Читать книгу Courting Innocence - Kimberly Dean - Страница 6

Understated yet affluent. An address in downtown DC, too. This was reassuring. Real estate in this part of town was inhabited by only the upper echelon of law firms and political action committees. If Luxxor Limited was rubbing shoulders with these types, they were doing very well. This was a sign they knew their business. Impressive.

Their business of matchmaking.

Erin curled her hair around her finger. She’d never thought she’d be using a service like this, but it had come to her attention at precisely the right time. Online dating sites or the bars weren’t her thing. Besides, she wasn’t really looking for romance; she was looking for insight. One-on-one advice from someone impartial was the only way to get that.

And that’s why she was visiting during a time she knew Sienna was out.

Dropping her hand from her hair, she took a deep breath and summoned the poise she’d been taught but never quite mastered. She’d called the 1-800 number on the Luxxor business card first thing on Monday morning and had talked to the nicest woman. Rielle had been polite, but frustratingly vague and non-committal until Erin had mentioned Sienna’s name. Then everything had changed – as if it had been a password or something.

The intrigue was thrilling.

Now, she was finally about to embark on a new adventure. On her own. Sienna and Jason were having a late lunch with Sienna’s parents. Erin’s plan was to slip into Luxxor, find out if they were a good fit and then slink away before her best friend put the kibosh on what she was doing.

Because Sienna would find out. Erin had no misconceptions about that.

She scowled. She knew exactly how her friend would react. She’d say it was ‘too soon’ or that she was ‘on the rebound’. And the capper, ‘Why not let one of our friends set you up?’

Why? Because she was tired of others taking care of her. She needed to take charge. Break the chains. Fly, be free.

Yeah, all those things.

She stopped in front of the office number she’d been given. Luxxor Limited was spelled out in gilded letters on a heavy oak door. She rubbed her lips together. This was it. She could turn away now or move on with her life.

Fight or flight.

She entered without hesitation. She wanted to be a fighter.

The office was plush and sophisticated, decorated in burgundies and greys. It gave off a professional yet comfortable vibe. This wasn’t some sleazy set-up. Sienna wouldn’t work here if it was. So why was her friend so hush-hush about the place?

‘Hello, are you Erin?’ the woman behind the desk asked.

Her friendliness took away any lingering doubts Erin might have had. ‘Yes, are you Rielle?’

‘I am.’ The pretty woman stood and rounded her desk to shake Erin’s hand. ‘You’re Sienna’s friend.’

‘And roommate. Well, until Jason convinces her to move in with him.’

Rielle laughed. ‘We both know he won’t give up on that.’

No, the man was like a bulldozer when he wanted something. ‘I just hope I’m not the one holding her back.’

‘Sienna makes her own decisions. It’s what makes those two so fun to watch.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Erin grinned. She liked this woman.

‘Can I get you anything? Something to drink? A snack? We have fresh fruit and power bars.’

‘I’m fine,’ Erin said, although she’d picked over her lunch. Too many thoughts had been bouncing around inside her head. How would Luxxor treat her? Would they understand what she wanted? How personal would the questions be? What kind of man would they set her up with?

And what would he expect out of her?

‘Nina is looking forward to talking with you.’ Rielle picked up her phone. ‘I’ll let her know you’re here.’

Erin took a seat. She was the only person in the waiting area, which she was thankful for. Discretion was important to her, too. If her family found out about her plans, they’d nip them in the bud before she’d even be able to try. They were so protective, it could be suffocating, and her broken engagement had made it even worse.

But she wasn’t going to think about that today.

Instead, she picked up the latest issue of Elle Décor and flipped through the pages. It wasn’t more than a minute before a graceful woman appeared from the suite of offices behind Rielle’s desk. She wore a colour-blocked top with a black pencil skirt and sky-high heels.

‘Hello, Erin. I’m Nina Lockwood.’ She held out her hand and took Erin’s in a firm grip. ‘Welcome to Luxxor.’

‘Thank you for having me.’ The company CEO was flawless, with ash-blonde hair that fell model-perfect. Yet it was the glint in her eyes that made Erin take notice. This was one smart cookie. She exuded self-confidence, but, even more than that, power.

‘Please, follow me to my office so we can talk.’

Erin couldn’t help but copy the set of the woman’s chin and the way she walked as she followed in her wake. She’d grown up being taught manners and proper behaviour, but the way Nina held herself had nothing to do with seeking approval. She demanded respect.

She also had good taste.

Her office was impeccable. The blues and greys were sharp but soothing. And somehow personal. Erin started for the chair in front of the massive oak desk, but Nina directed her to the sofa and chair in a seating area off to the side.

‘Let’s be comfortable.’

Erin relaxed into a cushy easy chair and crossed her legs. She’d dressed for the appointment in a simple cap-sleeved J. Crew dress. It felt appropriate for the professional and classy atmosphere of the office, yet she was sure she’d seen the older woman in a very different environment. ‘You’re the one who was with Sienna at the hockey game.’

Nina nodded, but rolled her eyes. ‘I am. What a mess.’

That was putting it lightly. Sienna’s old boyfriend had made a scene outside the owner’s box seats at a Capitals game, and Jason had introduced the man to his fist. Unfortunately, the whole thing had been caught on nearly a dozen television news cameras.

‘There’s still a detective poking around into that, trying to decide if charges are warranted.’ Nina touched the pulse on her throat. ‘Has he talked with you yet?’

‘No. I wasn’t there.’

Nina dropped her hand and smoothed a throw pillow. ‘But you were there for Sienna when I took her home. I want to thank you for that. She needed someone to be with her.’

‘You got her out of there.’

Nina smiled. ‘Well, then we both did our jobs as her friends.’

Erin smiled. She liked Nina, too. A lot. She could see why Sienna wanted to work here.

‘Now, let’s talk about you,’ Nina said. ‘I have to admit, I was surprised when you called for an appointment. Did Sienna recommend you?’

Erin gave a sheepish smile. ‘I found her business card, and Jason told me that Luxxor is a matchmaking company. I took things from there.’

‘Yes, matchmaking…’ Nina crossed her long legs. ‘About that…We offer a specific kind of service, and we cater to very high-end clientele.’

‘I understand.’ And Erin truly did. In DC, it didn’t always matter how much money you had – although it took a lot to even get you into the game. Almost more cachet came from connections and how far back they could be traced. If qualifications were needed, she had them. ‘My father is a well-known lobbyist, and my mother is very visible on the DC social scene. I grew up here.’

‘Foster…’ Nina’s brow furrowed. ‘Your father is Harmon Foster?’

‘And my mother is Marilyn, most notably from the Daughters of the American Colonists.’

‘They are movers and shakers.’

Erin nodded. ‘So I’m told.’

‘You’re not into politics?’

‘Can’t stand them.’

Nina smiled. ‘You’re in the wrong town for that.’

Erin sighed. ‘I know.’

‘Well, with your background, you can understand our need for privacy.’ Nina sat at ease, but her eye contact was fierce. ‘Our business model isn’t the norm. We work on an invitation-only policy, and you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.’

‘That’s perfect for me. This is something I want to do for me. Nobody else needs to know.’

Especially not her family. Her brother, Dustin, would have a cow if he found out.

‘You’re younger than most of our clients,’ Nina observed.

‘Does that matter?’

‘Only in that our services come at a premium.’

Again, code. Money wasn’t an issue, but Erin had some requirements of her own. ‘I’m willing to pay, as long as I’m assured that your services match what I’m looking for.’

The sun shifted just enough then so that the rays cut through a vase on Nina’s desk. It sent a shaft of blue across the grey carpeting, pointing right at the company CEO. Blue symbolised confidence and reliability. Responsibility. It was a very good sign.

‘And just what is that? We specialise in short-term…engagements.’ Nina frowned. ‘I’m sorry, that was a very poor choice of words. I understand that you recently broke up with your fiancé.’

Erin’s shoulders slumped. Did everyone know? Was it stamped on her forehead? ‘You’ve talked with Sienna.’

‘You used her name as a reference. We vet all clients.’

And Sienna had put her through? Erin cocked her head. She was new to all this independent stuff, but it was rewarding to have people respect her plans and ideas.

‘She’s worried about you,’ Nina confessed.

‘She doesn’t have to be.’

‘It’s only been a month since your breakup. Are you sure you want…whatever it is that you want?’

‘I’m positive. I want to meet new people and get your advice. I want to explore what it’s like to spend time with people with different personalities and interests. I want to understand men better.’ The words came out in a rush, and Erin threw up her hands. ‘I want to date. It’s not as if I’m planning on diving into their beds and having wild sex.’

Nina paused. A corner of her mouth quirked, but then she gave a brief shake of her head. ‘My advice?’

‘Yes.’ That was the true reason why she was here. Reading the signs was the hard part. ‘I want someone to help me figure things out.’

‘Figure what things out?’

Everything. Erin toyed with the fringe on the pillow at her side. She could go home now and be safe and protected or she could trust in her gut.

‘I need to know what about me is boring.’

‘Boring?’ Nina said, her voice jumping.

‘It’s why my fiancé broke up with me.’

‘Oh, honey.’ The older woman pushed back her hair and looked to the ceiling. When her attention focused again, there was a different kind of energy about it. She seemed less aloof and more involved. When she spoke, her words were crisp. ‘Men say some really stupid things. I find you charming.’

‘There must be something,’ Erin insisted. ‘I thought Marty and I were compatible. We’d been together since we were teenagers. Maybe things weren’t exciting, but I thought we were good together.’

Nina settled her hand over Erin’s knee. ‘Don’t change yourself. Ever. Not for a man.’

The soothing blues and greys were no longer doing their trick. The tension and impatience finally broke through. Erin stood up and wandered about the room. ‘I want to change for me. I want to grow. I need to grow.’

She trailed her finger along the edge of a shelf that held various blue glass figurines. ‘I’ve always let other people take care of me, not because I couldn’t do things on my own, but because I know I rouse everyone’s protective instincts. Look at me.’

She held out her arms. ‘I’m petite, I’m cute and I’m blonde.’

‘You’re beautiful. Stunning, if you want me to be frank.’

‘I’ve had one boyfriend in my entire life.’

‘Not for lack of others trying, I’m sure.’

Erin wasn’t. She folded her arms around her waist and ventured closer to the panoramic window behind Nina’s desk. DC was awash in the colours of autumn. The capital was the ‘City of Trees’. With a height limit on city buildings, she could see splashes of red, orange and yellows up and down every block. ‘There was one guy I really liked before Marty and I began going steady, but he didn’t return my feelings. Not to mention, my brother chased him away.’

She turned back toward the middle of the room. ‘I lived with my parents until I moved in with Marty. This is the first time in my life I’ve had my own place. Even then, I still have Sienna as a safety net.’

‘That’s not necessarily a bad thing.’

‘I want to stand on my own.’ Erin looked at the woman seated across from her, so confident and powerful. ‘Can you understand that?’

‘Better than you know.’ Surprisingly, Nina didn’t look sorry for her or condescending at all.

‘I got complacent, but I want to try new things now. I can’t go back to my old habits. I want to meet new people.’ Erin wrapped both hands around the back of the chair in which she’d been sitting. ‘I want to date a different type of man.’

Nina folded her hands together and draped them across her knee. ‘Is sexual exploration part of this self-analysis?’

Erin’s face heated. After being around Jason and Sienna, it better be. There was so much she’d been missing in that part of her life. ‘Maybe?’

Nina’s look was steady. ‘What we talk about doesn’t leave this room, not even to Sienna. I’ll tell her what she needs to know to do her job, but you can share things with me in confidence.’

Erin sat again, but stayed perched on the chair’s edge. ‘Marty was my one-and-only there, too.’

‘Luxxor’s contracts prohibit sexual contact.’

The weight inside Erin’s chest dropped. The pressure had just eased. Right? That’s what it was. ‘That’s probably best.’

‘Unless physical contact is acceptable to both parties.’

The weight bounced back, shortening her breaths.

‘Brushes of one body against another, a gentle caress of a hand against the small of a back, an impulsive kiss…’ Nina said, offering examples.

For incidental contact, it sounded awfully sexy.

Nina sat back against the cushions and rolled her ankle lazily. ‘Can I ask why you don’t just start dating again?’

Because just talking about being intimate with other men unsettled her? Excited her. Erin slid back into the chair and smoothed her skirt.

All of which pointed to one very good reason. ‘Things were wrong before, and I didn’t see it. I was hoping…is that not part of the service you provide? To help me understand what to look for in a match? Or explain what I’m doing wrong? Could we talk about how the dates go so I can get feedback?’

‘Can’t you do that with Sienna?’

‘Not any more.’ She used to, but with things going so well for her roommate and Jason, it was embarrassing that her own love life was in the dust. Erin let out a breath that stirred her hair. ‘I was hoping to work with a professional.’

‘A pro–?’ Nina let out a cough. ‘Well, I suppose we could do that for you.’

‘Can you do it?’ She was impressed with this woman. She could tell she’d experienced a lot in life. She was smart, tough and sexy – all things Erin aspired to be. She was looking for a mentor, not a friend.

‘I’d be willing to make that part of our arrangement.’

Erin relaxed. ‘So have we come to an agreement?’

‘I believe we’re on the same page.’ Nina lifted a finger. ‘But trust me, what you’ll find out in the end is that you, sweetie, are definitely not boring.’

They spent the rest of the hour talking about Erin’s ideal man and working up a contract. Erin tried to be general, but Nina was a stickler for details. Once Erin got past her embarrassment, she had definite answers.

She liked them dark and athletic, smart but not geeky, and tall but not too tall. She was short. She didn’t mind toughness, but she insisted on fairness. Race didn’t matter, and if a guy had a sense of humour, all bets were off. She loved to laugh.

‘You’ll never find someone who meets all these requirements,’ she said as she signed the contract on the dotted line.

‘We call them wishes, and while I’ll try to meet them, sometimes it’s someone completely opposite who’s the best fit.’

‘See.’ Erin passed over the pen. ‘That’s why I came to you.’

‘And that’s why I look forward to working with you.’ Nina shook her hand. The grip was warm and sure. ‘I’ve taken enough of your time. Let me escort you back to the lobby.’

Erin smiled. It might have been a wild hair, but coming here had been a good idea. Luxxor had so much to offer. She was impressed by Nina’s self-assurance, and those shoes! Things could work out even better than she’d hoped.

‘I love the way you’ve done your offices,’ she said as they walked out together. The scheme moved easily from room to room and offered the luxuriousness she knew the company was trying to impart.

‘Why, thank you,’ Nina said. ‘Do you do much interior decorating?’

‘My major in school was design.’ Actually, she had a masters in the subject. With Marty travelling so much for work and Sienna sticking around to get her advanced degree, she’d continued her studies, too. Not that she’d worked as hard as Sienna. Design had always come naturally for her. As her mother said, she had an eye.

‘Are you working in the field?’

‘No.’ Although it was time she looked into it. She needed to buck up and decide what she wanted to do with her life. She’d enjoyed her coursework, and it had been easy for her. She just hadn’t put much value in her studies back then.

And that had been really stupid. Her lips flattened. She’d been so dependent on others. So passive. She had a brain, and she had skills. Others took care of her, but she could contribute. ‘Rest assured, I can afford your services.’

‘I’m not worried about that, dear.’

More code. Luxxor had done its homework on her. They would have had an easy time of it with Sienna on staff. Finding information on the company, though, had proven difficult. They were so low profile, they were nearly off the radar.

Which sealed the deal for Erin. She needed the freedom and privacy to explore herself and her relationships with others.

Rielle smiled when they reached the lobby area. She had a hopeful look on her face.

‘Erin has signed with us as a client,’ Nina announced.

‘That’s wonderful.’

Erin shook the office manager’s hand, too. ‘Should I just wait for you to call?’

Nina folded her arms around her waist. ‘Yes, we’ll need a bit of time to scour our database and find potential matches. Once we do, we’ll work with you to decide a time and venue for your first…date.’

First date.

Wow.

Erin’s heels twisted like Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz. She felt like she was going back in time, yet moving ahead, finally, into adulthood. Her choice. Her terms. Her timeline.

Empowerment, at last.

‘I can’t wait.’

She left the swanky office with her head held high and her steps crisp. She strode down the hallway to the elevator and pushed the call button.

Who would they set her up with? Dark and handsome? Blonde and boyish? Clean-cut and sexy?

And what about that sexual contact clause in the contract? It wouldn’t possibly be needed. But what if it was? What if she was attracted to the man they paired her with? Or men?

Heat crept up in her cheeks. She was so immersed in the daydream, she blinked when the elevator bell rang. Moving forward on autopilot, she came to an abrupt halt when someone exited.

‘Oh,’ she squealed. Yet the ‘Ohhhhhh’ kept right on going as she tilted her head back to look at the man who stood less than a foot in front of her.

Talk about dark and handsome.

Add rugged and rough-and-tumble to the list. The guy was intimidating as hell.

‘Sorry!’ she managed to squeak. She backtracked in a dozen tiny shuffle-steps.

The man’s forehead wrinkled, and he frowned. One long step put him right in front of her again, and she backed up until her shoulders bumped against the hallway wall.

‘Foster.’ He pointed a finger at her. His dark eyes were sharp. ‘Erin Foster?’

She sucked in a breath. ‘Yes?’

She had a good memory for faces. His she would have remembered. Who the heck was this guy? She was as rooted in place as if she’d just been called in front of the principal.

The sexy, disciplinarian principal.

Erin blushed. What was wrong with her? All that talk about random touches and spontaneous kisses had thrown her off-kilter. She needed to get her head out of that space. ‘Do I know you?’ she asked.

He pulled aside his coat and flashed a badge. ‘Detective Morgan, Metro Police. I’m investigating the assault case against Jason Sloan.’

Her spine snapped into place, and she straightened to her full five foot two inches. ‘He didn’t assault anyone. He was protecting Sienna.’

The man nodded as he slipped his hands into his pockets. He truly was a presence, but he could use that steely look and imposing stance all he wanted. She’d stand up for her friends.

Even if Detective Morgan looked like he could squash her like a bug.

‘Easy. Don’t get upset. I’m interested in hearing what you know. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.’ He glanced down the hallway. ‘I just didn’t expect to find you here.’

Shoot. Erin nearly groaned aloud. She’d managed to keep her appointment secret from everyone else. Now the cops were onto her?

‘I’m kind of in a hurry. Can we schedule another time?’ She’d talk with him. Fine. Just not here and especially not now. She glanced at her watch. Sienna could be back without warning.

The detective was still pondering Luxxor’s door with the fancy gilded lettering. When he focused on her, he seemed distracted. ‘I promise it won’t take long.’

Erin shifted her weight. The elevator still stood open, waiting for her, but she didn’t want to be rude. Or, worse, suspicious.

The detective took a step to the side, effectively blocking that escape path from her view. ‘You’re Ms Blakely’s roommate, right?’

‘Yes, although we’ve only roomed together for a few weeks. I’ve been her best friend since we were teenagers.’

‘On the night of the event, Nina…Excuse me, Ms Lockwood brought Sienna back to your apartment. Is that right?’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘Did Sienna tell you what happened?’

‘Of course. But even if she hadn’t, it was all over the news.’

‘Did she say if Mr Pratt, the alleged victim, had been aggressive with her?’

‘Kyle is a jerk. He’s always offensive.’

‘But physically? Did she say he’d threatened her or touched her in any way?’

Erin frowned. She really wanted to give the detective an answer that led in one direction, but she couldn’t. She was honest to a fault. Even when she tried lying, people knew she was doing it before the words left her lips. ‘I don’t remember,’ she mumbled.

He nodded, and the frown on his lips lightened. She couldn’t say for sure, but she felt like her candour impressed him.

‘Had he been calling her prior to that or harassing her?’

Again, her answer wasn’t the one Erin would have liked to give. ‘No, I don’t think they’d been in touch for a long time.’

The detective nodded, but then his gaze swept back to Luxxor’s offices. ‘So are you friends with Ms Lockwood, too?’

‘We just met today.’ Erin’s guard remained high and rigid. Her father had taught her a thing or two, including that she should read a contract fully before signing it. There was a confidentiality clause three pages long in the one she’d signed with Luxxor. She couldn’t tell a soul what she knew about them – not even a cop. Or so she thought.

She wasn’t going to chance it.

‘Were you here to see your roommate?’ he pressed.

She rubbed the toe of her shoe hard against the floor. Darn it, if only she could lie!

‘No,’ she said simply. He would have caught her in that one too easily anyway. If he went in there, he’d quickly discover that Sienna was out.

He lifted an eyebrow at her. And waited.

His authority, his age and his willpower all bore down on her. She would not…She couldn’t…

‘I had an appointment,’ she blurted.

That brought his chin up fast. ‘As a client?’

She pressed her lips together stubbornly, and the glint in his eyes brightened. He folded his arms over his chest and leaned forward an infinitesimal amount that she felt right down to her squished toes.

‘So what is it, exactly, that Nina does?’

Oh, no. The heat in Erin’s cheeks moved to the back of her neck. She’d already let too much slip. Secrets were gold to her, but this man wanted her treasures. She wiggled against the wall, looking desperately for a way around him.

‘She’s so secretive,’ he said. ‘It makes me curious.’

Erin knew how that felt. Sienna had kept her in the dark for a long, long time.

The detective waited patiently, unmoving as the Rock of Gibraltar.

‘What’s that confidential?’ He swept a hand through his hair. ‘I have my suspicions, but I never would have suspected you to be a client.’

That opinion seemed to be going around. Erin’s nose scrunched. She had just as much right as anyone to use a matchmaker.

‘That’s my business,’ she said, lifting her chin.

The humour in his eyes faded, and she fought not to shiver.

The man was tough and grumpy as they came. And nosy and tricky. He needed to ease up. Relax and enjoy life a bit.

His expression clouded, and this time the way he leaned in wasn’t imagined. ‘Is it illegal?’

‘No!’ she squeaked, flustered. ‘They’re services that you could use, in fact.’

His head snapped back. ‘Oh, really?’

‘Detective!’ Nina stood in the hallway outside Luxxor’s entrance. She had one hand still on the doorknob, and her fingers were white.

The man eased back from Erin. His attention swung away from her and zeroed in on the powerful woman facing him like a well-postured gunslinger. ‘Ms Lockwood,’ he said, his voice somewhere between a purr and a growl.

Erin saw her opening, and she hurried past him.

‘I don’t remember us having an appointment,’ Nina said, unbowed.

‘I remembered a few more questions I wanted to ask you.’

‘You couldn’t have called?’

‘No.’ His voice was smooth as silk now, and he’d started wandering down the hallway. ‘I couldn’t.’

Erin darted into the elevator and jabbed the button for the first floor. She held her breath as she waited for her escape to be ensured.

‘Thank you for your time, Miss Foster.’ The words slid through the thin crack between the closing doors before they sealed tight.

Drat. She hadn’t escaped. He’d let her go.

‘Men.’ Erin sagged against the wall of the elevator as it started downwards.

You couldn’t live with them.

And it was sexually frustrating as heck without them.