Fallen Woman(14)

“A whore by any other name is still a whore, Jase.” It sucked he was willing to share me with his group, but it confirmed what I already knew. Jase Lane didn’t date women like Gianna LeBron. Friends, fine. Companion, never.

“No, you’d be paid for your company. I can see what you’re thinking—you’re pissed but don’t be. Don’t be so quick to pass judgment, Gia.”

“No. I’m not selling my soul.” I crossed my arms in defiance and glared at him from the opposite end of the couch. Somehow, in this short conversation, I’d moved as far away from him as possible while remaining seated.

“Do you really think I’d put you in a situation like that? Damn. Believe it or not, I care about you and want to find a legitimate way to help you out of your circumstances…that’s safe. I know my friends, and I trust them. None of them would ever lay an inappropriate finger on you. They know how much I care about you and should fear my retribution if they ever tried.”

The instant he’d said that last line, I knew he hadn’t meant to, but it also shed light on why he was propositioning me—unfortunately, not enough for me to decipher precisely what his motivation was.

He pulled at his hair with both hands before dropping them back to his lap. “I just want to see you living like you deserve to live, and that’s not here.” He looked around at the stark apartment I shared with my three children. It stung, but I knew what he meant. I wanted better for them too, but at this point, I’d be thrilled if they were all healthy.

I should’ve asked how much money we’d be talking about or gotten more details of what would be expected of me, but I trusted Jase, and if he said this was on the up and up, then it was. “Okay.”

“Okay? Just like that? You went from stark raving mad to concession? What’d I miss?”

I was smitten with him. I didn’t want to be. He had no clue my feelings for him were growing, and I’d do just about anything to see him happy. I couldn’t turn down a friend who was working within the confines of the restrictions I placed on him to help me out. And the truth was, spending time with his friends was a way to gain my own.

Financially, I was in deeper than I’d ever been. If it weren’t for Miss Pearl, my children wouldn’t be eating. I still wasn’t caught up on the utilities, all the kids needed clothes and shoes, and the medical bills were never ending. Even if I wanted to be offended—and even if I didn’t trust Jase—it was the best option I had. It was the only option I had. “Nope. I trust you wouldn’t put me in a position that would hurt me. So I’ll go out with Drake.”

I watched those gorgeous gray eyes stare intently at me for several moments before he reached into his jeans and handed me a cell phone and charger. He didn’t break eye contact as he held his hand out.

“What’s this?” I asked, confused.

“A way for all of us to get in touch with you so I don’t have to be your go-between.”

“You mean be my pimp? Don’t I need to give you a cut?” I tried to joke with him, but he wasn’t amused. “You’re serious about this extending beyond Drake?”

He chewed on the side of his lip and nodded. “Yeah. I don’t think you understand. Taking a date to these functions gives women the wrong idea, but going stag makes you available meat at the market.”

As a woman, I’d never thought about what men went through being single, especially those who’re attractive and wealthy—I’m sure it could be frustrating to never know if someone loved you or your wallet. So I took the phone.

“Everyone’s numbers are already programmed in and so’s mine. They have your number as well.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “You’re awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you, Jase?”

He felt like an ass; it was written all over his face. “Just trying to help, Gia. Truly.”

“You know not all women are looking for a paycheck, right? There are lots of good women out there who want a loyal companion. You guys are missing out by excluding the gender as a whole.” I fiddled with the phone in my lap and watched his eyes grow warm, the color changing from concrete to gun metal gray.

He reached across the couch and touched my knee. “I know there are still good women out there.”

I stopped myself from reaching out to grab his wrist. Hold his hand. Touch him in some way. I wanted to harness the heat in his eyes and transfer it to my soul—to connect with him further than this. But just as I drummed up the courage to reach for him, he patted my leg and stood up.

“I’ll have Drake give you a call and let the guys know you’re in.” He turned toward the door, and I followed to let him out. Abruptly, he faced me. His sudden stop made me slam into him before I caught myself on his chest.

His heart pounded beneath my hand, and for just a second, I stared at it rather than meet his gaze, but as my green eyes met the storm brewing in his, I jerked my hand to my side. I don’t know what he’d planned to say, but the silence hung heavily in the air. Jase leaned down, and I closed my eyes in anticipation, only to feel his lips on the top of my forehead.

“Have a good night, Gia.”

I opened my eyes to his back, as he retreated through my door and the twins flew by him, hollering his name. “Night, Jase.”