Chapter 1

Ava

Why did I think this was a good idea? Of all the things I could have chosen to do, why this?

Because it's the best option that pays the most.

Why do student loans have to cost so much? I went to school to become a nurse, to help people in need, but right now all that I have to show for my multiple years of schooling is a mountain of debt.

I've only chosen to take a side job because I don't want to worry about spending the next twenty years of my life breaking my back to not only be able to support myself but to also pay off my shiny new pile of debt. I want to be able to travel, to see the world when I can, and to enjoy my life... not spend it working to pay off bills. And I sadly realized that a nursing job just isn't going to make that possible. Especially since I can't even get a damn interview at the local hospital.

One night, while I was waitressing at the little diner down the street from my apartment, a well-dressed woman came in to eat. As I served her, we got to talking, and she asked me why I was working there. So, I told her my story while she sat there and listened to every word I had to say. When I was done, she told me what she did to support herself and handed me her business card with the instruction to call her if I wanted to pursue a more lucrative career opportunity. Her name was Madame Millie, and she was the headmistress of Million Dollar Babes.

When I got home from work, I spent hours looking at the card, wondering if this would be a good decision for me.

Two short weeks later and here I am... getting ready to see my first client on my first day of working as a high-end escort.

A part of me wonders if it might've been less scandalous if I had just tried to get a job at the strip club across town. I've spoken to a few of the girls who come into the diner after their shifts, and they're always talking about how much they made that night. It was always a decent amount. And if that was just one night, then imagine what they make monthly. If I chose to dance, then I'd only be showing my body to strangers, but by becoming an escort, it will very likely involve having sex with the clientele.

Millie told me that in rare cases older gentlemen will pay for a few hours just to have someone keep them company, someone to talk to. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get a few of those types of clients.

In the end, there were a few reasons I picked the escort route... like the very important fact that I can't dance to save my life. But one of the biggest deciding factors was how Millie mentioned that most of the clients are rich, attractive men. It's not just the money I care about. I told Millie I only wanted to meet with gentlemen between the ages of thirty and forty-five. I like them older, more experienced. I want to be with a man who knows what he's doing and can take care of my needs while I take care of his. Even better, if I'm getting paid good money to do it.

I'm not ashamed of my body or sex in general. Sex is fun, freeing, andwith the right partner, it could be everything.

"Ava?" my best friend and roommate, Natasha, yells from somewhere in our two-bedroom apartment.

"In here!" I call out from inside the bathroom while looking myself over in the mirror. I blink, wondering if it's even the same woman looking back at me.

Her head pops into the doorway. "Damn, girl!" She whistles, stepping fully inside the bathroom. "You look amazing."

"Really?" I ask, turning my gaze to meet hers as butterflies flutter around in my belly. "You don't think it's too much?"

"Nah." She shakes her head. "But, I mean, how long will it even be on your body?" she asks as she gives me a mischievous grin.

I blush, biting my pink, glossy lip as I look back at my reflection. "This is crazy, right? What am I even doing?"

"Babe, you're twenty-two. You're an adult, and you can do whatever you want with your body. It's not like you're working for some low-level pimp who's going to sell you off to whoever is willing to pay the bare minimum. You said Madame Millie runs a clean business, right?"

"Yes." I nod. "She makes sure all her employees and clients have regular STD testing, background checks, and she personally gets to know them before allowing them to be alone with any of her girls."

"I think if this is what you want to do, you should go for it. Who knows, maybe you'll even meet a sexy older man and become his regular. Then you won't need to take on any more clients. Or better yet, fall madly in love with him and live happily ever after," she teases, wiggling her eyebrows.

"A girl can dream." I giggle.

"Here, let me do your hair."

Tasha takes all my long blonde hair and styles it into a fishtail braid. When she's done, I look myself over again. I have on a cute black bra that pushes up my boobs, drawing your attention to the little white frills on the straps and panties to match.

"Go get 'em, tiger!" She winks before kissing me on the cheek and slapping my ass on her way out of the room.

Going to my closet, I get the coat that goes down past my knees and slip on a pair of heels.

Looking down at my phone, I see that the client I'm meeting is staying at the Royal Heights Hotel. There's no name, just a room number. How odd. It's no big deal, I'll just learn it when I get there, not that I think names are going to matter all too much.

"Oh, Ava," Tasha says as I walk through the living room, heading toward the front door.

"Yeah?" I stop and turn toward her.

"I just got a text from my dad! He's in town for the week on business. He wants to get together as much as he can while he's here."

"That's amazing." I smile at her. Tasha and her dad, Roman, are close; they're pretty much best friends. It's cute how much she adores him.

His name always makes my body flush.

I have a dirty little secret that no one knows about, not even Tasha. I've been in love with her father since... well, as long as I can remember. Okay, maybe not in love , but I've had a crush so big that he's the only guy I've thought about for years growing up. He's also the main reason I have a thing for older men.

I didn't grow up with much, my mom and dad did what they could to provide for me and my older brother. I went to public school, which is where I met Tasha. Only, unlike me, her family is loaded.

But her dad didn't want her to grow up and become a spoiled rich kid, so he enrolled her in public school with the common folk like me.

Right away, Tasha and I hit it off, destined to be best friends. My dad became friendly enough with Mr. Knight so Tasha and I could have play dates and see each other outside of school.

I've always thought Roman was a nice man. But as I got older, I started to see Roman as more than just Tasha's dad, and my thing for older men was born. Ever since I was sixteen, he's been the star of my fantasies as I explored my body for the very first time. His name was the one I moaned as I gave myself my first orgasm.

Of course, I told no one about this fantasy life I've built up in my mind. Not only is he my best friend's dad, but he's also eighteen years older than me. It was wrong, no matter how right it felt to my body or my heart.

"I'll tell him you said hi. You should come out with us for dinner one night before he leaves," she requests.

"Maybe, if I'm not working," I tell her.

"I'm sure you would have a lot more fun getting your brains fucked by sexy older men," she says, pouting before giving me a wicked grin.

Rolling my eyes, I can't help but blush. I might be willing to explore my sexuality and be adventurous—I mean, you only get one life to live, so why not use it to have mind-blowing sex with hot-as-hell men—but I'm not as outgoing and confident as Tasha. If it wasn't for her, I would never have gone to parties in high school or hung out with boys. Hell, it was Tasha who pretty much got me my first boyfriend because I didn't even have the guts to talk to him, so she broke the ice for me.

Saying goodbye to Tasha, I head down to the parking lot and get in my car. The hotel is on the other side of town. I don't bother with GPS because I know where I'm going. It's kind of hard to miss the massive resort.

When I get there, I park on the street behind the hotel on the side of the road, not wanting to pay for parking. Turning the car off, I sit there, looking up at the tall building looming over the city. I can do this. If it's too much, I can always leave.

I sit here as long as I can before I have to head inside. Taking a deep breath, I get out and start walking.

As I get closer to the front entrance, the panic starts to set in. What if he's mean, forceful, or tries to make me do something I'm not comfortable with? Millie said we never have to do anything if it's not something we truly want to do. But what if he doesn't give me a choice?

Stopping outside the front door, I take a few deep breaths. It's alright; this isn't some sleazy hotel. If something were to happen, I'm sure I'd be able to get help. Plus, I have my phone on me.

Sliding my hand into my pocket, I wrap my fingers around the pepper spray.

This is stupid. I'm going home. There's no way I can just go up there and fuck some random stranger.

Panicking, I grab my phone and text Millie that I can't do this.

A few seconds later, she sends me a text asking if I'm sure and that this client is offering five thousand an hour. A fucking hour!

Staring at the phone, I debate if it's worth it. My stupid loans are well over eighty thousand. A few hours with this man tonight could pay a good chunk of that off.

Who knows, maybe he will end up liking me enough to request me again. A few nights with him would pay everything off. And if this job isn't for me, then I'm free and clear. I can just worry about my normal bills and working my shifts at the diner until I get hired as a nurse.

Letting out a shaky sigh, I text her back, telling her I'll do it.

Tucking my phone into my pocket, I slip inside the hotel. Giving the receptionist a polite smile, I head over to the elevator.

Stepping in, I look at the floor numbers and press floor nineteen. Once I reach the floor,I notice there are only four doors. The rooms are 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904.

Looking down at my phone, I read the number 1902.

Before I can talk myself out of this again, I walk to the door, raise my hand, and knock. My body is humming with nerves, my belly flipping with anticipation as I wait for my client to open the door with my eyes cast to the ground.

A few seconds later, the door finally opens.

When I lift my eyes to see who's paying a pretty penny to spend the night with me, a soft gasp slips past my lips, and my eyes widen in pure shock at who is standing in front of me. He's the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His black hair is styled messily, and the sleeves of his dress shirt are rolled up to his elbows to show off his thick muscles. My eyes trace the veins that trail up his arms before taking in the few buttons of his shirt that are undone, his chest hair peeking out. I continue my way up to his stubbled jaw, past his parted thick lips, to stop at his shocked green eyes.

"Ava." My name never sounded as sweet as it does coming from him. His voice is low, husky, and has my body lighting up like a Christmas tree.

Never in a million years would I have thought that on my first night working as an escort, my first client would end up being him . Roman Knight. Literally, the man of my dreams. He is my best friend's father and the man who's hired me to fuck him.

I guess it's a good thing I didn't go home, isn't it?