John Locke - A Girl Like You

“Donovan?” she says.

“Sorry. I was going to ask if you wanted me to order a soufflé.”

“You’re so sweet!” She touches my arm with her hand. “I couldn’t possibly. Is that okay?”

“Perfectly.”

Rachel thinks she knows me, but there’s a lot to be said for predictability. By the time we get to Miranda’s place tonight, my body will be screaming for her to relieve the sexual tension that’s been building up all afternoon. It’s a joy to know that having sex tonight is a foregone conclusion. I’ll not only get sex tonight, but it will be whatever type of sex I’m in the mood for. Of course, this is less a function of predictability than it is a feature of paying a hooker for her time.

Wait. That’s not a fair characterization. Miranda’s a courtesan, not a hooker.

But still.

As a plus, I won’t have to worry about falling asleep and possibly getting my throat slit, which is more a function of being with a sane woman than being with Rachel, who I love dearly.

Another excellent feature of being with a courtesan is, whatever I say will be fascinating to her. And damn it, sometimes it’s nice to be able to just say anything that’s on your mind, knowing the woman you’re with is not going to give you a look of disgust, or indignation. In fact, there’s nothing I can say to Miranda right now that would make her say, That’s disgusting! I hope you’re happy, you just ruined my dinner! ”

Want an example? Check this out:

“Miranda?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Did you know there was a time in history when the entire world ran out of coffins?”

“What? Oh, my God! Really?”

“Yup.”

“What happened?”

“Ever hear about the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918?”

“No. Please tell me!”

—See what I mean? I’m with a beautiful girl half my age. I’m enjoying a wonderful dinner, getting ready to see an incredible show. I’m a fascinating conversationalist, and I’m going to get laid tonight by a woman whose mission in life is to be the best fuck I’ve ever had.

Want another example of how I can say anything to Miranda and not get in trouble?“Honey?” I say.

“Yes?”

“Have I ever told you I’m in love with a girl named Rachel?”

“I don’t think so, not that I recall.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Who wouldn’t be? She’s got to be the luckiest woman in the whole world!”

“You think?”

“I do,” she says. “But not tonight.”

“No?”

“Nope. ’Cause tonight, I’m the luckiest woman in the world!”

I hoist my vodka martini and realize with all this going for me, something’s missing.

What’s that? You think what’s missing at this moment is Rachel?

What’re you, nuts?

I lift my chin in Rob’s direction, and my overly-attentive waiter instantly appears.

“Yes, Mr. Creed?”

“Do you happen to have any single-barrel Kentucky bourbon in this joint?”

Rob smiles. “We do, indeed, sir!”

“Would you be so kind?”

“Absolutely, sir! And would the lady care for some?”

Miranda looks at me. Most women hate bourbon, and I’m sure she’s no exception.

“That sounds delightful!” she says.

Rob leaves to fetch our bourbon, and I notice Miranda is squirming slightly.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

She gives me a shy, practiced smile, looks down at her hand. My eyes follow hers. She opens it, revealing the tiniest pair of black panties.

“A present,” she says.

“For me?”

“Uh huh.”

She smiles again.

“If you put them in your jacket pocket, only you and I will know it’s not a handkerchief!”

She kisses her panties and hands them to me. I put them where my pocket square had been, and never bother wondering how many men she’s said that to before tonight.

Is she pretending?

Of course.

Do I care?

Of course not. In truth, I’m beginning to question how much of a future I have with Rachel. Her unpredictability has become predictable.

Maybe I’ll pretend something too. Maybe I’ll pretend the fifty grand is a present from me. Am I capable of doing something that shady, just to enrich my status in her eyes?

Of course I am. But will I?

I haven’t decided yet.

Rob brings us a shot of premium bourbon.

Miranda and I share a toast.

Life is good.

Then the chip in my head starts to buzz…

Coming soon!

VEGAS MOON

(A Donovan Creed Novel)

Expected date of publication: May, 2011

Thanks for your support. We’ll see you in May!

About the Author

John Locke is the international best-selling author of six novels including Saving Rachel, Wish List, Now & Then, Lethal People, Lethal Experiment, and Follow the Stone . He lives in Kentucky, where he is working on his seventh Donovan Creed novel, Vegas Moon . To view book trailers and other information, check the author’s website: www.SavingRachel.com, or follow his blog: www.donovancreed.blogspot.com

Table of Contents

Prologue