“Good. She won’t sleep with you.”
I let that pass with a smile. “She’s interesting. I told her that I’ve been looking for something more, and I wasn’t lying. I am looking for more. I’ve been…”
“I know,” Michael says softly. “Bored, restless. I’ve seen it.”
“I thought this would be fun. I’d just try to fuck her and move on. But now I’m interested.”
He laughs and sighs. “Yeah. She does that.”
“Anyway. I’ll try one more time and stop.”
“Okay then. Good luck.”
I grin at him. “I don’t need luck. I’ve got money.”
He rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t argue.
We finish up and Michael has to leave. I stay for another drink, watching the bar and wondering.
Why am I really doing this? I keep telling myself it’s because I want to fuck the unfuckable. I keep acting like it’s just another conquest.
But there are plenty of conquests out there. The girl said no, and Michael doesn’t want me messing with her. So why am I going to keep trying?
It’s her, something about her that’s drawing me closer. I can’t help it. She’s alluring, exciting. I want to get to know a woman that can get paid just to talk to someone. I need to find out what kind of person she is.
Of course, I want to taste her, but there’s more than just that. I’ve been looking for something. Maybe she has it, or maybe I can give it to her.It’s a sunny afternoon several days after meeting Michael for a drink. I haven’t seen Aria since that day, but I’ve been very busy.
She hasn’t been easy to track down. It took me a while and a lot more money than I like to admit before I got this address.
It’s a little apartment in the middle of Old City, one unit out of a four-unit house. It’s a very nice neighborhood, quiet and cute. I wouldn’t guess that she had a place here. I’m betting rent is astronomical.
But it makes sense. She said she keeps her personal life and her professional life separate, so she’d need a place to bring her clients. And she can’t meet them in some shitty place, not if these are men with means.
I lean up against a light pole and watch. Two hours ago, a man in glasses and suspenders walked inside, but she hasn’t been out since. He could live in there… but I’ve got a feeling about him.
After another twenty minutes of waiting, the man emerges. He looks around and starts walking swiftly away. I’m tempted to follow him, but I stay the course. I’m not here to learn about her clients.
I wait another half hour before she appears. Aria steps gingerly out of the door, looking tired. She glances around, takes a deep breath, and lets it out. I frown a little to myself as she hesitates on her stoop and closes her eyes briefly, taking deep breaths.
When she opens her eyes, she smiles, and walks down the steps. It looks like she just released a bunch of stress, all at once.
I push up off the light post and walk toward her. She doesn’t notice me right away.
“Aria,” I say, loudly enough for her to hear.
She turns and looks surprised. She’s wearing a simple outfit, jeans and a loose sweater. “Brady?”
“I was looking for you,” I say.
“How did you… what are you doing here?” She looks flustered and her eyes glance around.
I hold up my hands. “Please. I’m just here to talk. You don’t have to worry.”
“You’re not supposed to know about this place.”
I smirk at her. “Not much in this world I can’t find out.”
That seems to piss her off. “What do you want from me? I already turned you down.”
“I know,” I say softly. “I heard you. But I’m here to ask you to reconsider.”
“Why? You’ve broken too many rules already. And now you’ve followed me here.”
“I didn’t follow you. Just waited for you.”
“Almost as bad.” She turns away. “I’m not interested.”
“You will be,” I say. “For five million.”
She pauses and slowly turns back to me. “What are you doing?” she asks. “What is this, a game?”
“It’s not a game,” I say. “Look, have dinner with me tonight. Let me convince you.”
She narrows her eyes. “I don’t have sex with my clients.”
“This isn’t about sex.”
She makes a face. “And I don’t take on liars.”
I laugh a little. “Okay, fine. It’s a little about sex. Of course I want to fuck you.”
She looks surprised. “I, uh—”
“Look at you, Aria.” I step closer to her. “You’re fucking beautiful. I bet every one of your clients wants to fuck you. I’m no different. I’d change your mind about not sleeping with clients with just one taste, I can promise you that.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not what I do.”
“I know. It’s not just about sex. It’s about you. I’m… interested.”