The Billionaire and the Escort by Evelyn Mahony

General Release Date: 3rd Aug 2021

Word Count: 81,084
Book Length: SUPER NOVEL
Pages: 283

Genres:

BILLIONAIRE, CELEBRITIES, CONTEMPORARY, EROTIC ROMANCE, FAKE RELATIONSHIPS, GAY, GLBTQI

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Book Description

When Josh Roberts became a male escort, there was no room for emotions. They went against the job description. He had a full appointment book and enough clients to pay the bills. There was definitely no time to get attached to an older, extremely successful, incredibly gorgeous man who paid for his services.

But Josh can’t turn down the money that has started rolling in, along with the gifts and the opportunity to live in the lap of luxury as the man flies him around the world to play pretend as his boyfriend. How on earth is he supposed to say no? Especially once he starts falling for his client.

James Barnwell is the successful CEO of Winter Luxury Resorts who stumbled upon Josh Roberts in a dark, high-end bar in midtown Manhattan. The young man was cocky, young, beautiful and offered James exactly what he was looking for—the chance to be with a man who knew the ropes and offered no opportunity to get attached. James had a lucrative business to run and meetings all over the world to attend. Having someone by his side would just weigh him down—or so he thinks, until he finds himself caring deeply for the man he pays for companionship, and it completely changes his world.

Two men are trying to play make believe—until they realize their sham might be closer to reality than they thought.

It was a week later, while Josh was cooking on his night, when the phone rang. Distracted by the boiling water and the chicken in the pan, he probably shouldn’t have answered. Nadia and Andrew were going back and forth about painting the small living room, and the television was blaring over their argument. It was a normal night in for the three roommates but definitely made a less-than-professional moment for him to answer such a call.

Not recognizing the number, Josh slid the bar across the screen and put the phone to his ear, stirring the pasta as he answered, “Hello?”

There was a short pause, one that almost made him pull the phone away from his face to see if the person had hung up, when Josh immediately recognized the voice. “Josh? Is this…Josh Roberts?”

Josh dropped the wooden spoon with a clatter and grabbed the television remote off the kitchen island, muting the TV frantically. Nadia and Andrew both turned to look at him like he’d lost his mind, but he was far too distracted to care. “Yes, hi, hello… It is.” He was suddenly out of breath for no damn reason and his cheeks were heating up instantly.

“Hi, Josh. It’s James Barnwell from a couple Saturdays ago when we—”

“Yeah,” Josh interrupted quickly with a chuckle then immediately regretted it, “I remember.” He was smiling as he stood in the kitchen, ignoring his roommates’ curious glances.

“Oh.” James cleared his throat before continuing, “Good. I, um… Is this a good time?”

Josh spun to look at the overflowing pot and the sizzling chicken then spun back with a look of desperation at Nadia and Andrew. “Yeah! Yeah, absolutely!” He tried to sound smooth and relaxed, but judging by the giggles Nadia was holding back, he knew he was failing. She stepped in to man the stove as he moved away and down into the short hall.

“Oh, good.”

James sounded great, Josh decided. He liked the sound of him over the phone. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he cursed himself and pushed it away.

“I’ve been thinking about our time together and I had an offer for you, if you’re available.”

An offer? “I can check. What are you thinking?” He chewed his lip and paced a little. He’d been waiting for this call like some silly girl. Whatever the offer was, he was determined to take it.

“I’m in Jamaica on Saturday. If you’re available, I’d like to fly you down and pay for you to stay the week I’m there.” James sounded so confident and at ease as he spoke. Josh’s heart thumped away.

“Let me check my calendar. Just give me a second here.” As Josh pulled the phone away, he made a conscious decision that regardless of who he had scheduled, he’d move them for this opportunity.

And sure enough, he had three appointments that week. Taking a moment to gather himself, he reinforced his decision. “I can do it, definitely,” he replied, trying to sound just as confident.

“Great.”

Was that relief in James’ voice?

“That’s great, Josh. Text me your email and I’m going to have my assistant get in touch with you. She’ll book your flight and give you all the information. Everything is on me. You won’t need to pay for anything, okay?”

Josh didn’t know what to say, so he simply replied, “Okay… Wow, that sounds great. I’ve never been to Jamaica.” He wanted to smack his head against the wall as he mentally replayed the words. James chuckled, and it was a lovely sound.

“I think you’ll love it. Stephanie will be in touch. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Okay, I look forward to it,” Josh replied with a small smile before they exchanged goodbyes. He ended the call and stared at the phone.

“So, you’re going to Jamaica? With James Barnwell, CEO of Winter Luxury Resorts?” Nadia asked expectantly, holding the bowl of salad Josh had made earlier. He snapped out of his trance to find both of them smirking at him.

He glowered.

“Yeah? So what?” He tried to act like he didn’t care, feigning nonchalance as he went back to the stove to find that Nadia had already handled the pasta and tossed it in the lemon sauce with the chicken. He shot her a look of apology.

“You’ve been thinking about this guy nonstop since you slept with him,” she began as Andrew sipped his beer and looked on. “Is this a good idea? You know we’re not supposed to get attached to clients. You had this guy one time, and he has messed with your head already.”

Josh and Nadia had met one night, trying to pick up the same man in a high-end club downtown. They’d each ended up determining that the other was also an escort and had taken the man back to his room, showing him a good time—and also getting to know each other. And while sexual chemistry was there—and it was very good chemistry—they only saw each other as a best friend. They’d met Andrew, a firefighter and paramedic, through their mutual friend Clint when Andrew had been looking for roommates. While Andrew wasn’t sure what he’d gotten himself into by sharing his Brooklyn apartment with two escorts, the rent was always on time and they both knew how to cook—so it worked out for all parties.

“He hasn’t messed with anything,” Josh argued, setting the table. “And besides, who turns down an all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica?”

Andrew and Nadia exchanged silent looks that Josh ignored, and they all seemingly decided to put the subject to bed. Andrew turned the Yankees playoff game back on and Nadia brought the food over. They picked up baseball talk throughout dinner, but her words didn’t leave easily. He had to get his head on straight or this would go downhill—fast.

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Evelyn Mahony

Evelyn has been writing since middle school, constantly getting lost in creating a whole other world (usually loosely based on a fandom of some kind) and falling in love with those characters. An avid reader, she never leaves home without a well-worn book and a notepad for thoughts. She writes almost entirely on her phone, because it’s small and easy to pull out at a moment’s notice, when the idea for a scene hits. As the wife of a busy husband and as the mother of a young daughter, two big dogs, and a horse, there’s not always designated writing time. Writing is her passion and whenever she finds a window of free time, that’s what she’s doing!

Check out Evelyn’s website and follow her on Instagram.

 

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