The Lines She Fell For

"If beauty were a crime, you'd be serving a life sentence." The voice came from behind Emma, soft and deep with an accent she couldn't place.

Emma felt goosebumps spread across her arms. She turned around slowly, expecting to see another wealthy businessman in an expensive suit. Instead, she found herself looking up at a man who took her breath away.

He was tall and broad-shouldered with warm olive skin. His dark hair touched his collar and had a slight wave at the ends. His eyebrows were thick and dark, framing a face with perfect bone structure. His jaw was square and covered with just the right amount of stubble. His lips were full, his nose straight and strong. But it was his eyes that made her heart skip - they were deep brown, almost black, and seemed to see right through her.

Emma stared at him, completely caught off guard. For a moment, she forgot where she was and why she was there. Then reality came rushing back. She was working tonight, and she couldn't afford to mess this up. She needed this job to keep paying for her brother's college.

Emma blinked and forced a polite smile. "Thank you," she said quietly, turning back to the bar.

Just then, another woman pushed in front of her and got the bartender's attention.

"Oh, come on," Emma muttered under her breath.

"What would you like to drink?" the man asked. His voice was smooth and warm, like honey.

Emma almost smiled despite herself. If this man was at a thousand-dollar charity event, he definitely didn't need a second job. "I'm fine, really. I can wait my turn."

"You were waiting your turn before," he pointed out. "How did that work out?"

Emma glanced at him. "If you hadn't distracted me, I would have my drink by now."

He smiled at that, and Emma felt her heart flutter. "Let me help," he said, placing his hand gently on her back.

The touch sent warmth spreading through Emma's body. She was so surprised that she let him guide her through the crowd without protest. Somehow, he found a small space at the front of the bar and raised his hand. A waitress appeared immediately.

"Good evening, Your Highness," the waitress said with a respectful bow.

Emma's eyes went wide. "Your Highness?" she whispered.

The man's eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched her surprise. "The lady would like to order first," he told the waitress.

Emma's mind was spinning, but she managed to speak. "Mineral water in a champagne flute, please. And a glass of red wine."

"And for you, Your Highness?" the waitress asked.

"Just water in a regular glass."

When the waitress left, Emma turned to face him fully. "Are you really royalty?"

"It appears so," he said with a small smile.

"Are you being mysterious on purpose?"

"No one has ever called me that before."

"Maybe not to your face," Emma said.

He laughed then - a rich, warm sound that made several people look their way. The sound did something to Emma's pulse, making it race. She was glad the crowd was pushing them closer together.

"Who are you?" she asked, her curiosity growing stronger.

"My name is Alexander," he said softly.

"Should I call you Your Highness?"

"No, that wouldn't be right."

Emma looked confused. "But if you're a king..."

"I'm not a king yet," he said, and something in his voice made her think she'd touched on a sensitive subject.

"I'd rather hear my name from your lips than my title," he said. His thumb touched her chin gently, lifting her face so their eyes met. The world seemed to disappear around them.

"I can't," Emma said, though her voice wasn't as strong as she wanted it to be. "I have to go back to my date."

"Is that what you really want?"

Emma felt torn. Part of her wanted to stay and talk to this mysterious prince, but she had responsibilities. "I have obligations," she said, not moving away from him.

"Let me tell you what a real date would be like," Alexander said. "First, I would send you to the best boutique in the city. You could choose anything you wanted - a beautiful dress, elegant shoes, jewelry that sparkles like stars. Whatever your heart desired."

Emma listened, caught up in his words.

"Then my driver would take you to the finest hotel's penthouse suite. You'd have the whole afternoon to get ready, to pamper yourself, to rest so you'd be ready for the evening."

"Ready for what?" Emma asked quietly.

"At eight o'clock, I would come for you personally. We'd go to dinner at a restaurant I'd reserve just for us. No one else would be there. We'd talk, laugh, dance like we were the only two people in the world. And then, before midnight, we'd go back to your hotel room, where I'd spend the night showing you how beautiful you are."

Emma closed her eyes as images filled her mind. Silk sheets, soft lighting, gentle hands, whispered words. It sounded perfect, like something from a fairy tale. But Emma had learned not to trust fairy tales.

"What happens the next morning?" she whispered.

Something changed in Alexander's eyes - surprise, maybe respect. "The morning would be a new day," he said quietly.

"And?"

"And I would be gone. You wouldn't see me again."

Emma felt her heart sink. There it was, the truth. One magical night, then nothing. At least he was honest about it. Most men would promise to call and never do.

"Thank you for being honest," she said, stepping back slightly.

"I don't make promises I can't keep."

"That's something, I suppose." Emma picked up her drinks from the bar. "Well, Alexander, this has been... interesting. But I really do need to get back."

She started to walk away, but his voice stopped her.

"Wait."

She paused but didn't turn around. "What?"

"I don't even know your name."

Emma felt her heart do a strange little flip. For a moment, she almost turned back to tell him. The way he said it, with such genuine interest, made her want to share more than just her name. But she caught herself just in time.

"Maybe that's for the best," she said softly, still not looking back.

"Is it?"

She could hear the smile in his voice, and it made her decision even harder. "Yes. It is."

Emma forced herself to walk away, her heart pounding with each step. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved through the crowd, but she didn't look back. She couldn't afford to.

When she finally reached her table, she glanced over her shoulder. Alexander was still standing by the bar, watching her with those dark, mysterious eyes. Even from across the room, she could feel the pull between them.

Emma realized she was in much deeper trouble than she had thought.

Sweet Revenge

If there was one thing Emma had to give this stranger credit for, it was his brutal honesty. Most men would have lied and promised her the world.

Emma looked around quickly and saw that Reagan's back was turned to her. "Thank God," she whispered. Her hands were shaking from everything Alexander had just said, and from the panic of almost being caught talking to another man.

If Reagan reported this back to the agency, she would be fired for sure. And she couldn't afford to lose this job.

Where else could she find work like this? Elite Companions was different from other escort agencies. They had one iron rule - no sex between clients and staff. Ever. It was what made Emma feel safe taking these jobs without worrying that some creepy guy would expect extra services at the end of the night. And it paid ten times more than anything else she was qualified to do.

"I can't go home with you," Emma said, and her voice was full of sadness because part of her really wanted to. "Please just forget we ever met. I have to go back to my date."

She turned and walked straight back to Reagan, trying to ignore the way Alexander's eyes followed her every step.

Ten minutes later, Reagan waved her over. "Emma, be a doll and get drinks for me and the guys," he said without even looking at her, like she was some kind of servant.

Emma's jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. "Of course. What would you like?"

As she made her way back to the bar, she could feel Alexander watching her again. Sure enough, he appeared beside her like a shadow.

"Is this what you think a date should be like?" Alexander asked, his voice full of disapproval. "What kind of men have you been wasting your time with?"

"You don't know the half of it," Emma muttered before she could stop herself.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Then let tonight be the night you stop settling for less."

"We already talked about this. I'm not going anywhere with you, Alexander."

"Is it because you'd rather stay with him?" Alexander gestured toward Reagan's table. "Or because I was honest about what would happen the morning after?"

Emma felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. "A little of both," she admitted.

"I don't believe you. Not about the first part." Alexander's voice was low and intense. "I've been watching you all night. There's no spark between you two. Nothing like what happened when I touch you."

Emma swallowed hard. She had never felt anything like what she felt when Alexander touched her. It was like electricity running through her whole body.

"I wish you would stop watching me," she said quietly, though that was a complete lie. Even from across the room, his gaze made her feel like she was on fire.

"I can't stop watching you as long as you're in this room," Alexander said simply. "I will watch you, and I will want you. All I'm asking for is tonight."

His directness took Emma's breath away. "Alexander," she said weakly, "you have to stop this."

"When it's so obvious that we both want the same thing?"

She couldn't deny that, so she stuck to her original excuse. "I'm here on a date, and I'm not going to ditch him for someone I just met. That's not the kind of person I am."

Instead of arguing, Alexander simply put his arm around her waist and guided her away from the bar.

"Hey!" Emma protested. "I have to order their drinks!"

"Their drinks?" Alexander's voice was sharp with anger. "You're fetching drinks for his entire group?"

"It's just a few drinks. No big deal." Emma tried to sound casual. "I offered to help."

Alexander clearly didn't believe her lie. He called over a waitress and had Emma tell her what drinks to bring to Reagan's table.

Then he led Emma further away from the crowd, toward the edge of the room where floor-to-ceiling windows lined the wall. Thick gold curtains framed each window. As they approached, a security guard bowed and stepped aside.

Another guard pressed something, and Emma realized the windows were actually French doors. They opened onto a narrow balcony that wrapped around the Manhattan high-rise. The view was breathtaking.

Emma felt overwhelmed by the beauty spread out before her. The city lights twinkled like stars below them.

"I can't stay out here long," she said, even though she was fighting a losing battle. Part of her really did want to go home with him, even if it would only be for one night.

"Why are you so determined to stay with him?" Alexander asked. "Is it serious between you two?"

Emma hesitated. "No, it's not serious."

"Then why waste your time with someone who treats you like hired help?"

"That's none of your business." Emma's voice was pleading now. "Alexander, we just met, and here you are talking about... about sleeping together."

Alexander laughed, a warm sound that made her heart skip. "I'm talking about spending a beautiful night together."

Desire shot through Emma like lightning. She wanted that more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. But how could she?

"What about tomorrow night?" she asked breathlessly. "We could have a proper date."

"No. It has to be tonight."

"Why does it have to be tonight?" Emma asked firmly.

Alexander's eyes grew dark and possessive. "Do you think I could stand watching you go home with another man? You'll be mine tonight, Emma. Not his."

Emma knew she should tell him that she wasn't anyone's property. She was her own person with her own choices. But the way he said it made her stomach flutter with excitement.

"I don't want to upset Reagan," she said, shaking her head.

Alexander's eyes flashed with anger. "A man who treats you like a waitress deserves to be upset."

"I'm serious," Emma said. "We can't be seen leaving together."

"Tell him you're not feeling well and need to leave. I'll follow later. Go outside - my car will be waiting out front. I'll tell my driver to expect you."

Emma felt a shiver run down her spine. This was really happening. There was no going back now.

She pulled out her phone and found Reagan's number. Her fingers shook as she typed: "I'm so sorry, but I'm not feeling well. I didn't want to interrupt your conversation or risk making you sick. Thank you for a lovely evening."

She hit send and looked up at Alexander. "Done."

"Good girl," he said with a smile that made her knees weak.

As Emma headed for the exit, she didn't see Alexander's expression change completely when he spotted Reagan across the room.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" Alexander muttered to himself, his voice turning cold as ice.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. The perfect opportunity to make Reagan pay for what he had done to Sophie. Alexander had fantasized about punching that pretty boy face. But now, seeing how Reagan had treated Emma like some kind of servant, Alexander wanted to do much worse.

This was going to be even sweeter than he had imagined.

A Night Like Forever

Alexander spotted Reagan near the champagne fountain, talking loudly to his friends like he owned the place. The sight of him made Alexander's blood boil.

"Well, well, well," Alexander said, walking up behind Reagan. "Look what the cat dragged in."

Reagan turned around, his fake smile faltering when he saw who it was. "Alexander. What a... surprise."

"I was invited," Alexander said coldly. "And you? Still hunting for your next wealthy victim?"

Reagan's smile returned, but it was sharp and mean. "No need for that anymore. My divorce settlement from your dear cousin was more than enough to set me up for life." He paused, enjoying the way Alexander's jaw tightened. "I really must thank you again for introducing us. You made it all possible."

Alexander's hands clenched into fists. His cousin Sophie had been like a little sister to him ever since their parents died when she was just a baby. She had lived with his family, and he had watched her grow up sweet and trusting. Too trusting.

And this snake had destroyed her.

"Now, if you don't mind," Reagan said with that smug smile, "I'm going to find my date. She's probably wondering where I am."

That was the last straw.

"You mean Emma?" Alexander asked casually.

Reagan stopped walking. His back went straight as he slowly turned around. "How do you know her name?"

"Oh, we've just met," Alexander said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "But I plan to know her much better. Very soon."

"You can't be serious." Reagan's face was turning red with anger. "She's my date. You can't just...."

His phone buzzed. Reagan pulled it out of his pocket, and Alexander watched his face change as he read the message. Emma's goodbye text.

Alexander's smile grew wider. "Having trouble with your date?"

"This is impossible," Reagan muttered, staring at his phone. "She was fine an hour ago."

"Was she?" Alexander stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Because from where I was standing, she looked pretty miserable. Being treated like a servant doesn't suit a woman like Emma."

Reagan's eyes flashed with understanding. "You. You did this somehow."

"I didn't do anything," Alexander said innocently. "I just offered her what you clearly couldn't."

"And what's that?"

"Respect. Attention. A man who knows how to treat a lady properly." Alexander's voice turned dangerous. "So while you're standing here alone tonight, you can think about Emma and me together. And believe me, Reagan, she won't be missing you at all. I'll make sure of that."

Before Reagan could respond, Alexander turned and walked away, leaving him standing there with his mouth open like a fish.

---

Emma bit her lip nervously as she waited outside the building. The cool night air made her shiver, or maybe it was what she was about to do. Either way, it was too late to change her mind now. And honestly? She didn't want to.

Her phone beeped. A message from Reagan: "I hope you feel better tomorrow, Emma. Sleep tight."

Emma winced. She hated lying, but what else could she do? Tell him she was running off with a mysterious prince she'd just met? That would go over well.

Before she could put her phone away, it beeped again. This time it was from her brother Jake: "Hope you're having a great birthday. Wish I could have been there."

Emma's heart did a little flip. She was having a great birthday. And for the first time, she was glad Jake hadn't come home to New York. If he had, she never would have taken this job tonight. She never would have met Alexander.

She typed back quickly: "Having a wonderful time. Miss you too. Thanks for remembering."

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The back door opened, and Alexander stepped out. Even in the dim streetlight, he looked like something from a dream.

"Hi," Emma said shyly.

Something was different about his face. His cheeks were flushed, his jaw tight like he was angry about something. But when he looked at her, his expression softened into a smile that made her stomach flutter with butterflies.

"Ready?" he asked, holding out his hand.

Emma took it and let him help her into the car. The interior was all soft leather and quiet luxury. As soon as Alexander settled beside her, the engine purred to life, and a dark screen slid up between them and the driver.

They were completely alone.

Alexander turned to face her, and Emma saw something in his eyes that made her breath catch. Despite her lack of experience with men, she could tell he was as surprised by the strength of what was happening between them as she was.

When he kissed her, it was slow and careful at first, like he was afraid she might break. But that wasn't what Emma wanted. Not tonight.

This time, she was the one who deepened the kiss, pressing closer to him as the car moved through the glittering streets of Manhattan. She felt wild and free and completely unlike herself.

She groaned against his lips, wanting more, needing more. Her hands moved to his chest, feeling his heart racing beneath her palms.

"Emma," Alexander breathed against her neck, his voice rough with desire.

"I want you," she whispered, surprised by her own boldness.

Alexander pulled back to look at her, his dark eyes searching her face. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Emma said without hesitation. "I've never been more sure of anything."

The car began to slow, and Emma looked out the window to see they were pulling up to the most elegant hotel she had ever seen. The doorman rushed to open their door.

"The penthouse suite," Alexander told her as they walked through the marble lobby. "Just like I promised."

The elevator ride to the top floor felt like it took forever, the tension between them crackling like electricity. When the doors finally opened, Emma gasped.

The suite was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the entire city spread out below them like a blanket of stars. Soft lighting cast everything in a golden glow.

"It's beautiful," Emma whispered.

"Not as beautiful as you," Alexander said, moving closer to her.

When he kissed her this time, there was no holding back. Emma melted into his arms, letting herself get lost in the feeling of being wanted so completely. For once in her life, she wasn't thinking about her responsibilities or her fears about the future.

She was just Emma, and she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Later, as they held each other in the huge bed, the city lights twinkling beyond the windows, Emma felt something she'd never experienced before. Complete contentment.

"That was..." she started to say.

"Just the beginning," Alexander finished quietly.

Emma's eyes flew open, and she looked up at him. The way he said it, so serious and certain, made her heart race all over again.

But even as pleasure spread through her like warm honey, a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered a warning. Alexander had told her from the start that this would only be one night.

She pushed the thought away. Right now, in his arms, one night felt like forever.

And forever was enough.