Exactly as I’d planned, my contract with Ken was now complete and it was time for me to move on. Next week I’d start a new short-term job at a family-owned less than truckload shipping company looking to review their business processes in the hopes of expanding. The break came at the perfect time, considering tomorrow I would leave the only home that had ever made me feel safe.
I had moved in with my best friend, Everly Parker, and her grandmother when my parents had kicked me out after discovering I was an escort. Everly’s house had been my sanctuary. My safety net. The place where I stood on my own two feet, on my own terms, and did what I had to in order to get to this point.
And despite being ecstatic for Everly and her new relationship, I couldn’t help but feel lost and exposed. After four years of busting my ass in school, I just didn’t think I’d get here and feel so alone.
Not to mention horny.
Quitting sex cold turkey had been harder than I’d thought and I was doing everything I could to get my mind off it. I’d been taking classes all over the city; painting, pottery, yoga, and spinning. Anything to settle my brain. But no matter how hard I concentrated on the task at hand, I was restless. Jittery. Unable to get the overwhelming ache between my thighs to subside. On the day I had quit, I’d promised myself no more sex. I’d had plenty of it after all. I wanted to concentrate on my work now. Alas, my libido had other plans and my vibrator was about to break down. I was sure I’d be developing carpel tunnel.
I’d been living a dual life for three years, and I was torn between my old life as an escort and my future. I’d had to become someone else in order to get through my time in the industry, but as I tried to assimilate to a normal life, I realized that I’d let my escort alter ego, Jade, take over, and I had no idea who I was anymore.
I knew that happily ever after existed. And I knew that despite my former chosen profession, there was one waiting for me. Because fairy tales were what you made of them. Since childhood, I’d dreamed of finding my prince charming, who would sweep me off my feet and whisk me away on a white horse to his castle.
Was that dream so unrealistic?
“I think I’m going to have to convince a few of my guys to show up for work on Monday morning.” I jumped when I heard Ken’s voice behind me. “You definitely made an impression.”
I stood, pulling my dress down my thighs, looking over at him with a smile. “Wasn’t that your point?”
I’d met Ken at a Marketplace Symposium last year, and for some reason he’d taken a liking to me. He’d handed me his card and said that I could call him anytime for a job. As soon as I’d graduated, I took him up on his offer.
He sat beside me, at the head of the boardroom table, gently swiveling with his fingers steepled. “You’re just too smart for your own good.”
He didn’t need this review, and I knew it when I’d accepted the contract. He was just trying to stir up some awareness with his staff. And I had no problem being a part of it.
“So how was my delivery?”
“Just as insightful and professional as I had expected.” He tapped his fingers on the long glass table. “You’ve made it quite clear that it’s my upper management that requires some additional training.”
“With change comes a shift in priorities, in protocol and rule-making, and that challenges the reins.” I slipped my laptop into its case and collected my highlighters and pens.
He leaned across the oversized table, clasping his hands together. “Are you sure I can’t lure you into coming to work for me?”
I gathered up my hair and pulled it to the side, wrapping it around my neck to rest on the right side of my collar.
Ken had been relentless in wooing me with an offer to become his personal project assistant, but I wasn’t interested in working for someone else. I wanted to control my schedule. I wanted to call the shots. Not to mention, not being in one place for too long minimized the risk of people finding out about my past.
“It’s a nice offer, and it’s much appreciated, but I want to try things on my own.”
His persistence was baffling and it made all of my red flags go up, because the only reason I’d ever gotten attention from men was because of my looks or what I could do for them in bed.
“Just know the offer stands. If you get tired of going at it alone, give me a call.”
He stared at me and I had no choice but to hold his gaze. Nervousness washed over me, not because he made me uncomfortable, but it was as if Ken staring at me for too long would reveal my secret. How would he react? Would he have given me this opportunity if he’d known about my past?
I didn’t want to find out.
“I knew there was something special about you the first time we met and you disagreed with your professor about rational choice theory.”
I found it odd that he chose that moment to form his opinion of me, because I definitely hadn’t employed any logical or prudent decisions in my own life. I’d become a damn escort, for goodness’ sake.
“The office door is always open, Grace.” Ken held out his hand and I shook it.
With an appreciative smile, I walked out of the suburban office building and trekked across the parking lot to my hatchback.
I didn’t regret my decision to become an escort. I’d done what I had to do at the time in order to help my family and obtain the future I wanted—to be my own boss and build a career at something I was passionate about. Next up, finding someone to love.
I knew my prince charming was out there. I may have to turn over a few extra rocks and kiss a few extra frogs to find him, but I was willing to do the work.