Seductive Guest by E. L. Todd Page A

So, what do you say?”
    “I’m not going to say no to free food.”
    “Good. You want to head over now?”
    “Sure. But I have a question.”
    I stared at her, noting the green color of her eyes. “Yeah?”
    “Why are you inviting me at all?”
    I shrugged. “I like you. Is there a problem with that?”
    “And what does that mean, exactly?” She watched my reaction.
    “You’re reading too much into it.”
    “I would agree with that if you didn’t keep kissing me.”
    “Does it bother you?” I asked. I knew it didn’t.
    “No…but you know I’m in love with some other guy. And I hired you to help me get him. I just hope you don’t think this is going anywhere.” She watched my face. “I don’t say that to be rude or offensive, and I’m not assuming anything. But, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
    “I think you’re really cool and pretty. I wouldn’t mind if this went somewhere physically. There’s a chance nothing may happen with Nathan. And I have needs and so do you. If it went somewhere, I wouldn’t be against it.”
    “So, this is another one-night stand situation for you?”
    How did I answer that? If my answer was no she might push me away out of guilt. But if I said yes, she might think I’m a pig. Either answer might screw me over. “I guess.”
    “Because I don’t see this ever going anywhere, River. I mean, I like kissing you because you’re drop-dead gorgeous—”
    “Why, thank you.”
    She kept going. “But you mentioned you were looking for something serious. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression and hurt you. Honestly, I’ve been hooked on Nathan for years and I don’t think that will ever change. If you’re looking for a happily ever after, it’s not with me.”
    Her words stung and I wasn’t sure why. I guess I’d never had a girl tell me she didn’t want something serious with me. It seemed to always be the other way around, where women were begging for a monogamous relationship. I really didn’t know Meadow that well so there was no way I could want something like that with her. But it hurt anyway. “You’re reading too much into it, Meadow. Just come over for dinner.”
    She relaxed. “Okay. I think you’re a conceited jerk but I also think you’re really sweet. I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “I’m made of titanium,” I said. “You can’t hurt me.”
    “Then what’s for dinner?”
    ***
    “What are you doing?” I asked as I watched her slice the asparagus.
    “Um, slicing and dicing?”
    “You don’t wash your vegetables before you eat them?” I asked incredulously. “You could get sick that way. It’s just like raw meat.” I turned on the water then ran the asparagus underneath it.
    “Look, I don’t cook much. Well, except for Top Ramen.”
    “That shit ain’t food.” I patted the asparagus dry then returned it to the cutting board.
    “It is when you’re broke.”
    I returned to the chicken and mixed it with the sauce.
    “What are we making anyway?”
    “Thai chicken with noodles.”
    “Sounds fancy…”
    “If I weren’t a escort I’d probably be a chef.”
    “Maybe you can do both,” she suggested.
    “No, I don’t have time for that.” I stirred the pan then added the asparagus to it.
    When everything started to sizzle, Meadow sniffed the air. “Man, that smells good.”
    “Me?”
    She chuckled. “The food, River.”
    “Are you sure?” I asked. “I wear Armani.”
    “Well, they both smell good.”
    I turned off the stove then poured the food onto two plates. “I’m glad I taught you a few things. Now when you make dinner you won’t make that shit you call food.”
    “Stop hating on Top Ramen,” she said. “There are a million college students living off of it right now.”
    I set the table then sat across from her. “And they all have elevated levels of salt along with high cholesterol.”
    “Are you one of those annoying health freaks?”
    I looked down at myself. “You think I look like this