Living in Sin (The Escort Series) (36 page)

“This is a nice place, man,” I say as I walk around Jace’s new house.

“Thanks.”

“How many rooms you got in here?”

“It’s five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, a couple living rooms, the theater, gym, and game room.”

“Oh is that all?” I ask sarcastically.

“Whatever, man. I couldn’t turn this house down.”

“Nah, I understand. There’s a fucking lazy river and waterfall out there by the pool. That’s insane. I think I’ll stay in the guesthouse out there.”

“I don’t know why you’re acting like your house is a shack. Your house is fucking huge, too.”

“I know. All my bedrooms aren’t suites though. And I don’t have libraries and shit.”

“You want a library?”

“No. Chicks like libraries, though.”

He laughs. “Does Emilie like libraries?”

“Man, why you asking about her? I don’t know. She hasn’t talked to me since we had Thanksgiving dinner over at Adrienne’s dad’s house.”

“Hmm.”

“What do you mean, hmm? Do you know something? Has Adrienne told you anything?”

“You sound like a girl, you know that right?” he says.

“Just answer the question.”

“You know why. She ain’t cool with the job. She likes you, man. How is that hard to see?”

“I’ve never thought about giving it up, you know that.”

“I know. Maybe it’s time to re-think things.”

“Even if I did, I can’t do the relationship shit. I’m fucked up.”

“I didn’t think I could do them either. Adrienne makes it easy.”

“Where is Adrienne?”

“She’s at work. She’ll be over later.”

“She might as well move in.”

“I hope she does one day.”

“Look at you, all happy and shit. I’m happy for you, man.”

Maybe quitting the escort business isn’t a terrible idea. I’m making money with the club, and Jace, Marc, and I are already planning to open another one. Maybe being an escort was my way to keep women from wanting to be in a relationship with me. I just don’t think I can trust another woman again. Not after what Carla did. I loved her more than anything and anyone, and she fucked me over in the worst way possible.

“Yo. Troy,” Jace’s voice brings me out of my head.

“Sorry, man. What’s up?”

“You alright?”

“Yeah, just zoned out for a minute.”

“Why don’t you talk to Emilie? Tell her everything. Not just what Carla did to you, but how you feel about relationships and trust now. Be honest with her, maybe it will help her realize why you are the way you are. She might think you just don’t give a shit about her.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“I just want you to be happy, man. You’re like a brother to me, and I just want the best for you. Don’t go through life not knowing what love is. You think you had it with Carla, but that wasn’t love. Not true love anyway.”

“Maybe not,” I answer.

I like to think Carla loved me. We were together for years, and I loved her, and thought she loved me. She said it all the time, but she didn’t really ever prove it to me. Maybe Jace is right.

I’d love to have what Jace has with Adrienne. They’re perfect together. I think what’s most obvious is their friendship. If you don’t have friendship, you don’t have love, and they have it all.

“Well, talk to her soon, because we’re doing Christmas over here. Adrienne’s dad, Emilie, Marc, Nico, and Kade will all be here. You’re gonna be here, too, and I don’t want it to be all weird and shit with you and her.”

Shit. That only gives me a couple weeks. “Alright, man. I think I’m gonna head home. I can come over tomorrow to help put more stuff away if you want.”

“Yeah, cool.”

I show myself out and walk to my car. The whole drive home I think about what I can tell Emilie. That I do like her, and have fun with her, but that I don’t trust her cause I don’t trust any woman? No, that shit ain’t gonna work. It’s the truth though. Maybe if I allow myself to be in a relationship with her, she’ll prove to me that I can trust her.

As I’m stopped at a stop light, I pull my phone out and send her a message.

Me:
Hey, I need to talk to you. Meet me at my place in thirty?

Her response comes just as I’m pulling into my driveway.

Emilie:
Okay. See you in forty five.

I shake my head. She’s always sure to do things her way. I’m just glad she’s coming. Now is my time to be honest with her and see what happens from there.

After I step out of my Escalade, I look up from my phone and start for my front door.

What in the mother fuck?

Carla is standing on my doorstep.

A suitcase rests at her feet.

Fuck.

To be continued…

Dear Readers,

I appreciate you taking the time to buy my book and read it. I do hope you enjoyed it. I am currently working on Book Two in The Escort Series, which will be Troy’s story, and Book Three will be Marc’s story. I am going to work my hardest, fastest, and best on making sure these books don’t take forever to come out. You’ll also be able to get a little more of Jace and Adrienne’s story in the next one.

Thank you for your support,

xoxo - Isabel

Once again, I must start with my husband. Thank you so much for always being there to support and help me. You are amazing! I’m so lucky to be married to you. If it weren’t for you, this story wouldn’t have been born. Thanks, baby!

To every single blogger who has ever helped me in any way. Whether it be by sharing teasers, the cover, giveaways, or anything else, you guys are amazing! It’s because of you that people hear about new stories and authors, so thank you!

I have to thank my readers and supporters who also share things from my page, and get the word out about whatever it is I’ve posted. It’s tough being a newbie, we need all the help we can get, and word of mouth is by far the best form of promotion. Thank you all!

Special thanks to Michelle Lange Schwartz and Gretchen Anderson Purgason. You ladies have been the most amazing, uplifting, supportive, and helpful women ever! I don’t know even know what I’d do without you now. Thank you for reading my book and loving it so much! Thanks for all the kind words and motivation to keep writing. Love y’all!

Thank you to my “secret group” of women. I appreciate you all for agreeing to read and help me promote my book, and get my name out there.

Shaneen, you are another special one, because you’ve been with me since my first book. I’m so glad that you loved it, and I appreciate you being the kind and generous woman you are. Thank you for supporting me and being a friend.

I can’t forget Cynthia Boudreaux for being an awesome editor. Thank you for being so helpful and fun to work with. Thanks to my wonderful formatter, Angela from Fictional Formats for coming up with amazing chapter headings! I honestly would have never have thought to make them what they are and I’m absolutely in love with my book even more now. Thank you!

Big thanks goes to Summer and Jenny from A Dirty Book Affair for offering to help me out when it came to release day blitz, cover reveal, and a blog tour. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of that. Robin from Wicked by Design. What can I say? Thank you a million times over for dealing with my numerous emails, questions, and suggestions. You are amazing at what you do, and I LOVE my book covers. Nobody else could have made them better. Thank you!

Katie Harder-Schauer, Elena Pearson, and Lyndsey Wharton. You were all added a little late to the street team, but I will forever be happy that you were added in the first place. I love your reviews and I’m so glad you all enjoyed this book. Carrie Sutton, thank you for taking the time to create beautiful and amazing teaser pictures. I appreciate that, because I’ll admit it’s not something I’m good at. Tonya Nichols, thank you so much for loving both of my books! Thanks for the review.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone. I’m grateful for everything anyone has done for me.

Isabel Lucero is a military wife who has been lucky enough to travel the world, and see some amazing sights. She has been married to her best friend for ten years, and together they have two of the most beautiful children in the world. She and her husband are Junior High Sweethearts, a couple who are truly meant to be together. One day, their love story might make it into a book.

Isabel is the middle name of the author, and Lucero is her maiden name. Together they create her pen name. She was born in a small town in New Mexico, and was more than happy to move far, far away.

She is a collector of high heels and tattoos, and is highly obsessed with both. She owns a crazy, little Miniature Pinscher who thinks he’s a Doberman. His name is Tyson.

Isabel has always been an avid reader, able to devour books in a day or two. With her now focusing on writing, the reading has slowed, but her love for reading is still there.

Something noteworthy is that Isabel loves to hear from her readers. Never hesitate to get in touch. She’s always willing and ready to talk about anything. If you enjoy this book, she encourages you to not only let her know, but let the world know. Goodreads, Amazon, book blogs, groups, etc. She understands that word of mouth is the best form of promotion.

For more information about this author, you can find her at:

https://www.facebook.com/authorisabellucero

https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel

http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7152948.Isabel_Lucero

Other books by this author:

The Secrets That We Keep