Free Head On (The Head On Trilogy) by Sophie Newsome Page A

doorman, at least, who eyed me with the suspicious look of someone who understood exactly what I was here for. I was quickly learning that as I hurried from one client to another, I wasn't always going to have time to disguise my intentions. Doormen, secretaries, receptionists... They all seemed to have a sixth sense that helped them recognize me as a common whore.
    "Can I help you, M'am?" asked another doorman, stepping in front of me with a dour, rather unwelcoming look in his eyes. It was clear that he knew I didn't belong here, and that he was just itching to throw me out.
    "I'm here to see someone," I said, trying (and most likely failing) to act natural.
    "And who would that be?" he asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
    "Drake Parkin," I continued. "I was told he'd be here."
    "You were told?"
    "Yes," I said, forcing a smile. I was keenly aware that I sounded woefully unbelievable, and I was desperately hoping that Drake would swoop in at any moment and rescue me.
    "One moment," the doorman said, stepping over to the reception desk and starting to talk in hushed tones to one of the receptionists.
    Turning, I saw that the other doorman was watching me with suspicion, although his gaze seemed to be drawn down to my legs. He blatantly understood that I was a prostitute, and he seemed to be making no particular attempt to disguise the fact that he was ogling my body. I watched as his eyes moved up to my cleavage.
    "M'am," said the other doorman, walking back over.
    Feeling a sense of panic building, I turned to him. I was convinced that I was about to be found out; I was absolutely certain that the doormen, together, were going to throw me out onto the sidewalk while shouting to all the passersby that I was a common whore.
    "Mr. Parkin is in the Roosevelt Bar," the doorman continued, before pointing toward a corridor that led away from the reception area. "If you go this way, you'll find the bar on your left hand side."
    Stunned that I was being allowed to proceed, I paused for a moment before forcing a fake smile. "Thank you," I said politely, trying not to blush as I walked quickly toward the corridor. At the last minute, I made the mistake of glancing over my shoulder, and sure enough the doormen were watching me keenly, probably staring at my ass in this tight dress. I wanted to say something, to tell them to keep their dirty looks to themselves, but instead I merely carried on walking, determined to find Parkin. I felt as if I was in his world now, and those doormen - despite their ugly stares and their undoubtedly dirty thoughts about me - were just props. The only way I could deal with their stares was to force myself to think that they didn't matter at all.
    "Kathryn," a voice said suddenly.
    Turning, I saw Parkin standing in a doorway. Wearing a perfectly-fitted suit, he had a drink in one hand and his gaze was already drawn to the curves of my dress. He'd obviously decided exactly what he wanted me to wear, and had arranged things accordingly.
    "Don't look so shocked," he continued. "Did you think I wouldn't be able to find your real name? You're Kathryn Hoskins, you're twenty-six years old and until very recently you worked for one of my companies. I found out a lot of additional information about you, but I didn't bother to read it. I only needed the basics."
    "I took the earpiece out in the car," I said, walking over to him. I wanted to kiss him, but I wasn't sure whether that was allowed, so I decided to wait for a cue. "I hope that was okay."
    He stared at me, as if he found me faintly amusing.
    "Was it?" I asked, starting to worry. "I mean, was it okay? I could go back and get it if you want."
    "This way," he replied, turning and walking along the corridor.
    Feeling breathlessly nervous, I obediently followed him along the luxurious red carpet. I felt like I'd done something wrong, but at the same time I figured he'd have quickly thrown me out if he wasn't happy. Drake Parkin was a very difficult man to