The Escort: The Escort Series, #2

By Harmony Raines

Curvy girl Max is uncertain who Dan is and what exactly he wants. In her deepest fantasies he wants nothing more than to be with her. But she finds this hard to believe.

Why would a man like Dan want a woman like her?

Dan is torn between what's best for his family and his need to have Max in his life, and in his bed. Can he persuade her he is not a bad guy? Or has he blown his chances for ever?

Find out in The Escort - Part Two
Book two of a three part series. With cliffhangers.
Suitable for adults only.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Silver Moon
• Release date: Jul 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513025490

Book preview

***

Chapter One - Max

Max finally gave in, and got out of bed, there was no way she was going to sleep, her head insisted in going over what had happened, trying to piece together the puzzle that was Dan.

She wanted to believe in him, but the relationship between her and her parents had left her unable to simply trust in someone. So her mind kept coming to rest in a bad place, where he had slept with her to get some kind of leverage over her professionally.

Maybe he thought he could blackmail her into giving him money from the bank. A big loan that would never be paid back, information about one of her clients. If that was true then he must be thinking of fairly substantial amounts, or he would simply have taken her money last night.

Or this morning.

It was hard to believe that only a few hours ago she had been wrapped in his arms, feeling safe and happy.

What a fool she’d been.

Groaning at her stupidity, she hid her face in her hands. This was not going to end well. At work on Monday she would be bombarded by questions about a man she had told them was her boyfriend. A man she knew absolutely nothing about.

Once again all the different scenarios played through her head. Dan demanding money, threatening to tell her boss what she had done, Dan wanting confidential files, but the worst one, the impossible one, was Dan coming to see her with an explanation. That seemed the most unlikely, but her heart ached for him to prove himself to her, to stop her feeling so unsure about herself. If her judgement was so off with him, what did that mean about the huge decisions she made every day. Decisions that involved the bank’s, and her client’s money. She was a fraud.

Max. Robin came into the kitchen, and switched the kettle on before sitting down next to her. How long have you been awake?

I don’t think I’ve slept.

Oh honey, it’ll be OK.

I don’t see how? If he’d kept the money, I’d put it all down to experience, although I’d still feel bad. But why put the money back in my purse, I think he was sending me a message.

Have you thought that the message might simply be that he felt bad taking it? If he isn’t Drake, then maybe it didn’t sit well with him.

Then why not tell me. And why the photograph?

OK. So what are we going to do about it? It’s Saturday, the chances are he’s going to be home on the weekend, so let’s go pay him a visit.

I couldn’t.

Then I’ll go, you wait along the road, once you’ve pointed out which house it is.

What if I can’t remember?

Then we’ll hang around, stake the place out.

Max gave a hollow laugh. You’ll have us wearing fake moustaches and glasses next.

If that’s what it takes.

I love you Robin, but that is a crazy idea.

Well, if you don’t come with me I’m going door to door until I find the bastard.

He might not be a bastard yet, Max said defensively.

I suggest you come along to make sure I don’t do something stupid then.

Robin, I don’t think I can face him.

Max, you can’t hide away from this and pretend it never happened.

I’m starting to think that might be the best plan.

And if you do... Does that mean you’ll never risk dating again? Because I’m not going to let that happen.

You know, maybe I’m meant to be alone. This was a sign or something.

Don’t do that to yourself. We’re going to have breakfast, and then I’m heading for a shower, to try to wake myself up, then we’re going to find Dan. The first thing I’ll do is try to get hold of Drake again, he might be able to shed some light on the whole thing.

But Drake was still unavailable. Robin managed to get a mobile number for him, but it simply went to voice mail. So we go back to the original plan. A stake out.

Once she had made her mind up, there was no stopping Robin from setting her plan in motion. Max had to admire the way she had championed Max’s honour, when she would prefer to forget the whole thing. Instead, a reluctant Max, clothed in her usual smart business suit, as though it would protect her like steel armour, waited in the living room for Robin’s inspection.

You planning on looking like a lawyer? Because that will sure put people off talking to us.

Are we going or not? It wouldn’t have taken much for Max to change her mind.

Sighing, Robin grabbed her purse, and they went out to Max’s car.

***

OK. So this is the place the taxi picked you up from. Right?

Yes, and I walked down the road, from the right.

Shall we get out and retrace your steps?

I really don’t want to Robin, I feel like such a fool.

If you can’t remember the house number, I’ll go alone.

It was dark, and I had other more pressing things on my mind. She leaned forward, peering at the houses. It all looked so different in daylight. Nothing looks familiar. I’m going to drive along the road first, and I’ll look for anything familiar.

OK.

Max pulled forward, trying not to go so slow it would draw attention to them. I walked further than I thought. I remember that tree, I leaned against it because my shoes were killing my feet.

That’s good, keep going.

They crawled along the road, more than once having to pull over to let cars pass. Max took in the gardens, neatly kept, shrubs and flowers in bloom. These were family houses, and the sense of dread returned.

What should she do, confront him, or leave it?

If his wife didn’t know what he got up to behind her back, did she really want to be the one to break up a family, a home. When you had grown up without a family, it gave you more respect for what other people had. It appeared she might want his family to stay together more than he perhaps did.

Anything?

They were nearly at the end of the street, and Max realised she had slipped off into a daydream instead of watching the houses. Perhaps she should just tell Robin she didn’t know, and take them home.

No, nothing. All the houses look the same, Max said.

Turn around, and head back. If there’s still nothing I’ll get out and start knocking on doors.

Robin, please, let’s just go home.

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