Melissa

Even Dean can’t hide how impressed he is when I tell him I’m on again for this evening. He makes me dinner as I search through my wardrobe, scouting for something vaguely suitable that Mr Henley hasn’t seen me in already.

It’s no good. I’ve got nothing super dressy other than the red and pink I bought especially, and so it’s done. A choice taken out of my hands.

I’m going to have to go as myself this evening.

I hope that the floral patterned tunic dress is enough. It’s not fitted or fancy, but it’s pretty. At least I think so.

I give Joe his bath before I leave, playing with his floating boat toys amongst all the bubbles and lather. He laughs as one capsizes and it makes me laugh too.

I love how he smiles. I love how his eyes sparkle.

I love how happy he is.

I tell Dean so once I’ve settled Joe into bed. Tell him how grateful I am here’s here to support me. How great he is with Joe.

He nods. “I love the little guy,” he says, and I believe him. It’s written all over his face.

I gulp down my pasta and finish up my makeup, and I have no time to take the underground across town this evening, so I take a cab. I have to call Frank at New Start on the way across town, apologising so hard that I won’t be able to help out this evening. But as it turns out it’s a major win of monster proportions, a stroke of lucky fortune much earlier than I’d intended it to happen.

“Not to worry,” Frank tells me. “These things happen. It’s a longshot, but we have a team running at Brickwood on Friday if you fancied stopping by.” He’s already backtracking as I answer. Already telling me that I shouldn’t feel pressured.

“I’d love to,” I say. “Friday works.”

I take directions like I’ll need them, confirm the times as though I don’t have a clue what they are.

He tells me he’s looking forward to it, that he can’t wait to introduce me to the Brickwood team.

My heart races with it all.

I just hope it’s not too soon. It could be way too soon.

I push that worry away as the cab pulls into Delaney’s.

I’m early, but only by ten minutes tops. Barely enough time to check into my own room and head up to Mr Henley in time.

But it turns out that doesn’t matter.

I’m paying the driver before I see him. Giving my thanks as I catch Mr Henley from the corner of my eye.

He’s waiting. Watching. Making no secret of the fact that he’s staring as he waits for the car to pull away.

I gesture to my outfit before I’ve even said hello.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was in a rush. Little warning. I, um…”

He looks me up and down. “No apology necessary,” he says, “I like it.” The smile at the corner of his mouth makes it clear I’ve passed the wardrobe test.

I take a breath. “Hi,” I say.

“Good evening, Amy,” he says.

And screw etiquette, because damn if I know how a paid-for escort is supposed to act in public. I close the distance and wrap my arms around his neck, and he smells absolutely gorgeous as I press my lips to his cheek.

I pull away but he doesn’t. His hand rests on my back as he opens the door for me, and stays on my back all the way to reception.

I watch his handwriting as he checks in, love the way he flourishes his fake signature with a flick of his wrist.

I’m not expecting the receptionist to recognise me, not dressed like this, but she does.

“Will you be checking in too, Miss Randall?” she asks with one of those super professional smiles which always make me nervous.

Mr Henley looks at me, and it must be obvious I don’t know what to answer, because he does it for me.

“Miss Randall will be staying with me,” he says, and she nods.

“Enjoy your stay.”

His smile is all for me as he answers. “We will, thank you.”

It’s so strange stepping into the elevator with him. So strange to be staring up at him in just the same way I did at Grosvenor Henley in my stupid uniform on day one.

“I’m glad you could make it at such short notice,” he tells me.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply.

I take a breath as we step out onto the top floor corridor, and my hand brushes his as we head over to suite twelve at the far end. He takes it, his fingers possessive as they land on mine. His grip is firm. Demanding.

“I have an early start,” he tells me as we get to the door. He slides the key card into the lock. “I must be out of here by six.”

“Six,” I say, and I can’t stop smiling. It’s later than I thought, longer than I thought.

He closes the door behind us, and he’s still so close. His hands land on my waist as he walks me backwards into the room. His fingers trail up my spine as I raise my face to his.

“I’m not in the habit of mid-week appointments,” he tells me. “I have to be focused. My job is demanding.”

“Selling stationery,” I whisper with a smile. “Yes.”

His breath is warm against my lips. “I lied,” he tells me. “I’ve never been a salesman in my life.”

And it’s right there, the urge to tell him I lied too.

But the urge leaves the moment his mouth lands on mine. Fades to nothing as his hands tangle in my hair and hold me firm.

“I’ve been thinking of you,” I whisper between kisses. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

His hands land under my ass, and he hitches me, lifts me up and onto the dresser where it’s so easy for my legs to wrap around his waist. I tug his tie loose and drag it free, and my fingers are so much more certain this time as they work their way down his shirt buttons.

He breaks the kiss enough to reach inside his suit jacket, and I know he’s going for the cash, practicalities first. But I don’t want him to. I don’t want to pull away and put that money in my bag. I don’t want to cheapen this.

I push his shirt and jacket from his shoulders in one motion, and he doesn’t fight me, just lets them slip to the floor.

His body is divine. His skin so firm under my fingers, the tickle of hair so perfect against my palm. I kiss his neck, and he tastes as good as he smells. I feel his groan as my lips press to his Adam’s apple, and his stubble tickles my cheek as I sweep to his ear.

“I’m crazy about this,” I whisper, and he stiffens in my arms. “I’m crazy about you.”

“You don’t know me,” he says, and reaches for my chin. He brushes his thumb over my mouth as he stares right through me. “You don’t even know my name.”

Touché.

“And you don’t know me,” I admit. “But what’s in a name?”

His eyes are so dark. So serious.

“Amy Leigh Randall,” he says. “Thirty-four Brooklyn Road, EC1. Twenty-one years old. Two younger sisters, Gemma and Belle. Your mother is a nurse, works at Saint Richmond General.”

My mother is dead.

My stomach lurches. My shock is all genuine.

He brushes my cheek as he continues. “One credit card with zero balance. No driving offences. No criminal record.”

“But how do you…”

“You studied business and management,” he tells me. “But you dropped out last spring to take a position as a cattery assistant. I guess you like cats more than you like law, Miss Randall.”

“But I…”

I have no words. I don’t even like cats. I like dogs. His dog.

“I searched through your bag,” he admits. “I wanted to know who you were.”

“You searched through more than my bag,” I whisper, and he nods.

“In my line of work I have to be… thorough…” He pauses. “I understand if you wish to leave, Amy.”

But I don’t. I’ve never been further from walking away from him in my life.

“You didn’t have to tell me…” I breathe. “I wouldn’t have…”

“Known?” He isn’t smiling. He’s stern and serious, and so beautiful he takes my breath. “No, you wouldn’t have known. But you do now.”

I unbuckle his belt. “Why did you want to know me?”

He grunts as I slip my hand around his cock. I work him fast, hoping I’m doing this right. Hoping he likes this.

He rocks his hips, shunts into my grip, and he’s so hard. His cock throbs against my fingers.

“Why did you want to know me, Mr Brown?” I ask him. My voice is so soft, barely more than a hiss.

He tugs the neck of my tunic down enough to see my white lace bra. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you,” he admits, and it sounds pained. “Because this is sending me fucking insane.”

Oh fuck, how I smile. I work his gorgeous dick in my fingers and the dresser bashes against the wall with a thud, thud, thud as he thrusts back at me, and I smile. I smile at him.

“My name’s not Ted fucking Brown, either,” he tells me. “It’s Alexander.”

“Alexander.”

It feels so good to say it.

He pinches my nipples through my bra, and the sparks are electric.

“Fuck me, Alexander,” I hiss. “Please God, fuck me.”

* * *

Alexander

This girl. This fucking girl is sending me out of my mind.

I practically tear her dress over her head, shunting her against me as the fabric drags from under her ass. I have her bra off in a heartbeat, my mouth hungry for those sweet rosy nipples. I love the way her dainty fingers tangle in my hair. I love the way she moans for me and her legs grip me tight.

She wriggles as I tug at her knickers, and she’s soaking wet when I slip my fingers between her thighs. Two straight in, my thumb rolling around her clit as she tilts her hips for me.

I drop to my knees and her thighs scissor my head as my tongue laps at her. Her pussy is heaven. The way she squirms is religion enough for me.

I grab her thighs and lift them, tip her back on the dresser with her legs spread wide. She spreads her pretty pink cunt for me without being asked, and it’s so easy to suck that sweet little bud, so easy to make her beg for more, for harder. For everything.

Three fingers and she gasps.

A fourth, in her tight little asshole, and she cries out.

She wants cock. The hunger is in her eyes, her teeth gritted and feral as she hisses my name. My real name.

I haven’t heard anyone scream my real name in far too long.

I haven’t known anyone in far too long.

It’s dangerous. Everything about this is dangerous. But I don’t care.

She’s ready as I get to my feet, her pussy taking my cock in one thrust. She arches her back and I palm her beautiful tits, and it’s too inviting. She groans for me as I wrap my fingers around her throat.

“Yes…” she whispers, and I tighten my grip as I fuck her, her throat straining with every stroke.

Her whole body tenses as I angle my hips for the spot, her eyes screwing shut as I fuck her deep.

I let her breathe. Once, twice, three times, before I take her air all over again, and my balls are tight and desperate, my own breath ragged as she goes without.

I’ve only got a short window, but my own fuse is about to blow. I keep my eyes fixed on hers, soaking in the change in her pallor as her chest heaves.

I’m going to make her come without breath. I’m going to take her body to the edge without sound, without voice, in that hazy light of unconsciousness where there is only me.

Her hands grip my wrist but don’t push me away. Her eyes wide as the pull of orgasm takes a grip of its own.

Her pussy clenches around my cock, her hips bucking for more even as she struggles for air.

She shudders. Squirms.

I feel everything.

Every tiny undulation as she comes for me. Every tremor as her body milks me dry.

I’m over the edge as I let her go, my cock pulsing deep inside her, my exhaled breath the first she takes into her lungs.

She coughs. Rasps. Her chest heaving under mine as I press my lips to her forehead.

I don’t want to pull out of her.

I never want to pull out of her.

Her eyes come back into focus, her fingers a ghost against my cheek as she calms.

“Alexander…” she whispers, and my name is magic from her lips.

I hold her to me, cradling her head as I pull her up to sitting, and her legs squeeze me hard, her arms wrapping around my shoulders as though she never wants to let go.

She amazes me.

Her trust in me amazes me.

“Does it scare you?” I ask her, and my voice is more unsure than I’m unaccustomed to.

She shakes her head. “No.”

I smooth her hair, my gaze not letting up as I search her face for more.

“No?”

Her eyes are so big. So vulnerable.

“You said you wouldn’t kill me.” She smiles so gently. “I trust you.”

And I trust her.

I trust the way she looks at me. I trust the way she wants me.

I trust the way she trusts me.

Even if I don’t quite trust myself.

* * *

Melissa

My heart pangs with all the lies I’ve already told.

I feel them in my stomach, twisting around.

But I can’t.

I can’t risk it.

That seems crazy, even to me, given that I trust him to choke me until I see stars.

I trust him with my life, but not my name.

Yeah, that’s crazy.

“I love the name Alexander,” I tell him as he pours me champagne.

“Thank you,” he says. “I’m glad you approve.”

“You look like an Alexander.”

“And you look like a sweet little peach.” His eyes twinkle as he hands me the glass.

My hair must be a mess, my makeup all but destroyed as I cross my legs in the armchair, caring little for how on display I am.

I can still feel him inside me. I can still feel the throb of where he’s been.

My throat is scratchy and it welcomes the champagne bubbles. My clit aches for more of his mouth.

He recovers his jacket and drapes it over his chair, reaching into his pocket for another envelope to add to my collection.

I tell myself it’s all for Joe as I thank him, picture the figure rising in his savings account as I slip it into my handbag.

“Why cats?” he asks as he takes a seat opposite me. He looks more relaxed than usual, his cock hard but unassuming, still wet from me as it lays against his belly. His ankle rests on his knee, sprawling more contentedly than I’ve known him.

The hair is dark on his calves. I resist the urge to stroke them.

“I like animals,” I tell him, careful to avoid lying any more than necessary. “Cats, dogs… hamsters…”

“Cats or law. I guess cats won.”

“For now,” I say. “Sometimes it’s doing what you need to, in order to do what you want to, right?”

He looks so thoughtfully. “I’ll let you know when I end up doing what I want to. Maybe someday.”

“You don’t like what you do?” It takes me aback enough that I drink more champagne to hide my surprise.

“No. I don’t like what I do.”

“But it buys you gemstones, right?”

He smiles. I love how he smiles. “And you, Amy. It buys me you.”

I want to tell him I’d be here without the money, but the words won’t come.

He pats his thigh and beckons me over. I finish up my champagne and place my glass on the dresser as I go to him.

It’s so easy to lower myself onto his lap, so warm as he wraps his arms around my waist and lands a kiss on my shoulder. I relax against him, my head reclining so snug against his collarbone, and he hitches me, positions his cock just right as he lets me drop.

“You have a beautiful pussy,” he whispers.

“You have a beautiful cock,” I tell him, and he laughs.

“Mine’s the only one you’ve known.”

“The only one I want to know.” I’m giggling but it’s not funny. The way he breathes into my ear and holds me so tight isn’t funny. It’s bliss. Pure bliss.

“Show me what feels good,” he says, and I do. I move slowly, carefully, up and down on his gorgeous dick as he stays still.

My breath quickens as I angle myself forward, the pressure too good to bear. His fingers dance up my spine and it’s heaven. They tangle in my hair and I want to tell him I love him. I love this.

I surprise myself with what I want. I’m in shock as I lift myself enough to press his cock against my ass.

“Fuck,” he rasps, and takes my hips. “Steady,” he tells me, and I am steady. I’m really steady.

It burns an amazing burn as I ease down, and the stretch is incredible. I grit my teeth to take the whole length of him, and his thighs are tense as he sinks in all the way.

“Dirty girl,” he grunts as I start moving, and I like that.

His cock in my ass drives me crazy, even through the burn. I rub my clit as I ride him, and I could come like this so easily, with my tits bouncing and my ass slapping against his lap.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he growls, and it gives me shivers, like someone just walked over my grave.

The death of me.

It’s raw. Everything about death makes life so raw.

I’m glad I’m grunting. Relieved I’m gasping and moaning through the urge to tell him he’s been the life of me.

He thrusts back at me, flesh slapping flesh, and I fold forward, my hands balancing on his knees as he takes my weight.

“Give it to me,” I hiss. “Please, Alexander, give it to me.”

His arms wrap around my waist as he rises to his feet, his cock buried deep in my ass as he moves us to the bed.

I fall forward onto soft bedsheets, and his grip is on the back of my neck, pinning me down as he fucks me. Hard.

I cry out, my ass on beautiful fire as he thrusts.

“Don’t come…” I moan. “Please don’t come… not yet…”

“I won’t,” he grunts.

And he doesn’t.

He fucks me until I’m a sweaty mess. Until my ass is slack and aching.

He fucks me until I don’t know my own name anymore. I couldn’t even tell him if I wanted to.

And finally, when he does fill me up with the perfect seed of him, my lips swollen from his kisses and my clit so tender it hurts, it’s all I can do to get to my feet when he’s done.

He reaches for his jacket and shrugs it on, and I have no idea what he’s doing until he’s eased my arms into his discarded shirt and buttoned me up.

He moves to the window and pulls back the drapes, swings it open wide on its hinges before he grabs a miniature whisky from the minibar.

He pours one for himself and opens another for me.

My nose wrinkles as I take a sniff.

“A routine of mine,” he tells me. “A whisky before bed.”

I smile. “I can do that.”

My heart flutters as he pulls out his Insignia cigarette packet. My stomach tickles as he offers me one.

He flicks the lighter and holds the flame for me, and I hope I don’t cough and splutter since it’s been so long.

“Whisky and a cigarette,” he says before lighting his own. “Two little vices before bedtime.”

We stare at each other in silence, blowing smoke out through the open window as the first hint of dawn bleeds onto the horizon.

And then we go to bed.