“How sensible. Do you mind if I have a look?” Xavier held out his hand. I’d thought we’d go through it point-by-point, but it did seem a little unnecessary.
“My handwriting’s a little messy,” I said as I handed it over.
Xavier scanned the paper, nodding as he went along. Hope bloomed in my chest. This might really work.
“What’s this about blood?” Xavier asked.
I licked my lips and tried to think of a way to explain it. It was pretty private, and I worried he might judge us.
“Henri has this thing about blood. When he’s in a body he craves it, so I…” I was too embarrassed to admit it.
“You let him feed on you?” Xavier asked.
I searched his face, but he didn’t seem revolted by it. Or me. I didn’t know if it was a request of yours or a necessity, but I wanted it for you.
“I haven’t yet. Not really. But… I’d like to.”
“You have your most recent test results?” Xavier said, not meeting my eyes. “It’s mentioned here.”
“Yes, I’ve never… I mean, I can bring them… next time. If you decide to…”
“I can provide you the same,” Xavier said.
“Oh, okay.” I swallowed, flushed to the point I had to loosen my tie. I flashed back to my high school health class. I felt just as uncomfortable discussing it now as I did then. But I was going to potentially have sex with this man—his body at least. I guessed there was no topic that was off the table.
“It says here that you’d like my escort services to be exclusive.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It will be expensive.”
I nodded. You’d made it seem like cost didn’t matter.
“This sort of arrangement requires a lot of trust. Do you expect to have other sexual partners, or will you and Henri be monogamous?”
“Monogamous,” I said, glad we’d covered that bit already.
“If we decide this is a good fit, I will take preventative measures with sexual encounters outside of our arrangement.”
“Awesome.” I swore my face was on fire. I should just stop talking.
Xavier smiled. “It was considerate of Henri to address health concerns,” Xavier mused. “And to be honest about his wishes. He must be a bloodborn Nephilim, your boyfriend?” That question came with a raised eyebrow.
“Nephilim?” I’d never heard that word before.
“A demigod,” Xavier explained. “Half-human, half-angel. Hematophagy is a marker of the bloodborn tribe.”
“I’m sorry. Hema-what?”
“Bloodlust,” Xavier answered.
I cleared my throat. “Right. Well, I don’t know about that, but he did tell me he once had a body and that it was taken from him.” I hoped I wasn’t sharing too much, but you’d told me to be honest with Xavier and answer all of his questions, no matter how insignificant, though this seemed pretty important. It bothered me that Xavier might know more about you than I did.
Xavier continued scanning the list, while I remembered the last thing you’d told me and probably the most important. “Henri doesn’t want anyone to know he keeps a regular host. It would get him in trouble with his… bosses.”
“I see.” Xavier folded the piece of paper. “I am certainly discreet. May I keep this?”
“Sure.” I didn’t see a reason to ask for it back.
