10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Jacob
It’s just a job, Jake. It’s no different than any other date. Aaron’s no different than any other client!
I do my best to tell myself this, because these are the facts.
I’ve kissed a lot of guys and girls over the course of my career at Foxy’s and well enough before that, too. But I have never been kissed by anyone, the way Aaron kissed me.
Those kisses you see in the movies? The ones where the woman’s foot pops or their limbs become loose noodles? The kisses you read about in those smutty romance novels?
This kiss was better than all of those combined. Because Aaron didn’t kiss me like a client, or even a gentleman. He kissed me like he fucking owned me.
And I swear it was like a lightning bulb moment—to my brain and my fucking cock.
Even now as I sit here, listening to the sounds of Hot Blooded by Foreigner—the station that Aaron picked which seems to play nothing but 80s and 90s music—I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.
I’ve always been good at compartmentalizing. At separating my job from my personal life. It’s always been easy. My dates hire me, I do my research, craft my role, and deliver their perfect date, their perfect kiss, and give them exactly what they paid for.
So why does Aaron’s comment about me being worth every penny make me feel like this?
Why does the thought of his kiss even now at this moment make me harder than it should?
I wish I could blame it on the alcohol, or even the nerves, but neither are to blame.
I only had one glass of wine at dinner, because while I’m not opposed to drinking while on dates, I don’t want to be drunk when I meet Aaron’s parents.
I do have to play the part of a doting, loving boyfriend, after all, and with what little information I do have about his parents—I need to make sure I come off as a responsible, sound adult.
Which shouldn’t be that hard, all things considered.
I only realize when the car stops that we haven’t spoken since we left the restaurant. He looks at me with wary eyes.
“You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, of course.”
No. I’m not okay. I think I’m having a professional crisis over here. I’ve never felt this attracted to a client before.
He looks a little worried, so I push forth a reassuring smile. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
I am not sure if I’m trying to convince him or myself, but either way, Aaron pushes his own fearful look aside and gives me a familiar cocky smirk.
“No, not fine,” he says, looking me in the eyes. “Perfect.”
The marina is lit up with the sunset like a painting come to life. I hear the faint melodies of music carrying from inside. I walk next to Aaron, my arm brushing his as I try to get close to him. He’s nervous, I can feel his energy prickling like electricity.
As much as I’m a method actor of my own, I do work off the energy of my clients, too.
I have to be able to read their cues to be able to know when they’re open to kiss me or touch me, and I need to be attentive if only to make sure they are safe and satisfied.
The lights of the boats reflect off the water, and the salty air is actually kind of soothing given the fact it’s starting to get chilly already.
The closer we get, the more I can feel his anxiety.
“Hey,” I grab his arm, and he turns in surprise.
“What?”
I grasp his arm, sliding my hand down to find his. He doesn’t push me away. I slide my fingers between his and pull him closer, channeling my inner Prince Charming.
After all, that’s who he needs me to be.
“I’m really excited to be here,” I say. I tug him closer and he follows without hesitation and something about that makes me feel bolder.
More confident. “With you.” I look up at him and give him a smirk.
I notice that when I do, he blushes a little and his gaze gets a little softer.
It’s a comfort. And if I can give him a little bit of comfort tonight, that’s what I’m going to do.
Not just because he’s paying me, but because I want to.
Because Noah’s right. I do like Aaron.
He lets out a soft sound of contentment. “Yeah, I’m glad you’re here, too, baby.”
I pull him closer, sliding my free hand around his waist. I don’t think twice about kissing him, not just because I want to, but because something deep inside me tells me he needs this.
I get the feeling Aaron doesn’t get a lot of reassurance in his life. Something tells me he’s often reassuring other people.
I move my lips slowly against his, the faint sound of the water and misty melodies echoing in the air.
Aaron falls into my kiss with ease, opening his mouth just the slightest. I slip my tongue in, letting it caress his, and I feel his hand sliding up my neck again, but he doesn’t squeeze it this time like he did before.
Instead, he settles it right over my throbbing vein.
The soft melodies of instrumental music dance around us as I hold him close, and kiss him like everything’s going to be alright.
And for a minute, I believe it will be. Because kissing Aaron is brain-altering. It’s magical in the best way.
When I break away, I give him a soft smile, squeezing his hand.
“Are we going to stay out here all night like popsicles or are we going to dance?”
Aaron’s deep brown eyes meet mine with interest.
“You asking me to dance, Cinderella?” he says, his lips turning up into a grin.
“It is a party after all.”
He tugs my hand, leading me towards the entrance. “That it is.”
And as I let him pull me into the darkness, into the lion’s den, I tell myself it’s just a few hours. It’ll be over before I know it.
Except the thought makes me sad. I don’t want it to end so soon. I want to make this date last as long as I can.
So I vow to do just that. I vow to give Aaron Smith the best date I can.