“Hello, Miss York. It’s good to see you again,” Nigel says, holding one of the double doors open for me.
I let out a long breath. I’m nervous. My boobs are sweaty, and my knees shake. It’s the unknown. What’s expected of me.
I got a notification on the app last night from Titan with instructions of a job. Then I received an alert from the shop that a dress had been picked out for me. Along with an appointment to get my hair and makeup done. “It’s good to see you again too.”
He gives me a kind smile. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“Do you know much about the Queens?” I ask him, wanting to know as much info as I can.
“What would you like to know?”
That’s a loaded question. I have so many. But the only one that I can seem to speak is. “Do they all get picked up here at the casino?” When I was notified of the pickup location, I was more than surprised. I mean, I was relieved that it wasn’t my place. Or his. At least Kingdom is mutual ground. And I can see why they didn’t want us to meet at the restaurant. He wants to arrive with me. Show me off. I understand how this works.
“No. But this is your first time with this client, correct?”
“First time period.” I run my sweaty hands down my gown.
“Oh.” He smiles. “How exciting.”
I laugh nervously. “That’s not what I’d call it.”
He reaches out and takes my hand, clutching it in his. “My dear, I assure you that you are in good hands. Titan would not allow someone to be with a Queen that he would not trust.”
I nod and let out a long breath. “I’m just nervous about what is expected of me.” I drop my head and stare at the white marble floor and the gold K that is in the middle of a black circle.
He places his free hand under my chin and lifts it, so I meet his kind eyes. “You do what you feel comfortable doing. This is your show.”
A single elevator to my right dings before the door slides open when Nigel pulls away from me. Titan and Grave step out. They both stop when they see me. Grave looks at me as if I’m an annoyance. He’s mad at me, I’m sure. He thinks I tricked him by acting deaf. That was never my intention. Titan clears his throat. “I’ll meet you down there,” he informs Grave. “Can you give us a moment, Nigel?”
“Of course, sir.” He bows and then follows Grave back into the elevator.
Nervously, I run my hand down my dress. It’s black with a deep V to show off my cleavage and a slit up my right leg, all the way up to my thigh. It’s silk. Cool and soft against my skin. I topped it off with a pair of red Gucci heels and my fingernails match. My hair is up in a tight bun to show off the dress per my client’s request.
He stops before me. “You look …” He licks his lips. “Stunning.”
Butterflies fill my stomach, and it has nothing to do with the date that I’m getting paid to go on. “I—”
“You sure you want to do this, Em?” he interrupts me.
Something about his voice makes me lift my chin higher. Stand straighter. His doubt in me makes me want to prove him wrong more than Nigel’s confidence. “It’s just a date, Titan,” I spit out.
He crosses his tatted arms over his broad chest and smirks down at me. “What if he wants to fuck you?”
I blink at his bluntness. My heart picking up speed at the thought of sleeping with a guy for money. For any other reason than attraction. I mean, let’s face it, I sucked his dick for my phone. But it was more than that, wasn’t it? I’ve wanted Titan for years, and I finally had an excuse to do it and not feel regret, even if he had backed me up into a corner. “If the price is right.” I shrug, not wanting him to see my fear.
The smile drops off his face, and his body goes rigid. He stares down at me, and I ignore the blood rushing in my ears. He’s trying to scare me. He thinks that I can’t do this. That I don’t have what it takes. This is when I wish I was more like Jasmine. I’ll just have to pretend for now.
“Titan!”
I spin around, hearing a man behind me. He buttons his suit jacket and holds out his right hand as he approaches Titan.
“Jacob.” Titan shakes his hand. “This is Emilee. Your date for the night.” He gestures to me. He’s replaced his scowl with a smile, but it’s tight.
“Well hello, Emilee.” He holds out his hand to me, and I take it. Bending down, he kisses my knuckles. “I hope you like seafood.”