Carlene

I have thirty minutes “reflection time” before the spa treatments Rome has booked for me start. I’m dressed in a thick, fluffy white robe and sipping some sort of herbal tea. True to form, this spa is like none I’ve ever seen.

Not that I’m an expert or anything, just…this place is impressive. It looks like something straight out of Tuscany. Apparently, the reflection time is all part of the experience. Supposedly designed to get me in the right frame of mind for relaxation before the treatments begin.

When we arrived in Napa Valley, after the drive up from San Francisco, Rome promptly got us settled in our suite then brought me here. All he told me is he had the rest of the day all planned out, and I’m to relax and enjoy being pampered. Then we’re having dinner at a highly acclaimed restaurant before doing a day of wine tasting tomorrow. I sense tonight is going to be special. I have a feeling Rome’s planning a romantic evening, and the thought alone is sending little butterflies dancing around my belly.

After our walk in the woods, I feel a lot better. Better because Rome has unearthed for me why I probably have been so closed off to acts of intimacy in the past.

As a couple, Phillip and I were guilty of everything he’d suggested. It made such sense when he explained it. I’d just never realized what we’d been doing.

Although even now, I still have no idea if I’d known this, whether I could have talked to Phillip. He was the most closed-off man at times. So very different from Rome, who has no issue talking about anything.

It’s quite a revelation for me.

“Miss Davis, Sharla is ready for you now.” I’m pulled from my thoughts by one of the day spa staff members.

I rise from the soft leather of the buff-colored sofa and follow her. She leads me to a treatment room decorated in cool and inviting tones. The lighting is low, and there’s some soothing music playing.

“Miss Davis, why don’t you slip off your robe and slippers and get yourself comfortable on the bed. Sharla will be with you in just a moment.”

As instructed, I’m naked under the robe. Fortunately, there are a couple of large bath sheets and a waffle blanket neatly folded on the end of the treatment bed. The woman closed the door, and I immediately see the hooks behind it for the robe and a little spot for the slippers. Fearing the early entrance of Sharla before I have myself respectably covered on the bed, I hurry to lose the robe and get myself organized.

No more than a few seconds after I settle, I hear the soft knock on the door before it’s discretely cracked open.

“Come in,” I call, trying to sound relaxed. I’ve been to the day spa a few times since I left the property, but I’m still very much a novice when it comes to these sort of things. I still feel a little weird about being pampered. It’s not something I grew up with, and my brain’s still wrestling with it being unnecessary and a waste of money. I can hear Phillip’s voice in my head.

“Hello, Miss Davis, I’m Sharla.”

Sharla turns out to be a curvy woman in her early thirties, if I’m to guess. She has a pleasant face, a warm smile, and a mop of red hair, her hair tie lost the battle about four hours ago.

I immediately feel better.

She isn’t the snooty, perfect type who always make me feel uneasy and inadequate when it come to this “woman’s stuff.” What I wouldn’t give to be shopping for a new tractor some days. Tractors I understand!

“Hi Sharla, please call me Carlene.”

“Thanks, and do I hear an accent there?”

“You sure do. I’m an Aussie.”

“Awesome. I love Aussies,” Sharla squeals, it’s a constant source of fascination for me how American women can squeal like that. “You guys are so much fun.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Sharla tips her head and gives me a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret, honey. Having a laid back Aussie on my bed is going to be a refreshing change. Some of the ladies that come through here…oowww, weeee. Uptight doesn’t even begin to cover it. Some days, I can’t do a thing right.”

“I can imagine.” I’ve experienced a few since I’ve been in the United States. “Although, I don’t think it’s country specific. We have our fair share at home too, I’m sure.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, I’m not going to believe that.”

I shrug. “Okay.”

“Right, what am I doing for you today?” Sharla asks as she flips through her notes.

“I’m not actually sure, my…umm man booked it. I have no idea what he ordered for me.” How do I describe Rome or our situation to another woman?

“Looks like he’s booked a Brazilian, a steam bath, body scrub, full body massage, mini facial, makeup, and hair.”

Brazilian!

That’s all I heard. The rest was blah, blah, blah.

I never agreed to that, did I?

“We’ll do the Brazilian first. Then I’ll pass you over to Nadine to look after your scrub, bath, and massage before Shelly will take care of the rest.”

Sharla might as well be saying “blah, blah, blah,” for all I hear. My brain is still wrangling with…Brazilian

I grip the towel tighter as Sharla moves to dislodge it from my body, as if having your lady bits on full display is a normal thing!

She looks at me a little confused. “What’s up?”

My heart is in my mouth, and my damned cheeks are heating.

“Um, I’ve never had a Brazilian before.”

Sharla breaks out into a big grin. “Well, you’re in for an experience, then. It doesn’t hurt too bad, and the results well…if you’ve got a man booking this, then I’m guessing you’re going to be in for a real treat tonight. Lucky you.” There’s amusement in her eyes, but she must realize I’m only a fraction away from freaking out.

She pats me on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Relax, I’m sure you’ve got nothing I haven’t seen a million times before. Unless, of course, you girls from down under are a little different down under?” She nods at my nether region and bursts into laughter at her own joke.

I can’t prevent the smile that dances on my own lips. “I’m pretty sure it’s all the same.”

“Then let’s get it done.” She peels back the towel and arranges my leg how she wants it.

Okkkayyyy….

“What brings you to the United States? You on vacation or what?”

Sharla gets to work, and I get to talking about my time in the United States, then we move onto Australia. Thirty minutes later and my “pussy”—still coming to terms with that word—is as soft and hair free as the day I was born. Already, I feel different.

Naughty, forbidden.

Oh! My! God!

What am I becoming?

This doesn’t feel like me, but damned if I don’t like the feeling.

By the time I’m finished four hours later, I’m primped, pampered, and ready for my evening with Rome.

My now Brazilian pussy is tingling with the need to be stroked, my belly’s tight with anticipation, and I’m feeling daring, feminine.

Bring on the evening.

Tonight, I want to seduce Rome.

Rome

This afternoon is really the first time I’ve been away from Carlene since we started the trip. I’ve booked her an afternoon of pampering and specifically picked treatments that I know she wouldn’t ordinarily select herself. The Brazilian being at the top of the list.

I wonder if she’ll go through with that one!

I really hope so. I’ll certainly enjoy getting my tongue on her later.

The few hours I have free this afternoon will be put to good use. I need to speak to Jay. Roxie is keeping me updated, but I really need to talk to him, find out where his head is at.

I also need to check all our bookings are organized for tomorrow. Roxie takes care of most things, but if I want to add tours or spur of the moment activities then I generally sort them out myself.

It’s one thing to book the basics of a trip. It’s totally different once you know the person you’re planning for, and now, I do.

Carlene is easy to please. I’m sure I could go with lower end options across the board, and in truth, she will be happy. I’m sure we could stay in some flea-bag motel, and she wouldn’t complain.

She isn’t the type to whine. And that’s why I’m so hell-bent on giving her the best experiences possible. I love her easy going practical nature.

Every little thing is new to her, and she’s grateful for the opportunity to experience it. There’s none of this entitled shit which is so common now.

“Loved.”

I’m even using the term in my thoughts. Too hard, I’m done fighting the rules. Sure, she’s a client, but she’s more now. Somehow, Carlene’s stepped across the line, and she’s now my friend. There’s nothing I won’t do for my friends.

However, before I can return my focus to Carlene, I need to figure out what’s going on with Jay. I owe it to him. I feel a sense of responsibility for this guy. Nine months ago, I found him on a street corner with a guitar, hat for change, and a reasonable voice. We got talking, I saw some potential, and he’s been doing great the last six months since he joined Perfect Gentlemen.

He has a steady, growing clientele. Jay could well and truly be on the way to earning the big bucks and set himself up for life in just a couple of years, if he plays smart. Business aside, I genuinely want to make sure he’s okay.

I glance around the suite, satisfied everything is just how I want it for when Carlene returns. I have another couple of surprises organized for her when she finishes with her spa afternoon. To achieve what I want, I need to get moving.

I grab my keys and wallet from the nightstand and head out to the car. I need to be efficient with my time—driving and talking.

“Hello.” Jay’s voice sounds cautious as he answers the phone. My first guess is he’s waiting for the ass-kicking he fully deserves to get from me. At least he answered. All my guys know the rules. When I call, you answer your damned phone! There’s nothing that annoys me more than people avoiding phone calls.

“Jay, how are you doing, man?”

“Hanging in there.”

He might have said the words, but his tone says something else entirely. He sounds like he’s hanging on by a thread—ragged.

“Where are things at?”

“I’m out on bail. Thanks for hooking me up with Patrick, Rome. He seems to really know his stuff.” The thank you sounds begrudging, at best. Not a brilliant start.

“Patrick’s the best. But that’s not why I called. I want to know how you’re doing.”

There’s a few second silence, followed by a huff.

“I can’t work at the moment. Too much heat.”

“I’m not looking to schedule you for clients, Jay. What do you take me for?” I’m getting more and more pissed at his attitude. He can be a belligerent little shit when he wants to be. “I wanted to make sure you were okay for cash and see if you needed anything.”

“I’m fine.” It sounds more like a snarl, and my temper starts to unravel, and I wonder why the hell I’m trying to help him. Why I’m feeling so torn up about him, when the smart business move would be to cut him loose.

“Yeah, you’re so damned fine you got your ass arrested, and now you’re being a little fucker about me trying to look out for you. Pride’s a bitch, kid.” I normally wouldn’t use the word “kid” with my guys, but, if Jay’s going to act like one, then fair enough. This is nothing more than a case of Jayden acting like a douche because he did the wrong thing and got caught doing it.

He needs to get his head on straight and get focused about getting back in the game when things are sorted out in the next couple of weeks.

“What do you want me to say, Rome? Yep, the almighty Rome is right again. I should have kept everything through you, should have let you vet the bitch and I wouldn’t have ended up in this mess? Yeah, well, I’m fast learning hindsight is a wonderful thing.” I let him have his rant, pride and immaturity talking. He might be twenty-five and a hit with the ladies, but at times, the guy is just not smart. Greed and cockiness have gotten him into this mess.

“I don’t want you to say anything, that’s half the problem isn’t it, you said too much? You know the drill, Jay. We’re engaged as escorts, we don’t ever mention sex up front. If sex happens between two consenting adults afterwards, then so be it.” I hadn’t intended to give him a lecture, but he’s pissed me off enough a lecture just follows.

“She just sounded so sexy and sent me a photo and everything. Man was she fine. I’m so sick of fucking frustrated, fat, middle-aged housewives…” He trails off. Red flashes before my eyes. He is done.

That’s the problem with twenty-five and way too good looking. They want the hot pussy. Stupid kid has forgotten—the hot pussy doesn’t pay the bills. I really hoped he was smarter. I should have known better.

Disrespect is bad.

Very bad for business. There’s no redemption from that in my eyes. Disrespect is the equivalent of biting the hand that feeds you.

“I thought you were smarter. You can’t give into those urges. You fell for it hook, line, and sinker. And if your job frustrates you, I suggest you need to look for another line of work, Jayden. Those women you just insulted pay to keep your ass fed. They deserve better than your bullshit and contempt.”

“Are you firing me, man?” The penny dropped.

“I gave you the score up front. Clients come first, second, and last. Your only objective is to make the client feel like the most special lady in the world, regardless what she looks like or whether you find her attractive. So yes, I’m firing you. I don’t think you and I share the same mindset when it comes to my clientele any longer. I think it’s best we part company. I’ll have you removed from the website immediately.”

“But where else will I make this sort of money?” he whines.

“Probably should have thought about that before you went and got arrested because you thought with your greedy cock.”

“Rome, man. It’s not like that. You can’t do this to me.”

“I can, and I have. I won’t have men working in my business that don’t respect our clients. They pay for a service, and I expect they get that one hundred percent. They don’t need your hypocritical opinionated crap.”

“Come on, Rome. I don’t have anything else. What am I going to do?”

Jayden’s finally realized he’s history and is starting to panic.

“Maybe you should take some of the cash I suggested you stash away and go back to school, start a business, whatever. World’s your oyster kid. I don’t have to tell a smart guy like you that.”

There’s a moment of silence, and I take a long, forced breath, to get my temper back under control. He’s pushing every button I have right now.

I absolutely detest entitled, judgmental jerks. A set of defined abs does not make a man. The body is merely window dressing in this profession. Personality, manners, and the ability to engage with a woman is what makes an escort truly successful. Jayden can be charming, but it seems ego has got in the way.

“So that’s it. You’re done with me?”

It doesn’t take me more than a second to respond.

“That’s it. I’ll pay the rest of your legal bills, but you’ll never work for me again. I don’t think I need to remind you of the non-disclosure agreement you signed when you started with Perfect Gentlemen.”

Our non-disclosure agreement is iron-clad. If he so much as utters a word about Perfect Gentlemen or our clients, I’ll sue him for everything he has and is likely ever to make in the future. Discretion is the name of the game, and he’d fucking better honor his end of the agreement or Patrick will be very busy.

“Nice knowing you, man.” Then the call disconnects.

I drop the phone to the seat and shake my head in disgust.

Yeah, real nice knowing him. What burns is I’d thought I’d been doing the kid a favor. He had potential. Could have been very successful. How did I get it so wrong?

I slam my hand against the steering wheel in frustration and take a sip of the takeout coffee I’d gotten before I made the call from the parking lot of the shopping center I’ve stopped at.

Hopefully, Carlene is having a much better afternoon than I am.

I grab my phone and call Roxie.

She answers on the third ring.

“Hey, Rome. Everything okay?” She sounds a little worried, which is to be expected.

“I just fired Jayden.”

“What?” My ear almost starts bleeding from her screech.

“Little shit started moaning about our clients. I didn’t like his attitude.”

Roxie lets out a low whistle. “Right…not as if you ever made a secret of what would happen if he did that.”

“Nope.” I’m still raging from it.

“Anything I can do?”

“I want him off the website immediately. Can you handle removing him?”

“Of course. You got anyone to replace him, or do you just want me to adjust things so it renders right?”

I thought about it for a moment.

Is Johnny ready yet? He’s a good ole boy from Texas. Smooth with the ladies, polite as a Sunday school boy, and handsome as sin. Plus, he’s keen to make some cash.

“For now, adjust things. But Rox, you feel up to casting your eyes over a potential, see if he’s got what it takes?” Over the years, Roxie has taken on the role as the final “gatekeeper.” Before I give a guy his first paying client, I have him take Roxie out on a date. It not as if I can test his “specific” skills.

She’ll give me a full report the next day including how he performs in the bedroom. Roxie’s tastes and expectations are not easy to meet. If a guy can make her happy, he deserves his starting spot on the Perfect Gentlemen roster.

“Ah…this wouldn’t be that blue-eyed, blond-haired God from Texas, would it?” Horny bitch is almost salivating already. I love her for it. I love the fact she’s so open and upfront about what she wants. It would be one night for Johnny to prove his prowess all round. I know she’ll also give the new guy pointers on any skills he needs to improve, in or out of the bedroom. She’s my best form of quality control.

“The very same. Please don’t sound too upset about it or anything. I can’t believe I’m even paying you for the privilege.”

All I get back is an earful of Roxie’s throaty laugh.

“I’ll try to remember that when I’m gazing down into those baby blues as he licks my pussy.” Roxie has absolutely no qualms talking about sex directly to the point of being crass.

“Don’t enjoy yourself or anything, okay.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she says with enough sass to strip paint.

“I’ll call him and let him know he’s got to pass the Roxie test.” We’re careful to ensure none of the potential guys ever meet or speak to Roxie until the night of their “test.” I don’t want them to know she’s my right hand when it comes to running the business until after they’re on board.

“You make it sound like he has to climb Mount Everest.”

I laugh out loud at her joke. It feels good to chat to Roxie. Normal. “I think climbing Mount Everest would be easier than getting you off.”

“How would you know? It’s all hearsay, we’ve never done the nasty.”

“And we won’t ever be doing the nasty, Rox.” Our relationship isn’t like that and never will be.

“Besides, I have to make sure they know how to handle a woman who needs some time. Good thing I know how to hold off and make a guy work for it.”

“I have no doubt at all about that.” Roxie’s such a ballbuster, I’m sure she will get just as much pleasure from holding out. She’s also absolutely right though, these guys need to be able to handle difficult women.

More than one guy has said she was the most demanding woman they’ve ever bedded, and she took some serious work to get off, when I asked them about their date.

In fact, Troy said to me if that’s what he had to do with every client, he wasn’t sure he was up to the job. I assured him Roxie was the exception to the general norm. The Roxie test was a big part of the reason Perfect Gentlemen are the best. A good amount don’t get her stamp of approval.

“Speaking of difficult women, your current assignment still all smooth sailing?”

“Almost too good to be true. She’s something else.”

Fuck! I catch my wayward mouth all too late. I said too much.

“Do tell…”

How do I make it sound casual and nothing out of the ordinary?

“Carlene’s great. No drama, super easy to be around, not demanding, very easy going and content to experience anything new.”

“Dare I say, you sound like you’re actually having fun.”

“I am having fun. It’s been great so far. More like a holiday than work. Thank God.”

I went with honest but casual with Rox.

There’s a pause on the other end.

“You still there, Rox?”

There’s another moment of silence.

“You’re not falling for her, are you?” Wariness fills her tone.

What gave me away, I wonder? Roxie’s too astute, knows me too well.

“Course not,” I bite back a little more savagely than Roxie deserves.

“She’s a client, Rome. This ends in a few days,” she reminds me quietly, all the humor gone from her voice.

“I know. She’s just different. Someone I could really be into if the circumstances weren’t as they are.”

“People like us don’t get to have relationships, Rome. Far too messy. Not fair on them or us.”

“I know, I know.”

“Good, remember it. I never thought I’d have to remind you.”

I never thought she would either. Besides, she isn’t telling me anything I haven’t already told myself a million times since Carlene walked into my life.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of the game for the last six months?”

“Probably. Does the equipment still work after all that time? Shit, you must have gone off like a fourth of July rocket the first time.”

We both knew what she’s doing, and I appreciate her attempt to bring the conversation back from the dangerous edge it’d been walking.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. The equipment works just fine. Maybe a little too keen, but I’m not getting any complaints so I must be doing okay.”

Roxie laughs. “She must be taking pity on you and going easy. Probably best we don’t ever bump uglies, because there’s no way I’d let you get away with that.”

“And on that note, I think I need to hang up now before this conversation goes somewhere there really is no recovering from.”

“Probably for the best. Stay strong, boss man, and be smart.”

I snicker in response before adding, “talk to you soon and don’t have too much fun plotting how you’re going to put Johnny through the wringer.”

“Never.”

We end the call on a mutual chuckle.

It’s funny how I never realize how much I miss Roxie until I’m away from her for a few days.

Scary thing is, I haven’t seen Carlene for a few hours and I’m missing her more.

Right, time to suck it up, Rome. I give myself a mental slap and spend the rest of the afternoon completing my surprise for Oz.

Tonight is going to be epic.