An Escort for Christmas

“You are welcome any time, sweetie,” she insisted. “Now I better get downstairs and make some breakfast. It seems that Jameson isn’t the only one who had too much to drink last night.”

He groaned, and she shut the door softly behind her when she left. I’d expected Jameson to release his hold on me, but he didn’t. In fact, he pulled me closer.

“I’m so sorry, Harper,” he whispered into my hair. “I know I was a complete asshole to you last night, and you didn’t deserve that. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes?” My voice came out breathy and unsure.

He moved his hips, and something hot and hard grazed against my bottom. I swallowed. My heart was racing a thousand miles an hour, and all I wanted to do was lay there with him like this all day long.

He rolled me over in his arms, searching my face with his eyes.

“I should probably let you go,” he noted in a husky voice.

“Yes.” I croaked. “You probably should.”

He didn’t. His gaze fell to my lips, and I licked them in response. I wanted him to kiss me so badly, but I knew he wouldn’t. He still seemed unsure, like he didn’t believe I’d really forgiven him. I knew I shouldn’t. But I wanted to taste him again. I wanted one kiss that wasn’t for show. So I threaded my fingers through his hair and pulled him against me.

Jameson groaned when his lips brushed over mine, and then he devoured me completely. The next thing I knew, he’d flipped me onto my back and was hovering over me, kissing his way down my neck and across my chest.

I was breathing hard, my nipples scraping against the silk fabric, longing to be free. My hands clung to his biceps, marveling at how strong and solid he was. I wanted to feel his body against mine. To feel him inside of me. I’d never wanted anything so much in my life. But he pulled away and sat back on his heels, scrubbing his hands over his face.

“I’m sorry,” he bit out. “I took it too far.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. I couldn’t stand to see him go cold again, so I just nodded and acted like it was no big deal. Though in truth I wanted to tell him he hadn’t gone far enough.

“It was my fault,” I said. “I started it.”

“I’m uh…” His eyes darted around the room for a likely escape route. “I’m gonna’ go hit the shower.”

I didn’t even have time to respond before he was gone.

Chapter Thirteen

The snow fell hard that day, and I was introduced to another King family tradition.

Building snowmen.

It brought back my inner child, and I was actually quite enjoying myself, even though Jameson wasn’t participating. He sat on the bench outside and watched as I helped his sisters make Mrs. Clause in snow form. The men were responsible for Santa, and even Charles seemed to be enjoying the youthful festivities. The longer I spent in his presence, the less suspicious he seemed of me. He’d even gone so far as to give me a friendly smile at breakfast that morning.

“So what are we going to do while the boys go out tonight?” Lily asked.

I’d only just learned they had a bachelor party to attend tonight, and for obvious reasons I wouldn’t be accompanying Jameson.

“We could rent some movies,” Lacey suggested.

“Boring!” Lily retorted.

“Nothing is ever boring if you’re with the right people,” Lacey admonished.

Lily tossed her a wry look.

“Okay, then we’ll add some alcohol too.”

“What do you think, Harper?” Lily asked. “Movie night and drinks?”

“Sure. That sounds great.”

***

Jameson’s sisters and I made it till midnight before we called it a night.

Lacey was passed out on the sofa, snoring like a log, and Lily said she wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t surprised after the amount of Margaritas she’d downed. Still, the night had been a blast, and I had a great time.

As I snuck upstairs and prepared for bed, the guilt started to eat away at me again. I really liked Jameson’s family. And though I knew some of them were suspicious of me, they had every right to be. I hated lying to them.

As much as I wanted things to be different between us, I had to remember this was a job. And the money I earned from it was going to change my life, for the better. But in the end, I had to question what the costs would be. Who would be getting hurt when it was all said and done?