one very powerful word. A

ing some would risk everything for. It's s

in the most primal of ways. A pleasurable act

that gets screwed up when emotion is thrown into the mix. It's

n one pays money for sex, it's a transaction. Q

e

in public,

ity, I

damn goo

ed lists dotting every surface-and know

Lock

on why I need

t for the first time tonight, and no

ching the next leve

ell if he isn't

udy the striking image on my computer sc

has a wave to it that he's tried to control with product. His eyes are captivating. Intense.

mur, curious why a man that handso

t be a

orrible

are selfish in the sack get

rt, as is my habit. I skim over it. Ryker Lockhart, age thirty-five. One of New York's high-powered divorce attorney

know who's gotten close enough to even call him an acquaintance says he's so al

mage longer t

a legitim

f my clients, Ryker has a skeleton or two in his closet that I'll ke

pical-nothing one of my girls can't provide for him.The only difference from my other clients is his

that's how women react to the

ually made me put

ailable to hi

ess. Not so easy when his chose

el like she adores them and wants them, and it builds their ego, or the man wants multiple women. A new date each time to feed their insatiable

ons are s

on of the two are nothing more than something to manip

o me in the hope of helping his affluent clients. Men who have more money than they know what to do with and are feeling a little reckless now that they've gotten rid o

of discounts . . . and a lot of promises. Little did I know t

ll of my promises, and the first one out of the gate-that Lola

appy would mean getting moreclients. More clients would mean more income. And more income would mean I could pay off this looming debt quicker. Then I'd

s nonetheless. Too much risk can catch up with you, and after everything with the senator last

this up for me. Ple

lows in through my open windows. The kids are out playing their daily game of baseb

ts came on. The image is grainy, but I am standing beside my sister, Samantha. Her arm is slung over my shoulder, and our mother is standing behind us,

ore her

ls, again. She's the only family I have left, and even though it's only be

that little g

e life I hope to be able to settle

y soon

on getting Lola better-so that I can provide for Lucy and

work cell rings. S

I slip into the role and act as if the text I sent, telling him to pick an

s voice cuts through the line, its te

es

ou saying Lola is no longer a

ect.

e terms I was promised w

control," I say placatingly, but his low rum

h and try to figure out how to assuage his needs and ego simultaneously. "For the th

t exactly something I can control." I lean back in my chair and clo

e attention of those who play hard to get. For me, though, it does nothing more than

ldn't

n would make it your business to vet y

y. "I always know more than people thin

yk

" I reiterate to let him know

p between us. I have a lot of men who want companionship wi

clients," I lie, loathing

y, though. I can see this game you're playing quite