Chapter 13 #5
Theo let out a low, melodic laugh that echoed through the living room, rich and contagious. I couldn’t help but laugh along with him.
‘Cassandra, up until you discovered my age, have I given you any reason to feel awkward or weird around me? Have I been giving off “childlike” vibes to you? And yes, I had planned to tell you at some point.’
I shifted in my seat, maintaining my eye contact with him. ‘I suppose you haven’t given me a reason to feel weird around you, no. Still though, I’d consider it something important to disclose, you know.’
‘I hear you,’ Theo said quietly, his head flopping down as if he were a cute dog who had just been punished.
‘Again, I’m really sorry for not saying anything.
I guess some women find it empowering too, you know – the whole “younger guy” thing.
Sometimes I play up to it if that’s what a client wants but, for the most part, I think I’m quite mature for my age.
I handle myself like a grown man, and that’s all that matters. ’
Whew. The authority in his voice when he said that made me shiver with pure lust. ‘OK, so since you’re bringing up other women while on the clock with me—’ I teased, edging even closer to him ‘—let’s talk about that some more.
When did you start using OuiMeet and would you say – I mean – how many “clients” would you say you see per week or per month? Do you have any favourites?’
I could see Theo getting slightly uncomfortable upon being practically bombarded with yet more nosy questions, but I didn’t really see any other time to bring it up; I was still so fascinated by his world and genuinely wanted to know what a typical week or month looked like for him when it came to his clientele – not that I was jealous or anything … I didn’t think I was, at least.
At that exact moment, my intercom rang, signalling the arrival of our food. Saved by the bell, for now.
After dishing out the food, we both returned to the sofa.
I’d decided to play it safe with a few Californian tuna rolls and tempura, while Theo had gone all out with his feast of sashimi and yaki udon noodles.
After a few moments of silence as we enjoyed our food, it was time to get back to the matter at hand.
‘OK, OK, now back to my questions – you can’t avoid them forever I fear! If you feel like I’m overstepping, let me know, but you intrigue me, Theo.’
After a long, satisfied slurp of his noodles, Theo set his plate down on the coffee table and turned to me with that wolfish grin I’d grown to like more than I cared to admit.
I was probably being a pain in the arse, but whatever – I was the one footing the bill for him to be here, after all, so why not?
‘Are you sure my answers won’t make you feel weird?
I’ve had other clients ask me this same thing a few times in the past and, any time I discuss it, things either end awkwardly or I end up losing a client.
I wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings in any way.
’ He genuinely looked apologetic when he said it, forcing me to scoff.
Did he think I would be jealous? I mean, I was still trying to grapple with how I felt about this whole thing myself, but for him to assume that was the case was bold.
‘Pah! Me? Jealous?! A bold assumption to make, my friend,’ I said, laughing, as I playfully tapped him on the arm. ‘I understand that what we currently have is purely transactional, so you don’t have to worry about me.’
Theo cocked one eyebrow at me, disbelieving. ‘If I remember correctly, you were the one talking about us potentially developing a friendship or relationship outside of OuiMeet, or am I misremembering?’ His smile was beginning to annoy me, because he was right.
‘Maybe … maybe I did.’ I said with a teasing smile, slipping another piece of sushi between my lips. Theo’s gaze followed the movement, lingering on my mouth before flicking up to meet my eyes. I felt the pull of him, electric and impossible to ignore.
I watched him watching me, tension curling tight between us until our eyes finally locked – no words, just tension.
The air thickened, humming with the unspoken.
The chemistry wasn’t just there; it was crackling, undeniable.
I could feel the slow burn of desire pooling low, aching and alive. I just needed to wait a little longer.
The tension suddenly broke as I realised I’d stopped breathing temporarily. At this moment, I wanted nothing more than to jump on top of him, but patience was key.
‘Hehe, OK, fair enough. Well, in answer to your first question, I’ve been doing this for about three years or so now.’
‘Mmmm, I see, I see. Look at you now; living your best life and all that,’ I replied. Theo’s smile faded slightly at that. Had I hit a nerve? I decided not to intervene from that point and just let him speak.
Theo then shifted his weight, his shoulders dipping as though he was trying to make himself smaller; a nervous tell that didn’t match his normally confident demeanour.
He then immediately straightened up upon detecting my staring, his jaw tense and the expression in his eyes more pointed, as if remembering a sad story. Did I detect a flicker of shame?
‘I guess you could say that. It’s a bit of an isolating experience at times, having to live a double life almost. It’s not as if I can go around telling my friends and family that I’m a gigolo on the side, you know?
I know I told you before that I tend to dissociate when doing dates and stuff, and when it comes to the physical stuff it’s fine but I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be nice to sometimes have someone to talk to about the industry. ’ He sighed.
I said nothing and, instead, kept a neutral face. I didn’t want to interrupt the flow as he spoke. I wanted to see how much he would be willing to tell me. I was fascinated by it all, but I also appreciated him being vulnerable with me at that moment; I liked this side of him.
‘Awww. Don’t you have any gigolo mates you can vent to about stuff?’ I asked, shifting towards him.
‘Gigolo mates,’ Theo repeated, trying to refrain from smiling, but failing drastically. ‘No, Cassie, I don’t have any gigolo mates. There aren’t any conventions or monthly meetups, unfortunately – it’s very much an individual freelance gig – but I love how invested you are in my wellbeing.’
I gazed at him, thankful that he wasn’t upset by my line of questioning.
‘I’m nothing if not caring, my friend. And besides, if you ever need to vent, you can talk to me about it. I know it probably sounds awkward but, you know … I’m always down to listen.’
Theo smiled warmly, took my hand, and kissed it as a sign of thanks. My pelvic floor clenched.
‘I appreciate you, Cass. Also to answer your other question before I forget: when it comes to clients, I’d probably say it’s like three to four different women a month at the moment – depending on the month.
It used to be quite a bit more but I decided to calm down a year or so ago.
It’s almost like a retainer basis with those women, I suppose, and before you ask, yes, they are all older, haha. ’
‘How much older?’ I asked.
‘Two of them are in their fifties, one is forty-six and the other is forty-three,’ Theo replied, matter-of-factly.
‘And so … with me included, that makes five in total?’ I responded.
‘Yes.’
‘And … do you use protection with all of them?’ I asked.
‘I don’t have sex with all of them. Two of them just tend to hire me to escort them to their work events and be their dates.’
‘And does that make good money?’ I continued.
‘Yeah, it’s decent enough, I suppose.’
‘And the other two?’
‘Are you sure this isn’t making you uncomfortable?’ Theo asked warily.
‘Nope. Continue. I’m intrigued!’ I replied.
Theo looked at me warily, bless him. It was cute of him to want to protect my feelings.
‘The other two, yes, on occasion … if that’s what they’ve booked, then that’s what will happen.’
‘I see.’
We both sat in silence for a while as I processed the information.
Of course I always knew that sex was a big part of the job description but I couldn’t help feeling a little …
weird about it. Not so much from an emotional point of view, more so feeling like I was just another client he needed to tick off the list. Yet, that was the whole point of this transactional relationship, I suppose.
‘Are you OK?’ Theo murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingers lingered as they traced the curve of my cheek, sending a shiver through me. I turned towards him, trying to force a genuine smile. I had to get it together.
‘I’m great! Thanks for sharing, by the way. I find it all so fascinating … that world.’
‘As long as you’re sure, love,’ he responded.
We continued eating our meal as we chatted throughout the evening.
The more we talked, the more I found myself drawn to him – irresistibly, and somewhat a little annoyingly.
There was something magnetic about him, an intoxicating charm laced with just enough mystery to leave me wanting more, needing to unravel every layer of him.
He had the dry wit of Richard Ayoade and the suave aloofness of Jon Hamm, which appeased my interests.
The night carried on, with us getting into playing a few card games (I won them all), cuddling with Toby, who’d ventured out of my room temporarily to use his litter tray, and laying into the dessert (I’d gone all out with a Viennetta ice cream cake and an M&S apple pie).
I switched the TV onto a streaming network for a bit of background noise, flicking through different movies and asking if there was anything he was in the mood for.