Escorting Jessica Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Biography

  Escorting Jessica

  Carrie Pulkinen

  Breathless Press

  Calgary, Alberta

  www.breathlesspress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or

  persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Escorting Jessica

  Copyright © 2013 Carrie Pulkinen

  ISBN: 978-1-77101-157-0

  Cover Artist: Victoria Miller

  Editor: Leona Bushman

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations

  embodied in reviews.

  Breathless Press

  www.breathlesspress.com

  Chapter One

  Jessica Snider treaded up the sidewalk, cursing the Las Vegas heat. At only eight in the morning, her weather app showed a steadily climbing ninety-one degrees. Though she’d grown up in Nevada, she’d never get used to the heat—not in August.

  Heaving open the coffee shop door, she closed her eyes and stepped inside. Chilled air blasted from above, and she basked in it until goose bumps rose on her skin. She inhaled the frigid breeze with its luscious scents of cinnamon and java as she took her place in line.

  Most of the shop’s customers were on their way to work, but Jessica had already been on the job for three hours. She’d given up her childhood dream of being a Vegas showgirl years ago. Now, she owned a successful women-only gym on the strip. Opening at five in the morning wasn’t as bad as people thought, especially since Chaz didn’t mind the early nights. The charcoal-colored fluff ball seemed to enjoy cuddling against the small of Jessica’s back as she drifted to sleep in the early hours of the evening.

  It was the closest she’d been to spooning with a man in a year. Working in an all-women establishment made dating challenging, to say the least. However, she didn’t complain too much. With a steady income, great friends, and a job she loved, how could she? When the right time came, she’d find a man.

  Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Exhaling to blow her bangs off her forehead, she pulled it out and checked it.

  A text from her employee—and best friend—Amy. Getting busy in here. Bring me an iced mocha? Shoving the phone back into her pocket, she stepped up to order the mocha and a nonfat iced latte for herself. Then she shuffled to the counter to wait for her drinks.

  When the door chimed, Jessica glanced at the man stepping into the shop. Her breath caught and she jerked her gaze to the floor. Though her heart raced in her breast, she spared a quick peek again and had to swallow down the lump that formed in her throat.

  He stared right at her.

  She definitely needed to get out more. Seeing a good-looking man should not have affected her the way it had. Warmth bloomed below her navel. If she’d been a man, she might’ve had an issue. Luckily, her body didn’t give away the intense desire that coursed through her core. Breathe, Jess. Breathe.

  He stood about six feet tall, and though his slacks and button-up hung loosely on his frame, she couldn’t help but notice the obviously well-built body beneath his clothes. His silky, summer blond hair, sheared short on the sides, appeared straight and somewhat spiky on top.

  Aside from having filled out in all the right places, Trevor Hill hadn’t changed a bit since high school. She felt her eyes widen as the recognition hit, and it was all she could do to tear her gaze from those familiar slate-gray eyes. She turned away, willing the barista to work faster.

  She flashed back to her junior—his senior—year aquatic science class. He’d sat two desks to her right. Though his close proximity had made her pulse quicken and her palms sweat, she’d managed—until it was time to dissect the shark. Trevor had drawn her name as lab partner, and she’d nearly had a panic attack right in front of him.

  How embarrassing it had been! She’d faked a migraine and taken off to the nurse. Then she asked the teacher to reassign him a new partner since she wouldn’t be back for a while. The next day, she’d mysteriously come down with a stomachache during that period.

  She’d caught up on the missed work during tutorials, and had somehow managed to avoid speaking to him the rest of the year. He went off to college, and she hadn’t seen him since.

  She had thought about him, though. The corners of her mouth pulled into a grin as she remembered the starring role he played in many of her late night fantasies. But to see him in person after all those years... The rush of emotions was more than she cared to bear.

  “Ma’am? Excuse me, your drinks are ready.” The barista pushed the cups toward Jessica.

  “Hmm? Oh, right. Sorry.” She’d been so lost in the memories of the gorgeous man that a line had formed behind her. Grabbing the coffee, she fixed her gaze on the floor and shuffled past him. The likelihood of a guy like him remembering her eight years later was slim, but she wasn’t taking any chances. If she could just make it out the door, she’d be home free.

  “Jessica?” The way her name rolled off his tongue froze her in her tracks. “Jessica Snider?” The syllables danced in her ears. Was he speaking to her? He recognized her?

  Taking a deep breath to steady her heart, she lifted her gaze. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Do you remember me? I’m Tre—”

  “Trevor. Of course.” Hoping he didn’t hear the hysteria in her voice as it raised two octaves higher than normal, she cleared her throat. “Science class. Yeah, I remember.” How could I forget?

  She dipped her head to sip the latte through the straw. Was he going to say anything else? Should she say something? The uncomfortable moment seemed to stretch on forever. Casting her gaze to her feet, she stifled a nervous giggle.

  Damn it. She was a grown woman. Why did she permit him to affect her this way? It was as if an awkward teenager had taken over her twenty-four-year-old self. I’ve been on enough dates to not turn into a babbling idiot in front of a handsome man. Get it together, Jess.

  His polished loafers caught her gaze. His enormous, polished loafers. Her stomach tightened as heat coursed through her veins. She owed it to herself to at least speak to a man who could get her this hot and bothered with a casual conversation.

  “So, how have you been, Trevor? You married? Kids?” Jeez! Why the hell did I say that?

  His grin revealed perfectly white teeth. “I’ve been good. Still single. No kids. How about you? What are you up to?”

  “Just on my way back to work. I run the gym two blocks over.”

  “Oh, yeah? I think I’ve got a client or two that go there.” Stepping out of line, he closed the space between them.

  Jessica’s heart pounded. The heat radiating from his skin warmed her own. His masculine scent filled her nostrils, weakening her knees. “Umm, clients? Are you a lawyer?”

  He chuckled. “Nah. I own a...dating service.” He ran a hand through his hair, glanced at the floor, and looked at her almost apologetically.

  Did his job embarrass him?

  “Oh. I bet you’re pretty busy with the ladies, then.” She mentally smacked herself in the forehead. Real smooth, idiot. He’s already uncomfortable talking about it; way to humiliate the guy.

  His deep belly laugh sounded almos
t musical. Maybe he wasn’t embarrassed? “I run the service. I’m not a client.”

  The condensation on the cups mixed with sweat on her palms, and she had to focus to hold on to the drinks. “Oh, that’s good. I mean, unless you want to be a client. Then that would be okay, I guess. Whatever floats your boat, right? Not that there’s anything wrong with dating services.” She adjusted the cups in her hands and stepped toward the door. “I-I think I’m just going to shut up now. I’ve got to get back to work anyway. Nice seeing you.”

  He pushed the door open and held it for her.

  “Thanks. Bye, Trevor.” Breathing a sigh of relief, she headed through the door. Could she have been any more awkward? Oh, well. She’d behaved no differently than she would have eight years ago.

  “Hey, Jessica?” Only three steps into her stride when he spoke, she stopped, slowly turned around, and put on her best smile.

  “Yes?”

  He put his hands in his pockets and shuffled toward her. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  A lump formed in her throat, and she tried to swallow it down. “Um, no.”

  “Would you like to have dinner sometime?”

  “Dinner? With you?” Is he serious? Hopefully I didn’t sound as stunned as I feel.

  “With me. Unless you’d rather dine with someone else.” He winked and took another step closer.

  “I... Yeah, sure. Why not?” Wow!

  His smile widened. “Great. Here’s my card. I know you’ve got to get back to work, so give me a call this afternoon, and we can plan something.”

  With a drink in each hand, she lifted a finger to take the card. He awkwardly tried to hand it to her and laughed. “Here.” Reaching behind her, he slid it into her back pocket.

  As his hand brushed against her butt, she tried not to react visibly. “Okay. I’ll call you.”

  “I hope you will.” He opened the door and went inside.

  ***

  Jessica Snider was exactly as he remembered her. Tall, fair skin, long legs, and thick onyx hair. Rather than pulling it back into a braid like she had in school, she wore it down now. It flowed in waves and framed brown eyes so dark, they were almost black. Mysterious. He could only imagine the kinds of secrets she could hide behind those eyes. Luckily, running a gym hadn’t taken away her voluptuous curves.

  He adjusted his pants as he waited in line for coffee. She still had the same effect on him. How long has it been? Eight years, and she still tied his insides in knots when she was close.

  He’d missed his chance to ask her out back in high school. There was no way he’d have missed it again. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. She had no idea the nerd girl persona she’d tried so desperately to hide behind was actually what drew him to her.

  She was intellectual. Someone he could hold an intelligent conversation with. Someone who could stimulate his brain, and not just his cock.

  But why had he lied when she asked about his business? Was he afraid she’d judge him? Why would he care if she did? Did he want to bury his dick inside her so badly he’d lie to her to get in her pants?

  No, it was more than that. At twenty-six, one-night-stands and friends-with-benefits hook-ups no longer appealed to him. He wanted a relationship. And Jessica might just be the girl for him.

  Technically, he hadn’t lied. He just hadn’t disclosed the whole truth. Besides, she didn’t ask for details.

  Chapter Two

  Jessica couldn’t wipe the grin from her face as she bounded down the sidewalk to the gym. Trevor Hill had just asked her out. On a date. With him! Ice clanked in the cups, her hands trembling as she walked in the door.

  “I was wondering if you were coming back.” Amy took the mocha from her hand and sucked half of it down in one gulp. “Mmm...caffeine.”

  Jessica stepped behind the counter and looked around the room. “I thought you said it was busy in here?”

  Amy grinned sheepishly. “It was. And I was trying to help someone with the fly machine, but I figured it out.”

  Fresh out of college, Amy had just earned her degree in kinesiology. What she lacked in self-confidence, she more than made up for in skill. Jessica saw a lot of herself in Amy, and their friendship had taken off from the start.

  “I never doubted you. Sorry it took so long, though. I ran into someone I used to know.”

  Amy’s eyes lit up. “A man? An old friend? Do tell!”

  Heat flushed Jessica’s cheeks. “He’s just this guy I knew in high school. I had a huge crush on him, but I was a nerd and he dated the skinny cheerleader type. You know.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Oh, yeah. I know the type. Was he an ass?”

  “No, and actually”—she finished her coffee and dropped it in the trash before crossing her arms over her chest—”he asked me out to dinner.”

  Amy’s mouth dropped open. “No way! Are you gonna go? I mean, do you think he’s any nicer now? Maybe since he’s not around all his friends, you know. People can change.”

  “He doesn’t really need to change. He was a nice guy in school. Everyone liked him. I just liked him so much that I forgot how to breathe whenever I was near him.”

  “When are you going out?”

  “I don’t know. I have to call him.” She pulled his business card from her pocket and shivered at the memory of his fingers brushing against her backside. Pursing her lips, she toyed with the nondescript card. It bore only his name, phone number, and email. “When do you think I should call?”

  “Right now!”

  She pulled her phone out of her pocket and stared at the screen. It was only nine. “I don’t want to seem too desperate.”

  Amy sighed. “True. But you also don’t want him to think you’re playing games. You know, how young people think they have to wait like three days to call someone. You don’t want him thinking you still try to play by all those outdated relationship rules.”

  “Ugh. Dating is so complicated. This is why I don’t do it.” Slipping the card and phone back into her pocket, she glanced at the clock. “I’ll call him in an hour.”

  “I’ll remind you,” Amy sang as she skipped away to help a customer.

  What the hell was I thinking, saying I’d go out with Trevor Hill? She chuckled under her breath. He doesn’t want to date me. He probably wants to sign me up for his dating program or something. Why would he be interested in me?

  She had to get her mind off it before she talked herself out of calling him. It was possible for him to be interested, wasn’t it? She’d changed quite a bit since he’d seen her last. Contact lenses replaced her thick-rimmed glasses, and she wore makeup now. She was just as attractive as the next woman. Why couldn’t she date a guy like Trevor?

  Pushing the thoughts from her mind, she busied herself with paperwork for the next hour and a half. She’d managed to distract herself so well that she lost track of time until Amy reminded her.

  “Don’t you have a phone call to make?”

  She closed the filing cabinet and pulled out the card. “You’re right. I do.”

  Amy clapped her hands. “No one’s here. Put it on speaker.”

  “Okay.” Jessica giggled with giddy excitement. Her heart beat like hummingbird wings as she punched the number into her phone and pressed the speaker button. It rang four times before he picked up.

  “Trevor Hill speaking.” What was she thinking putting him on speaker? She was a mature adult, and she needed to act like it. She turned off speaker and pressed the phone to her ear. Amy furrowed her brow and crossed her arms, silently protesting.

  “Hey, Trevor. It’s Jessica.” Not knowing what else to say, she chewed her bottom lip.

  “Oh, hi Jessica.” She could hear the smile behind his words. “Listen, I’m glad you called, but now’s not a good time. Can I give you a ring this afternoon?”

  Her heart sank down to her stomach. Of course he couldn’t talk. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”

  “Is this a good number to reach you?”

  “U
h huh. It’s my cell.” She fought back the tears that threatened to spill on her cheeks.

  “Great. I’ll call you as soon as I get a free minute, okay?”

  “Okay. Bye, Trevor.”

  Pressing End, she sucked in a shaky breath. What the hell was her problem? I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to—Damn it! Tears of anger dripped from her eyes. Crying when she was mad had always been her vice, and she couldn’t think of a time she’d been angrier with herself.

  She’d gotten her hopes up that a high school fantasy was about to be fulfilled. Boy, was she a sucker. He was probably laughing with his buddies about what a fool she was. Still the same nerd girl from eight years ago.

  “What did he say?” The concern in Amy’s eyes made Jessica choke up even more.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “He...he said he’d call me back later.”

  “Oh, my god. Are you crying? Sweetie, that’s nothing to cry about.” Amy rushed around the desk to hug her. “He was busy. No biggie.”

  “I’m not crying because he’s busy. I’m mad at myself for getting my hopes up. Ahh! I was such an idiot!” She slapped her hand on the countertop. “He isn’t going to call back. He blew me off.” Get it together, girl. He’s just a boy.

  Amy crossed her arms. “Now, you don’t know that.”

  “Yes, I do.” She told her about the incident in science class and how dreadfully embarrassing the whole ordeal had been.

  “That was eight years ago. He probably doesn’t even remember. And if he does? So what. If he’s gonna hold that against you, he’s not worth your time.”

  She wiped the tears from her cheeks and straightened her spine. “You’re right. He’s either going to call me or he isn’t. I was doing just fine before he showed up, and I’ll keep doing fine if I never hear from him again.”

  “That’s the spirit.” Amy picked up a dust rag and wiped down a weight machine. “That was Trevor Hill, right? As in Hill’s Escorts?”

  Jessica furrowed her brow. “Escorts?”