Maureen Smith - Whatever You Like

A re we almost there?

The uniformed chauffeur met Lena Morrisons gaze in the rearview mirror. About five more minutes.

Nodding briskly, Lena slid a tube of MAC lipstick across her mouth and surveyed her reflection in the compact mirror shed removed from her evening purse. The lustrous red color made her full lips look as juicy and inviting as ripe mangoes dangling from the bowed branches of a tree. Smoky eye shadow accentuated her wide, dark eyes and high cheekbones. Shed exchanged her conservative office attire for a sexy black dress that hugged her curves and had a plunging back. Diamonds glittered at her ears, throat and wrists.

She looked like a million bucks. Felt like it, too.

So it was only fitting that tonight she was escorting one of Chicagos most eligible bachelors to a glitzy party aboard his private yacht. Roderick Brand, president and CEO of a multinational energy conglomerate. Educated at MIT. Recently named Businessman of the Year by Forbes. Net worth $2.4 billion.

Lena had done her research, of course. As a professional escort, it was her job to learn as much as she could about her wealthy clients. The more she knew and understood about them, the better she could serve their needs.

Here we are.

The Bentley limousine had glided to a stop in front of a sleek glass high-rise located on Lake Shore Drive. At the canopied entrance to the building, a doorman greeted elegantly dressed couples heading out for a night on the town.

From the backseat of the limo, Lena watched as the driver spoke into the car phone. After a few moments, he hung up and met her eyes in the rearview mirror. Mr. Brand will be down shortly.

Lena nodded, smiled. Thank you.

As a rule, she never entered her clients residences. While most of them understood that she was paid to accompany them to social events, there were always a few who expected more from her. After being groped, propositionedeven cornered in a bathroomLena had decided itd be easier to maintain professional boundaries if she never stepped foot inside her clients homes.

Her need for boundaries was what prompted her to get up and move to the opposite seat. She felt more comfortable sitting face-to-face to her clients rather than side by side. And it worked out great for the ones who enjoyed ogling her legs across the aisle, hoping for a glimpse up her dress. Wryly she wondered if tonights client

Suddenly Lena gasped, staring out the window.

The most gorgeous man shed ever seen had just emerged from the building. At least six foot three and powerfully built, with wide, muscular shoulders and endlessly long legs that carried him forward with purpose. Lena had escorted some of the richest men to countless black-tie affairs, but shed never known any man to wear the hell out of a tuxedo. Until tonight. Roderick Brand couldnt have looked finer if hed just completed a cover shoot for GQ.

As he reached the waiting limo, Lena mouthed to herself, Oh. My. God.

The driver had gotten out to open the back door for Roderick. Lenas stomach clenched as he lowered himself into the plush leather seat across from her.

Their eyes met.

It was as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of the caror out of Lenas lungs, at the very least. Suddenly she had difficulty breathing.

For several moments neither of them attempted to speak.

As Rodericks dark, glittering gaze traveled over her face and body, Lena shamelessly returned the favor. None of the photos shed seen of him could begin to do the man justice. He was devastatingly handsome, with black slashes for eyebrows, sculpted cheekbones and a square jaw. His skin was a deep, molten brown that made her think of the most decadent chocolate dessert shed ever eaten. But what had her mouth watering were his full, sensual lips that brought to mind all sorts of erotic imagesskin moving on skin, limbs entangled, mouths and tongues working, two bodies thrusting between hot, twisted sheets.

A slow, legs-spreading smile curved Rodericks lips. As if hed hijacked her thoughts.

Hello. His deep, dark voice was as sexy as the man it belonged to. You must be Lena.

She smiled. Either that, or youve climbed into the wrong limo.

He laughed, a husky sound that made her nipples harden. A sense of humor. I like that.

Her smile widened. I aim to please.

Oh, you do, Roderick murmured, giving her another one of those slow once-overs. You please me very much.

His words sent an illicit shiver down her spine. Her loins tightened, and her clit pulsed and tingled until she had to shift in her seat to alleviate the pressure.

Would you care for a drink? she offered abruptly.

Roderick smiled. Id love one.

The limo was equipped with a fully stocked minibar. Roderick watched as Lena went to work fixing him a dirty martini with three olives. As she passed him the glass, their fingers brushed. Heat shot through her veins, making her skin tingle.

Mmm, Roderick murmured after sampling his drink.

Good?

Very. He held her gaze over the rim of the glass. You seem to know exactly what I like.

Lena smiled demurely. If I didnt, she said, settling back against her seat, I wouldnt be very good at my job. And I am.

Something hot and wicked flashed in his eyes. How good?

She returned his gaze, pulse thudding. Good enough to know better than to answer that question.

He chuckled, raising his glass to her in a mock toast. Well played.

Lena grinned. It went through her mind that Roderick, with his heavy-lidded eyes and bone-melting smile, could easily pass for Idris Elbas brother. Have mercy.

As Roderick sipped his martini, she stared at his hand holding the glass. His fingers were long, broad and masculine. He oozed testosterone, confidence and power, and possessed an unmistakable swagger. Wearing an expensively tailored tuxedo, a gold Breguet wristwatch and John Lobb loafers, he looked right at home in the luxurious limousine. Yet even in his fancy threads he exuded danger, a ruthlessness that warned Lena that Roderick Brand would be formidable in a heartbeat if ever crossed. He hadnt gotten where he was without having a street fighter in him, courtesy of his South Side roots.

It doesnt seem fair.

Lenas eyes snapped to Rodericks face. What?

This setup. The fact that you know so much about me, and I dont know nearly enough about you.

Lena gave him an amused look. What would you like to know?

Your last name, for starters.

I cant tell you that.

Cant? Or wont?

Both.

Why?

Lena couldnt help smiling. You know why. Those are the rules.

Whose? he challenged. Yours or the agencys?

Torn between laughter and exasperation, Lena shook her head at him. Are you always this persistent?

Absolutely. His voice dipped low. And the more I want something, the more relentlessly I pursue it.

Lenas mouth went dry at the thought of being pursued by this virile, gorgeous man. And what would he do to her once he caught her? she wondered, even as she imagined being tied to a bed, naked and spread-eagle as Roderick took her roughly from behind.