The Escort Service

chapter 2

(please ignore the mistakes)

Two

   
   Jeongguk  checked into his room in an upscale Seattle hotel at about six o'clock on Friday evening. He wanted to get there early enough to relax and prepare before Taehyung  arrived.

  He’d started to change his mind about this encounter about twenty times over the last three days. But he’d never done things the conventional way, and he was determined to go through with this. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t the traditional way—or even a likely way—for a man to lose his virginity.

  It made sense to his, given his situation. He was going to do it this way.

  After putting the appropriately counted wad of cash in an envelope on the table, he took a half-hour bath in the jetted tub, making sure to shave carefully and ensure he was presentable for sex. While he had no need to impress Taehyung  or try to attract him, he didn’t want to embarrass himself  with excess hair. The bath helped to relax his, as did the second glass of white wine he poured from the bottle he ordered from room service. He’d turned off his cell phone when he’d arrived, knowing that pestering calls from Jimin would only make his more nervous at this point in the process.

  He wasn’t sure what he should wear. He’d feel stupid in sexy lingerie. But his street clothes hardly seemed appropriate. So he’d brought his favorite pajama set with his—camisole and pants in soft lavender cashmere. They were comfortable and flattering, and it was the best he could come up with.

  For the moment, he covered them with a long, belted sweater so he wouldn’t feel so silly when Taehyung  arrived.

  He put on some melon-scented lotion. Combed out his hair. Brushed his teeth. Decided to go without makeup.

  Then he took his half-drunk glass of wine and sat stiffly on a chair by the window. Recounted the cash.

  Hoped he wasn’t going to be sick.

  Before he could work up any truly debilitating nerves, there was a knock on the door. Taehyung . Five minutes early.

  “Good evening,” he said with that same urbane, sensual smile he’d shown his before. He wore black and gray again—this evening a thin charcoal gray sweater with a sleek black jacket over it.

  “Hi. Good evening. Thanks for coming. Come in.” He cringed at how stupid he’d sounded, but made himself  push through his discomfort. He was paying a lot for this evening. It was a business transaction. He had no reason to worry about whether he sounded stupid or whether Taehyung  knew how nervous he was. This was his deal, and he was in control of it.

  All the same, he hurried back to his glass of wine.

  Taehyung  glanced around the room as he walked in, apparently making note of the king-sized bed with white duvet, the clean lines of the sofa, and the large entertainment center against the wall. When he turned back to his and saw his taking a long sip, he asked, “How much of that have you had?”

  It was an unexpected way for him to begin this encounter, but it actually made Jeongguk  more comfortable. He smiled dryly. “This is just my second glass. I didn’t want to be schnockered, but I thought a very mild buzz might help.”
He nodded with another  smile, this one a little less practiced.

  “Do you want a glass?” he asked, sitting down on the edge of one of the chairs beside the small round table.

  “Thank you.” Taehyung  sat down in the other chair and put the black leather case he carried on the floor at his feet.

  Jeongguk  peered at it curiously as he handed Taehyung  a glass of wine.

  Noticing his look, he opened the case and pulled out a couple of DVDs. “Since you weren’t interested in any particular fantasy or role play,” he explained, “I thought It might be helpful to bring these.” He slid them over on the table so he could see the covers. “They’re softcore erotic films. I don’t think you’ll find them tacky or vulgar. And the more aroused you are, the better this evening will go. Does this sort of thing work for you?”

  “I don’t know. All I’ve ever seen is porn with big bouncing boobs. I hope that’s not what this is like.”

  The corner of Taehyung ’s mouth did that appealing little twitch. “No big bouncing boobs. Why don’t we try one of these, if you don’t have other ideas?”

  Jeongguk  nodded, ridiculously relieved that he wouldn’t immediately have to get naked and spread his legs. He took his wine and went over to sit on the sofa while Taehyung  walked over to the DVD player.

  “Do you prefer business-types or manual laborers?” Taehyung  asked, looking at his with cool courtesy over his shoulder.

  “Business-types.” He curled up his legs to get himself  comfortable and idly started to imagine how he would describe this to Jimin tomorrow morning. It was certainly better than pretending to be out on a romantic date with Taehyung  before having sex. But still…watching porn with a male escort was definitely an atypical experience.

  Taehyung  slid the appropriate DVD into the player. “The film is just under two hours, so we can watch the whole thing and still have plenty of time to move on from there. But let me know if it’s not working. And if you decide you want to move on before the film is over, just tell me that too.”

  Jeongguk  nodded, swallowing an overly large sip of wine. He couldn’t imagine himself  so overwhelmed with desire that he’d want to jump up and hit the bed in the middle of an erotic film. While his body reacted the way it was supposed to when exposed to sexual stimuli—particularly the smutty parts of well-written romance novels—he’d never felt particularly urgent about physical arousal.

  He’d read thousands of love scenes in books. Some hot and some laughable. After reading one of the purple-prose varieties in college, he’d vowed he could write a better one, even without any real-life experience. So for fun he’d written a sex scene. Then he’d written a novel to go with it. Not a very good novel. He’d tried and failed to get it published. But it was a start. He wrote two more unpublished novels in college. But it wasn’t until the year after he graduated, working as a copyeditor at a local paper, that he actually made progress toward publication. He’d met a literary agent who’d asked to look at the fourth, and best, novel Jeongguk  had written. That novel ended up, by one of the unpredictable flukes of the publishing industry, becoming a romance bestseller. As did the three that followed.

  Sometimes, when Jeongguk  wrote his own love scenes, he became aroused. He was emotionally invested in his characters, and he responded physically to the pleasure he gave them.

  One more irony of his inexplicable life.

  As the movie started to run, Jeongguk  looked over at Taehyung , who’d taken off his jacket and then taken his seat again next to the table. “Are you all right over there?” he asked, “Did you need anything? You can sit on the sofa—it’s got to be more comfortable than that chair.”

  Taehyung  said he didn’t need anything, but he did move to sit on the other side of the sofa, slouching down a little and stretching out his long legs.

  “How many times have you seen this movie?” Jeongguk  asked, giving him a sidelong glance.

  “Don’t ask.”

  He chuckled, feeling more relaxed than he’d expected. He stiffened a little when the film jumped right into a love scene, complete with naked, panting people. But it was unlike any piece of porn he’d ever seen before. An actual storyline soon developed, and the actors and director were good.

  And the
Sex…the sex was very sexy.

  Less than a half-hour into the movie, Jeongguk  was aroused. But by that time he was actually kind of into the movie, and he figured the more aroused he was the better. At one point, Taehyung  looked over at his and asked if he was enjoying the movie or whether they should try something else. He told him the movie was good—although he was tempted to shush him for interrupting a particularly good scene.

  Otherwise, they watched in silence. Jeongguk  was mostly absorbed in the storyline, and pleased and relieved by his body’s responses to the erotic activities on screen. But occasionally he thought he sensed Taehyung ’s gaze on his—like he was watching his. Every time he turned to check, however, his eyes were focused on the television. Eventually, he told himself  he was imagining things out of nervousness and self-consciousness. So he put it out of his mind.

  When the movie finished, he was extremely turned on. His body felt restless and squirmy and he was hard and hot between his legs.

  “How do you feel?” Taehyung  asked, narrowing his eyes to scan his face after he switched off the DVD.

  “Fine,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. “I think we can go ahead and, uh, get going.”

  “You’re aroused?”

  His cheeks warmed. “Yes,” he admitted.

  He leaned over and picked up his case. After replacing the DVDs, he pulled out a packet Jeongguk  didn’t recognize. He stood up and took off his sweater. Then he walked over to peer at what he had.

  Taehyung  looked over, his eyes automatically scanning his body in his cashmere tank and pajama pants. But his gaze didn’t linger. He handed Jeongguk  an unopened packet. “Dental dams,” he explained. “For oral sex. I don’t have unprotected sex of any kind.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t be using your services otherwise.” He’d never seen a dental dam before so he studied the packet with interest, glad for any sort of distraction from what would be coming next.

  “These are the best quality I’ve been able to find. Very thin and the texture is good. It will still be very enjoyable for you.”

  He swallowed hard. “Pretty smug about your skills, aren’t you?”

  He made a brief choked sound, as if he’d smothered a surprised laugh. Pulling out a tube of lubricant, he carried it with two dam packets and a couple of condoms to the nightstand. “I’ll guess we’ll have to wait and see whether I’m smug or simply realistic.”

  His dry response made him giggle a little which turned into nervousness, and walked over to join him next to the bed. When he looked from his slick, sexy good-looks to the large bed draped with a fluffy down comforter, his giggle changed to a nervous gurgle.

  “You’re in control of this,”
Taehyung  said, holding his gaze with a cool expression. “We do whatever you want to do. I can act however you want me to act. Just tell me.”

  “I don’t want you to pretend to be romantic or hot for me or anything. I want it to be…be real. I mean, don’t pretend we’re doing anything other than we are.”

  “Understood. I can do that. Would you prefer me to stay in my clothes or take them off?” Taehyung  replied smoothly, not appearing to notice his anxiety.

  Jeongguk thought for just a moment but knew the sight of his undoubtedly fine, naked body would be the end of his nerve. “Keep them on.”

  “And you?”

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest, suddenly conscious of the way his full chest was visible in the clinging tank he wore and that his nipples were visibly tight from his arousal. “I’ll keep them on for now,” he said, “Until …”

  He nodded. “Lights?”

  “Off.”

  “Is there anything else you’d like? Questions or requests?”

  “Um.”

  He waited patiently, watching his with an oddly quiet look of scrutiny. When he couldn’t manage to get anything said, he asked softly, “What can I do to make you less nervous?”

  Despite the practical purpose of the question, it made his feel a little better. Like he was human and not just some suave sex machine. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” he managed to say. “Obviously. And obviously you do. But one of things that has gotten in the way when I’ve tried to get farther than kissing with a guy is the thought of not knowing what to do. I mean, I know the logistics and the way it’s supposed to go, but it’s always felt a lot different than the over-blown stuff in books. And I get hung up on how clueless I feel, and then I can’t get into it at all.”

  He nodded, as if he understood what he was saying, despite his somewhat silly babbles.

  “It would help,” he added, “If you can kind of give me some directions.”

  His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

  “Not boss me around or be some sort of dominant asshole. Just kind of guide me through it a little.” His cheeks were blazing red and he peeked at him through his eyelashes. There were no signs on his face that he thought he was a freak or an idiot. “If that wouldn’t make you uncomfortable.”
Taehyung blinked. Although jeongguk didn’t know what would have surprised him in last comment. “Of course,” Taehyung replied, after just a moment. “That makes sense. I’ll do what I can. Why don’t you get into bed?”

  While Jeongguk  pulled the sheet and comforter down, Taehyung  turned off the overhead lights and took off his shoes and socks. Then he stretched out, breathing deeply and forcing himself  to relax.

  He smiled over at Taehyung  as he sat down on the edge of the bed next to Jeongguk and reached to turn off the bedside light. He smiled back, and that was the last clear image he had of his face.

  In the dark room, Jeongguk  felt less exposed and self-conscious. He was starting to think that this wouldn’t be too bad—that he’d worked himself  up over nothing—when Taehyung ’s form suddenly loomed over his, the dark silhouette of his head directly above him.

  He jerked violently, having expected him to be a lot lower. “What are you doing?” he gasped.

  He grew very still. “I was going to start with some foreplay if that’s all right. It will make things go more smoothly.”

  “Oh. Okay. Sounds good.” He took a slightly ragged breath and lay beneath him, telling himself  he was an intelligent, mature grown-up who was in control of this encounter. He had nothing to be nervous about.

  When Taehyung’s face lowered toward his, though, Jeongguk put a hand up to stop him. “Are you going to kiss me?”

  “I was,” Taehyung said, bracing himself above on his forearms. Just like his hand, his whole body felt warm, far too warm for his sleek, cool persona. “My clients usually like to be kissed.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m not sure I want to. It just seems too…I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right. Like I’m taking advantage of you or something.”

  There was a noticeable pause before he said, “Jeongguk , you’re paying me for this.”

  “I know.” He squirmed a little. “But it just feels weird. I’d rather not.”

  “Of course. You mean on your mouth, I assume. I can kiss you elsewhere, as part of foreplay?”

  “Yes. Elsewhere is fine.”

  He really wished he was less nervous so he could enjoy the bizarre nature of this conversation.

  Taehyung  started by mouthing his throat Jeongguk tilted his head to give him better access and was surprised by how nice the light touch felt. Then, before he knew it, the other was stroking his body over the cashmere, his palm brushing over his hips, belly, chest and nipples.

  He’d been very aroused a few minutes ago and had only been briefly distracted. So his body responded to caresses. It was a relief. Jeongguk still was breathing in uneven little pants, but soon started to loosen his tense muscles.

  “Take a few deep breaths,” Taehyung  murmured, his mouth lowering to trail along the other’s collarbone.

Jeongguk  was about to be annoyed with his bossiness when he remembered Taehyung was just doing as he’d requested. So he followed the instructions, took a long, unhurried breath and let it out. After a few more of these, his breathing had slowed and evened out.

  “May I push up your top?” Taehyung  asked, his fingers on the edge of his little tank.

  “Yeah.”

  He eased up his top to expose his chest, although it was too dark in the room to see them clearly. Then he lowered his mouth to latch onto one nipple.

  Jeongguk gave a little whimper as Taehyung suckled it skillfully, and he felt the corresponding tugs between his legs. Jeongguk shifted beneath him.

  “Let me know what you like,” he said, raising his mouth from his chest briefly. “I can’t please you otherwise.”

  “Oh. I like what you’re doing. What should I do with my arms?” It felt like his arms were in the way and couldn’t figure out where to put them.

  “Grabbing the headboard is an old favorite,” he said, the wry note in his voice comforting and familiar. “Or you’re welcome to touch me if you want. Just please don’t scratch my head.”

  Jeongguk tried the headboard and kind of liked the way the position lifted his chest. So he clung to the wood as Taehyung  suckled at his nipple and then adjusted to fondle both nipples with his hands.

  Jeongguk  arched up involuntarily as pleasure tingled from the touch and coalesced at his growing arousal. Realizing he was panting again, then tried to take a few more slow breaths.

  “Is this working for you, Jeongguk ?”

  “Yeah,” he admitted hoarsely, arching up again as he twirled both of his nipples between his fingers and thumbs. “It feels really good.”

  Taehyung continued his caresses, kissing and stroking his chest, nipples , and sometimes shifting up to his throat or down to his stomach.

  He was cupping his nipples  with both hands and had his mouth on his belly when Jeongguk ’s hands flew down of their own accord to settle on his head. Making sure not to use his fingernails, he stroked the soft hair on his scalp, amazed by how smooth it felt and how striking the colour is. He’d either dyed his hair before he came over or he went permanently red. The smooth sensations on his fingertips intensified the other growing sensations in his body.

  When he unconsciously started pushing Taehyung ’s head lower, instinctively wanting him farther down, he lifted up. “Ready?” he asked, reaching over to the nightstand to pick up a packet and the lubricant.

  “Yeah.” Jeongguk’s nervousness was lessened by physical desire, and Taehyung started to push his pajama pants down over his hips.

  Taehyung  helped him slide them off his legs with his underwear and then he settled himself between his thighs. His arousal was hot, hard, and aching—and it made him want to wriggle his hips. But the logistics had given him time to get nervous again and tensed up.

  He felt one of Taehyung ’s hands on his belly, stroking him gently. “Can you loosen up here?”

  Jeongguk tried to do as he said and relax his stomach muscles but he couldn’t seem to manage.

  He kept stroking his. “Try to relax again.”

  He took four deep breaths before he managed to relax his clenched belly.

  Taehyung’s hands stroked down to his thighs. “Now here.” They did the same thing—Taehyung  massaged his tight muscles as he breathed until he was able to soften the tension. As he loosened up, he parted his legs farther.

  He heard him rip the packet open and then squirt out some lubricant. “I’ll rub the lubricant on the back of the dam. It will make it more pleasurable for you,” he explained. “But I think I’ll use my hand first, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Yeah.”

  He kept concentrating on breathing until he felt his fingers parting his intimate hole and then stroking slowly along the flesh. The touch was warm and slick—so warm he gasped.

  “The lubricant warms,” he said, apparently noticing his reaction and reading it correctly. “It will make it better.”


  “Okay.”