While we were waiting for the food, there was the usual getting-to-know-you small talk. I stuck to the story Audrey and I had come up with—met in a bar, been dating five months—while trying to avoid anything too personal. It was easier than you might think. At first.
During the meal, the girls’ talk turned to work, and the men were discussing sport. It turned out that one guy, Greg, who’d been dragged along by his girlfriend, was also a hockey fan. We talked about the LA Kings’ chances that season, and argued about who could compare to Wayne Gretzky. Yeah, well, I’m Canadian, so no one compares to the Great One as far as I’m concerned.
But it also caused an awkward moment because Audrey dipped back into the conversation.
“Who’s Wayne Gretzky? Does he play football?”
Greg’s eyes widened in amazement as he looked at me.
“Seriously? You’ve been dating for five months and never mentioned Gretzky? Damn, man! You played hockey for UCLA Bruins and you call yourself Canadian?”
“I didn’t know you were…” Audrey began.
She stopped herself just in time, because I had a feeling she was going to say, I didn’t know you were Canadian, and that would have looked all kinds of weird.
She blushed furiously and looked down at her half-eaten cheesecake, as Kelsey and Kandace exchanged panicked looks.
I had to think quickly.
“The reason Audrey is still dating me after five months, Greg, is because we don’t talk about hockey.”
Everyone at the table laughed and Audrey threw me a relieved smile.
The sense of ease was short lived because then the band started playing and couples got up to dance. And Leonard the Asshole took this as his cue, stumbling over to our table.
“You owe me a dance, Aud,” he slurred, staring down into her cleavage.
Perhaps he thought her tits would start talking back, because his entire conversation was aimed at them.
“I don’t think so!” she snapped.
“You wouldn’t have gotten in on that Venice Beach gig without me, ergo, you owe me.”
Ergo? Who talks like that?
“Actually, Leonard,” I said, standing up so I could look down on him. “Audrey won’t be dancing with anyone but me tonight. I’m also pretty certain you didn’t mean to imply that she owed you anything for doing her job—and doing it well.”
He scowled and started to reply, but Kelsey was already on her feet and Kandace had her hands clenched into small fists. But before I could speak, Audrey squared up to him, all 5’ 2” of her.
“I don’t owe you anything, Leonard. I worked my ass off on the Venice job: you know it and I know it. So don’t pretend like you were doing me any favors, because I don’t owe you.” She paused, and the temperature of her voice dropped to below freezing. “Do I?”
The table was silent, watching the interaction.
Leonard pretended to laugh it off. “No worries, Aud. I was just being friendly. Go ahead and dance with your boy toy.”
Now I was officially pissed.
I took a step after him and he tripped over his feet trying to get away from me. Thankfully, Audrey grabbed my arm and stopped me from making another scene.
“He’s got the message, Hallen,” she said, quietly.
Shit. Eloise would have my balls if I’d gotten into a fight during my first appointment.
“Way to go, Audrey!” Kelsey yelled, releasing the silent table to laughter. “I like your guy,” and she punched me on the arm then kissed my cheek.
I rubbed my arm tentatively while Audrey pulled her friend into a hug. I thought Leonard had gotten away lightly. Kelsey could have ripped his arm off and then used it to beat him in the head. Kandace would have helped. Audrey didn’t need me.
“I think I feel like dancing after all,” she said, smiling over Kelsey’s shoulder at me.
I held out my hand to her and she took it happily.
We danced for two numbers before a slower track came on.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she pushed her small breasts into my chest. We swayed together and she leaned her head against my shoulder.
I glanced at my watch and Audrey saw me do it. I winced, looking at her apologetically. She bit her lip and then seemed to resolve something in her own mind.
“So,” she said slowly, tracing a finger down my chest, “what happens now my four hours are up?”
I held her waist and smiled down at her.
“I say, thank you for a great evening, and I call a cab.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yeah, I do. We came in your car.”
She chuckled.
“I’ve got a room here. What if I invited you to stay? Just for the night?”
And there it was. Every guy’s dream—no-strings sex. But was this what I wanted? Was this where I crossed the line, knowing in advance that I’d be paid to have sex?
My pause was long enough, and she frowned.
“Not that I expect you to … I just thought…” Then she spoke boldly. “How much for the night?”
I shook my head. “I’m just an escort.”
And at that moment, I meant it. But then again…
She looked disappointed.
“Well, what if I paid for another hour?”
“Sure, that would be fine.”
The words were out before I’d even thought about what I was saying. Truthfully, I was ready to go home but I wanted my first appointment to be a success. Which meant satisfying the client. Fuck! My head was all over the place.
“I’ll make a phone call,” she breathed, her soft-focus eyes gazing into mine.
I leaned against the bar, watching her while she made the call. I’d agreed to another hour and I could tell that in Audrey’s mind that equated to sex. She was cute so it wasn’t that big of a deal. At least, that’s what I told myself.
I’ve played over what happened next a lot: it didn’t feel like much at the time, but I think I was wrong.
I was 21, horny, and an attractive woman wanted to have sex with me. I wasn’t going to say no.
Audrey smiled at something Eloise said, then finished the call.
“Your agent told me to enjoy the rest of the evening,” she said, her voice low and seductive. “That makes you mine for the next hour.”
Without warning, she launched herself at me.
I felt her mouth pressing against me, hard and demanding, her tongue forging against mine. I matched her thrust for thrust until she was panting against me.
“We should go upstairs,” Audrey breathed. “We’re just making Kandace jealous. She said she’d be up for a threesome. Just so you know. Kelsey was still making up her mind.”
I laughed, unsure whether or not she was joking. I glanced over to the table where her girlfriends were still guzzling champagne. Kelsey was wedged into the corner, but when she saw me looking at her, I thought she was going to climb across the table to get to me. In the end I decided that Audrey was joking about the threesome—or foursome—but seeing the look on Kandace’s face, I knew I was leaving at least one disappointed person behind tonight. Maybe two, if you counted Leonard.
They waved and blew kisses, calling out words that it was probably just as well we were too far away to hear.
Audrey’s room was on the second floor so rather than take the elevator, we walked up the wide, elegant staircase, hand in hand. Her steps were slow, almost reluctant, and I wondered if she was already regretting her impulsive decision. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Leonard watching, a look of deep disappointment on his face.
“Leonard’s seen us,” I said, quietly.
“Good. I hope that creep leaves me alone now.”
“If he doesn’t, you should look into filing a sexual harassment charge—everyone saw what he was like tonight.”
“Thank God you were here, Hallen.”
I shrugged. “You’d have been fine; your friend Kelsey would have had him in an arm lock and read him his right
s. After kicking the sh… stuffing out of him.”
She laughed. “Yes, probably.”
“I’m pretty certain of it.”
She smiled, but her eyes were worried. “This is so weird,” she breathed out, softly.
I didn’t need to ask what she meant.
“I mean, it feels like an ordinary date; Kelsey and Kandace like you and my colleagues think you’re my boyfriend, but I’m paying you.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t reply.
“I’ve never paid for sex before. I’ve never had to.”
I knew what to say to this because Eloise had insisted on coaching me.
“Well, when you’ve been on a date before, did you ever buy a new dress, new shoes?”
“Sure.”
“And maybe you got your nails done, or went to the salon. Maybe you had a wax, or a pedicure. Maybe you got your hair cut and styled. You paid for all that.”
“Oh, yes, I see where you’re going with that analogy but it’s not the same, is it?”
“That’s up to you. Audrey.” I read her hesitation. “It’s fine. I can just call a cab.”
And I meant it. What the fuck was I doing? I’d been so sure that I’d just be able to do the date and walk away. I could have said no—I still could, but the truth was I wanted her. I liked her and she was offering me sex. Hell, she was paying me to have sex with her.
I was one lucky bastard. If I didn’t think about the money, it was just like any other date I’d ever had.
My gaze drifted down to her breasts and at that point, I stopped thinking.
Her expression was amused when I managed to drag my eyes upward again.
“God no!” she laughed. “It’s like having a present under the Christmas tree. I’ve been staring at the wrapping all evening, now I’m dying to know what’s inside. Because I hate it when you’re hoping it’s going to be Tiffany’s and it turns out to be Walmart. Not that I’m saying you’re Walmart!”
I laughed. “Jeez, I hope not.”
She fingered the material of my lapel.
“Do I get my money back if I’m not satisfied?”
I raised an eyebrow.
“You’re not happy with this evening?”
“Oh, I am. But if I’m spending more of my hard earned money, I want satisfaction guaranteed.”
I couldn’t help smiling.
“Well, give me a ballpark. What am I aiming for?”
She giggled as we reached her room.
“What, I need a target painted on my ass?”
“That might help. I’m a guy—we’re very target oriented. Although I meant, tell me what I’m aiming for in terms of satisfaction.” I paused to look into her eyes. “What do you want, Audrey?”
She opened the door and hesitated, her eyes alight with humor, lust and something darker.
“I want two orgasms,” she stated, matter of fact, “or I want my money back. And I have to tell you—I am not multi-orgasmic.”
She folded her arms.
“You sure about that?”
“Very.”
I leaned against the doorpost. “Guess I’m going home then.”
Her face fell, and I couldn’t help smiling.
“You are such a tease!” she snorted.
I closed the door behind me. “That’s the idea.”
“You have one hour,” she insisted.
“Are you timing me?” I joked.
“Um, no, it’s all I can afford,” she muttered, fiddling with her purse.
I immediately felt like shit, and she must have seen it because she shrugged apologetically.
“One hour,” I said. “Time me.”
At that point I didn’t really care whether she got her money back or not. I’d already earned half of $1600 for the evening so I had nothing to lose. And she’d issued a challenge.
I shrugged out of my jacket, draping it over the back of a chair. Slowly, I bent down to untie my shoes and pull off my socks. I caught her eye as I glanced up.
“Did you want me to leave my socks on?”
“Um, no!” Then she realized I was teasing her again. “Hallen!”
“Anything else I should know about your preferences? You know, apart from your sock fetish?”
Her laugh turned into a breathy sigh as I walked toward her.
“That’s a pretty dress, Audrey. I think it should come off—it would be a shame to spoil it.”
I turned her around and gently undid the tiny buttons running down the back of her dress, kissing her spine as I worked my way down.
She quivered under my fingers and she started to say something, but we were interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Who the hell is that?” she snapped, the mood vanishing.
“Want me to get it?”
“No, it’s probably…” she bit her lip and broke off whatever she’d been going to say.
“Do you think it’s Leonard?” I asked. “Because that fucker needs to learn that…”
The knock came again and Audrey marched across to the door, the back of her dress flapping open.
“Who is it?” she barked.
“Kelsey!” came the slurred reply.
“And Kandace!” said another voice, giggling.
“Oh my God!” yelped Audrey. “What do you guys want? I’m … busy!”
“Can we come in?” pleaded Kelsey.
“No!”
“Please!” begged Kandace. “I haven’t gotten laid in months!”
Three women? Had I done that before? Maybe. But not when I was sober, that was for sure.
My head was pounding. I didn’t know whether to run, hide, climb out of the fire escape—or open the door.
I wondered how many appointments it would take before nothing fazed me.
Although I didn’t think it was going to be an issue tonight—Audrey didn’t seem the adventurous type.
“No, you guys! Go find your own!” she yelled through the locked door.
“Pleeeeeease!”
“No!”
“I want to know if he’s a natural blond,” Kelsey whined.
“Well, give me a chance to find out then!” Audrey snarled through the door.
“You’re so mean!” Kelsey moaned. “Just promise you’ll share all the details in the morning.”
Audrey sighed and rolled her eyes at me.
I grinned back, letting my shirt drop from my shoulders.
“Oh God!”
“What did you say?” Kelsey mumbled from the other side. “Can I just have a peek? Please?”
I gently moved Audrey out of the way and opened the door.
They squeaked and put their hands over their mouths when they saw me.
“Good evening, ladies. I’m afraid your friend is a little busy right now. Maybe you could catch up with her later.”
“I’m in love,” sighed Kandace.
“I’ll go if you kiss me,” whispered Kelsey, her eyes bright with champagne and lust.
I leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her cheek, but she had other ideas, grabbing my ass and sticking her tongue down my throat.
“Hey, you guys!” whined Audrey.
“Aw, don’t be such a party pooper,” cooed Kandace, as she ran her hands over my chest. “He likes us, I can tell.”
Audrey sighed loudly, but surprised me with what she said next.
“You guys are gonna owe me big time. Hallen is it okay with you if my friends join us?”
Holy shit! This was really going to happen? Carl was going to be so jealous—if I ever told him.
Secretly, I was wondering how the hell I was going to manage three horny, drunk women. I only had two hands and one dick, and there was no director to shout ‘cut’. Yeah, no way on earth I was going to turn this down. I winked at Audrey, and she bit her lip again, still looking uncertain.
I opened the door wider and Kandace fell into the room, tripping on her five inch heels.
“Oops!” she giggled, using my body to haul h
erself onto her knees. “Ooh, look what I found!” she snickered, her eyes level with my semi and her hands moving toward my zipper.
“Oh no you don’t!” yelped Audrey, stomping toward us. “I’ve got first dibs on him.”
Kandace pushed past her and threw herself into the room, crashing against the small couch and falling heavily to the floor. “I’m ready!” she giggle-snorted, as she crawled across the carpet.
Audrey’s eyes flashed with annoyance as Kelsey pushed her tits together and grinned loosely at me.
“Ladies, there’s plenty to go around,” I said calmly, hoping to avoid bloodshed and carnage. “Now, where were we?” I asked, tapping one finger against my mouth and staring at Audrey.
Her expression changed, and she gave a breathy, slightly anxious giggle as I slowly walked toward her.
The atmosphere suddenly shifted again, and their laughter subsided as the reality of what we were about to do struck home.
I needed to keep in mind that Audrey was my client and that she was even more nervous now. Plus, she was counting on me to take the lead. I couldn’t let her know that she was my first professional appointment, and I already felt like the evening was spinning out of control. Audrey was paying me to make her feel good, but if I thought too much about it, my performance might not be the best. I just hoped that my dick didn’t choose this moment to have a panic attack. I wanted this to be a positive experience—for all of us.
I decided to concentrate on Audrey and take it from there.
I stopped any complaints or questions with my mouth, even through her dress, the warmth of her body against mine arousing us both. I palmed her sweet little tits, kissing her neck slowly before our lips locked together again and her tongue was in my mouth. Lost in the heat of the kiss I hadn’t realized we’d moved closer to the king-size bed until the back of my knees hit the mattress. When I turned to look, Kelsey was already on the bed, naked. And there I was thinking she’d be the one waiting in the corner.
“God, the anticipation is killing me!” she muttered.
“We can’t have that, can we?” I said, cocking one eyebrow.