Tender Is the Night: Hollywood Nights, #3

By Christa Maurice

Love is a long journey.

Lisa Benedict needed a date for a bar mitzvah, but when the escort she hired arrives he’s not just good looking, he’s also kind, gentle, and protective. He makes her feel sexy again and she wants to keep him around. But she doesn’t know that the terrible abuse Gale suffered at the hands of one of the Hollywood elite keeps him from being able to trust her no matter how much he wants to.

Gale loved being with Lisa and her sons, but when she put a contract in front of him, he thought she wanted to enslave him as another woman had threatened to. He fled. Months later, with some therapy behind him, he wants to try again. Will she be willing to take him back after the way he stormed out?

And if she does, can he trust her to not reject him when she learns the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christa Maurice
• Release date: Jun 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386455011

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright 2017 Christa Maurice

Contemporary Timeline

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Also By Christa Maurice

Tender Is the Night

By

Christa Maurice

Copyright 2017 Christa Maurice

eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

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Contemporary Timeline

Because my series are interlocking, characters cross over into other books and they share a timeline. This list will allow you to figure out where the book in your hands falls in the timeline and if you spot a character you want to know more about, track them down in another book. The dates provided are not the years the books were published, or even the years the books were written, but when the action in that book took place. Shorts show up in my newsletter.

2007

Satellite Of Love, Maureen & Bear, Drawn To the Rhythm

2008

Heaven Beside You, Jason & Cassie, Drawn To the Rhythm

Decisions, Decisions (short), Maureen & Bear, Drawn To the Rhythm

2010

Love the One You’re With (short), Suzi

2012

Waiting For a Girl Like You, Alex & Marc, Drawn To the Rhythm

2013

Victim Of Love, Rick & Tara, Rock And Roll State Of Mind

2014

Let Me Be the One, Brian & Suzi (& Logan though not all at once), Drawn To the Rhythm

Send Me an Angel, Alan & Angie, Rock And Roll State Of Mind

2015

Not Second Best, Tessa & Brett, Drawn To the Rhythm

Gift To Be Simple, Gian & Rachel, Rock And Roll State Of Mind

Baby Come Back, Trent & Jenny, Rock And Roll State Of Mind

Kickstart My Heart (short), pretty much everybody

2016

Keep Coming Back To Love, Candy & Ty, Drawn To the Rhythm

Try a Little Tenderness, Ryan & Taylor, Hollywood Nights

2017

Love Me Tender, Mick & Sarina, Hollywood Nights

Tender Is the Night, Gale & Lisa, Hollywood Nights

Chapter One

Gale stared out the passenger window at the grand houses sliding by. Places like this always made him anxious. He was never sure if he should worry that they wouldn’t let him in or wouldn’t let him leave.

I’m telling you, if you fuck them, you get more tips and more call backs, Mick said.

I’m not going to have sex with a woman I don’t care about, Gale muttered.

I care a lot about making the rent and eating. Mick stopped outside the open gates of the big Tudor house.

We have enough money to make rent and eat this month, and you guys are doing that modeling job. Gale opened the door.

And if the car breaks down? Or one of us gets sick?

Gale really wished Ryan could have driven him to this date. Ryan didn’t predict the world ending every Tuesday and alternating Fridays. This client will get me almost half of next month’s rent.

But if you fuck her, you might score us some better clothes or something we can use.

Back the off, Gale snarled.

Fine. Mick slouched in the driver’s seat. When you’re done, call me and I’ll come get you. Now hurry up so I can get out of this neighborhood before the cops think I’m casing houses.

I’ll get the bus home. Gale climbed out and shook the wrinkles out of the rented tux.

Mick leaned across the seat. If you fuck her, she’ll give you cab fare.

Gale slammed the door and walked away from the beat-up, white Taurus the three of them shared. He smoothed the wrinkles out of his rented tux as he walked up the driveway, wishing he’d gotten into that modeling job. He hated these escort gigs. They made him feel cheap even though his price was not.

A tiny Spanish woman stood in the open front door. Where is your car? she asked.

My friend dropped me off.

Ah, there is a bus stop at the bottom of the block. She held out her hand. My name is Catalina. I am the housekeeper.

Did she expect him to need the location of the bus stop because his client was going to kick him out? Gale shook her hand. Gale Wallace.

Nice to meet you. I will show you to the front room so you can wait for the miss. She closed the front door and led him down a hall that ran along the front of the house into a big room. Would you like something to drink?

No, thank you.

I will tell the miss you are here. Catalina left him alone.

A stone fireplace dominated one wall. Two cream colored couches sat on either side of it with a big, hard-looking wingback chair facing it. A dark wood coffee table sat in the middle. Above the fireplace was a painting of a family. Father, mother, and two boys. Gale went closer to inspect it. It looked like oil. Like the old pictures he saw in museums.

Hello.

Gale turned. The woman from the painting stood in the doorway, but she was wearing a dark blue dress with a rope of pearls around her neck, glittery earrings dangling from her ears, and a sweetly uncertain expression on her face.

You’re Gale. She crossed the room holding out her hand. I’m Lisa Benedict, but I guess you know that. Her palm was damp. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know what to say.

You’re fine.

I suppose you do this all the time. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. Or that I think—never mind. I’m rambling. She closed her eyes and gusted a breath. Then she opened then again, frowning. It’s just, my ex-husband is going to be at this thing, and I can’t show up alone.

I understand. Gale recalled the man in the portrait behind him. That man had been smiling, but there was a hard set to his jaw that Gale knew all too well. Do you want to sit down? Or do you need a drink?

She patted the base of her throat. I can’t get my breath.

Gale took her by the arm and led her to one of the couches. Relax. He went down onto one knee in front of her, holding her hand.

I’ve never had to do this before. I didn’t want to face Jared and his new wife alone, but now I’m wondering if this was a mistake. Her voice squeaked.

Maybe this was why the housekeeper thought he’d need to know where the bus stop was. Though it was nice to not be treated like hired meat right off the bat. Why is it a mistake?

I never thought I’d be the kind of woman who had to hire an escort. She stared up at the picture over the fireplace. I had the husband and the house and the kids and the great job. And you. Honestly, what kind of creep hires a guy to pretend to be her date? But that’s mean. This is your job, right? I don’t want to insult you. You probably do this all the time. You do, don’t you?

Once or twice a month. Gale shrugged. If she sent him away, he’d still get paid, but she’d have to face her ex and his new wife alone, and he didn’t want that for her.

See, I’ve insulted you. I’m so sorry. She tried to pull away.

I’m not insulted. Gale lifted her hand to his lips. She smelled like powder. Soft and feminine. You’ve hired me the way you would hire a plumber if you had a backed-up sink or a computer tech if you were having problems with your computer. You have a job that needs to be done. It’s not creepy.

She sighed. You are so sweet. She stroked his cheek. You’re right. I hired you for a task. That is an excellent analogy. Can you sit next to me? I’m a little weirded out by you kneeling.

Gale moved to sit next to her on the couch. Another nice thing. Most clients, once they had him on his knees, liked him there. So we’ll be seeing your ex-husband and his new wife?

His slut. She used to be his assistant. She’s been promoted. Mrs. Benedict stood up and crossed the room to the sideboard sitting between two windows. Would you like a drink? Because I need one and I hate to drink alone.

I’ll have whatever you’re having.

She splashed something brown from a crystal decanter into matching glasses and brought them back. Sitting next to him, she handed him one, searching his face. I’m not sure what I expected, but you really are quite handsome.

Thank you. You’re very beautiful.

She had been sipping her drink when he spoke and it made her cough. That was so awkward. I didn’t mean to beg a compliment. She wiped under her eye. And I didn’t mean to talk to you like you’re china or something.

This is an awkward way to meet. I understand. And you didn’t beg a compliment. You are very beautiful. Gale had thought she was pretty in the painting, but in person, she was amazing. Brown eyes the color of the bourbon she’d poured. High cheekbones. Her dark brown hair was coiled at the back of her neck. Her high heels put her eye to eye with him. Entirely real curves.

She blushed, shaking her head. You’re too kind.

So what kind of party is this?

It’s my boss’s grandson’s bar mitzvah, which is why I can’t skip it. We’ll be home by eight. Catalina said your friend dropped you off. How are you getting home?

The train. Your housekeeper said there was a bus stop at the bottom of the street.

Oh, no. I’ll take you.

We live in Harvard Park.

Not a problem. I’ll just keep the doors locked. I can’t have you walking through those streets.

I do it all the time.

She patted his knee. I’ll take you home anyway.

Most clients didn’t give a damn what happened to him after their date. Certainly not enough to drive into a bad neighborhood in a nice car. Gale sipped his bourbon. It was good stuff. Smooth. What are you going to tell them about me?

Tell who?

Your boss, your ex, the other people at the party. You don’t want to tell them I’m a hired escort, do you?

Shit, I didn’t even think of that. What should we tell them?

Why don’t we just say we met a few weeks ago and have gone out a couple of times? Then it won’t look funny when I disappear after this date.

You’re a genius. Where did we meet? How many times have we gone out? Have you met my kids? Help me, Gale Wallace. You’re my only hope.

Gale grinned. I love that movie. Too bad they couldn’t stay in tonight and watch it. They could cuddle on the couch, eat popcorn, and repeat their favorite lines. He swallowed. He should not be thinking of his client as a person. It would make the whole date more difficult, but it was impossible not to, especially when she was treating him as an equal.

Me, too. See, we already have something in common. She finished her drink and set aside the glass.

We met at the Starbucks near where you work.

Yes, and there was a line there, so we ended up chatting. She patted his knee again.

"About Star Wars."

She laughed and it was full of joy. Of course we did. So after coffee, we decided to have lunch. My ex had the boys last weekend, so we went to Brandywine on Saturday.

And you said you had this party to go to this weekend, so you asked me to come with you.

Perfect. I did kind of ask you to this thing last Saturday. She stroked his arm and then yanked her hand away. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to manhandle you.

Actually, to sell it, you will want to. Not entirely true, but Gale was enjoying being touched by her.

Oh good. She rested her hand on his forearm again. I should probably know what you do. I suppose you want to be an actor. You’re certainly good-looking enough.

I usually tell people that I’m a model, but I do want to get into acting. What do you do?

I work for ABN in development. I help pick which shows are going to be green lit for production.

That sounds like an important job.

She shrugged. I guess it would be if I had any power at all.

If he leaned in right now to kiss her, what would she do? Kiss back? Slap him? Too soon to tell. When do we have to be at the party?

Lisa blinked and checked her watch. I suppose we could go anytime. There’ll be dinner. I hope you’re okay with steak. I rolled the dice and RSVPed weeks ago in the hopes that I’d be able to find a date.

Steak is fine. Steak was better than he ate most days. One of Ryan’s favorite benefits of these escort jobs was that a good meal was usually involved, even if it did mean going to a nice restaurant. Gale stood and held out his hand. Are you ready?

I am. She allowed him to help her up. Thank you. I feel a lot better about this already. Upstairs, I had myself convinced that this was totally pathetic and I should plead some kind of emergency to get out of it.

You’re not pathetic. I’ll make sure you have a good time.

She smiled softly. If you can just make sure I don’t look like a fool. That’s all I ask.

You could ask for more. And he was becoming willing to agree, if only to make her happy.

She blushed. I suppose most women do.

Do you want me to be honest or polite? He was still holding her hand, and he brushed his thumb across the back.

She met his gaze. They were so close he could see the throb of her pulse on her throat. After my cheating husband, if I get to choose, I prefer honesty.

Excellent. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was telling him what he wanted to hear, but why would a client do that? Most of them ask, but I turn a lot of them down.

Then the ones you say yes to must be special. She pulled away and went to get her purse from where she’d set it when she’d walked in. I mean, if I had men throwing themselves at me. I’d only pick the cream of the crop, too.

Lisa watched Gale pick his way through the crowd to the bar to get them fresh drinks.

I need to go to Starbucks more, Rita muttered.

If you went to Starbucks any more, we’d have to get you into rehab for caffeine addiction, Stan said.

Rita nudged her husband. Be quiet. So you like him?

Lisa nodded. A lot more than she should for a guy she was paying to date her. When she walked into the sitting room and saw him—big blue eyes, warm friendly face, solidly built—she’d thanked whatever saint was in charge of hopeless women for Georgia happening to have the number of an escort service and the rock-solid loyalty to never tell a soul Lisa had used it. And then the escort she picked from the dozen pictures the service sent turned out to be nice and intelligent, too? Have mercy.

Look at that asshole, Stan said.

Lisa jerked her gaze away from Gale to the dance floor where Jared was pretending he was twenty years younger with Tina, who was twenty years younger.

He’s going to dislocate something doing that. Rita drained her drink.

I’m just grateful I got the two of you in the divorce, Lisa said. She scanned the room, picking out people who used to be her friends but now just made awkward small talk with her until they could find a reason to escape because they didn’t want to offend Jared.

You were always too good for him. Rita narrowed her gaze at Jared. Bastard. I’m really glad to see you dating, and such a hot young man. You deserve it.

Yup, I deserve to pay eight hundred dollars so a cute boy will take me to a bar mitzvah. Lisa sighed. After a year of fighting it out in court and a year of being divorced, everybody expected her to be ready to move on, but she hadn’t. Not that she wanted Jared back, but the nights were lonely, and she wanted somebody around to talk her down when she got wound up.

Like Gale had at the house. She’d paid