Escorting the Player (The Escort Collection 3)

I gestured toward the shot. "Don't drink that if you don't want to—don't do anything you don't want to do tonight."

Her eyes lit up. "Thank you for saying that," she said, sounding genuinely grateful. She eyed the small glass. "I guess I could use some more courage." She knocked back the shot, and I watched as she grimaced while it went down.

Then we grinned at each other like we were allies in a secret war.

I pulled her back to me, for better or for worse. This girl needed protection. And I wanted to keep seeing her eyes light up like that.

That'd been my last thought as ran my hands down her body, relishing the feel of her against me. I want to be the one to light them up.

And now I sat in my gym, feeling sick and shaky from my regular old hangover as well as a guilt hangover. I sighed and picked up even heavier weights, ignoring the vibrations of my phone. I wasn't trying to be a douchebag last night. I was trying to make Avery's eyes light up.

They said the road to hell was paved with good intentions. I had a sinking feeling I was about to find out if they were correct.

Chapter Nine

AVERY

I stayed in my room the entire next day, venturing out only for a run to the kitchen for ibuprofen, water, and coffee—I still couldn't look at food. And I was petrified to face Chase. Elena called me on the loaner phone she'd packed. "Nice work, Avery. I'm loving these

pictures of you and Chase out on the town. You guys look like you had a good time."

"We did." I swallowed hard. I'd taken the ibuprofen, but nothing had stopped the pounding in my head. I vowed to never touch hard alcohol again.

"How's he treating you?" the madam asked.

I forced myself to sit up and winced at how my whole body hurt. "He's very…nice. His agent wanted us to go out so we could be photographed. It seemed to go well."

"So, is this going to work out? I don't normally call my girls when they're on assignment, but this is a very special client. I wanted to be sure that you're comfortable, but also that you're confident Mr. Layne is satisfied with the service."

"Everything's going great." I felt a pit of dread form in my stomach. Chase and I had sex last night, and he practically ran, screaming, out of my room this morning. I'm afraid to see him. "Thank you so much for giving me this job, Elena. I'll never be able to say that enough."

I won't live long enough to say thank you appropriately—I'll probably die from embarrassment first. As soon as I face him again.

Elena clucked her tongue in approval. "I'm thrilled it's working out. Please get in touch if you need anything. I'll keep watching you online. I'm very pleased, Avery. Keep up the good work."

I plastered a smile onto my face even though she couldn't see me. "Thank you. I will. I promise."

I hung up and lay there, miserable and confused.

There was a knock on the door. I perked up, hoping it was Chase.

"Avery?" Eric called.

Even though I liked the agent, my face fell. "Um…yeah?"

"Do you want some food?"

"God no," I said.

"Let me know if that changes. Listen, first thing tomorrow, we're meeting a broker to shop for condos in the Leather District. Photo opportunity," he called, sounding so chipper that I sunk back underneath my covers, away from the harsh brightness of his voice. "Just relax. I'll get you some ginger ale—so you don't puke like I just did."

I groaned. Eric was a seasoned professional in more ways than one. I had no idea how Chase was faring today—with his hangover or his guilt. Sighing, I got up and trudged to the shower. Even if I didn't feel good, I had to look good.

Just in case I had to face him.

* * *

CHASE