I keep thinking about the kiss. In my two years of escorting experience, I've had all kinds of kisses. But this was one of its own kind. Erin kissed with the same abandonment with which he laughs. He didn't care about anything else. Just after one shot, I've become an addict.

He refused to give me his number and got my hotel room extension to inform about our next date.

It's two o clock, he hasn't called yet. I become jittery just thinking about holding his hand, watching him laugh. Can someone fall in love with just three meetings? It's becoming harder to remember he is a job.

One thing is for sure, I'm on a collision course. There's no way I'm coming out of this unscathed.

I may have slept, the intercom shrills to wake me up.

“Hello.”

“Hey sleepyhead.” Erin's voice is too sexy on the phone or maybe it's the leftover fragments of my dream.

“What time is it?” I ask, closing my eyes.

“Five. Get up and get ready. We're going out.” His excitement is blatant.

“Can't, too sleepy.” I yawn for added effect.

“SAM, get your ass up.”

“What for? You'd drag me through some ball freezing wind.The bed is warm. Come here and we can have a repeat of yesterday.” I make kissing noises.

He laughs, “Ten minutes, meet me in the coffee shop.”

****

He is not even wearing a jacket, just a red sweater and a purple scarf, his beanie is askew as usual. “How is your blood still warm?” I ask as soon as I'm at a hearing distance.

He cocks his head with a hand hovering in the front, searching for mine. I grab it with a sense of gratification. He wants to hold my hand, I don't mind about the underlying cause.

“Hello, Sam.” He greets with a winning smile.

“Hey Erin, you owe me, I'm freezing.”

His smile widens, “I've ordered coffee, go in and pick up.”

“How about we sit there and enjoy it?”

“No whining, I'm taking you to the theatre. It will be as hot as an oven.”

“Ooh. Alright.” I don't care where we go as long as it's warm and Erin is there.

We sip our coffees and walk shoulder to shoulder on the main street. It's perfect. What wouldn't I give for this to be a real date? Oh yeah, I have nothing. That's why I'm here.

“What are they playing?” I ask, keeping the bitterness out of my voice.

“Do you care? I thought you agreed to join for the sole reason that it would be warm.” He says with mock surprise.

“And dark, for others, to see. I can have my way with you.”

He laughs. “You've a one track mind.” Around him, I can't seem to tone down the flirting. I usually don't flirt this bad.

His watch beeps. He takes his phone out and listens. After a few seconds, he grunts.

“Change of plans. We're taking a detour. We can go to theatre on Sunday.”

“Is everything alright?” I ask, his face has lost some color and the glasses are hiding his reaction. I remove them for a better look.

“Oh, yeah. Tell me when we reach your hotel, we should take a right there.” He clutches my hand in death grip and stays quiet.

He's nervous, about what? I can easily divert him.

“You have a mole.” I begin.

“Where?” He looks in my direction.

“It's small, like a pin prick.” I touch his cheek with my little finger.

“In my cheek?” He covers my finger with his hand.

“No, right under your...” I move my finger to his upper lip, “...balls.” I breathe on his lips.

His eyebrows meet in the middle and then he pushes me away, laughing. “Bastard.”

I tuck his arm under mine and start walking. “When are you gonna show it to me, Erin?”

“Never. That's when, you pervert.” He is smiling again.

“Aah. Can you hear that sound?” I say with feigned surprise.

“What's it?” He's fighting a grin. I love his grins. When did that happen? I used to think his smiles were creepy.

“My balls burst.” I whisper into his ear.

He shoulder checks me, chuckling. Nothing more could be better than a kiss, right now. I have got it bad for Erin.

“Where now? We're at the hotel.”

“Second shop on the right.” He directs.

“Kyle's Cloth Store? Are you buying me a gift?” I ask watching the storefront.

He grins, “Maybe. Something in silk.”

I open the door, a bell dings. Once Erin walks in I close it.

“Give me my glasses.”

“There's no one around. Come on, let's find out where they hide the silk briefs.” I pull him.

He laughs, “Sam, I was thinking of a tie.”

I chuckle. “No, you weren't. You tease.” I flag down a smiling lady, “excuse me, can you show us the men's section?”

She grins. “Hello, Sam.”

I rack my brain, did I escort her? Shit. I can't remember.

“Meet my sister, Lydi.” Erin says.

Thank God. I was worried for a second that my cover would be blown.

“Oh, sorry. I mistook your welcoming smile for an employee's. Nice to meet you.” I shake her hand. She is a tall brunette with elegant features.

“Don't we resemble?” Erin asks.

“Nope, not a bit. She's wearing a jacket.”

He laughs. Lydi looks between us.

“Where's your glasses, Erin?” She asks.

Erin awkwardly wipes his eyes with his left hand, as if he just remembered their absence and I realize I'm still holding his right hand. I free him. But he entwines our fingers again. “He wouldn't allow me to wear them.”

She raises her neatly shaped eyebrows at me.

I shrug. “I don't want to be coddled by a blind man. My ego is too big for it.”

“Hear, hear.” Erin says smiling.

She kisses him on the forehead messing his already crooked beanie. “I'm sorry, I couldn't come sooner.”

“That's fine.” Erin brushes his hair away, I catch the tumbling beanie and put it back on his head.

“So Sam, how is my brother treating you?” She asks turning to me.

“Glad you asked. Erin is the worst tour guide. He has no understanding of the concept called cold weather. Did your family descend from a different species, say something like polar—” A vice like hand clamps over my mouth. Erin's.

He's laughing soundlessly. I bite the finger between my lips. He shrieks taking his hand away and then the lovely sound of his laughter echoes through the empty store.

“I've no idea what's going on. Tell me one thing Sam, have you guys fucked yet?” Lydi asks when Erin's fits of laughter wilts to chuckles.

My eyes widen.

“Lydi…” Erin groans.

“See, even she's waiting.” I nudge him.

Lydi tsks, “From what Erin said, I expected more from you Sam.”

“What more? I've been seducing him from the first day. Have you seen his weenie? Is it by any chance a cause for inferiority complex?”

Erin is shaking beside me, unable to hold in his mirth.

Lydi laughs. “Hmm, I never thought in that perspective. I'll check, do you want a photo?”

She's exactly like her brother—not ready to back down.

“I'd be forever grateful,—”

“Lydi… You've a meeting.” Erin reminds her.

“Crap! You've to join with me. I've no clue what that guy wants. Please. I'm sorry Sam, I'm stealing your guide. We've ten minutes. Come on.” Lydi suddenly becomes a serious business woman.

“LYDI….” Erin spits her name with a sufferance known only to brothers.

“Double Crap! Sorry, Sam.” She opens her purse and pulls out a white and cream invitation and thrusts it in my hand.

Three engraved letters twinkle in the front 'SAM’.

“What's this?” I don't have to feign my surprise.

“My engagement party invite. It's on Saturday. I'm so sorry for the late notice. Erin has been pestering me for days, I was busy traveling. It would make me immensely happy, if you could join. Can you?”

My throat works as I try to make sense of this development. “Congrats.” I shake her hand again.

“Thanks. Will you come?”

I look at Erin. I wanted to be his plus one. He has garnered me, my own invite.

“He is staring at you, Erin baby.” She helps her brother.

“Why? You don't want to? I'd like it very much if you—”

I cut him. “I'm just surprised. I'll come. Thanks for the invite.”

“Now that's done, let's go, go. Bye, Sam. See you soon.” Lydi takes Erin's arm. I give him the glasses and stare at the pair of them as they leave.

I keep staring at the invite all the way to my room. I'm not worthy of Erin. Not in the least. I don't even deserve to be an one night stand, let alone a boyfriend. That's what this invite means. Erin wants to go to the next base, not in our foreplay for sex but in our relationship.