Chapter One
Mason
I pressed the microphone button and scanned the display for any sign of Natalie in the house. “Natalie, can you get in here now, please?” I was polite, but I didn’t hide the seriousness from my voice. Natalie bustled into the room almost before I had finished my sentence.
“Hey, Asher.” She said with ease. “What can I do for you?”
Hardly anyone called me by my real name. I had always hated it myself; Mason. It just felt stuffy to me. Asher had somehow become my nickname in college, and it had stuck all these years later.
Still, this wasn't college and we weren't friends visiting over coffee. I needed to make sure she understood the importance of the conversation we were about to have.
“We need to talk about last night,” I frowned at her, “Please take a seat.” Natalie headed for the couch and perched on its edge with her work files placed in her lap.
“I think we need to look at the screening process for our clients again,” I explained to her as I swept over the files in front of me. “I don’t want another incident like that to happen ever again.”
“With all due respect, Asher,” Natalie began. “You know last night was a fluke. We are so careful,” she continued. “It’s never happened before, and I really don't see it happening in the future either.”
I slammed my hand down on my desk, unable to keep my patience in this moment. “I don’t care whether it was a one time thing or something that happens every damn week. It shouldn’t have happened at all. I will not have another woman treated like that in this house.”
I couldn’t keep the anger from my voice. The expression on Harper’s face after her encounter with Xander hadn’t left my mind, and it was enough to bring the situation to a head. Having Natalie question my judgment didn’t help. I felt myself wanting to unload on her, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t really her fault. I’d had my reservations about Xander from the start, but had accepted him anyway, for reasons I now couldn’t even recall.
“I’m sorry,” I lowered my voice as I bit my lip, “I know it’s not your fault. Have we heard from the girl? Harper?” A small flicker of hope rose in my stomach, “Will she be joining us again tonight?”
“I’m afraid we haven’t heard from her.” Natalie shook her head
“What a shame,” I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice, knowing that Natalie would instantly catch on. She knew me well, and any interest I showed in any woman would tip her off. “I would have liked to have made it up to her. Maybe we should try to follow up, just to make sure everything is all right? The last thing we need is someone filing a complaint.” I knew it wasn’t likely, given that we had paid her a significant amount of money for the night. But mentioning the possibility of a complaint seemed like one of the few options to get her back here without raising suspicion.
“I’ll look into it for you.” Natalie promised. “Right now though, the new clients are waiting in the hallway.” I looked at the clock and realized we were less than an hour from go-time. She handed me the files she had been holding onto. “Have you had a chance to review their videos?” Natalie paused, waiting for my reply as I flipped through the pages now in front of me.
“Yes,” I answered. “I watched them a few days ago.”
She nodded. “Should I send them in?”
I shook my head quickly. “Give me a few minutes to look at these. I’ll call you when I’m ready for them.” I explained as she headed for the door, adding, “Please make sure they’re comfortable while they wait.”
“Of course.” Natalie cast a smile at me quickly before she headed from the room and closed the door behind her.
I flipped through the files, barely looking at the details. My mind was still partly on Harper and the night before as my glazed eyes attempted to focus on the stat sheet.
Mia was 5’4, brunette, and a young businesswoman who had made her fortune at only 26.
Henry appeared to be a little less desirable, but still handsome. He had a plump baby face and short dark hair, with a very warm and magnetic smile. Though he was a self-made millionaire, and was a great negotiator, he didn’t know how to talk with women. His file explained that he hadn’t had a steady girlfriend in his life for years. Nothing lasting longer than a few months.
He would be a tricky one to find the perfect date for. He needed to break out of his shell, and I needed the perfect way to do it. I would never say that it was impossible though. I liked to give myself a challenge.
Looking at the wall of displays, I watched the awkward interaction between Mia and Henry as they sat in the other room. I knew I had my work cut out for me, and unfortunately, they didn’t have my full attention.
I clicked the button on the microphone, “Natalie, send in Mia please.” A moment later, the bubbly brunette burst through the door with a decided flounce of her summer dress.
“Good morning, Mia.” I smiled politely as I extended my hand, guiding her to the couch. She stared at me, unconsciously sizing me up. A dependence on superficial attraction was the reason most of my clients came to me. The majority of them didn’t have any trouble finding an attractive date, but once they got beyond the looks that bounced them from relationship to relationship, they usually discovered it was a true connection that was missing.
“Good morning, ” she smiled at me and continued staring with a seductive look in her eyes.
I returned to my seat behind the desk, dismissing her engaging gaze and beginning the first part of our evening prep. “I watched your video the other day and have been reviewing your file and notes. I believe that we’ve found some men that are going to be exactly what you’re looking for.” She seemed to lick her lips in response, and I knew immediately she wasn’t going to have any problem finding a man. It was just finding the right man that would be the task. “So, why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for.”
“Well,” she started to reel off a list. “He has to be handsome, rugged, smart, and most importantly, single.” She giggled. “I always seem to land the guys that have it all, including a wife.”
I nodded. “Mia, I can promise that none of the men here tonight will be married. But let me give you a piece of advice that will help you.” I leaned forward and looked into her eyes. “Play hard to get, just a little. These men are all going to be vying for your attention. Make them work for it. By the end of the night, I’m sure you will have narrowed your options down.”
I leaned back and waited to see if my comment had sunk in. It didn’t appear as if it had, as she continued to look at me as though I might be just what she was looking for. She obviously didn’t understand that she was giving off a “Fuck me now” vibe and that was probably the reason she was attracting the wrong types of men.
Taking a deep breath, I continued. “I think your problem may be that you’re coming off as desperate, needy, and just wanting a man. You need the right man, not just any man, and that’s what we’re here to help you with.” I watched Mia’s expression as my words sank in.
“I’m not–”
I cut her off. “We both know that you’re not actually desperate, at least not in that way. But let’s just start tonight off by sending out the right message, okay?” I clicked the little black microphone button again. “Natalie? Will you take Mia to get a drink while I speak with Henry. Once I’m done here, we can get things finished up and ready for tonight.”
“Of course.” Natalie ducked into the office with a big smile on her face, her purple hair bouncing on top of her head. She turned to Mia and gestured for her to follow.
Henry slid into the room as they left, not saying much and barely making eye contact. “Are you ready for tonight?” I chuckled. I doubted that he was. In fact, I knew he was going to be overwhelmed. That many attractive women in one spot would put Henry into overload. He was more likely to shut down than to excel.
Henry attempted a smile as he meekly looked up. “I…I think so.”
I immediately wondered how he had made his millions, being as shy and reserved as he was. He must have been truly talented in his field, and likely capable of putting on a different persona in business. Which gave me an idea. “Tonight,” I began. “I want you to think about this as a business transaction.” I smiled through my pursed lips and watched his eyes light up. “Doing so will put you at ease, and I believe you’ll actually get to know these girls for who they are as a result.”
Henry nodded. “I’m not really good at speaking with women. Most of the time, they approach me. And even then, I tend to freeze up.”
“Trust me, Henry.” I assured him. “Tonight, it’s a business transaction. Go into it with the mindset that you are simply getting to know whoever you are about to go into business with. Don’t even think about the romantic possibilities. Instead, act like you’re interviewing an employee that is about to run your company. Whatever it takes, just don’t view this as picking a date.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I watched him process my instructions. “Don’t worry,” I promised. “We will always be close by, and Natalie or Hunter will be there in an instant if you start to flounder.”
Henry smiled and acknowledged what I was asking, seeming to grow more comfortable with the approach I was suggesting. Pushing the intercom button, I asked Natalie to bring Mia back in. The women entered together, Natalie closing the door behind them and standing in front of it.
That was when I began to explain the rules, hoping that tonight, my clients might actually listen. I really didn’t want a repeat of the night before. “I will be at the mixer tonight, mingling right alongside you. But I ask that you do not speak to me directly. Please direct any issues to Natalie or Hunter. I’ll be there, but I like to remain out of the picture whenever possible, for a lot of reasons. Are we clear?”
“Of course.” Mia smiled back at me.
“I completely understand.” Henry nodded simply.
The monitors on the back wall showed a few potential dates already moving into the main room. Hunter was directing them and I watched closely, hoping to see Harper’s smiling face. When I didn’t spot her there, I turned back to my clients.“Ok, you two. It’s time to get ready for this evening. Natalie will make sure you have everything you need. There are a few things I still need to do, if you’ll please excuse me.” I nodded to Natalie as she escorted the pair from the room and led them to the guest suites, where they could relax and prepare themselves.
Sinking back into my chair, I watched the monitors that displayed the foyer and front of the house. I straightened when a familiar face appeared, but it wasn’t Harper. Instead, it was her friend Avery.
No sooner had I seen her than Natalie’s voice echoed in my ear. “I just saw Avery arrive. No sign of Harper.”
“I see that.” I confirmed. “Please let her know that she’s welcome to attend this evening, but she needs to return with Harper. No exceptions.” I realized it was a calculated risk that she may not return at all, but I had to try. I needed to see Harper.