Excerpt: Keeper of Secrets

Marina Tucker leaned back against the seat of the limo, crossed her legs and adjusted the slitted skirt to better show off her legs. At fifty-three, she knew she was older than most escorts. However, she looked a decade younger. As her grandmother was so proud of saying about the family, Marina came from “good stock.” The redhead had taken advantage of her youthful look for years to freely cat in lounges. Now, four months into her new career, men paid her.

It was already a good life, despite her listing. Her “mature redhead” web-site also read “voluptuous,” which was nothing more than a synonym for plump. Her photos bore out her image as chubby though elegant. Moreover, in her first thirty days, when she was another twenty pounds heavier than today, she made two thou-sand dollars. This week, she was making over a fifteen-hundred a day, just to be with her current “date.”

She eyed her date. George Hollingsworth was every bit the smart, sexy and handsome – and rich – man she desired in her bed. His dark hair and easy smile and brown eyes filled many a woman’s wet dreams. He sat easily across from her in the limo. He loved the high life: the proverbial wine, women and song. Moreover, his wine tended to be the best of their years, the women the best of their caliber and the songs… Well, the songs didn’t count.

Nevertheless, Marina wouldn’t live with him on a bet. From her research online and the two days she’d already been in his company, she’d learned that she’d never be happy with a man like this every day. He was controlling although not vicious, he pushed the consensual boundaries every chance he could and he was apt to disregard her point of view. Marina had fought too hard to regain her independent “voice” to let it go now to a stubborn, rather chauvinistic man.

Considered an “oldie” in the Hollywood scene at forty-six, George had considerable funds at his disposal. He worked behind the scenes. The paparazzi didn’t haunt him. As far as he was concerned, that near-anonymity was a good thing.

“So, is this a working date or do I get to mingle like a normal woman?” she asked now. “As if we’re on a normal date?”

“You’re working for my pleasure,” he said. His smile showed his appreciation of Marina’s sensuality. “That’s why you’re down here.”

“Besides that. I know you, George. I’ve read about of some of your dates.” She grinned, but felt wary. “Are you bringing me to be with someone else in order to promote your current project, or am I completely yours for the evening?”

“Someone’s been talking,” he growled.

“Online reviews work both ways,” she said. Half-smiling and with a faintly indulgent tone, she added, “You’re avoiding the question, darling.”

He took his time answering. “There are two people, a producer and a director – David Brooks and Miri Johannson – that I want to get on board.” He leaned forward and ran his hand over her knee and down her calf. “You’ve got the right moves, Marina. And you’re the right age; neither of them like little girls."

Marina nodded. After a moment, she said, “I want a thousand each if you want me to take them to bed.”

He sat back and looked at her. “And if I don’t?”

“Then I won’t go to bed with them.”

George blinked and then grinned. “It’s my dime.”

“It’s my body.”

“Which I’m paying for. You’ll do as I want.” His grin turned nasty. “I’ve never known a whore who ever saved money, so you’ll do what I say because I hold the purse strings,” he said. “You’re all alike: you live for the moment and you’re always broke.”

The redhead shook her head. “I didn’t think you were the kind to buy into stereotypes.” She stretched and then ruffled her hair lightly. She settled stray tendrils into a smoother do. “I’ve more than enough to get me home without your help.”

Under my real name, too, so you can’t find me.

Since George had flown her down on his private jet, he didn’t know that Marina was a stage name. Most of her clients didn’t know; two did, but that was from being acquaintances first and clients later. Marina had no intention of telling any of the rest, least of all George.

“You’d really go home? After I’ve flown you down here for the week?” He narrowed his gaze. “I’ve already paid you for seven days.”

“Yes, you have.” Despite his growl, Marina saw true interest flare in his brown eyes.

So, you either like the unexpected, or you’re not used to a woman telling you ‘no.

She had a week to find out. In either case, the information was welcome. She added, “And your point is?”

“And you’ll do as I want you to do.”

“I came down as your pet, not for the pleasure of others,” she said. “If you want me to put out to these two, you’ll pay me an extra two grand to do it.”

“That’s hustling.”

“It’s meeting your changes with my own.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You’re changing the game in mid-stream. So, I get to change my price.” She leaned forward and ran her finger over his upper thigh, following the sharp crease of his pants.

He opened his mouth to breathe better.