My Escort

Sleep with me

I'm proud of the results. "You're eating carrots?" I tease when he feeds on the cucumber salad I mixed with carrots.

"Because it's raw," he says, savoring the taste with clear delight. I bite my bottom lip. "I only hate it when it's cooked."

"Oh? I see." I hold my fork and knife, ready to try my yummy looking chicken. "Wow, and I love the chicken," Red mutters, disbelief lacing his voice as he gazes at me.

"You really know how to cook, Mia!" Oh Mom! I smile indulgently. "See? I told you so," I brag, taking a bite myself. Aw, the rosemary, the garlic, the lemon zest— holy hell, I can feel the flavors blending perfectly.

Red chuckles lightly, and it's definitely not Red the Bodyguard. "Um, did you manage to reach that Thompson?" he asks after a short silence, his mood serious.

My face turns cranky at the name. Discerning this, Red quickly says, "I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to—"

"No. It's a clear message that he doesn't want to work with me anymore," I reply, my appetite suddenly sunk, my eyes on my plate.

"I guess I'll have to try a bank loan to see if I can cover the production costs to make another line; that is if my clients are still interested." I look up at him, sadly. He's long stopped eating, his eyes tender on mine.

"You're going to make the same designs? As the one burnt?" he asks, and he sounds deeply concerned. "I guess.

At the moment I can't even come up with something new. I'll have to sort out what can be salvaged among the loss I've incurred.

My employees are what I'm fighting for. If I lose, if I give up, then some people will lose their jobs." I can't even imagine the horror.

"I see," Red utters with a nod and gets lost into thoughts. He doesn't say much, but I can tell how he wishes he could help.

"I know things will be fine in time." I try to sound positive, pulling him back to

Earth. He smiles tightly. "More wine?" I ask him. "Sure."

He's not really into wine, and it makes me smile that he can probably finish the whole bottle finding it like a grape juice. I giggle at the thought and he scowls at me. "What's funny?" he asks while eating the baked potatoes, his eyes glowing amusedly. "Nothing.

Eat up; I want to wash the dishes and sleep. I'm very tired," I mutter, and from somewhere deep the yawn approaches. What a day! "I'll wash the dishes.

Go to sleep when you're done eating," Red says and adds, "And thanks for the food.You're amazing." I'm baffled, words stuck to my throat. No, he's amazing.

Dinner turns beautiful and Red is still easygoing. Will he remain like this even when we go back home? Will what we have right now continue even when the magic is over? I can't help thinking of our future as I watch him clearing the table. I get up after gulping the rest of my wine.

"Goodnight, Red." I'm suddenly filled with pure disquietude. "Good night.” Red smiles softly, and I stop in my tracks before leaving the table. I want to say something, but I don't know what it is.

Sighing,I nod and slowly leave the kitchen. I find this situation a bit tricky. What am I to him? And what is he to me? We've gotten intimate twice by now, but what drives us into it?

"Is it lust?" I think out loud while banging my bedroom door shut and then lean against it. But I've never desired any other man aside from Patrick.

My husband has been always the center of my attention. But why have things changed upon Red's arrival in my life? Couldn't I desire someone else before? No, this is driving me insane.

I put it aside by reaching for the balcony doors and close them up.

The wind rustles capriciously and I think the rain is indeed about to pour out. I change into a floor length, silky nightdress. The minute I climb into bed it starts raining, heavily. Great! I'm glad there's enough warmth from the fireplace.

I pull the duvet and hug myself. Now I can't stop thinking of him, so I hug the pillow tight, imagining him. Some minutes pass as the downpour turns intense. I squeak sharply when it thunders out, flashing my entire room.

Fuck,I hate lightning! I’m astraphobic. I bury myself like a child, closing my eyes. I'm not even sleepy damn it! “Oh no!” I jump out of bed when it flashes the room like daylight, and then it roars deafeningly.

“Red.” I’m going to stay with him downstairs. As I open the door Red is standing outside it; he was about to knock, I guess.

He's as surprised to see me, and I'm panting from my own demons. A grown up woman scared of thunder? No, I can't let him find out. "What?" I bold up.

"Nothing. I wanted to ask if you need anything," Red says calmly, and I think he's sincere. "Um . . ." I'm about to say no but I think it's a total lie.

"There is but I think it's too much to ask."

How can I ask him to sleep with me? I want to lie in his arms. Jesus, what have I become? I narrow my eyes, flushed, and it thunders again, loudly, taking electricity with it. I hurl up into his arms.

“Oh my God!” I’m super embarrassed, my face buried onto Red’s chest, his arms tightened around me, and I think he can clearly tell that I’m a scared cat.

Silence envelopes us, the dankness pooled all over us, and I don’t want to move. Sighing soundly, Red whispers, “Sleep with me.

Sleep with me. The words play a salacious tune in my already dancing heart.

A soft

nod of acquiesce shifts my head from his solid chest as I gaze up at him through

the darkness, his blazing eyes gleaming down at me.

I do want to sleep with him. Wishes do come true, apparently. Without speaking further, Red closes the door to my bedroom and leads me toward

his bedroom, still holding me on the small of my back.

Oh, we're sleeping in his

bed? I flush. It's even more exciting this way. "I got you, Mia," Red whispers when I jump subtly upon another thunder strike.

Damn it! "I don't know why you're saying that, but I'm not scared." My hand is holding his

arm tightly as I'm bragging my lies. Stifling a laugh, Red remarks,

"Yes, Madam. You're totally fine on your own. You

are not scared at all."

"Really? You've learned sarcasm now?" I recoil, feeling safe despite the odds

outside the house . . . happy even.

Why didn't the realtor warm me about this place? Yeah, it normally rains in Astoria

but still— ugh! It's pouring harsher and it's getting chillier. My silky nightdress barely holds my body warmth. I’m cold.

Shutting the door

behind us, Red uses his phone's flashlight to lead our way into the room. "Lie down," he tells me, and it's now that he gets to see the provoking nature of my

nightdress as he beholds a proper sight of me.

“Oh God,” he mutters under his

breath f**k! I flush, embarrassed. The plunge V-neck of my dress doesn't do much in

securing my fully erect teats from the cold and skin contact with Red.

Oh wow!

How easy I've become! "Okay." I comply. Red takes a deep breath as I head towards the bed.

Triumph

rallies inside me with full content. "You coming?" I ask before lying down, gazing

at him with my artful coquettish gaze.

"Yeah." Red turns the flashlight off and heads towards the other side of the room

where a wooden closet is installed.

I can't see clearly but I think he's taking off his shorts. I hold the warm duvet

tightly, imagining things I probably shouldn't for my own good.

Instinctively, I

press my thighs together. Holy cow!

The room lightens up from the now soundless thunder, and I see my Red

approaching the bed in a pair of joggers with undetected color— maybe blue or

black— still in his T-shirt.

But I wonder for how long he can keep them, because

I'm on fire. What the heck, Mia! Have you turned into a s*x predator?

"I thought you're sleepy," Red mocks as he climbs onto the bed. I move aside, drawing a bigger space for him while smiling.