MyStandIN: Back to Joe (alternate ending)

5- Silver-tongued

The windows open, the room was in semi darkness. I lazily opened my eyes. Huge bed, white sheets, big mirror, fancy hotel room. Aches and pains from earlier. I gradually came to my senses, turned over. My lover was sleeping on the other side of the bed. Trying to make as little noise as possible, I sat on the edge of the bed. Where were my clothes? Where did I put my bag? I looked around the room. Suddenly, arms around my waist.

- Joe... Joe...

His chest against my back, my left cheek was peppered with soft kisses. The man beside me turned my face towards him, looking for a mouth to conquer. The old Joe had disappeared, I was now facing Tong, I moved away.

- We've had several rounds this evening... Don't you have enough?

- I was patiently... waiting for my turn.

His lips moved from my neck to my shoulder, down my arm. When was the last time I woke up next to someone ? It seemed like an eternity. Covered by his embrace, I felt dizzy.

- I... I've got to go.

Tong nodded, but kept on sprinkling my back with pecks. Long sighs, my legs were weak, impossible to move.

- I have to get up early tomorrow... Auditions... Flat hunting...

- Jobs are... a dime a dozen... and the city's full of empty apartments.

- For people like you... yes... but not for me.

Tong took me against him, rested his chin on my shoulder, starred at me with a serious air.

- If you want more work, I'll find you lots of contracts...

I smiled incredulously, yet his promesses seemed way better than Ming's proposal.

- I'm serious ! A lot of people want me... I don't have the time and the energy to please them all... all those projects...

Both our bodies illuminated by the half-moon, Tong was glaring at us in the mirror facing the bed.

- And as you know... you and I... are alike.

- I have an appointment for a 3-room apartment in the old town... I can't cancel it.

- As you might know.... your benefactor has a few apartments in town. I wouldn't even ask you for rent since you work for me...

Tong ran his hand over my chest, my belly, moved lower.

- And... I sense you're eager to do some overtime...

Reaching my boxer shorts' waistband, I stopped his hand from heading down south.

- That's what it's all about, huh?

Hurriedly, I tried to stand up. However he tipped me backwards with all his weight. His big eyes stared at me seducively. I did not think I could find a needy Tong confusingly cute.

- I haven't felt like this in a long time...

- Aren't people making a pass at you since you got married ?

- Of course they do... Much more than before...

Tong sighed, lost in space.

- But no one's gone as far as you have!

At these words, my eyes widened. I expected him to take revenge, not to pursue me so assiduously.

- I usually feel like a trophy... A number on a hunting board... It had been a long time since I'd felt so desired.

- How many... other people?

- This is my first time... outside marriage...

- But..., I noticed his sentence didn't seem finished.

- There was another Joe. You remind me of him. My previous stand-in.

Shocked by his disclosure, I couldn't move. All these years, I had not suspected a thing.

- A very humble, polite, hard-working, handsome guy. I didn't get the chance... and then Ming appeared. I would have done anything for them to break up, to lure him into my bed... Ming screwed up their story himself...

My blood ran cold. I could not let myself get emotional. There was too much at stake. I clenched my fists against the sheets, glued to Tong's words.

- I didn't think he'd... He really lost it. Joe disappeared overnight.

Tong held me close, as if for comfort.

- I hired a detective to find him. He came back empty-handed. Still I'm hopeful...

- In your bed also, I'm a stand-in then...

- He had that same little thing in his eyes... But Joe would not have...

- The old Joe was gone. No way I would play small in the present life. I wanted it all, right now.

- You really impressed me the other day. I wanted you so badly, I tossed and turned all night in bed...

Did he say that to all his conquests? I could not believe those smoothering words.

- But she...

- ...Is a good girl from a conservative family. I'm always the one who initiates...

- Have you ever tried...

- Several times already, but there are things I want... that I'd like her to do to me... but she couldn't possibly understand...

With all the means at her disposal, a wealthy family, she wasn't really to be pitied. She wouldd surely get over it. Whereas I was just trying to survive.

- Besides... I'd be afraid she'd think I was a deviant... She married some kinda weird pervert...

- What about me?

Before I knew how, Tong freed his hand, his cold fingers sliding under my boxers in search of warmth.

- You and I... are the same... in that way too...