Free Scarred Beauty by Sam Crescent

on the bathroom floor until his tears
stopped, and then he pulled away from her arms. Noelle stared at him. Her
friend was more important than her paid-for date.
    “You’re right. I’ve got to get him to talk to
me.”
    “Yes. The sooner, the better. You can’t live
your life guessing, Brad.” She kissed him on the head and stood up with him. “Are
you using some kind of plant food? You’re getting way too tall.”
    The joke had the desired effect as he began to
laugh.
    “I’m sorry to unload on you. You’re right. I’m
going to head out and try to catch him at the club. Have a good night, and I’ll
see you tomorrow.” He kissed her cheek and left.
    Deciding not to take offense, she left the
bathroom to get ready for her date.
    She picked out a pink knee-length dress with
some stockings. There was no way she would be going out in the cold without
being warm. The colour would contrast with her hair, but she didn’t mind. The
dress looked good on her. Brad had told her so. She hoped it played down her
large curves.
    She phoned for a taxi. While she waited, she
wrapped her face with a scarf and a hat.   When the sound of the taxi came up, she took her key and locked the
apartment.
    The drive didn’t last long. It never did, and
soon the taxi was pulling up outside the hotel. She paid him then went to the
reception desk to ask for her key. The man on the desk was used to her, so he
handed her the key and wished her a good night.
    She was late from dealing with Brad. When she
turned the corner, she saw Isaac waiting for her.
    “You’re late,” he said the moment he saw her.
    “My friend needed me.”
    “Then I can forgive you.” He gestured for her to
open the door.
    She felt his presence against her back,
dominating and invasive at the same time. Noelle fumbled with the key a few
times. Eventually, Isaac took it from her and let them both into the room.
    “Take your hat and scarf off. I want to see
you.”
    She followed his command, removing the hat from
her head and feeling the rush of relief from having her bound hair released to
tumble around her shoulder. Gently, she unwrapped the scarf.
    Isaac removed his coat. “I’m so pleased you
could see me tonight.”
    “I can see you every night. I’m not exactly
busy.”
    “The life of an artist is free and light?”
    “Inspiration has been in short supply. I can’t
paint unless I feel the need to.”
    Isaac held out his hands. She placed hers inside
his. They were warm and soothing to the touch. The electricity caught her off
guard again.
    “You feel it, too?”
    She nodded her head, unable to speak.
    “I feel like tiny bolts of lightning are going
up and down my arms.”
    He led the way to the bed and lay down. He
tapped the side of the bed. “Come and join me.”
    Pulling her coat off, she heard him gasp as she
revealed the dress she wore.
    “You look stunning.”
    She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
When she was with him, she wasn’t as conscious about her scar as other times.
Isaac helped her to see past her worries. Tucking her dress under her, she
settled on the bed beside him, staring up at the ceiling.
    “How far have you ever gone with a man?” he
asked, startling her with his question. Had she spoken out loud?
    “Why?”
    “I’m curious about you.”
    “Do you ask all your clients this?” She felt
nervous in case he compared her with them. Is that why he asked the question?
    “No, I don’t. You’re the first. Why do you keep
bringing up other clients?”
    “I don’t want to forget that this is what you
do,” she said.
    “What do I do?”
    “You do what women tell you to do. You make them
all feel special in their own way for a price. I’m no different, and I don’t
want to forget that.”
    “What we have is different.” He stared down at
her. “I’m not like this with other women, Elle. You’re special. I want to be
with you. I don’t phone any other women to be with.”
    She heard what he said, and her