Hacking The Heart [Immortal Hearts #1] (#Wattys2016)

[21] - <who>are</you?>

Two days following the call Lana had made to a man named Jamal, she had left for 'work' after seeing Landon off to school. Lana herself knew exactly what the actual work would entail, but as soon she had seen the amount of money she could make, she jumped on the offer. She didn't have a better option, she didn't have another alternative lined up, this was her one shot at creating a good life for her and Landon, without the dependancy of another man in her life.

Lana knew very well, that with the kind of pay she was looking at, the job she had taken up wasn't going to be a conventional desk job. She could easily figure out that it wasn't exactly the most wholesome job in the world. This was the first day of her new job; waiting for her 'client' to arrive while she sat in a skimpy, tight-fitting black dress that had barely went past her waist.

Needless to say, Lana had felt a number of eyes on her that varied in intent. Some of the stares were quite blatantly lustful, some were glares of other women, and others were shocked by the young woman openly showing her licentiousness. What seemed like a prank to gage the reactions of unsuspecting people was a reality for Lana, who had been told to wear the sexiest dress she owned.

"Jesus, hurry up." Lana spoke aloud as she looked at the wristwatch on her right hand. "I don't have time to blow."

"Do you have something important to take care of, Ms. Luxford?" a deep, pronounced voiced asked her.

Lana, who had been startled by the sudden appearance of this man, slightly jumped and looked up with a friendly smile. "Oh, Mr. Baxtler, I presume?"

The older, gray-haired businessman was dressed in a suit and was a good foot taller that Lana, who had chosen to wear short heels. He was professional looking, and through Lana's eyes, appeared to be rich, a guy who was likely the CEO of a multimillion dollar company. Though far past his prime, he looked good for his age, fit and clean-cut.

"Also," Lana walked around him as she put a little extra sway in her hips and headed towards his limo. "Please call me 'Lana'."

Lana got inside and Baxtler soon followed. Behind the tinted windows, they sat in a moment of silence as the driver pulled out of the parking and back onto the road. Baxtler's hand rested on Lana's thigh, squeezed it, and then moved up, working his hand underneath her dress. Lana leaned back and spread her legs, little by little. The job was exactly as she had figured; she was a high-class hooker, an escort.

Baxtler grunted as he ripped her panties off and threw them across the limo. "I'm gonna' fuck you all god damn night, then I'll take you out tomorrow, wherever you want to go."

"All night?" Lana's eyes widened.

"Something wrong with that?" Baxtler asked.

"Not at all," Lana smiled as seductively as she could. "But I'm going to have to decline your other offer. I--I have some other stuff to take care of tomorrow...I'm sorry."

Baxtler pulled back and looked at Lana before scratching his head. His eyes looked into hers, and he knew right away. Not just from her eyes, but from her voice, her excuse, and even the movement of her body. He had seen it many, many times before. Though, he was surprised to see one so young resorting to this line of work.

"Ah. I get." Baxtler lit a Marlboro. "How about we do this instead; I'm going to be here about two weeks for work and such. So, how about we only go at it once today, and I'll let you get back to your kid. I can call you later, and we can work out times to meet on your schedule. Sound good?"

Lana ran her fingers through her hair. "Was it that obvious?"

"Not really. It's just that I've been doing this for years and years, and I know how you women think, speak, and move. It's always the same, especially when it comes to their kids." Baxtler exhaled the smoke of the cigarette. "But sometimes, you're going to have to leave your kid alone if it means finishing the job that you are being paid to do. If you are being paid for an all-nighter, you need to stay all night. It's simple etiquette in this industry. Not everyone is going to be as nice as me about this...just remember that, kiddo'."