Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Faced with these photos, I almost didn’t go any further because Robert seemed out of my league. Who wouldn’t want to be with him? The man was well-traveled and handsome, and his profile said that he was a businessman. Probably a high-powered something or other, with a lot to offer the right woman. But what were the chances that I was the right woman? I was a twenty-five year old curvy BBW with a job going nowhere in New York City. My resume was okay, but that was it. Only okay, not great.
But then the voice in my head spoke. So what? it asked airily. This isn’t normal on-line dating. This isn’t “dating” at all, in fact. This is where you pick out a guy to have fun with, so who cares if he’s way above your usual level? Money makes the world go ‘round, and in this case, it’s your cash that’s doing the talking.
I was stock still for a moment, just thinking. But the voice in my head was right because I was buying a date, so it didn’t matter if I looked like a troll or had bad breath. In fact, I could be an eighty year-old widow desperate for some male attention, and they’d still take my booking because it was a transaction and nothing more.
Newly emboldened, I clicked on the “Book Me Now” button which took me to my shopping cart. But then a gasp escaped because evidently one night with Robert was two thousand dollars. Two thousand dollars? Who could afford that? Certainly not I, with my low-paying job at Star Gazette as a copy editor.
Suddenly, my cell phone dinged. Grabbing it, I stared at the screen.
How was your date tonight? Renee texted. Bryan’s yummy right?
I sighed, slumping back into the couch. It had been terrible and seeing Renee’s text only drove me further into the depths of despair.
Snap out of it! the voice in my head said. You have a solution right here at your fingertips. Literally, at your fingertips.
I gazed warily at the screen again. Robert’s picture flashed before my eyes once more, and I let out another despairing sigh. Because after six months of bad dates, I was worn down. I needed something as a pick-me-up, and another purse or a mani-pedi wasn’t going to do. I needed to feel wanted and cosseted, and Robert was just the man to do it.
So taking a deep breath, I clicked the button “Book” before going through the rigmarole of entering my credit card. After pressing send, I held my breath before a confirmation page flashed on screen.
Thank you for booking with Gold Medallion, the page read. We will be in touch shortly. Your reservation ID is 436-298-8620. An email with this number will be sent to the address you entered.
And with a sigh, I shut my laptop case while slumping even further into the couch. Because I was out two thousand dollars now, and who knew what would happen next? Maybe Robert wouldn’t be Robert, or even worse, I’d go on another bad date. Except this time, it’d be one that cost two thousand big ones, and there’d be no way to get my money back.
Cursing myself, I reached angrily for my book. Because what had I been thinking? This was all so crazy, and I was frustrated with myself for going down this path. Acting out when you’re emotional and unstable is always a bad way to go, and I’d done exactly that. But unfortunately, there was nothing to be done about it now, so I turned resolutely back to the story of the hunky Roman soldier. At least he was having a good time … even if I desperately wished it was me being seduced.
CHAPTER TWO
Bridget
Signing up with Gold Medallion was a mistake because it’s been a week, but my date with Robert still hasn’t materialized. And it isn’t for lack of trying. The day after I booked the escort, I was immediately on the phone with an employee of the service.
“Hello,” I said tentatively. “I booked an escort last night, and I wanted to cancel?”
In the gray light of morning, my idea had gone from bad to worse, so I was trying to remedy the action. But the woman had unfortunate news.
“I’m so sorry,” she said regretfully. “But there are no refunds on this site. Didn’t you read the Terms and Condition?”
I swallowed, trying not to lose my temper.
“You mean all that fine print that that made my vision blur? The stuff that went on for paragraphs and paragraphs with no end?”
But my sarcasm was lost on her.
“Yep!” she chirped happily. “All of our customers agree to void their right to a refund as soon as they enter our site. Why, did something go wrong?” she asked, her voice suddenly concerned. “We’re the best service in the city, and your satisfaction is our number one priority.”