1

Montauk, Long Island, NY

Holly Foster watched as her best friend Sabrina departed with her new husband Daniel by her side, leaving the wedding guests in the elaborately decorated tent to their own devices. She smiled wistfully. It was good to see her friend so happy. Finally, everything had worked out for the best. Holly felt satisfaction in knowing that she’d played a part in her friend’s happiness.

Her gaze roamed over the guests. From the tent in the back garden of Daniel’s parents’ home in Montauk, at the very tip of Long Island, she could see the beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The waves were breaking against the shore, and the torch lights around the tent illuminated their movement.

It was a warm night despite the breeze coming from the water. She brushed her hands over her dress, a classy red number she was grateful Sabrina had chosen as Holly’s bridesmaid’s dress. Thankfully her friend hadn’t stuck her in anything orange or pink. She knew the red dress fit her like a glove, accentuating her curves and her long blond locks. She felt confident in it. Confident enough to let herself go tonight.

Holly turned and looked at Paul Gilbert, who stood at the bar at the end of the tent, waiting for the bartender to mix him another drink. He was one of Daniel’s friends and a member of the Eternal Bachelors Club, which after Daniel’s departure today consisted of only seven bachelors. While she’d been introduced to Paul during the rehearsal dinner, she’d barely spoken more than ten words to him. It was something she wanted to change—and not only because Sabrina had told her to be nice to him. Apparently Paul had been kind to her when she’d needed support.

A man like Paul she would talk to anytime. And not just talk. She wanted a lot more.

Holly ran her eyes over him. His tuxedo fit him like a second skin, and he had the kind of suave James Bond look about him that she’d thought only Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery could carry off without looking smarmy. She knew exactly how a man like Paul would be in bed. She knew how he would undress her, how he would touch her, how his body would grind against hers. How his cock would slide into her with one forceful thrust and touch her womb—fill her—stretch her.

She knew all that just by looking at him. Because she always avoided men like him.

She preferred her clients to be average in bed. It made it easier to remain detached and keep her emotions out of the game. That’s why she didn’t want to be with a man like Paul. Because for once she might actually feel something. And what would she do then?

As her feet carried her closer to him, even though her brain told her to stay away, she started justifying the action she was about to take. She was on vacation. Wasn’t everybody allowed a vacation fling? A one-night stand that would lead to nothing . . . or to everything? Even a call girl had to forget her work occasionally, let herself go, and only do what her heart dictated.

Besides, hadn’t she already decided to quit the escort business, even though she hadn’t told her boss Misty yet? Hadn’t she already made up her mind that she was done with all of this? So what was the harm in flirting with a man like Paul? What was the harm in letting him know that she was available tonight if he wanted to take her to bed?

Before she could truly answer her own questions, she pulled her iPhone from her purse. There was no time like the present to follow through on a decision. No need to wait any longer to tell her boss that she wasn’t coming back. Why drag out the inevitable when she’d already made up her mind days ago?

Holly stopped next to a flower arrangement and composed a short text message to Misty, telling her of her decision to leave the escort business effective immediately. When she pressed the Send button, relief washed over her. She was free. The feeling both elated her and frightened her. She had no idea how to earn a living now, but she would figure something out. She had a few months’ worth of savings that would keep her head above water until she could devise a plan. But she wouldn’t think of any of this now.

She wanted to feel something tonight.

Sliding her phone back into her purse, she approached Paul. He must have seen her from the corner of his eye, because he suddenly turned and smiled at her, his gaze meeting hers instead of doing what all other men’s usually did: drop to her boobs. But Paul’s eyes remained locked on her face. That fact only cemented her decision to offer him something she hadn’t offered any man in a long time.

“Holly,” Paul greeted her. “So it’s almost over.” He motioned to where some of the guests were gathering their things and starting to leave.

Holly lowered her eyelids halfway, but never avoided his eyes. “It doesn’t have to be.”