Free The Mistaken Escort's Pleasure: A Liaison Novel by Valerie Ullmer Page A

couldn’t take her eyes off Lucian.   A surge of rage rushed through her, and she felt a growl rise in her chest.   She chanced a glance up at Lucian to see what his reaction was to another woman staring at him, but he wasn’t paying attention to her old roommate.
    “It’s so great to run into you.   You know the wedding is just over a month away, and I wanted to introduce you to Steve before the wedding,” Tim said.
    “She has a date,” Lucian growled.
    “Oh, oh, I see.”   Tim shifted from one foot to the other, and reached for Amanda’s hand in reassurance, but she ignored him altogether.
    Without thinking, she blurted, “Amanda, why do you keep staring at Lucian?”
    “We have a history,” Amanda said.
    The strained silence between the four of them was palpable, until Ellie threw her hands up and shouted the first thing that came to mind.   “Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
    She pulled away from Lucian, and without conscious thought, walked away from the three of them.
    She didn’t care who Lucian had dated in the past, because his past was his business, but she was tired of women, including her own friend, being mesmerized by the man.   Jealousy clawed away at her chest as she continued walking—to where, she didn’t know nor did she care.  
    When she first met Lucian, she thought that they would look incompatible as a couple, but now, she knew her reasons had changed.   Between kissing in the elevator to their day at the museum, her feelings for him were growing.   Without knowing when it happened, she allowed herself to hope that something between the two of them would develop into something more.
    But reality set in.   No one had ever wanted her—not her parents, or Tim—so the hope that something had started to grow was both dangerous and stupid.
    Every time he touched her, kissed her, her mind shut down and she let instinct take over.   She found herself plastered to his body, craving more than what they had already shared.   She was crazy, and he wasn’t the man for her.   And the sooner she realized it, the better off she would be.
    After walking for close to a half an hour, her mind swirling with hurt and anger, she stopped in front of a coffee shop and stared at the people milling inside.   She spotted an empty overstuffed chair in the back corner and pulled open the door, heading toward the back.   She plopped down, pulled her legs up, and laid her head on her knees.   She closed her eyes, and let the soft murmurs and slow jazz wash over her until she relaxed.
    She didn’t open her eyes as familiar arms scooped her up, pressing her close to his chest.   He sat back down on the chair, and she curled herself against him.   She couldn’t help herself from seeking comfort when he offered.   He pressed her face against his neck, and although part of her wanted to revolt, she relaxed into his arms.   His hand soothed her, gliding up and down her back, while his other arm kept her firmly against him.
    He broke the silence several minutes later.   “My assistant had set me up on a blind date with Amanda, several years ago.   It was a disaster.   She was drunk before we reached the restaurant, and after flirting with every male in the vicinity, I put her in a cab and haven’t seen her since.”
    “I told you this wouldn’t work out,” she mumbled.
    He jerked at her harsh words, before his voice became low and dangerous.   “It will.   I told them we were engaged.”
    She leaned back until she could see his face, but she couldn’t decipher his look.
    “Don’t let them ruin our day.”   He paused before he added.   “What did you see in him, anyway?”
    She shrugged.   “I think it was the hope that since we’ve known each other since we were kids, that maybe there would be something more, but I was wrong.   He was demeaning, and called me ‘El’ when I asked him not to.   Oh, and he slept with my roommate.”
    His laughter comforted her, and she couldn’t help