The deep voice sent shivers down her back. Her heart leapt to her throat. A young man, no doubt in his mid-twenties, stood before her with tousled blond hair, a bit too long to be considered proper, but not long enough to look delinquent. His face was gorgeous, tanned, with ice-blue eyes, full lips and a three-day growth of stubble that made him look way too sexy to be legal.
Her gaze traveled down the long, lean frame, snugly covered with a silk black, button-down shirt, left untucked. A well-developed body was evident through the fabric. He wore gray slacks and black leather monk toed shoes to complete the outfit. Daniella shook her head slightly to snap out of the sudden trance.
"Yes… can I help you?"
"Trace Bentley." He held his hand out, but Daniella made no attempt to take it.
His gaze met hers. He smiled and she almost fell to the floor. He took a few steps toward her. She noticed he was at least six inches taller, which put him at about the six-foot mark. Reaching around, he pulled out the chair for her and stepped aside. Daniella sat, still staring at him curiously. After he took his seat, they stared at each other for an awkward moment. He finally broke the silence. "I guess I should re-introduce myself. Name is Trace Bentley and I'm the guy who put the ad in Swingers and Flingers."
Daniella shook her head in disbelief. "You're the twenty-five-year-old virgin?"
He chuckled. "Well, yes and no. I put the ad in after breaking up with my girlfriend of three years."
Daniella sat back, suddenly feeling a bit insecure. "Why?"
Trace looked down, his expression a bit contrite; "I was really upset over it. She told me she needed someone who knew how to make love, not just fuck."
His cheeks brightened with color. Something told Daniella there was much more to this story than what Trace was telling her. "So you figured putting an ad in an adult magazine would nail you an older nympho, who could teach you how to, uh, make love?"
She really hadn't intended to sound so sarcastic, but this whole magazine ad scenario suddenly felt like some college student's attempt at bagging a cougar.
Trace smiled sheepishly. "I would be lying if I said no. Honestly, I hadn't thought anyone would even answer the ad."
His eyes traveled over her cleavage and he absently licked his lips. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she prayed Trace didn't notice her blushing like a virgin on her first date. Why was she so nervous? Maybe because I'm prostituting myself out of desperation? It didn't matter how attractive Trace was, and how tempting it was to sleep with him, the fact she would be paid to do it felt so dirty. But it's just this once!
They sat there for several awkward seconds, staring at each other. The silence only intensified her anxiousness. Finally, he looked away and motioned for the waiter. Daniella had never been this uncomfortable around people. Was it just him, or her situation? Or both? She needed some air. Suddenly, Daniella grew panicky. It's just two weeks, only this one time.
Her heart beat faster. She tried to calm her gnawing anxiety, but couldn't. This whole thing was so wrong. She stood to leave. "Look, Trace, it was nice to meet you, but I think this was all a mistake… I…"
He stood and reached for her. "No, Dana, wait. I would like to offer you another deal." Trace grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips to place a soft, hot kiss on her knuckles. Her
hand seemed to throb where his lips touched it. His expression, both sad and pleading, reminded her of a lost little puppy.
She stared at him like an idiot before her senses finally returned to normal. It was now or never, and the way his eyes begged her to stay tugged at her heart, despite the shame of her circumstances. She cursed herself for this moment of weakness.
She sat and folded her arms over her chest. "Okay, Trace, what's this deal?"
He frowned, staring at her arms. "I still want to pay you for your companionship."
Daniella rolled her eyes. "Isn't that the same deal you offered in the ad?"
"Yes somewhat the same, I would like to learn from you what women really want." Trace sat back down and stared at her.
He smiled, giving his face an almost boyish innocence, and it made Daniella's pulse race. She was definitely attracted to him, which was a good thing if she were to accept his deal. He cleared his throat, waiting for her to consider his offer. The voice of reason in her head screamed its objection. Yet the gnawing desperation inside the rest of her wanted this.
It was a chance to get her back on her feet and on with a new life. Not to mention, the more she sat staring at Trace across the table, the sexier he became. Shit!
After another awkward moment of silence between them, she shook her head. "No, this was a big mistake. I'm sorry to have wasted your time, Trace."
She rose, took a deep breath, and walked away. God I'm so fucking pathetic. To think she could be so down on her luck that she'd almost sold herself for money. Just as she was almost out the door, Daniella felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned, ready to blast the asshole. Trace's somber expression stared back at her.
She sighed loudly. "I'm not interested."
He didn't seem to get it. "I wasn't either, until I saw you."
Did she hear him right? "Excuse me?"
"I saw you walk into the restaurant. I was waiting at the bar for you to come in. When I set this date up I did it rather on the spur of the moment. Out of curiosity, really. And when I watched you walk across to our table, curiosity turned to interest."
He looked so sincere. But she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Trace, I'm not sure how to take this. Honestly, I've never done anything like this before. I'm sorry, but I just can't."
She started to turn away from him, and she would have walked away, but his expression turned heart-rending.
"Please, just two weeks. It's all I'm asking. I'll double the price."
Daniella froze. She stared back at him in shock. Double the price? Christ! Ten thousand dollars would pay off a lot of debt. Wait, what am I thinking? Damn it! I shouldn't! But it's ten thousand dollars!
Her desperation was winning and it was hard to say no. She should leave. Just this once and I can forgive myself later.
"Fifteen thou," he offered, staring intently at her.
Daniella bit her lip. Her conscience fought a losing battle with her survival instinct. She closed her eyes, swallowed, and took a deep, calming breath."Okay… you have a deal."
Trace snapped his head up. His face beamed. Smiling his heart-stopping smile, he nodded. "Great! When can we pick up your stuff?" "Excuse me?"
Personal Tutor By Emma Paul only $0.99 at Amazon Click here to Buy
It has been three months since Daniella Brandon's divorce. Worse her ex has hooked up with a blond bombshell half his age. Without a job, desperate and in debt, Daniella decides to answer and ad for a female companion to "teach" a wealthy twenty-some-thing young man the ropes. Little does she realize or bargain for that the ad is for not one but two hot twenty-some-thing-twin brothers.
Trace and Aaron have a very interesting proposition for her. Both men want to share her for two weeks and are willing to pay a hefty fee. Out of desperation--and like it or not she is very attracted to the two young men--Daniella accepts. However, things soon become more complicated, and she finds herself, falling hard and fast for one of the twins.