Free Living in Sin (The Escort Series) by Isabel Lucero Page A

strong, citrus aroma fills the air. I gaze down inside of the box to see two beautiful, yellow roses, lying on a white satin material. I immediately pick them up, put them to my nose and inhale.
    “Those are beautiful!” Em shrieks next to me. She grabs one and inhales the amazing scent as well.
    I see a small piece of paper that was lying under the roses. I take in in my fingers and read the only word that’s on there.
    Friends?
    Emilie snatches it from me and reads it. “Do you think this is from Beautiful Blue Eyes?” she asks.
    I can’t help but laugh. “New name I see, and you have beautiful blue eyes, too.”
    “Please. His eyes put my eyes to shame. Anyway, so it’s him, right? Has to be.”
    “Let me open the envelope and we’ll see.”
    I tear the side of the envelope open and pull the paper out. This paper has a few more words than the last.
     
    I think you left something behind. I’m sure you’re wondering why I didn’t just send it to you. Well, that would be no fun. I’ll be at Delmonico in The Venetian at six-thirty. See you there.
    -Jace aka God-like creature
     
    I die a little when I read his sign off. “Oh Em Mother Effing Gee!” I yell. “How does he know we call him God-like creature?”
    Em’s eyes go wide as she yanks the paper from me. “Oh fuck, it is him! I knew it.”
    “That’s great, Em. How the fuck does he know what we call him? That’s terribly embarrassing!”
    “Uh-oh,” she says meekly. “I was texting you like a mad woman last night. I thought you were really trying to give me the three day silent treatment. I mentioned him in the texts. I don’t remember what all I said exactly, but I do remember saying something about how you were being bitchy and should just let the God-like creature with beautiful eyes fuck you, and maybe you’d loosen up.”
    I’m sure my eyes are as wide as saucers. I just stare at her, trying to find words. She just squints and bites her lip, waiting for my reaction.
    “Emilie, I ought to kill you. How can I face him now? He’s gonna know we’ve been talking about him, and now I look like a psycho.”
    “Calm your psycho pants down. It’ll be fine.”
    “Oh my God. This is gonna be completely awkward. Good-bye potential sex life.”
    Emilie ignores my complaints. “Come on. Let’s pick you out the hottest outfit ever. He’ll take one look at you and forget about any text messages.”
    I groan and let her pull me into my bedroom.

 
     
     
    After getting out of the shower, I throw on a pair of jeans, a black blazer on top of a white shirt, and a pair of casual Stacy Adams shoes.
    I glace at the clock and it reads five till six. I figure it’s best to go ahead and catch a cab to make my way down The Strip. You never know what the traffic will be like, and I have a feeling if I’m late, Adrienne will leave.
    Walking out of the elevator and into the lobby, I see John at the counter.
    “Leaving, Sir?” he asks.
    “John, please call me Jace. Really, it’s fine. And yes, I am leaving.”
    “Okay then. You want me to call you a cab, Jace?” He sounds awkward saying my name. I’m sure it’s just habit for him to say Sir or Ma’am to anybody who lives here.
    “Yeah that would be great.”
    While he’s on the phone, I sit in one of the lobby chairs. When he’s done, he comes around and sits across from me.
    “Got another date tonight?” he asks with a grin.
    “Well, I guess you could call it that. I have her phone, and she has to meet me in order to get it.”
    “Stealing people’s phones now? Doesn’t seem like you’d have to do that,” he says playfully.
    “You’re right, I don’t,” I say with a laugh. “This girl’s a tough one. She’s definitely not throwing herself at me. I guess we’ll see what happens tonight. I’m gonna try to break down those walls that she has up.”
    “Good luck with that, buddy. There are women who are put on this earth to make our lives more difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I