Courting Trouble. Kimberly Dean

her fingers flicking fast. ‘You’ve met heads of state, attended government functions and were best friends with Gilles Bonhomme’s daughter.’

      Sienna stared at the woman outright.

      Nina tilted her head. ‘The French actor.’

      She knew who he was. He’d taught her how to make crèpes. ‘How do you know this about me?’

      Nina lifted her hands, the pen still tucked between her fingers. ‘I had a background check conducted. It’s standard procedure.’

      Maybe – after an interview had already been conducted and an applicant was being considered. She’d met this woman less than twenty-four hours ago. The uneasiness in Sienna’s chest intensified, and she leaned closer to the desk.

      ‘Curious about what else is in here?’ Nina asked.

      Frankly, she was.

      The astute businesswoman put down her pen and sat back in her chair. From the way she crossed her legs and gripped the armrests, there was no confusion over who overwhelmed what. The power chair paled in comparison.

      ‘You’re a bit of a health nut, eating right most of the time and working out religiously. You love the symphony and the ballet, sharing season tickets with your parents, but you’ve been known to date a jock or two. Although not at the same time,’ Nina said with a smirk that was more knowing than know-it-all. ‘You broke up with your last boyfriend around the time of your graduation, and you haven’t seen anyone steadily since.’

      Sienna’s feet were now planted flat on the floor, and her hands were clenched in her lap. She had nothing scandalous to hide, but the intrusion was discomforting.

      ‘You know so much about me,’ she said, meeting the woman’s gaze dead on. ‘It’s really not fair, because I looked and could find very little about you or Luxxor.’ She smiled over-politely and continued. ‘It is standard procedure for an applicant to study the company they’re interviewing with, after all.’

      ‘Very little or nothing at all?’ Nina asked, unperturbed.

      ‘Your charity work has made the headlines, but the stories never say anything about Luxxor. They refer to you as a benefactress.’

      Nina’s lips twitched, and her smile was genuine. ‘I’m also kind to animals.’

      Sienna took a deep breath. ‘What is Luxxor’s business, Ms Lockwood?’

      ‘It’s Nina.’

      ‘Why is it such a secret?’

      ‘Because our clients insist on it.’

      Sienna shook her head. She was tired of all the cloak-and-dagger games. It was DC, but she wasn’t into that sort of thing. ‘Thank you for your time, but I really don’t think –’

      ‘Luxxor is an escort service for high-end, very exclusive clientele.’

      Sienna had half risen, but the bold statement made her sink back into the comfy chair. The soft blue cushions sucked her in and captured her.

      Nina swivelled her chair gently from side to side, but her gaze never wavered.

      ‘I have very exacting standards for my employees, and I hire only quality people.’

      Sienna’s breaths weren’t coming properly into her lungs. ‘You want me to be a callgirl?’

      The older woman’s face darkened and, when she spoke, her voice was like a lightning crack. ‘I run an escort service, not a brothel.’

      ‘I’m sorry,’ Sienna said in a rush. That little crack had released the air in her lungs. She’d been taught better manners, but just how was one supposed to react to something like that? Was it a compliment? She supposed it was, in a twisted sort of way, but wow.

      She’d thought she’d been scraping the bottom of the job-search barrel, but she’d never considered turning to something like this. What had she done to make this woman think she was ‘qualified’ for the position? A horrible thought sent blood rushing to her cheeks. Oh, dear God, there hadn’t been someone outside her apartment last night with cameras and a parabolic microphone, had there?

      ‘I’m sorry,’ she stammered again. This time, she reached for her purse on the floor by her feet. ‘Thank you for your time, but I don’t think this is a good fit for me.’

      She stood and headed for the door. She was halfway there when Nina spoke again.

      ‘I’m looking for someone who can attend functions with clients. Art shows, plays, basketball games or maybe even a cooking class. These things interest you, correct?’

      Sienna glanced over her shoulder. ‘Yes, but …’

      ‘You seem comfortable having conversations with people of all races, backgrounds and social statuses.’

      ‘It’s not the talking that concerns me.’

      ‘No physical contact is allowed.’

      Sienna stopped with her hand on the doorknob. ‘What?’

      Nina tilted her head. ‘Helping you from a car or touching the small of your back while opening a door for you? Of course, mutually agreeable contact is acceptable. However, none of my employees are expected to endure unwanted sexual advances. That’s not what we are.’

      ‘But you are an escort service.’

      The woman let out an exasperated sigh. ‘Luxxor’s clients are very busy people. These are men and women who are at the top of their business game. They eat, drink and sleep work. They have little time for the social side of life, yet they’re expected to attend functions to see and be seen.’

      Sienna kept one hand on the doorknob, but she turned.

      ‘Attending events stag is an option, but it can be a tiring one.’ Nina tossed down her pen and adjusted an earring. ‘While it might seem trivial to you, finding appropriate companions for these sorts of things can cause stress and lost time. That’s where Luxxor comes in.’

      ‘So my job would be to look pretty while holding onto a rich suitor’s arm?’ Sienna asked, one brow lifting. It didn’t appeal.

      ‘In some cases, yes,’ Nina confessed. ‘In most, no.’

      Sienna frowned. ‘How do you mean?’

      ‘Pretty can get boring fast.’ Nina stood and rounded her desk. She made a sweeping gesture at Sienna from head to toe. ‘My clients have come to expect more. The whole package. They want intelligent conversation. They need someone who doesn’t have to fake an interest in the arts. They want someone who understands cultural differences and won’t make a faux pas.’

      Sienna drifted away from the door, back to the centre of the room. ‘If your business is on the up-and-up, then why all the secrecy?’

      ‘Because nobody wants to admit that they’re paying someone to be with them, no matter if it’s a time-saver or not.’

      Sienna mulled it over. From a business perspective, she could see the need. She knew what her parents’ schedule looked like, and they did use the events to network for their charities. Attending social functions in the evening could be just as productive as breakfast and lunch meetings.

      Just look at her fantasy lover who’d been trying to do business last night with the trapped senator. He’d gone about it all wrong, but she understood his goal for the night out.

      A thought occurred to her, along with the tiniest bit of hope. ‘Was the brunette by the shark skeleton one of yours?’

      Nina’s nose wrinkled. ‘The one falling out of her knock-off Halston? Hardly.’ She waved absently. ‘But the redhead with the tennis player was.’

      ‘The tennis player?’ Sienna knew exactly who Nina was talking about. ‘But she was so funny.’

      ‘Precisely.