The Escort and the Boss

Chapter Two: The Kiss

“Who do we have here?" asked the woman, who called her date's name. Her smile was friendly, but it couldn't hide the malice in her tone. Emily realized that the girl had a crush on her date, and it was her responsibility to make it appear as if she was his actual date. She removed her hand from Ray's clutch and wrapped it around his arm. She smiled at the girl, who now had a piercing gaze at her.

"Zara," Emily said evenly, meeting Olivia's stare.

"Hmm Zara," Olivia said, her red lips curling. Her blood-red nails tapped a threatening rhythm as if counting down to Emily's exposure. "Are you sure you know what you're getting into?"

Ray chuckled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't scare Zara now," Ray said to Olivia sternly.

"He's a heartbreaker, this one. He doesn't have a heart to begin with," Olivia remarked, as if she could see through her. Emily smiled and looked at him; of course, he was a heartbreaker. He looked the type effortlessly, but she was happy that this handsome man turned out to be her date for the night. At least she wouldn't have to worry about having to kiss a man she was not attracted to. Ray, by far, had been the most good-looking man of all her escorts.

"Ouch," Ray joked, placing his hand on his chest. "Don't mind Olivia, she just says things."

"But I know how you like to give your flings the idea that it's not just a fling," she said, with envy, "Someone has to warn the poor lassie.”

“Thanks for the heads-up, but I can handle my own, Let's just enjoy the moment," Emily said confidently, although she wasn't quite sure of herself. She doesn't want to be anyone flinging or ‘enjoy the moment’ as people would say. She wanted the real deal. A loyal boyfriend and a lasting relationship. However, Ray paid for a fling, he paid for her to be his date, and that it is.

Olivia gave her a sick look “He’ll make you sorry with that attitude” she said crossly.

Emily smiled politely at Olivia, determined not to let the other woman get under her skin. "I appreciate your concern, but I can think for myself. Now, if you'll excuse us, Ray and I would like to enjoy our evening."

She gently tugged Ray's arm, turning them to head into the crowded ballroom. Once they were a bit farther away, she leaned close to speak quietly. "Your ex seems rather...possessive. I take it things didn't end well between you?"

Ray rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Let's just say Olivia doesn't handle rejection very gracefully. But don't let her get to you - she's just trying to cause trouble as usual."

"Now, shall we see about finding some champagne? I believe you promised to show me a good time."

******* ******** ******* ********

Emily danced all night with Ray holding her hand, lost in their world. She didn't even notice the song they were dancing to, but the evening was more fun than she had expected. However, their dance was interrupted by one of Ray's friends. "May I?" the young man asked. Ray was hesitant at first, but he eventually let go and danced with another lady while Emily took the man's hand.

"I'm Brian, by the way," the man introduced himself. He looked great in his dark suit.

Emily smiled politely at Brian as they began dancing. "Lovely to meet you, Brian. I'm Zara."

She glanced over his shoulder to where Ray was dancing with the other woman. Part of her wished she was still in his arms, though she knew this was just a paid arrangement, nothing more.

Brian followed her gaze. "Ray's quite the charmer. He has a new lady on his arm every week it seems." He looked at Emily appraisingly. "Though something tells me you're not like the others." Well, I am.

Emily met his gaze steadily. "And what makes you say that?"

Brian chuckled. "You hold yourself differently. There's just something about you,” He spun her artfully across the floor. "If I may be so bold, a woman as impressive as yourself deserves far more than a temporary escort. Perhaps you'd allow me to call on you again, without Ray as a buffer?"

Emily was caught off guard by the compliment as well as Brian's forwardness. Still, there was an honest charm about him that piqued her curiosity. She flashed a slightly coy smile. "We'll see, Brian. For now, let's just enjoy the dance."

Brian nodded in agreement as they danced away the night.

******* ****** ******* ******** *********

The food was excellent and Ray was a great date. He was well-liked in his profession and among his friends because he had introduced her to many people. They had a good time and he told her about his interests in a way that none of her previous dates had bothered to. She thought it was a shame that her date with Ray was for her job; otherwise, she would have dated him if he were single. She hoped he wasn't taken, or else she wouldn't have been there in the first place. Ray was her ideal guy.

Emily had been anticipating a kiss from Ray, but the opportunity never seemed to present itself due to their constant dancing throughout the night. She longed for that moment when their lips would finally meet.

"So, do I get my Valentine's kiss?" Ray asked, locking eyes with her. The intensity in his gaze sent shivers of anticipation down her spine. Naturally, she couldn't wait.

He leaned in, his height making it necessary for him to lower his head to meet hers. As his warm lips pressed against hers, Emily had to remind herself that she had kissed others before, but this felt entirely different. It was as if she were experiencing her first kiss all over again but with someone like Ray. The sensation was extraordinary. A surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins, and it felt like this was how a kiss should truly feel. It was evident that Ray knew exactly what he was doing. Their connection felt deeper as if they had known each other before, and this wasn't merely a fleeting kiss from a stranger passing in the night.

Emily broke free and took a quick breath, glancing at him to see that he wasn't finished yet. He pulled her back firmly, causing her mind to momentarily go blank, but she managed to steal one last kiss before completely shutting down.

He kissed her as if it were their final opportunity, and sadly, that might be true.

Then he kissed her gently and stopped. This time, they were both gasping for air, oblivious to the fact that the band had stopped playing.

With a playful smile, Emily looked into Ray's eyes, her lips still tingling from their kiss. The moment felt like a scene from a romantic movie, where the characters were swept away by their chemistry. "Did I do well?" she teased, attempting to lighten the mood and keep the magic alive.

His expression changed, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. It was as if he had been abruptly pulled back to reality, away from the enchantment they had shared. "Of course," he replied, his voice lacking its previous enthusiasm. "It was exceptional. Shall I get you a drink?"

"Yeah," Emily agreed, her heart sinking as she realized her lighthearted comment had unintentionally dampened the mood. She watched as Ray walked towards the bar, his steps heavy with a mix of emotions.

Feeling a surge of regret, Emily sank into a nearby chair, her mind racing. Why did she have to ruin the moment with her careless words? The romantic atmosphere had been shattered, and she couldn't help but feel responsible.

Ray returned with their drinks, handing Emily her soda, his expression betraying nothing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a woman appeared and forcefully grabbed Ray from behind, kissing him on the mouth with an unexpected intensity. Emily's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

After an uncomfortably long moment, Ray managed to pull away from the unexpected encounter. The woman winked at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don't I get a kiss too, Ray?" she said, her voice dripping with flirtation. Towering over him with a slender figure and excessive makeup, her shiny gown seemed to suit her provocative demeanor perfectly. Emily inwardly groaned, her heart sinking even further.

"Rita," Ray called out her name, his smile now absent and replaced with a sense of unease.

"See you later, Ray," the woman said, winking again before strutting away, leaving a trail of lingering tension in her wake.

Emily couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and insecurity

"Can I have your bubble gum, please?" Ray asked, his voice slightly strained.

"Why?" Emily inquired, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I need to get that taste out of my mouth," Ray replied, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and resignation.

She clicked open her bag and retrieved a wrapped piece of bubble gum, "Here you go," she said.

Ray unwrapped the gum and began chewing, his expression gradually softening. Emily decided to shift the conversation, wanting to lighten the mood once again. "Hope you had a great evening," she said, hoping to bring back some of the magic they had shared before.

"I did," Ray responded, looking at Emily as he unwrapped the gum and began chewing

Emily couldn't help but let her guard down as the words slipped past her lips. "It's a shame it was only for tonight," she confessed, her voice carrying a hint of wistfulness. "Under different circumstances, I might have fallen for you." Deep down, she knew it wasn't just the influence of alcohol speaking through her, She knew it was Zara speaking, but it was the truth. She could have easily fallen hard for him, like the other girls.

Ray's reaction was a mix of surprise.He took a moment to process her words, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of insincerity. "I bet you say that to everyone," he remarked, as he took a bite of the bubble gum Emily had given him.

Emily's heart sank slightly at his response, understanding the trace of doubt in his words. She knew that as an escort, it was easy to be dismissed as someone who merely spoke sweet nothings to every client. But this time, it was different. There was a connection between them that went beyond the boundaries of their transactional relationship.

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "No, Ray," she replied softly, her voice carrying a genuine tone. "I don't say that to everyone.