The Hookup Handbook(2)

But just because I’ve taken a temporary hiatus from seeing clients doesn’t mean I’m not working. When a major publisher offered me a deal to write a book on sex and intimacy, I jumped at the chance. I’ve slept with more women than I care to remember, and if there’s one topic I know better than any other, it’s sex. This book should be a piece of cake—if I can just find a way to sit my ass in front of my computer and type.

A quick knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts, and in strolls Ryder, my best friend and one of my employees. Frankly, I’m surprised he even knocked. Most of the time, he strolls in like he owns the damn place.

“Hey, do you have a sec?”

“Ryder Johnson in my office before ten? This must be important.”

He makes a face and plops down in the chair opposite my desk, swinging one arm over the back. His tousled dark blond hair is pushed back off his forehead, and the scruff that normally lines his jaw is gone, which can only mean one of two things. Either he has a date later—and I’m on top of my employees’ schedules enough to know that’s not the case—or he wants something. Bad.

“Nah, dude, I just wanted to come say hey, see what you’re up to.”

I fold my hands and rest my elbows on the desk, raising a single eyebrow.

He smirks. “Fine, you’re right. I have a favor to ask.”

“Lay it on me.”

“I was wondering if you could give my sister a job for the summer. Light office work or something like that. She just graduated from college and needs a way to make some money while she figures out her next move.”

I sigh, running one hand through my hair as the computer dings with new emails. “Look, Ryder, I don’t know. If I go around employing everyone’s little sister that needs a job—”

“I get that, but look, she’s not just my little sister. She’s, like, wicked smart. Super organized, crazy driven, totally type A. We don’t really have anyone managing things, and I think she could help out around here.”

He has a point. As if the stacks and stacks of paperwork on my desk didn’t already make that clear.

“Sure, why not. She can start Monday.” Because I hate paperwork.

“Really? No interview or anything? You’re giving her the job just like that?”

“What, now you’re telling me she’s not really up for the task? If she’s as smart and organized as you say, this job should be mind-numbing for her.”

“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.” Ryder looks genuinely relieved. I know the feeling of wanting to take care of family all too well.

“Don’t mention it. Now, go find a way to make that fresh shave of yours actually useful.”

Ryder smiles, nodding at the schedule open on my computer. “Got a new client for me, boss?”

“Actually, I think I do. I’ll send you the deets later today.”

He nods and saunters out of my office, probably to play video games and eat my food. Not that I really care. When it comes down to it, he’s good at his job. Having a six-pack and God-given good looks is only half the battle, but I’ve never had a woman complain about his performance.

I lean back in my chair and take a long look around the office.

Ryder’s right. We could use some help on the administrative front. I’ve always managed that side of things myself, but with how busy we’ve been lately, it’s been harder and harder to stay on top of it all. Add a book deadline to the load, and I could very well let one too many things fall through the cracks.

Besides, who knows what this girl’s major was in college? Maybe she can help me out with this book. God knows I could use the help.





Chapter Two


Sienna



“Can you slow down, Ryd? I really don’t want to be late for my first day because you got us pulled over.” I have to practically yell for him to hear me over the unrecognizable electronic music he’s blaring.

Ryder snorts, rolling his eyes at me. “I do this drive pretty much every day, and I’ve never once gotten a ticket,” he says bluntly, not easing off the gas for a second. “We’re fine. Chill out.”

When I was a little girl, I was always changing my mind about what I would be when I grew up. I spent countless hours playing princess, teacher, or astronaut. I’d dress up as a ballerina, or pretend to be a veterinarian with my stuffed animals, letting my imagination run wild with possibilities of my future career. Mom always told me I could be anything I wanted to be.

Somehow, I don’t think working at a male escort agency is what she had in mind, and I can’t say it’s really at the top of my list either.

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. Freshly graduated with a business degree and with practically zero ideas as to what I want to do with it, I’m at the point where any job is better than no job at all. I’m lucky that my brother was willing to vouch for me and get me this part-time gig at his, um, place of employment. If you can call it that. I’m doubly lucky that he let me move into his spare bedroom. Not that I can’t afford my own place, but it’s nice to have a roommate I can carpool with. No way could I walk into my first day at this kind of job without a little moral support.

Ryder zooms through our morning commute, taking every turn a little too fast and paying more attention to his playlist selection than the road. He’s been working as an escort with this agency for a few years now, and based on his lazy one-handed grip on the wheel, I’d say the drive is second nature to him. As he swings into a particularly sharp turn, I roll up my window to keep the humid summer air from ruining my carefully styled waves.