CHAPTER 7
Declan
I hit my desk as I leaned back, annoyed with my thoughts of Rachel that was getting in the way of the new hotel being built in Dubai. I tried to contact the agency to get back in touch with her, confused when I was told that she didn’t want to work anymore. I thought that our night together was fantastic and only left because I had to go early in the morning to get out of town for work. I left her a lot of money and a note indicating that I wanted to see her again, even if it was vague. I even felt bad leaving her the money, but it was part of the deal, as she was an escort for the night. She spent hours with me that night and deserved it.
I thought about the last message that said her name wasn’t Rachel at all. That did not surprise me, knowing that she might want to protect her identity. It also stated that she was done. I didn’t know what to make of that, and I ran a hand through my hair.
I knew that the agency used a digital means of communication for bookings, but there had to be a number. There had to be a location that I could find. I needed to speak to the woman that I’d spent the night with that night, see who she really was. That woman never seemed like an escort to me. She never felt like one and I swore that there was more between us.
I clicked off the page and did some digging on the agency. They did a good job of keeping themselves an online company, but I was smart and well-versed with the internet. I got an address, jotting it down as I glanced at the clock. I should stay here today and tackle this tomorrow, deciding to plan to see her again.
I went to the gym that night, working out hard as I tried to push the image of her out of my mind. I felt eyes on me and scanned the room, people on nearly every machine. They all seemed to be into their own workouts, using headphones to listen to the televisions around the room or something else. I frowned and checked out in the other rooms, but nobody was paying any attention to me at all.
I must have been imagining things.
I finished the workout and left, going back to my small house to shower for the night. I thought that I might stop by the agency after lunch and see what I could find out. I went into my office for a while to finish the work on my project that I’d gotten so distracted from the day before, feeling some hope for today. I got a lot done and made my way to a favorite deli to have a sandwich before making my way down the street to the agency. From what I could gather, I could see that it might be in one of the modern buildings down the street. I thought about the way that she looked on the bed underneath me, coming apart as her nails dug into my back. It was the best of sexual sin, and I wanted it again.
I finished my lunch and made my way down the street, watching carefully as I approached the block that the agency was located on. I looked at the buildings and then back over the sidewalk before I paused. A woman with blonde and red hair was coming out of a parking lot, seemingly distracted as she walked towards a brick building. “Rachel?” I called out as she froze and took her time to look up. She widened her beautiful eyes as I stalked towards her, my eyes brightening as I smiled.
“What are you doing here?” she asked shyly as she looked around carefully.
“I couldn’t get a hold of you the business way, so I wanted to take steps to find you myself,” I told her as she frowned at me. “What is your real name?”
“Ray!” A voice called out as the woman turned with a scowl to look at the bright-haired woman coming our way. “How are you?” She glanced at me, curiosity on her pretty face as she sized me up. “Hello there.” This was an escort. I could tell that just from the way that she greeted me though it wasn’t overly sexual.
“Let’s go inside,” The woman identified as Ray said abruptly, walking towards the entrance as I looked at her long sleeved pink shirt. It was warm out today, and everyone else wore short sleeved shirts, if not shorts. Why was she dressed so warmly? She led the way with the other woman falling into step behind her, followed by me. I was surprised when Ray stopped and glanced at the other woman, assuring her that she’d see her upstairs in a few moments.
I stared at her face as she finally gave me her attention, realizing that she was just as beautiful with a natural face. There was a hint of liner on her eyes to make the blue stand out and a dark pink stain on her lips but that was it. “Why are you here, Declan?”
“I’ve been trying to contact you. Did you know that?” I asked as she sighed and dropped her gaze to the floor.
“I’ve been the one sending back messages. Just me and nobody else,” she replied as my eyes widened. “I am a booking agent, not an escort. That was a one-off. It wasn’t a permanent lifestyle for me,” she murmured as I frowned at her.
“Why me?” I asked, thinking back to our night. It was wonderful, and she let me take her without any protection. Why did she trust me so much just as I’d trusted her so much?
“You were the next booking for the girl that was out for the week,” she told me with a bland expression on her face. “It just worked out, and you were pleasant Declan. It’s just done.”
There was no possible way that she didn’t feel anything that night. I could see it in her eyes and feel it on my lips. I saw something pass through her eyes that played off as negative for a moment before she looked calm again. “Pleasant?” I asked as she stared back at me. “I thought that it was an incredible night and I’d like to see you again.”
“I can’t. I need to go to work,” she told me before glancing behind me.
“I can pick you up after your shift, just to talk. I want to get to know you more. One night wasn’t enough,” I told her, speaking softly, and looking around. I didn’t want to humiliate her, and her cheeks flushed as she glanced at me. “You’re a fascinating woman. Tell me your name at least.”
“It’s Rayna,” she whispered as she nibbled on her lip. “I have to go, Declan. Goodbye.”
I watched as she walked away, seeing her disappear into an elevator and up onto another floor. I stepped back out into the sun, wondering again why Rayna was dressed so heavily when it was warm out today.
I gave it a day and then thought back to Rayna as I sat at my desk at home, involved in a project. I went back to the message and sent one, knowing that it went right to her. I asked to see her again and waited for a message in response.
Why are you doing this, Declan?
I want to see you. I know you felt what was between us that night, Rayna.
No, it was business.
Were you really new or was that a lie?
I felt the anger in my tone and winced as I waited.
I didn’t lie. I’d never done that before, but it wasn’t my first time having sex. Did you think that it was?
No, but I do believe that it was different for you that night. I could see it in your every movement. What time are you off?
Declan, I can’t do this. I don’t want to be an escort.
You won’t be. You’ll be a woman that I am genuinely interested in.
The conversation ended, and I stared at the screen waiting for an answer. I wasn’t the kind of man to stalk a woman by any means, especially with the pending divorce. I should want to be finished with this and not pursue Rayna, but she was under my skin. I clicked off my computer to go to bed, imagining our night together instead of drifting off to sleep. I reached down to take myself into my hand, hard and ready for Rayna as I began to stroke it.
I gripped hard, needing the release. I wanted Rayna again so badly. I wanted to repeat the positions I had her in all over again, this time calling out her real name. I came into a Kleenex and threw it into the trash with a sigh.
I knew that I could have dozens of one-night-stands with women from bars and walk away from them, but I was only craving one.
I would give her a little time and try again. I knew how to woo a woman, and I was going to make every effort to impress.