Chapter 15
ASPEN
“You look stunning tonight. Perfect for this event. The gown I sent looks amazing on you.” His greedy gaze rakes the length of me, leaving its mark, as palpable as a goddamn mud bath. I used to find this fun, but ever since I started seeing Ryder, I can’t stand another man’s touch.
I’ve been a high-end escort for two years, and I’ve never faltered when it comes to my end goal—make enough money to open my own restaurant. Sure, over time, I’ve upscaled my lifestyle, but that’s natural for anyone.
When I started working at Venom, I made the decision to stop taking on escort jobs, but with the incredible tips I used to make, I’ve been having to cut back on the luxuries in my life.
Working nights already isn’t ideal, but I had a regular client ask for a black-tie event last week, and I couldn’t pass up the money on offer.
It will cover my rent for the next few months—for one evening.
“Hi, Joseph. It’s good to see you.”
“Likewise. You’ve been booked solid for weeks. I haven’t been able to get you for any of the charity events I’ve had in the past month.”
“I’m scaling back on clients.” He bristles at the term. It’s a rookie mistake I would never normally make, but I have other things on my mind. “I only see my favorite people now.” A compliment always soothes Joseph.
“Well, I’m happy to see you.” He places his hand on the small of my back to usher me into his waiting town car, but it doesn’t sit right. It never bothered me before—him.
I slide into the back seat in my floor-length black dress.
It highlights all of my assets, hugging my ample curves, with a thigh-high slit to expose my leg.
I put as much distance as I can between us, knowing he likes to rest his hand on my knee when we’re in the car.
He’s been a regular of mine for over a year now, and I know what he likes.
I also know that if I gave him the option, I’d be more than an escort.
He’s offered me double to spend the night with him, but that’s where I draw the line.
I will hang on every word and be the perfect arm candy for high-powered businessmen, but I’m never intimate with them. I would never cross that line.
“Where are we going today?”
“There’s an award ceremony at The Met. It’s for the most influential men in Manhattan.” Of course it is. Society talks a good game, but we still live in a world run by rich men, and here I am selling myself to be on his arm.
“Congratulations. That’s exciting.”
“I haven’t won yet. Save your adulation for the red carpet, petal. With you on my arm, I’m sure to make headlines.”
“Am I anyone specific?” It’s a common ask for a client. Sometimes I’m the fictitious girlfriend they invented, and I need to assume the role and the name.
“Just yourself, Danielle.” I’ve never given a client my real name. “We’ll be in a room of rich men who only care what you look like on my arm. They won’t remember your name the next time they see you with me.”
He’s not wrong. I’ve been to so many events with him, and I don’t think I’ve ever been asked my name. I’m looked over like a piece of meat and nothing more than a ditsy gold digger. It never bothered me until now. I finally met someone who looks at me as if I’m worth more than my pretty face.
“Do I have a job, or are you my sugar daddy?”
“You’re too beautiful to work, Danielle. I want them all to know that I look after what’s mine.” He reaches for me, but I can’t even look at him right now. Ryder said those words to me last night, and I felt them in my soul. Loved. Protected. His.
“Thank you for the compliment, Joseph. You are always so sweet to me,” I say as I stare out the window.
“If you’d let me, I would always take care of you.” My pulse is racing, and anxiety is gripping my heart. I shouldn’t be here. Suddenly, the money doesn’t seem worth it for letting this man think he could ever own my body. I’m sick to my stomach.
We ride the rest of the way in silence, his hand resting firmly on my knee, exposed through the slit in my dress. When we arrive, I take a deep breath the moment he steps out of the car, fighting to compose myself before he rounds the car to open my door.
I can do this. I’ve done it a hundred times.
It’s just business. That’s what I tell myself as the door opens and the cameras start flashing as he helps me from the car.
Joseph wraps his arm around my waist, claiming me as we navigate the red carpet, and I’m gripped with fear.
What if Ryder sees a picture of Joseph and me in the newspaper?
What would he think of me? I would never cheat on him, so why do I feel like I am?
There’s a gnawing dread that takes root in the pit of my stomach.
Joseph’s hand on the small of my back is like a hot poker, branding me, burning me, a physical pain in my chest at the realization. I don’t want any other man touching me.
I plaster a smile on my face and do my job.
To all those around us, I’m the perfect little gold digger as we make our way inside and work the room.
Countless introductions—some of them to people I’ve met before, confirming what Joseph said on the car ride here.
They don’t even remember my name, but why should I care? It’s not even my real name.
It never occurred to me that once I found a man who looked at me, who really looked at me for who I am, I wouldn’t be able to tolerate this anymore.
I want to be Ryder’s in any way I can. I will be whatever he needs me to be.
When we take our seats for dinner, I’m on my second glass of champagne by the time the dinner starts.
As with all these events, the food is incredible and isn’t nearly appreciated enough by the monied-up attendees at our table.
We make small talk, and I hang on every word out of Joseph’s mouth, smiling when appropriate, laughing at his jokes, and letting him make a show of holding my hand at the table.
These events are all the same. Glitz, glamor, and zero substance, but one day I’ll be running my own restaurant, just like Ryder Stevens.
Ryder.
My eyes find his murderous gaze across the room, and my heartbeat grinds to a halt. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He’s standing next to Dalton Callaghan, the billionaire philanthropist, his attention fixed on me.
“I need to go to the restroom and freshen up,” I say in a strangled voice that’s unrecognizable as my own. I extricate my hand from Joseph’s grasp and grab my purse.
“I’ll come with you,” one of the ladies at the table insists. She might be my saving grace because Ryder looks about ready to hunt me down and flay me. I try to ignore the panic rising in my chest, but I can feel his eyes boring into me.
“So how did you meet Joseph?” My mind goes blank at her attempt at small talk. What am I supposed to say? Did he give me a backstory? I swallow past the lump in my throat, my pulse pounding so hard in my ears I can barely hear her.
Think, Aspen. It’s as if I’ve never done this before. All I can think about is Ryder and how I’m going to explain what he just saw. I don’t want to lie to him the way I do to everyone else.
“I dropped my purse in a restaurant bar, and Joseph was helpful enough to bend down and pick it up for me. We struck up a conversation, and here we are.”
“How sweet.”
“What about you? How did you meet your husband?” I spy Ryder in my peripheral vision as we disappear into the sanctuary of the ladies’ restroom, and I’m starting to hyperventilate.
“College sweethearts. We’ve been together for twenty years. He saw me studying in the library and said it was love at first sight. He pretended to be in the same class as me so I would help him study for ‘our’ psychology final.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“I thought so. It’s been an adventure for sure.” I grip the porcelain sink to ground myself. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine. I just need to splash some water on my face.” I struggle to keep my breathing in check, but I can’t fall apart right now. No matter what I want to do, I’m being paid a lot of money tonight, so I need to get my shit together.
“Aspen.” I hear his voice just outside the door, but I can’t very well answer him when the woman standing next to me thinks my name is Danielle.
“You go ahead. I’m going to stay in here for a minute or two.”
“I don’t want to leave you if you’re feeling unwell.”
“I’m fine. Honestly, I probably just drank that last glass of champagne a little too quickly.”
“If you’re sure? They’re about to start announcing the awards. I’d hate to miss it if George wins.”
“Of course. Go. Please tell Joseph I’ll be back in a minute. He worries too much as it is.”
“Okay.” As she walks out the door, I hear the low rasp of Ryder’s voice.
“Is Aspen in there?”
“There was no one else in there. Just me and my friend, Danielle.”
“Sorry to have bothered you, ma’am.”
“I hope you find your friend.”
“I will.”
I’m going to be sick. I can’t just stay in here all night. I lean over the sink, dipping my head as I fight to control my breathing.
“Aspen, I know you’re in there.” Shit.
I turn on the faucet and splash some cold water on my face. What am I going to do? How can I explain being here?
Before I say anything, the door opens, and Ryder’s imposing frame knocks the wind right out of me, his eyes wild as he takes in the sight of me.
“You can’t be in here. Please, I’m begging you to leave.” He steps inside and twists the lock.
“What the fuck is going on? Why are you here with some fifty-year-old Hugh Hefner wannabee?”
“Please just go, Ryder.”
“Are you okay?” He looks me over, his anger dissipating at my pallor.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re fucking not. What the hell is going on? You’re cheating on me with that piece of shit, Joseph Brooks?”
“I’m not cheating on you. I’m… working.”
“You’re a fucking hooker?” He slams his fist into one of the mirrors, and I watch it shatter into a million pieces, along with my heart.
“That’s what you think of me?”