For Hire: The Intimate Adventures of a Gigolo. Luke Bradbury

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СКАЧАТЬ never seemed fazed either by tales of my exploits. Which proved a fucking good thing when I needed to offload stuff. I don’t know how long you could keep going at this game without sharing details with someone of what the job involved. Or, conversely, being able to have a friendly conversation without having to mention what I’d really been doing with my life.

      When I was starting out, my client Jenny had been like that for me. We’d met up for a half-hour coffee break every Friday. That seemed such a long time ago. She’d been my very first client, but I had no idea where she was or what she was getting up to these days.

      I paid for the drinks and picked them up and made my way to our table. I couldn’t help wondering if Gray even realized how much he was helping me out, on so many levels.

      ‘I tell you what,’ I remarked as I handed him his pint and sat down.

      ‘What?’ he replied, taking a deep gulp of the beer.

      ‘I’m not saying it’s likely to happen, but if ever I can’t make a session and my clients are fine about me sending them an alternative, you’ll be the first person I’ll call on.’

      Gray sat there, mouth open, utterly amazed. It struck me that it had never crossed his mind. That he’d been happy enough beavering away on the sidelines, setting up my goals. That that was where his strengths lay, and he got kicks enough just from hearing about what I’d got up to.

      ‘You’d do that?’

      He looked worried—a far cry from how cool he was when dealing with the concrete stuff of his web design. He reminded me of how nervous I’d been before I’d had my first call-out.

      Wouldn’t most guys be? It was one thing to be an escort in your head. Quite another to go out for the first time not knowing who you were going to meet. And fearful that you might not be able to perform when the crunch came. How humiliating would that be? How much easier not to offer your services. Remain the backroom boy.

      I back-pedalled to put him at his ease again. ‘I was only joking,’ I laughed.

      He gave me a quizzical look, but his shoulders visibly relaxed. ‘Thought so!’ he lied. His paw was tight round his pint, like he was steadying himself.

      ‘But should a regular client ever be open to the idea of using a replacement, I’ll definitely mention your name,’ I winked.

      He chuckled, now aware of my joshing. ‘Thanks for that, mate.’ We both sank our pints.

      There. I’d set him thinking about being an escort. What was the betting that, down the line, he’d find himself thinking that actually he wouldn’t mind giving it a go after all? And that he’d be kicking himself too for having missed his chance. Which would mean I could do him that favour after all, should the opportunity arise. And that time, he’d be ready to accept.

      I put down my empty glass and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand.

      Gray tapped his fingers on the table, relaxed now. ‘That reminds me. I got a call before I came out. Remember Pearl Agency?’

      That put a smile on my face: ‘Oh yes, my friend!’

      Didn’t I just? I’d been the only guy in their stable of hot babes, but they’d dropped my pic from their home page because it unnerved some of their male clients. The last thing they wanted to see was me among all those girls.

      ‘Seems you’re still in demand from those high rollers of theirs. There’s some big-shot guy who wants to hire you.’

      ‘You’re supposed to say that I don’t do gay stuff,’ I groaned.

      Gray rolled his eyes but there was a glint there too. ‘He’s straight, stupid. Apparently there’ll be a couple of Pearl’s girls along for the ride too.’

      ‘What, we’re putting on a show for him? That sounds much better!’

      Gray shook his head and chuckled: ‘God, Luke, you have one hell of a jammy life!’

      I said nothing and simply gave him a salute, grinning.

      ‘Oh, and this shows how major this client is. Apparently you’ll know him the moment you walk through the door,’ reported Gray. ‘That’s what the Pearl girl said, anyhow. And you’re under strict instructions not to let on to anyone who he is either.’

      It was my turn to look mock-affronted. ‘Of course.’ I’d learnt a thing or two about client confidentiality by now.

      We sat in silence for a few seconds.

      ‘No, but who do you think he is?’ I quizzed.

      Gray laughed. ‘I knew you were going to say that. I can’t help you, I’m afraid. I’m as in the dark as you are.’

      I whistled through my teeth. ‘God, if he’s as famous as they’re making out, then that cuts down the list quite considerably.’

      Gray drained the dregs of his beer. ‘You think so?’ he asked.

      I nodded. ‘Must be. I mean, there are celebs and there are Celebs with a capital C. This guy could be a major footballer or pop star or something.’

      Gray was looking directly and deadpan at me. ‘You make sure you get a signed photo for me then, eh?

       Aidan

       Mid-March

      The woman from Pearl Agency had been right—I recognized Aidan before we’d even been introduced. His name flashed through my mind the instant I saw him. He wasn’t just any celeb either. He was huge.

       Play it real cool, Luke.

      He was standing on the other side of the lounge room, his full attention fixed on the two gorgeous leggy babes who hung off his arms. The assistant who’d opened the door to me made a swift exit, so I was left standing on the threshold.

      Aidan calmly turned his head towards me and, tilting it to one side, flicked me an approving gaze. He dropped his arms so the girls slipped away from him and then he made a beeline across the marble floor. When he reached me, he held out his hand for me to shake.

      ‘At last. You must be Luke. I’ve been expecting you. I’m Aidan.’ His grip was firm. ‘But you knew that, didn’t you?’ he winked.

      ‘Of course I do,’ I laughed. ‘Doesn’t everyone?’

      Aidan was a London lad in his late twenties, known for his relaxed manner. It was this charm that had helped him on the road to his current celebrity status. People easily warmed to him, especially women. He was known for working his way through them. He was rarely out of the papers, being pictured coming out of some West End club with his latest conquest hanging off his arm.

      ‘Flattery will get you anywhere,’ he grinned, while shaking his head in mock disdain.

      ‘Has so far.’

      I liked how easily we’d hit it off. Not in any СКАЧАТЬ