Love's Grand Tour

pte

sha'

y. You either follow the crowd to survive, or

d, to be honest, I never cared to. But when I was old enough to fend for m

e sound of the door clicking shut behind me, the scent of fres

I was just another burden they couldn't afford to carry. I recall the look of relief on their fac

as a high-class escort, which is just a fancy way of saying I got paid to wear pretty dresses and smile at ri

to these men. None of them saw a future with me; I was just something to use and discard. I re

ard conversations, and constant pressure to perform. I wanted out. So, I made a plan. I s

the sun, and living a simple, peaceful life. I worked hard to make that dream a reality, and final

awaii!" I exclaimed, feeli

my luggage, my excitement turned to panic. The person I'd arranged to meet was nowhere to be found, a

racing. I dialed Raymond's number, my friend back in California. "Ray Ray, I need your help," I

rue friend who understands and knows me better. Let's just say he was one of the reasons I quit my

to go, you're the only person I could think of..." I rambled on until I ra

show concern. Raymond is always like that - he has this emot

eplied in a ba

re you?"

eplied, sniff

in Hawaii?" Raymond's

can you just help

ou have any idea wher

the smell of food from the nearby restaurants, and the sight of strangers rushing to their gates

d stay right where you are," Ray

. "I've got a friend who lives around there. You sh

lief wash over me. "

et to Raymond's friend's place, my heart sank. "Ray Ray, I don't

iate. "I'll take care of it,

cating an incoming transaction. I smiled,

y Ray," I whis

couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Who wa

ng alongside it. The sound of the water, the smell of the flowers, and the sight of the stun

iced it was slightly ajar. I push

responded from inside

the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. He was everything

asha," he said, flas

e sight of him. "And you must be Adr

ainst mine, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't

I chided myself as I foll

e to Raymond. "Excuse me for a Minute, I need to call

drian looked at me with curiosi

wash over me. "Yeah, I just need t

. "Hey, Tasha. You're safe?" he as

ng a sense of gratitude toward him

aymond said, his voice serious. "No fli

romise, trust me, I have turned a new leaf. No f

ou this once," Raymond

th an intense gaze. "Thanks for letting me

t me show you to your room," he said, leading me into a beautifully furnis

e eyes, which seemed to sparkle like the ocean. But as our eyes met, I fel

aid, trying to sound calm despite the flu

easure, Natasha. Make yourself at hom

rian. "Anything at all?" I asked in a so

amusement. "Yeah, anything. let m

too late. That flicker of attraction had already taken root.