Rent-A-Stud Read Online Free PDF

just…thinking.”
    “About what?” he asked softly.
    “Nothing important.”
    Reaching over, he lightly touched the back of her left hand. “You can talk to me, Jade. I’m a great listener.”
    Jade looked down at their hands—his tan, hers much lighter. It seemed…natural for him to touch her. She didn’t like that. She didn’t like feeling this attraction for a man who paid compliments to women for money. He could call himself an escort, a companion. No matter what name he used, he was still a rent-a-stud.
    “We’d better go in,” she said, sliding her hand from beneath his.
    By the time Jade had gathered up her purse and wrap, Zach had rounded the car and opened her door. He held out his hand to her. It would be rude of her not to accept it. Placing her hand in his, she let him help her from the car.
    Once standing, she was trapped between the car’s door frame and Zach’s body. A zing sizzled through her clit again when she looked up into his eyes. She wanted to be in his arms, and not just on the dance floor.
    That would not happen. She wouldn’t be the next in a long line of his conquests.
    “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” he asked. “You…pulled away from me.”
    “You’re my escort, Zach, that’s all. I won’t fall for your practiced lines of seduction.”
    He frowned. “‘Practiced lines of seduction’? Where did that come from?”
    “After ten years, I’m sure you know all the words to say to make a woman melt at your feet. Well, I won’t. I want that clear from the start. You’re my escort to a business function. That’s all.”
    His eyes narrowed and anger flared through them. He lowered his gaze for a moment. When he looked at her again, the anger had disappeared. Now she saw no emotion at all.
    Zach held out his arm to her. “Shall we go in, Ms. Talmage?”
    Chin high, Jade cupped her hand around the bend of his elbow. Silently, he directed her toward the elevator.

Chapter Five
     
    Zach behaved like the perfect gentleman. Jade couldn’t find fault in anything he did. He took her wrap to check when they entered the ballroom. He asked her if she wanted a drink, and headed to the bar to get the glass of red wine she requested. He smiled often, said all the right phrases, made small talk with the people who came up to speak to her.
    She hated every moment of it.
    The Zach in the car had been funny, charming, flirtatious. He’d made her feel comfortable and eager to spend more time with him. This man was a rent-a-stud.
    Jade endured it for twenty minutes before she couldn’t stand being near the mannequin Zach had become. Unfortunately, the head of surgery and his wife had cornered them and Jade didn’t know how to gracefully get away from them. Doctor Douglas Lassiter loved to talk, and his wife, Marianne, loved to talk even more.
    “You should see it, Jade,” Marianne gushed. “Doug designed it himself and had it built while we were on our cruise. It’s huge . Crystal water, live plants, rock formations.” She shuddered and sighed. Jade wondered if she’d had an orgasm. “It’s almost a shame to swim in it.”
    “It sounds lovely,” Jade said politely. I don’t care about your new swimming pool, or your remodeled master bedroom, or the 1,968 pairs of shoes you probably own.
    “Oh, and the gazebo !” Marianne gripped Jade’s wrist. Jade had to catch herself before she winced from those long, manicured fingernails. “Doug had it enlarged. It’s gorgeous .”
    Is there anything you have that isn’t gorgeous? “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” How can I get away from you when you’re digging your claws into my skin?
    Zach took the problem out of her hands. “Dr. Lassiter, Mrs. Lassiter, would you please excuse us? I see someone I’d like Jade to meet.”
    “Of course,” Doug said. “Jade, we’ll see you later. We’re seated at your table.”
    She’d forgotten about that. It was incredibly stupid of her to seat Doug and Marianne at the same table