Boyfriend for Hire(42)

“I know,” he says quietly. “And you have no idea how much I regret that. Would it be okay if we go somewhere and talk?”

I think about saying no, about just walking away and never speaking to him again. But then I think about all the sweet moments we’ve had, and all the things he’s done for me. I sigh, nodding. The least I can do is hear his side of the story. I owe it to myself to at least try to understand.

Luckily, there’s a coffee shop next to the review class, and we head in and find a table. Once we’re settled, Nic takes a deep breath.

“Elle, the truth is that the weekend I spent with you was more than just a job. From the moment I first saw you, something was different.”

“Why should I believe that?” I ask, not meeting his eyes. “You lied about everything else. Do you know how stupid this makes me feel?”

“Look, I know I don’t have a ton of credibility right now, but after that first weekend, I stopped seeing clients.” He runs his hands through his hair. “I barely knew you, but after our kiss, I couldn’t stand the thought of being with another woman. So I resigned, and I have no idea what I’m going to do for money. It’s fucking terrifying, but the thought of going back to that job, to the way I used to live, isn’t something I can stomach. Not after meeting you.”

I keep staring at my cup of coffee, trying to detect if anything he’s saying is bullshit. He seems completely genuine and honest, but I’m still afraid to believe him.

“You showed me that sex is more than just a transaction,” he says, his voice becoming more urgent. “I’d never felt anything like that before. I’ve fallen in love with you, Elle.”

I finally look up and meet his gaze, and I can see his eyes are full of emotion. Somehow, I know with absolute certainty that despite whatever lies he told in the past, in this moment he’s being completely sincere. Being the real Nic.

“You showed me what love felt like, and it’s been missing from my life for so long.” Nic reaches out and places his hand on mine.

I’m so overwhelmed and shaken, my eyes fill with tears. I still haven’t said anything. My mind is going a million miles a minute, and I’m in total shock.

He loves me?

“Will you forgive me?” he asks, squeezing my hand. His touch sends electricity up my arm, and my heart skips a beat as I stare at him.

“You were going to tell me?” I ask finally, trying to keep my voice from cracking.

“Of course. I was coming to tell you that day, but Christine beat me to it. I was only waiting to make sure I had everything in order first. I broke every rule I had for myself—before you, I’d never kissed a client, and I was . . .” He stops and pushes his hands into his hair.

“What?” I ask, now curious. I’m also completely surprised that he’s never kissed a client before. It probably shouldn’t, but it makes me feel special somehow.

He shakes his head. “It was stupid.”

“Tell me, Nic.”

“I didn’t kiss on the mouth.”

“Never?” I ask.

“Never.”

His deep voice hits me straight in the chest. Remembering our first kiss at the wedding makes my heart ache.

“And . . . I was saving oral sex for the girl I was in love with.”

His words take a moment to register. “Seriously? You never went down on a client before?”

He shakes his head, his sad eyes meeting mine.

Even though I should still be mad, should be disgusted with his career choices, part of me just feels sad. Sad for him, this sweet, broken man who gave me his heart so easily, who left the only world he knew for a shot at love. When I think about the women who have hired him, think about him playing some fantasy role but always holding part of his true self back, it makes my throat tighten. It’s then I know that I can’t stay mad at him.

“I never did anything like that with anyone before. It was you, Elle. You made me want to break all my rules. Only you.”

I nod, taking in his words. I know Nic’s a good person, and he’s trying really hard right now to make amends.

“If we’re going to do this, if I forgive you, I want it all. I want to be a part of your life; I want to meet your parents. I want this to be for real.”

He smiles at me. “You want to meet my parents?”

I stare into his eyes. “Of course I do.”

He nods. “You can have anything you want if you’ll be mine.”

I lean toward him and run a hand through his thick hair. He tilts my chin up and gives me a sweet, gentle kiss. It feels so good to be with him that I know this is the right decision. Lately, I’ve been all about taking more risks, and while this is a big one, I know it’s what I need to do.

“Let’s get out of here.” Nic stands and grabs my hand, and we walk outside together.

“Do you want to come over?” I ask as we reach the parking lot.

Nic nods, throwing an arm around my shoulder. He pulls me in for another tight hug before we get into our cars, and the whole ride home, I’m grinning to myself.

I’m going to be with Nic, for real. No secrets, no lies, no questions. Just us.

We meet outside my apartment, and I walk up to his car as he parks.

“So that explains the fancy car, then,” I say, realizing for the first time why Nic can actually afford his lifestyle.