Page 93 of Say It Again
“You’re just how I imagined by the way Terry described you. Albeit taller.” He flashed a brilliant smile as he secured the coat on a hanger. “You’re a showstopper.”
Their mutual connection, Terry, a longtime client of Aaron’s, worked with Marco, although he’d failed to describe Marco in any detail whatsoever. All he’d said was, “You’ll like him. He’s filthy rich.”
“Please have a seat,” Marco said, gesturing to the table. It had the undertone of an interview as they sat across from one another, Marco leading yet approachable with one ankle crossed over his knee. A bit casual. A bit business. “So, tell me a little about yourself, Aaron.”
Then there was that interview-y question, but Aaron’s standard speech didn’t require brainpower or heart; he could recite it in his sleep. “I’m open-minded and laid-back, meaning you won’t shock me with whatever you might ask. I can be dominant, subservient, or both, but above all, I want you to know you’re safe with me. You’ve already been brave by inviting me here. Let’s keep that momentum. I draw very few hard lines, so dig deep. Be bold. Tell me how I can best serve you, sir. It’d be my pleasure.”
“Oh.” Marco’s brow wrinkled. “No, I was wondering more about your conversational skills. How are you with current events? Can you hold a conversation about wine? Sports? Etcetera.”
“Wine?” That was a new one. “Yeah, I can talk wine. I know enough to hold my own. Sports, about the same. I probably need to brush up. You want to talk sports before we… proceed?”
“Well, not right now.” Marco chewed his lower lip, squinting at the walls. “What about economics—no, that can get hairy. Too political. Speaking of politics, how are you at redirecting a conversation?”
“Pretty good. I’m sorry.” Aaron cleared his throat, tapping a timeout-T with his hands. “I promise I’m normally more composed than this, but you’re so far from my typical clientele. I hope I’m not shooting myself in the foot here, but what are you doing calling me?”
Marco blinked. “Come again?”
“You don’t need to pay anyone. You could walk into any club or open any app and have your pick.”
“Well, firstly, thank you.” Marco snorted, and even that was somehow charming. “That’s generous coming from a man who people spend money just to be around.”
Aaron could feel his cheeks heating a bit, which was an odd sensation in front of a client.
“But I don’t need you for intimacy. Well, I should clarify. I don’t need you for sex. I’m hoping for at least some intimacy. Terry didn’t tell you any of this?”
He shook his head. Apparently, Terry was a vault for information.
“I work a lot, and I travel for work. I don’t have time to date—rather, I don’t have time to prioritize another person….” He trailed off as he checked one of his two phones and tapped out what appeared to be an email. “I need a companion because I need to appear trustworthy and loyal during a deal I’ll be working on the next few weeks. I’m not looking for sex. Sex is ever-present, and I have men for that….” He trailed off again as his eyes scanned the screen. His phone chimed as he sent it, and then the smile was back. “My apologies. Where was I? I need a business partner.”
Aaron scanned his face. “What kind of a business partner?”
“A personal assistant, more or less. Someone who can wear many hats, stand in as my spouse for dinners and functions, then support me with administrative duties. Essentially, be available as I wish. This is what I’m willing to offer per week.” From the end of the table, Marco plucked a check that’d been filled out with the name left blank. “But there will be options for more depending on my needs.”
Aaron’s hands were a touch unsteady as he reached for it. What was the old saying? Something about it being too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”
“I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“It seems”—Aaron gesticulated his hands around—“I don’t know, almost too easy for me. For anyone.”
“Well, it won’t be easy. It could be some long hours.” Marco crossed his arms and squinted. “Terry made it sound like you offer a range of services.”
“Oh, I do.” Aaron needed to snap out of his head and to the present moment where a handsome man was offering him money for doing nothing. For dinners and emails. “I’m absolutely interested. I take all payment up front.”
“I’m willing to pay half up front and half at the end of each week.”
Aaron’s eyes widened as he gazed down at the check. “So this?”
“Is half.”
“Tell me what you need from me, partner.” Finally, his self-preservation was kicking into gear. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
Marco chuckled as he scrolled through one of the phones. “Well, let’s get to know each other first. Make sure it’d be a good fit. Do you have a suit?”
“Of course.”
“If we find we align after this meeting, I’ll need you starting tomorrow. I’ve made reservations at this hotel, or the restaurant downstairs, rather. I can send you the details of how we met, what you do for work, and so forth.”
Aaron peered down at Marco’s phone at a map marked by a hotel. He knew it. It was beautiful, but a hike, which meant he’d get home exceedingly late. “What do I do for work?”