Hooker (12 page)

I don’t want to let her go
.

JADE

I
shed a few silent tears when I got in the shower this morning, because again I knew this was the end of us. I can’t believe how emotional I’ve become lately. I still have one year, ten months and fifteen days until my contract expires. And yes, I am counting. I could never ask Brock to wait that long for me. It’s incredibly selfish of me to even consider it. It’s going to be even harder to walk away from him this time, I know it. He’s still asleep in my bed, but Rupert will be here shortly to collect me so I need to get myself organised. It will be both our heads on the chopping block if I arrive back at M’s late.

Brock and I had the most amazing night together. It even topped New York, if that’s possible. It was wrong of me to let this go further, but I couldn’t have stopped it, even if I’d wanted to. My heart and body needed him so much. I’ve fallen hard.

After dressing in a tight, red, sleeveless pencil dress, I dry my hair and apply my makeup. I need to look perfect when I reach M’s. It’s ridiculous, because I’ll only be stripping off when I get home before heading to the gym, but this is my life, always pandering to M’s ridiculous demands.

Once
all my things are packed neatly in my small Louis Vuitton suitcase, I set it by the door. My heart is heavy as I go back to the bed where Brock is sleeping. I take a few minutes to watch him, before I kneel on the bed and place a kiss on his bare chest, just over his heart. My lipstick leaves a red imprint, bringing a small smile to my face. I wish I could leave my mark on him permanently.

My gaze moves up to his handsome face as my fingers skim lightly over his hair. He’s so beautiful. He looks so relaxed and peaceful when he sleeps. I close my eyes and try to capture the image in my mind, so I can remember it forever.

I don’t want to wake him, but I need to. I have to say goodbye. I never got to do that last time and it was one of my biggest regrets. Leaning forward, I gently place my lips on his. He groans as his arms encircle my waist, pulling me down on top of him. It makes me laugh.

‘Good morning,’ I say.

‘Good morning, beautiful,’ he replies with a smile. ‘You’re dressed?’

‘Yes.’

‘You look gorgeous.’ The sincerity in his voice as he tenderly strokes the side of my face chokes me up inside. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Rupert will be here soon, I have to get going.’

‘What?’ he replies, shifting me to the side so he can sit up. ‘Already?’

I sigh when I see his face drop. I’d give anything to be able to spend the whole day with him. ‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you wake me earlier? I could’ve spent more time with you before you left.’

‘You
looked so peaceful,’ I reply, forcing out a smile. I hate that I’m disappointing him once more.

‘When am I going to see you again?’

I rest my forehead against his. ‘I don’t know.’ Saying that to him makes my heart hurt.

‘Can I get your phone number or something, so I can call you?’ The hopefulness in his voice tears me up inside.

‘I can’t give you my number,’ I whisper, as my eyes clench shut. I can’t bear to see the hurt on his face.

‘Why?’

‘She checks my phone, Brock.’

‘Who?’

‘My madam.’ This conversation is so humiliating.

‘Aren’t you free to do whatever you like in your spare time?’

‘No,’ I confess, turning my face away from him. ‘She controls everything … even my spare time.’ My cheeks heat up as I speak. I’m so ashamed of my life and my circumstances.

‘I want to see you again, Jade. No—I have to see you again,’ he says, crushing me to him. He holds me so tight, like he’s afraid to let me go.

‘I want to see you again too. More than anything. But I can’t see how. You have no idea how my life is—what she’s like.’

I stand when he finally releases me, straightening my dress when I do. Pulling back the covers, he rises too. He’s still naked and he’s utter perfection. I could stare at him all day and never tire of it.

‘I’ll find a way. I promise. I won’t let you get away again,’ he says before picking his jeans up off the floor. I watch as he removes his wallet, pulling out a business card. ‘Keep this. If you ever need me, just call. I mean it, Jade. For anything.’

‘Thank you,’ I say as my arms circle his waist.

‘We’re
going to see each other again. We are.’ He draws me closer. I’m not sure if he’s trying to convince me or himself. We just stand there holding each other for the longest time. I hope he’s right. I don’t want this to be the last time I feel him in my arms.

When my phone rings he releases me, and I walk to my bag. I already know it’s Rupert alerting me he’s downstairs.

‘Fuck,’ I hear Brock groan from behind me.

‘What?’ I ask, turning around.

‘You look fine in that dress, and you’re wearing those damn shoes again.’

‘What?’ I feel my face screw up.

‘Those red heels,’ he says, pointing to my feet. ‘You were wearing them at the airport. The day I met you.’

I can’t believe he remembers what I was wearing on my feet that day. ‘I was?’

‘Yes, you were. I want to see you wearing nothing but those shoes one day.’

I chuckle as I retrieve the phone from the front pocket of my suitcase. Brock comes up behind me, grabbing hold of my waist and thrusting his pelvis into me.

‘Fuck, your arse looks sexy in that dress.’

‘Shh,’ I say as I place my finger against my lips. ‘Hi Rupert. I’ll be down in a minute.’

When I end the call, Brock turns me in his arms. ‘I miss you already.’

‘I miss you already too,’ I say, placing my lips on his.

‘Take care of yourself, Jade.’

‘I will. You too.’

‘Please call me if you need anything, or even if you just want to say hello.’

‘I
will.’ I’m trying hard to fight back the tears. I’m not usually an emotional person. I’ve cried more times since I’ve met Brock than I have in my entire life. And believe me when I say there were plenty of times that warranted tears when I was a child. Maybe opening my heart to him has finally made me feel.

‘Until we meet again, beautiful.’ He gives me a sad smile as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

‘Until we meet again, handsome.’

He picks up my suitcase and passes it to me. ‘Bye,’ I say as I place my lips on his for the final time. I open the door, taking a backwards step as my eyes drink him in one last time. ‘You better put some clothes on before you go downstairs. I don’t want Theo checking out my man.’

His face breaks out into a huge smile. ‘Bye.’

I blow him a final kiss before turning and walking away. I have a huge lump in my throat. I only make it a short distance before Brock calls my name. Halting, I glance at him over my shoulder.

‘For the record, I like being your man.’

*

BROCK

After washing my face and getting dressed, I head downstairs. I’ll shower and change when I get home since I don’t have any clean clothes with me. I’m hoping Theo is up so I can apologise for being MIA for most of yesterday. I also want to speak with him to see what he knows about Jade’s situation. I have to figure out a way to see her again.

When I reach the landing I hear the sounds of a vacuum, so I head in that direction.

‘Good
morning, sir,’ the elderly lady says when she sees me standing in the doorway. ‘Is there something I can help you with?’

‘I’m actually looking for Theo.’

‘Last time I saw Mr James,’ she replies, ‘he was sitting out by the pool, having breakfast.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Here’s the man of the hour,’ Theo calls out as I walk onto the patio. ‘Come join me for breakfast.’

‘What do you mean?’ I ask as I take a seat opposite him and reach for a piece of melon from the large serving dish sitting in the middle of the table.

‘I walked Jade out to her driver when she left. She gave me a quick lowdown on you two. Should I be pissed off with you for getting it on with my girl?’

‘She’s not your fucking girl,’ I grumble defensively, and he laughs.
She’s mine
.

‘I’m just messing with you. She’s great. She needs a good guy like you in her life. You are a good guy, aren’t you?’ There’s a touch of humour laced with scepticism in his voice.

I seriously contemplate my reply. Overall I’d say I’m a good guy. Yes, I’ve used women for sex in the past, but the majority of them were using me as well. For one thing or another, anyway. Jade is different. I care for her and would never do anything intentionally to hurt her, so I guess my answer to his question would be yes.

‘I’m not using her and I’d never hurt her, if that’s what you mean. I like her.’ I pause. ‘Really like her.’ Why do I feel so unmanly for admitting that to another guy? I’m not good with this type of shit. I don’t usually do feelings.

‘I’m
glad, because she really likes you too. She’s had a pretty shitty life, so I need to make sure your intentions are honourable. She means a lot to me. I don’t want to see her hurt.’

I nod as I try to take in everything he just said. ‘What’s the go with her, anyway?’

‘What do you mean? Going on last night, it sounds like you know her better than I do.’ He chuckles but I’m not amused. I give him a warning look. I’ve never been the type of guy to kiss and tell, but even more so with Jade.

‘How long have you known her? Do you know much about her life?’ I ask.

‘Jade and I have been friends for about four years now.’

‘And?’

‘And what?’ he says with a shrug. He seems like a nice guy, but his evasiveness is getting on my nerves. ‘The things she’s told me are in confidence. I’d never betray her trust like that, just like I know she would never betray mine.’

‘Fair enough.’ As much as I’d like more information on her, I totally respect him for that. ‘I need to figure out a way to see her again. She told me her madam pretty much controls her.’

‘Good luck with that one. M’s a bitch. Poor Jade can’t do anything without her permission. The way I see it, the only way you could swing that would be to hire her.’

I was afraid that might be the case.

‘I want more than that,’ I admit, and I’m not even surprised that I do. The last few weeks have proven how miserable I am without her. I like the way Jade makes me feel when we’re together. She’s like a breath of fresh air. ‘Why does she allow herself to be controlled like that?’

‘Because she’s loyal and she has a contract.’

‘A
contract to control her life?’

‘Basically.’

‘That’s totally fucked up,’ I say, as my brow furrows. Who’d sign over their life to someone else?

‘Tell me about it. M has brainwashed Jade into thinking she owes her, or some bullshit like that.’

‘What do you mean?’ His words only make my concern for Jade escalate.

‘Look, I’ve said way too much. If Jade wants you to know more, she’ll tell you herself.’

*

For the next few days my thoughts are solely about Jade. I’m desperate to see her again. I left Theo’s house on Sunday with her madam’s business card, and I’ve spent the majority of my time finding out everything I can about Madam Melody Sinclair, which isn’t much. It appears this woman goes to great lengths to cover her tracks. So why does her name sound familiar?

By Wednesday, I’m struggling to focus on my mounting workload. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked my phone, just hoping to see a text from Jade. By late afternoon it becomes apparent I’m probably not going to. If she’s not going to make the move, then I need too.

Pulling out the card Theo gave me, I dial Madam Melody’s number. Guilt consumes me as I wait for someone to answer. I feel like I’m breaking all the promises I made to myself growing up. I swore I’d never be anything like my father and resort to paying for sex. This isn’t really about that, though. While sex with Jade is mind blowing, I’d forgo it if it meant
I’d see her again. I’m doing this for one reason only: to be with my girl. There’s no level I wouldn’t stoop to for Jade. If this is the only way I can spend time with her, then so be it.

I’m pretty sure I’d sell my damn soul for this woman.

*

Theo was right, Melody Sinclair’s a bitch. She makes Clarissa look like a damn saint. It takes everything in me to keep my composure as I sit opposite her. I’m surprised she can even sit down with that stick that’s been strategically placed up her arse. I’m finding it hard to mask my dislike for her, but I need to try harder. I can’t afford to do or say anything that’s going to jeopardise me seeing Jade.

‘As I was telling you on the phone, Mr Weston, Jade is exclusive. I have a long list of girls who are available, and I’m sure any one of them could satisfy your needs.’

If this woman thinks she can intimidate me, she’s mistaken. I’ve dealt with a lot worse than her, my father being one of them. I sit forward in my seat before speaking as calmly as I can. ‘And as I told you on the phone, Ms Sinclair, I’m not interested in any of your other girls.’

‘May I enquire why you have such an interest in Jade?’ She picks up the three-page questionnaire I was made to fill out before she’d see me. Who knew seeing a prostitute would require divulging so much personal information? Granted, she runs a high-class establishment, but still.

‘She came highly recommended to me.’

I see her lips slightly turn up at the corners. I think this woman’s stern face would crack if she were to break into a full smile. ‘By whom?’

‘Theo
James.’

‘Hah,’ she scoffs. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself as she continues to read over my paperwork. ‘Interesting,’ she says, leaning back in her chair and looking at me over the rim of her reading glasses. ‘You’re Maxwell Weston’s son?’

Bingo. I should’ve known this woman would be familiar with my father. A sick feeling settles in the pit of my stomach at the possibility he may have been with Jade. ‘You know my father?’ I ask, barely managing to keep the disdain from my voice.

‘We go way back.’

Of course they do. I’m struggling to contain the rage that boils inside me. Not that I’m surprised that my father is associating with madams. Clearing my throat, I sit up straight in my chair.