“I just don’t want to fucking be here,” he sighs. “At all. I hate coming home.”
I settle onto my couch, noting the emptiness around me. Taylor calls out about a house being made of stone, and I feel the depths in her words. My books are arranged on a pile on the coffee table, unread. My Switch controller sits, covered with a thin film of dust because I haven’t played a video game since before Noah met his girlfriend.
Well, ex-girlfriend, now.
The low lights cast shadows on my furniture and the lights of the city twinkle outside like stars.
His words hit me harder than they should. I love my apartment, but…
Sometimes, I hate coming home, too. Especially when the silence and emptiness feels so loud.
“I know the feeling,” I say softly.
“What are your rules?” he mutters. “You said you had rules you wanted to go over.”
I debate if I should tell him now or just tell him I’ll call him in the morning. Set up a morning coffee synergy meeting.
“Jacob,” his voice calls out, and I can’t deny I like the way it sounds.
I close my eyes, and for a moment, it feels like he’s here in the same space. And maybe that’s why I don't hang up. I’m too good at playing pretend.
“First off, we should meet up tomorrow before the event. Breakfast, lunch, whatever. Just so I can see you. Feel you out. Get a vibe of who I’m supposed to be, but also who you are, too. To me.”
Aaron hums on the other line. “Who do you want me to be?”
I blink, because it’s an odd question. No one asksmewho I want them to be. My role’s always pretty defined.
I don’t answer him. Not because I don’t want to, but because the question isn’t one I know how to answer.
“PDA should be determined ahead of time. What you’re comfortable with, what you’re not comfortable with. Any preconceived information about what you’ve told your family or friends, and any pertinent information about other individuals is helpful so I can be the most authentic boyfriend for you.”
Aaron chuckles. “You make it sound easy.”
“It is. For me. This is my job, after all.” And I’m really good at it. My personal life however…
“PDA is fine,” Aaron says. “You can touch me however you want. Kiss me. Grope me, whatever. I’m not shy.” He chuckles again, the sound dark and smooth. “Hell, you can suck me off in the fucking closet with that perfect mouth of yours if you want.”
I still at his words. My cock twitches, clearly because it’s been a long ass time since I actually sucked someone’s dick.
Longer than I want to admit.
I grab my cock to adjust myself and try to move on fromthatimage. Not that I don’t like the sound of that, but I know at least, while I’m on the clock… that’s not on the Monopoly board.
“Sex is not part of the deal,” I say solidly as my cock weeps with a blossom of precum.
Bad idea, Jacob! You don’t even know what Audiobook Aaron looks like. He could be totally gross and unattractive, and—
That thought is weak at best, and I know it. With a voice like that, and a wallet big enough to pay me three grand, he’s probably hot as hell. A businessman, too. The kind that travels and lives in and out of hotels, drinks scotch and hires pretty boy Prince Charmings on the weekend.
Like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. I smirk at the thought. Richard Gere was so hot in that movie. I’m pretty sure that was my awakening. That piano scene lives rent free in my brain along with the smut I’ve consumed over the years.
I chuckle at the thought, trying to stay as detached and professional as I can, though it’s a lot harder than it should be. But I also don’t want to give Aaron the wrong idea. Foxy’s isn’t an escort service. But he wouldn’t be the first man or woman to assume it is, or that we’re escorts. I need to make it clear to him that’s off limits for the duration of our date.
“Whatever it is, I’ll pay it,” He says apathetically. “Name your price.”
I bite my lip, closing my eyes, knowing I’m probably going to regret this. I might legitimately be shooting myself in myown foot here, but I need this to be above board. I need to be professional and not take advantage of the situation.
“Unfortunately, there is no price, because this isn’t an escort service. I’m yourdateuntil ten pm. Per your booking. My job is to play the part you require, and when the event is over and time is up, I turn back into a pumpkin.”
