Sins & Mistrust Read online

  “Hello, Thalia.”

  “Well, hello, Lincoln.” She clears her throat. “Why am I not surprised to hear from you?”

  “You shouldn’t be surprised. This isn’t my first time calling you.”

  “I know this, but I know you’re calling for a specific reason now.”

  “I’m always calling for a reason, Thalia,” I say as I sit in my chair and rest my feet on the corner of the desk.

  “Indeed you are. What is it now, Lincoln?”

  “Who was your friend?”

  “I told you who it was. His name is Marc.”

  “Marc what?”

  She’s quiet for a few moments. “Do you not know his last name?”

  “I don’t know why you need to know his last name.”

  “I guess I don’t need to. I just want to.”

  “Why’s that, Lincoln?” she asks.

  I drop my feet from the desk and walk over to the decanter filled with scotch and pour two fingers into a glass.

  “Just curious is all.”

  I hear her laugh. “I’m sure that’s all it is.”

  “Are you serious with him or is this new?”

  She sighs. “Do you need something, Lincoln?”

  “You know what I need,” I growl and then take a sip of my drink.

  “I don’t know if I can give you what you want.”

  “I think you can. You almost did once.”

  “Yeah, well, that didn’t work out and you know why.”

  I huff out a breath and take another drink. “We won’t know if it will work if we don’t try again.”

  “I don’t know, Lincoln. If and when I do know, I will let you know.”

  “Will you?” I question.

  “Goodbye, Lincoln.”

  “Bye, Thalia.”

  Finishing my drink, I make another call. “Hey, I need your help with something. Can you come by?”

  As soon as I see Nathalia hang up her phone, I walk to her and plant a small kiss on her cheek before sitting across from her.

  “I’m not late. I just saw that you were on the phone, and I figured I’d give you privacy.”

  She smiles. “Thank you.”

  “Have you ordered yet?” I ask.

  “No. I was waiting for you.”

  The waiter appears and takes our order without writing any of it down, and then we’re left with glasses of water.

  “I always wondered how they do that,” Nathalia says quietly.

  “Do what?”

  “Remember orders without taking them down. Let’s see if he messes it up,” she says with a smile.

  “Nah. He’ll get it all right. I’m sure he’s been doing this a while.”

  “I ordered a side order of extra ranch with my salad. I’ll bet he forgets that.”

  “I’ll take you up on that bet.”

  “What are we betting?” she asks excitedly.

  “What are you willing to give up?” I ask with an arched brow.

  “I’m not losing,” she replies confidently with a perfect smile.

  “I think you will.”

  “If he remembers the ranch, you get to choose where we have our next date, and if he forgets the ranch, I get to ask you a question and you have to answer it.”

  “What makes you think I wouldn’t answer it anyway?” I ask, avoiding correcting her on the whole date/appointment mix-up.

  “I just know.”

  “Hmm. Okay, it’s a bet.”

  We shake hands and wait for our food to come out.

  “Your hair looks a little wet,” she announces.

  “It probably is. I had just got out of the shower before I came down here.”

  A slow smile touches her lips. “Ah. An appointment?”

  It’s not normal to talk about your other appointments with other clients. Nobody really asks about who you just got paid to fuck.

  “Maybe,” I answer slowly.

  “You don’t have to lie to me, Marc. I already know what you do.”

  “I don’t talk about other clients with…other clients.”

  “That’s because they don’t ask. They don’t want to know the man they are attracted to, or have sex with, has just had sex with somebody else or plans to later, even if they are paying for it.”

  “You’re probably right. So it doesn’t bother you?”

  She shrugs her shoulder. “Why would it? We aren’t in a committed relationship. Anyway, how long have you been doing this?”

  “Well, it’s been about ten years now.”

  “Wow! Ten years. That’s a long time, Marc. A long time to be lonely.”

  “I’m not lonely.”

  “You’re not?” she asks, tilting her head.

  “No.”

  “Hmm. Okay. Have you had a girlfriend the last ten years?”

  I think back. “Well, I’ve tried relationships, but again, not many people are okay with my job.”

  “So, just clients, then? Just you being what somebody else wants you to be?”

  I furrow my brows. She’s pretty spot on, but the fact that she’s speaking these things aloud annoys me. Maybe it’s because I’ve never wanted to admit the truth, and certainly didn’t think anybody would call me out on what I’ve thought for so long.

  “No, not just clients,” I say, thinking back to the person I spent time with yesterday. Although, that has never been a relationship. Not even close.

  “Okay.”

  She stops asking questions, and for that, I’m grateful. I’ve never enjoyed talking about my personal life, specifically with clients. You always have to maintain a professional relationship with them. It’s easy to blur lines, especially when they are long term clients that you see fairly regularly.

  “So, how was your night last night?” I ask.

  She rolls her eyes and makes a small pft sound like she’s annoyed. “It could have been better.” Raising her eyes to meet mine, she smiles. “If I had been able to finish my night with you, I’m sure I’d have been much happier.”

  I grin back at her. “Oh, you definitely would have been happy with me.”

  The waiter appears with our food, and we both look at each other, waiting to see if he’s forgotten the extra ranch or not. He places my dish in front of me first, and then gives Nathalia her salad. And her extra ranch.

  I smirk at her from across the table, and she playfully rolls her eyes.

  “Can I get you two anything else?” the waiter asks.

  “Do you need anything?” I ask Nathalia with a raised brow.

  She turns to the waiter and smiles. “No. I think you got it all. Thank you.”

  After he walks away, she gives me a pout. “Now I don’t get to ask my question.”

  “Aww,” I answer with a chuckle. “You know you can still ask me.”

  “But now you don’t have to answer.”

  “True,” I reply with a smile. “Come on. Is it that serious that you think I wouldn’t answer?”

  She only shrugs in response. I’ll admit she has me curious, but there may be a question or two that I really wouldn’t want to answer.

  “Okay, well, I’m just going to ask,” she says, tossing her hair over her shoulder and looking right at me. “You don’t have to answer, but I’m hoping that your body language or facial expression when I ask will let me know anyway.”

  I tilt my head a little and eye her inquisitively. “Before you ask, I want to ask you something,” I say. “Last night you said you were hoping to find something out about me. What were you wondering?”

  A smile lights up her face. “I was hoping to find out the answer to my question last night, but I didn’t really get to.”

  Leaning forward, my arms resting on the table, I say, “And what question was that?”

  “How kinky are you?”

  My back straightens. “What?” I ask, caught off guard.

  Her laugh envelopes me. “That’s what I was wondering, Marc.”

  “And you weren’t able to find out
last night?”

  “Not really, but I don’t plan on giving up.”

  “I told you how long I’ve been doing this, right? You’re gonna be hard-pressed to find something I haven’t at least tried.”

  “But I want to find out what you actually like,” she responds seriously.

  “You’ll come to find out that I pretty much like it all,” I respond with a smile.

  Her lips turn up slightly at the corners. “That’s a good escort answer.”

  But it’s not a Marc answer, and she knows that. I decide not to comment and move on to the other question she wants to ask.

  “So, is the kinky question not the same as the one you don’t think I’ll answer?”

  “It might relate,” she says with a wicked glint in her eyes.

  “Hmm. Well, you’ve got me a bit intrigued.”

  “Does that mean you’ll answer?” she asks, her face illuminating with hope.

  “We’ll see,” I say with a wink.

  She pushes her dish away from her and crosses her arms on the table. Staring at me for a few seconds, she finally opens her mouth to speak.

  “Are you opposed to threesomes?”

  I almost want to laugh. In fact, a small chuckle escapes my throat before I even realize it.

  “Are you serious? That’s the question?”

  She nods.

  “No, I’m not opposed to threesomes. I’ve had several.”

  “With men?” she asks.

  I falter for just a second. “I’ve had threesomes with a woman and another man, yes.”

  “Let me guess. She wanted to have both of you fuck her?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “So were they couples?”

  “Not always. I have a client who is toying with the idea of me and another escort.”

  Nathalia continues to watch me carefully. “Do you enjoy those kinds of threesomes?”

  Shrugging, I respond, “I’m paid to enjoy whatever it is I do.”

  She laughs. “Oh, Marc. What am I going to do with you?”

  “Whatever you want to do.”

  “I might be pretty kinky, myself. Are you prepared for what I like to do?” She arches a brow at me.

  “I have an idea,” I state.

  “I’m listening,” she says, smiling at me.

  “On our next two meetings, we each get the chance to see what the other person likes to do. Or at least, one of the things. So, do you want the first or second meeting to show me what you like?”

  “I like that idea. You go first. I want to see what Marc likes. Not escort Marc, either.”

  “Okay, and then the next time we see each other, it will be your turn.”

  “Sounds good,” she replies, showing me her perfect smile once again.

  “You have my email address, right? We can communicate that way from now on. It’s better than having to go through the agency.”

  “No phone calls or text messages?” she asks.

  “We aren’t allowed to speak with clients that way.”

  “Oh. You might get crazy people who fall in love with you, huh?”

  “Something like that,” I answer with a grin.

  “Okay, I’ll be sure to get it from you before we go our separate ways for today.”

  The waiter comes by again and brings us the check. I pay for it immediately, and as we’re getting up to leave, Nathalia’s phone begins ringing.

  She shifts some things around in her purse before finding it, and when she answers, we’re already standing outside.

  “Just a second,” she says to me as she brings the phone to her ear.

  I nod and take a few steps away to give her privacy.

  “Hello, Lincoln,” I hear her say before she turns away.

  Lincoln, as in Lincoln Cash from the club? So they are a little closer than I thought. I don’t hear much of the conversation, but I hear her laugh every once in a while. Funny. Lincoln doesn’t seem like the funny type.

  He must have started asking her questions, because she’s only answering with yes and no. After another minute, she hangs up and walks up behind me.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “No worries,” I answer, turning around to face her.

  “So, when will I able to see what non-escort Marc likes to do?” she asks, flirtatiously running her hand across my chest.

  I grin down at her. Her red lips grab my attention, and I can’t help but imagine those lips surrounding my cock. “When are you available?”

  “I’m sure your schedule is more complicated than mine,” she says, her hand moving to my stomach.

  “Maybe. Email me tonight and we’ll figure it out.”

  “Okay,” she replies huskily, her hand still steadily going south.

  “I’m beginning to think you are an exhibitionist,” I say, never taking my eyes off of her. “There are people around, and you seem to have no problem groping me in public.”

  A mischievous smile plays on her lips. “I don’t care if people watch.”

  I lift a brow at her, surprised by her response. “Hmm.”

  “Mmm,” she groans, grazing my cock with her hand.

  My right hand grips her hip and I pull her into me. We stare at each other for several seconds before I lean in and capture her mouth with my own. My other hand grasps the side of her neck, my thumb resting at the hollow of her throat, and I squeeze gently. To my surprise and pleasure, she moans in appreciation of the gesture.

  I deepen our kiss, my tongue plunging deep into her mouth, and she brings both hands to the back of my head, pulling me closer. Sounds of pleasure vibrate in her throat, and I have to remind myself that we are on the street.

  Slowly pulling away, I suck her bottom lip into my mouth before releasing her.

  “Hmm.” She runs her finger under her bottom lip, trying to make sure her lipstick isn’t smudged. “You may surprise me, Marc.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I will,” I reply with a wink.

  “Well, in that case, I can’t wait to plan our next date.”

  “I’ll go home and check my schedule.”

  “Okay. I’ll definitely be emailing you tonight.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “I hate that I have to leave now, but I have a meeting to get to. I’ll talk to you later, yes?”

  “Yes,” I say with a smile.

  She stretches up on her tip-toes and we connect for another kiss, but this one is soft and quick.

  “Bye, Marc.”

  “Bye, Nathalia.”

  Several hours later, I’m at home and about to jump in the shower when my phone alerts me of an email. I sit on the edge of my bed and check it.

  From: Nathalia

  To: Marc

  Subject: Availability

  Date: Tue, 10 May 2013 20:31:43

  Hello Marc,

  I’m available anytime this weekend, how about you?

  -Thalia

  I smile as I read her short and to-the-point email. Exiting out of the email app, I pull up my calendar and see what I have scheduled. One appointment on Friday, and then I’m supposed to meet up with the new guy and the other guys that evening.

  Opening up her email again, I respond.

  From: Marc

  To: Nathalia

  Subject: Re: Availability

  Date: Tue, 10 May 2013 20:34:55

  Hello Nathalia,

  Do you prefer to be called Thalia? Anyway, I just checked my schedule, and I have arrangements for Friday, but Saturday and Sunday I’m free. Which would you like?

  Marc

  Dropping my phone on the bed, I get up and jump in the shower. As I’m rushing to rinse out my hair, I realize I’m anxious to check the phone to see if Nathalia has responded yet. I’ve never been so concerned with a client before, but Nathalia is unlike any client I’ve had. She asks questions; not only about my other clients and experiences with them, but about my personal life.

  I know I shouldn’t think about her in any other way than a
s I client. Plus, there’s always the chance that we wouldn’t be compatible as a couple anyway. She may not be able to give me what I need, and vice versa. However, there’s something about her that makes me think…just maybe.

  Shaking the thoughts from my head, I finish my shower, dry myself off, and while wrapping the towel around my waist, I head for my phone.

  When I pick it up, I see the notification for an email.

  From: Nathalia

  To: Marc

  Subject: Re: Re: Availability

  Date: Tue, 10 May 2013 20:40:36

  Marc,

  Nathalia or Thalia, either is fine with me. Whatever you want to call me.

  So, either way I have to have you after your client on Friday. Hmm. Decisions, decisions. Let’s go with both Saturday and Sunday. Is 6:00pm okay for both?

  -Thalia

  From: Marc

  To: Nathalia

  Subject: Re: Re: Re: Availability

  Date: Tue, 10 May 2013 20:43:49

  Saturday and Sunday at six is perfect. Where would you like to meet?

  I don’t bother addressing the comment about having a client on Friday. I’m not at all used to other clients talking about what I do, or who I’m with and when. Usually clients like to pretend they didn’t just hire someone for sex. A lot of the women don’t bring my profession up. Whether it’s because they feel embarrassed or ashamed, I don’t know, but Nathalia doesn’t seem to care either way.

  While putting on some clothes, I wait for her response. This appointment is supposed to be for me to show her who I really am and what I like to do. Again, something new and something nobody else has asked me for. I’m there for the client, not the other way around.

  I am worried that by giving her what she’s asking for –the way I do things sexually- I may scare her away. However, she’s the one who was worried she was going to scare me away from the sex club she took me to. So perhaps she isn’t too close-minded or unadventurous.

  My phone alerts me of another email.

  From: Nathalia

  To: Marc

  Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Availability