“That I was.”
“Sorry. I-I didn’t mean to interrupt
you. You must be busy. I’ll call
back.”
“But it was your call I was waiting
for.”
Isla was silent, but her mind was
racing with confusion and a tinge
of irritation. There was no
customary and simple “hello”.
Making the call hadn’t been the
easiest thing to do. In fact, she’d
made herself sick to her stomach
just rehearsing it in her mind. And
considering how this conversation
was beginning, she felt more than
just unprepared. She felt inept.
Looking down at the card, she
remained silent. Trying to decide
on either hanging up or continuing
the conversation, she traced a redpolished finger over the solitary
letter that was prominently
displayed.
W.
“Let’s make this simple, shall we?”
she stated with authority.
“All right.”
“You and I both know what I’m
calling for.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I-I’m new to this.”
“I know. Just ask me anything you
want.”
“How much?”
He chuckled.
“What? You said ask anything.”
“My services are no charge.”
“No charge?”
“I’m very selective of my clientele.
I have to ensure privacy and tact.
What I do isn’t exactly legal.”
“How do I know you’re not a
cop?”
“Well, for starters, you’re not
paying me so there’s no legal issue
to toil.”
“Umm…right.”
“First-timers are my preference.
The anticipation, the suspense, the
overwhelming feeling of taboo—it
all intensifies the experience.
That’s why there’s no fee for the
first visit. Pleasure is all I want us
to focus on.”
“Then how do you make your
money?”
“Repeat business.”
“That’s an interesting business
tactic.”
“I have a great product.”
Isla cleared her throat, finding his
witty comment both calming and
stimulating.
“I’m also very choosy about clients
because they have to be of a
certain caliber. I don’t advertise. I
don’t entertain referrals. I offer my
services to those I come across,
whom I believe want my services
and meet the level of sophistication
I require.”
“Wait—you’ve seen me?”
“The waiter at Spice is also my
employee. When he overheard
your conversation, he evaluated
you as I’ve trained him to do, and
then he gave you my c ard.”
“I-I wasn’t even serious. It’s just a
silly fantasy I was blurting out and
I was a little drunk. You know, it
was just talk.”
“If it was just talk, why’d you
call?”
Isla was silent. His question robbed
her words.
“May I ask what you were
celebrating?” he asked, breaking
the silence.
“My birthday.”
“Happy belated birthday.”
“I’m forty. How old are you?”
“Thirty-five.”
“Do you know that a woman’s
body at forty is amazing?”
“Well, that was a question I
certainly wasn’t expecting.”
“I’m trying to explain why I’m
calling.”
“No need to explain. But to answer
your question, yes, I know. Your
sexual awareness is at its peak. As
a young woman, you had the tools,
but didn’t know the craft. You
needed time for your mind and
body to ripen to their full
sweetness. And with that time,
you’ve learned to master your
tools.”
“Sounds like you have an affinity
for older women.”
“From a professional standpoint, a
mature-minded, established and
classy woman is what I seek. From
a personal standpoint, older
women have always been my
preferred taste.”
“I see.”
“I believe I trained my staff well. I
think we may be exactly what
we’ve both been looking for.”
“For me…sex is life. My body
needs it. I-I can’t deny that. But I
can’t just pick up random guys at a
bar, you know?”
“I know.”
“I can’t engage in anything
physical with men I’ve had a
relationship with in the past or men
who I’m friends with. That
complicates things.”
“I see.”
“And I can’t keep putting myself
through dating. I-I’m no good at
it.”
“You don’t have to justify
anything to me. What this is, what
we’re discussing…only a handful
of people would dare experience.
Suffice to say I recognize your
appetite and it suits me well.”
“There are others like me though,
right?”
“There are others, yes. And we do
things discriminately and safely.
Again, pleasure is the only
concern.”
“So, for your repeat business,
what’s the cost?”
“It’s a hefty sum to cover my
expenses.”
“Are you talking hundreds?”
“Try thousands.”
Isla sucked the air into her lungs
hard and fast.
Thousands?