final offer.” She thrust her hand at him, her bracelet dangling. “Shake on it?”

He shook her hand, relieved he wouldn’t have to face Lexi for at least a little while longer.