An escort and his client...could it ever be more than a business transaction?

Cigar smoke, laughter, and modern jazz assailed his senses as soon as they stepped through the door. The music he could tolerate, the cigars meant another shower at the end of the night and a ton of body wash and shampoo to rid himself of the stench.

Paul squeezed his side as he steered Corban toward couches and plush chairs arranged around a low table in a semi-circle. They were filled with men in suits and made-up women in glittery dresses. For a moment, Corban’s steps faltered when his eyes landed on Takashi swirling amber liquid in a glass, a bored look on his face as the man across from him kept up a steady stream of animated chatter, punctuated only by an obnoxiously loud laugh. Well, at least now he knew what work thing had forced Takashi to cancel their date. It also made him realize exactly where he’d seen Paul before. At the gala, the first time he’d been sent out on a date with Takashi. Joy, they probably worked together, and as weird and awkward as it would be, Corban would have to pretend he and Takashi were just vague acquaintances, as he did with all his clients whenever he encountered them outside of dates.

Several of the other men had expensive looking women on their arms, one even had two of them. He recognized three of them as working for Mateo, in fact, he’d worked events with them on a few occasions over the years. They were some of his highest priced ladies, mostly because of the late evening activities they took part in. Few women in the place looked different, classy, like Cynthia, who was seated beside Thomas at the head of the table. To their left was a man sandwiched between a pair of glittering blondes who were fawning all over him.

“Get me a gin and tonic,” Paul told Corban, knowing damn well the cocktail waitresses would be around soon enough. It was all part of an act Corban knew well. As he got the drink, he mentally began preparing himself for all the ass kissing he’d have to do.

As he sat on the footstool between Paul’s knees where he so thoughtfully positioned him, he caught Takashi’s frown of disapproval and the crease that appeared in the center of his forehead. He shrugged, fighting not to shudder when Paul’s hands landed on his shoulders and he began to caress and rub.

For the next four hours, Corban smiled at Paul, let himself be hugged and petted, got the man’s drinks and food and snuck as many glances at Takashi as he dared. Each time he caught Takashi watching him, even when someone was talking Takashi’s ear off. Never in his life had he felt so ashamed of who he was and what he did for a living. Every touch from Paul made him wince and wonder what Takashi must think of him. He kept wishing Takashi would get up and go. He clearly wasn’t enjoying himself and hardly paid any attention to what was going on around him, except when Thomas sat on one side of him and Cynthia on the other. Thomas leaned close and whatever was said made Takashi nod and smile just a little.

“Hey Kash!” Paul’s voice, loud, boisterous, and carrying over the other conversations in the room, made Corban cringe. “Your glass is empty. I was just going to send Zander here up to the bar for a refill, he can bring you one too. What are you drinking?”

“Nothing, thank you,” Takashi replied in clipped tones.

“Awe, come on, Kash, it’s not like we have to be at the office in the morning, don’t be such a sad sack. Live a little man. You should have brought a date tonight. Now that might have improved your mood, it’s sure improving mine.”

The look that passed between them was venomous and in that moment, Corban was certain that Paul knew exactly who he was. He’d no doubt recognized him from the gala. Great, the only way the evening could get any more fucked up was if he ended up having to drive Paul home because he drank too much. It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened, which was why he always carried money in his wallet for an uber.

Paul nudged him to go get his drink and Corban left, grateful to have a moment away. He couldn’t help but wonder what Takashi must think of him. Was he glad he’d canceled their date? Did he think Corban would have? He had told Takashi work came first, but he’d been looking forward to tonight and despite his words and needing the cash, he wanted to think he’d have told Mateo no and taken the time to enjoy the night with Takashi if Takashi hadn’t canceled first.

Something else occurred to him as he arrived back at that stupid footrest and placed Paul’s drink in his hand with the biggest fake smile he could manage. If Takashi knew people were bringing dates, why hadn’t he just asked Corban if he minded a change of plans? He’d have been more than happy to help Takashi out. Hell, he’d have preferred it. Sighing, he settled back on the seat, Paul’s hands on him before he could even get comfortable.

“So, Kash, how’s the burlesque project going?” Paul asked.

It was cringy hearing Paul constantly shortening Takashi’s name. From the pained look on Takashi’s face each time he heard it, it was clear it pained him too. He wondered if Paul knew? He seemed like the type who’d do something like that on purpose, just because it would get under someone’s skin. It certainly didn’t seem affectionate. Takashi wasn’t relaxed or at ease around Paul the way he’d been Thomas or Cynthia, or others Corban had seen him interact with at the gala or garden parties. From the clench of his jaw to the way his hands were never still, swirling the ice in his glass, fiddling with the already curled edge of a napkin, he was not pleased, either about the conversation with Paul, Corban being there, or a mix of both. The man at the head of the table flanked by the two blondes suddenly stood up and clapped his hands once to get everyone’s attention. Conversation abruptly stopped.

“It is simply marvelous to be doing business with you all once again. When we entered into this partnership I must admit, I was a little hesitant.”

Polite laughter, edged with nervousness, followed his words and he waited for it to die down before continuing.

“Each time I bring you an idea, you turn it into a spectacular reality. You share my visions and in doing so, make my business grow. As always it has been a pleasure dropping in to see how this latest venture is coming along. Keep up the excellent work, on my behalf, of course, and may my competitors never learn who you are.”

Everyone smiled or laughed at that as well, though Takashi’s looked strained. He looked to be fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

“Now, one last toast, and then it’s back to work for all of us,” the man said.

“Cheers,” folks all around him called out.

Corban was just glad it was over.

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Takashi never imagined that a simple call to an escort service would result in meeting Zander. What started out as a date to the winter gala at his office, morphed into a series of paid dates that offer him several unique opportunities to get to know the handsome, enigmatic escort.

Zander hates feeling like an ornament. After four years he’s ready for a new occupation. Unfortunately, he isn’t skilled enough for any job that would pay him the money he needs to make to support himself and his family. So, he stays with Mateo’s agency and keeps on taking clients, refusing to call them dates because that’s too personal.
Until Takashi.

Now they're both trying to make the best of the brief moments they have together, blurring the lines more and more with every passing night. Takashi wants more. Zander wants to give it to him, but only after he gets the rest of his life worked out. The only problem is, he has no idea how.