Read Online Hooker (L.A. Liaisons Book 2) by Brooke Blaine - Free Book Online
Authors: Brooke Blaine
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save you when you give us the signal.” Paige gave herself a pat on the back. “You’re welcome.”
CHAPTER SIX
Ace in the Hole
HOURS LATER, AFTER we’d checked into the Cosmopolitan, I’d gotten a full makeover from Paige, including a smoky eye to go with the blue dress she’d forced me to wear that was about ten inches shorter than I preferred. It’s like the Pantsless Metro ride all over again, I thought, pulling at the hem.
Paige tousled my loose curls around my shoulders. “Stop fidgeting.”
“I can’t help it. I’m showing my bum.”
“You’re not showing your bum,” she mimicked in my accent, and then she stepped back to inspect her handiwork. “Okay, lip gloss, and then you’re set.”
“And here are your shoes, properly scored so you don’t fall on said bum . ” Ryleigh set down the not-quite-three-inch heels—as high as I would allow—and then flopped on the bed. By contrast, her heels had to be double the size of mine. How she walked in those, I had no clue, but she could probably run a marathon in them and be fine. It wasn’t normal.
“Okay, so let’s go over the signal again,” Quinn said as she emerged from the bathroom looking like an assassin goddess. That was the only way to describe the diminutive strapless leather dress that looked like she’d have to get peeled out of later. Maybe that was the point.
“If he starts any baby talk, if he puts his hands in places you don’t want them, or if you’re at the point where you want to throw your drink in his face and smash the martini glass over his head, make sure to do this first and we’ll come regulate.” Quinn balled her fist, held it up to her cheek, and then rubbed the line of her jaw with her thumb.
My eyebrows shot up. “Yep. Got it. Not conspicuous at all.”
“Won’t be if it’s done right,” Quinn said, handing me my purse.
“Did you put mace in here too?”
“Watch it, smartass.”
Now, it just so happened we were staying at the same hotel that the meeting with Ace would be taking place, so after the girls went down to assume their positions, I waited for five and then punched the elevator button for the level I needed.
Ugh, why did Val do this to me? My stomach always flipped with nerves every time I had to go on one of these “meet-dates,” as I called them. And knowing I was about to meet someone I’d watched in movies? Not intimidating at all. Really.
By the time I arrived at the Chandelier, my stomach was in a chokehold so tight it was on the verge of tapping out. For Pete’s sake, it wasn’t like I’d never met a celebrity before. I once saw Tom Hanks at the farmers’ market down the street, and when he smiled at me and said “Hi” as he walked by, I still didn’t pass out.
So I could definitely handle Mr. Big and Brawny.
Ace wasn’t at the top bar, so I headed down to the second floor, studiously ignoring my friends as I walked by where they were positioned at the main bar. When a wolf whistle sounded behind me, my heel skidded across the slick floor, my arms going windmill in an effort to stop the crash. Residual wobbling as I tried to stay on my feet and then…safe.
Bloody hell, that was close.
On an exhale, I tossed my hair over my shoulder, and that was when I saw my potential client. Had to be. A heavily muscled figure sat in a roped-off area hidden in amethyst shadows and blocked by a couple of bodyguard types. As I approached, they moved to the side, and I heard, “Miss Callahan,” as one opened the rope.
Ace stood as I entered, and he wasn’t nearly as tall as I thought he’d be. In my heels we matched each other pretty damn close, though I had no doubt he could bench-press me in a hot minute if his tires for biceps were any indication of strength.
“Thanks for meeting me, Miss Callahan,” he said, as he shook my hand, his grip firm. “I’m Ace.”
“Nice to meet you. And call me Shayne, please.”
He motioned to the plush
CHAPTER SIX
Ace in the Hole
HOURS LATER, AFTER we’d checked into the Cosmopolitan, I’d gotten a full makeover from Paige, including a smoky eye to go with the blue dress she’d forced me to wear that was about ten inches shorter than I preferred. It’s like the Pantsless Metro ride all over again, I thought, pulling at the hem.
Paige tousled my loose curls around my shoulders. “Stop fidgeting.”
“I can’t help it. I’m showing my bum.”
“You’re not showing your bum,” she mimicked in my accent, and then she stepped back to inspect her handiwork. “Okay, lip gloss, and then you’re set.”
“And here are your shoes, properly scored so you don’t fall on said bum . ” Ryleigh set down the not-quite-three-inch heels—as high as I would allow—and then flopped on the bed. By contrast, her heels had to be double the size of mine. How she walked in those, I had no clue, but she could probably run a marathon in them and be fine. It wasn’t normal.
“Okay, so let’s go over the signal again,” Quinn said as she emerged from the bathroom looking like an assassin goddess. That was the only way to describe the diminutive strapless leather dress that looked like she’d have to get peeled out of later. Maybe that was the point.
“If he starts any baby talk, if he puts his hands in places you don’t want them, or if you’re at the point where you want to throw your drink in his face and smash the martini glass over his head, make sure to do this first and we’ll come regulate.” Quinn balled her fist, held it up to her cheek, and then rubbed the line of her jaw with her thumb.
My eyebrows shot up. “Yep. Got it. Not conspicuous at all.”
“Won’t be if it’s done right,” Quinn said, handing me my purse.
“Did you put mace in here too?”
“Watch it, smartass.”
Now, it just so happened we were staying at the same hotel that the meeting with Ace would be taking place, so after the girls went down to assume their positions, I waited for five and then punched the elevator button for the level I needed.
Ugh, why did Val do this to me? My stomach always flipped with nerves every time I had to go on one of these “meet-dates,” as I called them. And knowing I was about to meet someone I’d watched in movies? Not intimidating at all. Really.
By the time I arrived at the Chandelier, my stomach was in a chokehold so tight it was on the verge of tapping out. For Pete’s sake, it wasn’t like I’d never met a celebrity before. I once saw Tom Hanks at the farmers’ market down the street, and when he smiled at me and said “Hi” as he walked by, I still didn’t pass out.
So I could definitely handle Mr. Big and Brawny.
Ace wasn’t at the top bar, so I headed down to the second floor, studiously ignoring my friends as I walked by where they were positioned at the main bar. When a wolf whistle sounded behind me, my heel skidded across the slick floor, my arms going windmill in an effort to stop the crash. Residual wobbling as I tried to stay on my feet and then…safe.
Bloody hell, that was close.
On an exhale, I tossed my hair over my shoulder, and that was when I saw my potential client. Had to be. A heavily muscled figure sat in a roped-off area hidden in amethyst shadows and blocked by a couple of bodyguard types. As I approached, they moved to the side, and I heard, “Miss Callahan,” as one opened the rope.
Ace stood as I entered, and he wasn’t nearly as tall as I thought he’d be. In my heels we matched each other pretty damn close, though I had no doubt he could bench-press me in a hot minute if his tires for biceps were any indication of strength.
“Thanks for meeting me, Miss Callahan,” he said, as he shook my hand, his grip firm. “I’m Ace.”
“Nice to meet you. And call me Shayne, please.”
He motioned to the plush
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