LOVER FOR PAY: The Escort & The Teacher (M/M)

by A. J. Blake

  He kept an eye on the dance floor, scanning everyone’s face until he spotted Wayfarer in the crowd. In between two younger guys, Wayfarer bounced along with the beat of the music, his drink in tow. The guy wasn’t too bad looking, hadn’t much of a body, but London was willing to admit that he was a bit of a charmer. With salt and pepper hair, crystalline blue eyes, and a white toothy smile, it was his bank account that ultimately made him irresistible.

  After finishing his beer, London locked eyes with Wayfarer and the man lit up. He said something into the two guy’s ears he’d been dancing with, and then smugly made his way over to the bar. “Nice to see you again, sexy,” he shouted over the music, his hands smoothing up from London’s knees. “I knew I could count on you to be here.”

  London smirked, making his voice just as loud so he could be heard, “When have I ever let you down?” Moving closer to London, Wayfarer went for a kiss on the neck, but London leaned away. “Do you have the money?” he asked.

  Wayfarer lifted the edge of his shirt to reveal a stash of cash he had secured to his belt.

  “Where were we?” London smiled.

  Wayfarer’s hands were always infatuated with London’s legs, his hands squeezed at the younger man’s thighs as he stood between them. Then his attention was drawn to the twenty-one-year old’s neck, his rough stubble scratching at London’s skin. The man flagged down the bartender then, calling for three shots before swigging them back and calling for another round. A little wobbly on his feet, he leaned into London and kissed at his earlobe. He never went for the lips. For what reason, London didn’t know, and honestly didn’t care much to ask.

  Nibbling at the bottom of London’s ear, Wayfarer said, “I’m going to dance for a couple more minutes, then I’ll meet you in the room like before, yeah?”

  London nodded, “Whatever you say, babe.”

  “Babe,” Wayfarer grinned, “I like when you call me that, makes me feel young again.”

  Left alone at the bar, London wished he could block out the thunderous music. He’d already managed to finish his beer, and the last thing he wanted was another one. Most times there were people around he could talk to when Wayfarer went off, but he didn’t feel much like sparking up conversation with the couple making out next to him.

  Suddenly then, London’s attention was snagged by a hearty laughter coming from just a corner of the bar. He looked over and was surprised to find a familiar man in glasses sitting down. Marbell. He wasn’t alone, however, a man around his age was standing beside him, and London would have guessed their conversation was going swell, if it hadn’t been for the tentative look on Marbell’s face.

  The man he was with was pudgy around the waist, hair unkempt to his shoulders and he was in need of a good shave. Some people could pull off the scraggly beard and muddled hair, but it wasn’t going well on this guy. He just looked...filthy. Even though he was talking loudly, London couldn’t hear anything he was saying. Then Marbell shrugged and the man waved over the bartender. He’d asked to buy Marbell a drink...

  After the bartender set the glass down, London knitted his brow in disgust when the man pointed in a single direction to get Marbell to look away, and quickly he slipped something white into the bright blue liquor.

  Jumping up from his seat the moment Marbell brought his attention back and picked up the glass, London rushed through a group of people in his way and was able to snatch the drink from the other man. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” he cut in, spilling a bit of the liquid on his pants. Without acknowledging Marbell yet, London grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and shoved the glass into his face, busting his lip in the process. “Why don’t you spice your own drink you disgusting fuck?!”

  The man brought his hands to his bleeding mouth, “What the hell, man!?” he shouted.

  London didn’t care about the scene he’d made. He slammed a fist across the guy’s face, “Get out of here before I kick your fuckin’ ass!” With a throbbing fist, London turned to Marbell who sat confused and more than a little shocked to see him there. “One of the first rules of clubbing: never take your eyes off your drink. Man or woman, Marbell, anyone could drug you and drag your little ass away to get raped.”

  Still seeming to process what had happened, Marbell looked down at the bloodied glass on the floor and then back up to London, “I – I didn’t know.”

  “Of course, you didn’t,” London said, “No one is just going to come up and casually pour a date rape drug into your drink with you knowing it.”

  Marbell fixed his glasses, “Thank you for stopping me.”

  London sat down at the empty stool next to him, “No problem,” he said, “What are you even doing here? I didn’t take you as the party, club type. Shouldn’t you be grading papers or something?” When Marbell opened his mouth to speak, London added, “Or are you using this place because you’re trying to avoid me?”

  Marbell bit down on his inner cheek, and then went on, “That’s none of your business.”

  “Oh, but you were my business,” London leaned in closer, the warmth of his breath lighting a small flame within Marbell. “Baby misses his Daddy.”

  Meeting London’s eyes, Marbell’s glistened as an apparent longing for the twenty-one-year-old sat in his gaze. “Ever since our last night together I’ve tried to find someone even remotely like you.”

  “And you ended up with that guy?” London scoffed, “Honestly, I’m a little offended by your alternate choice in men. Curious question, though: have you found anyone?”

  “No,” Marbell admitted, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “No one makes me want sex like you make me want it. I haven’t slept with anyone else.”

  London could feel his ego inflate all by itself. “That’s because I’m one of a kind, Mr. Matthews. Why were you trying to avoid me? Everything seemed to be going great until I, well, you know.”

  Marbell sighed, “I don’t really want to talk about that to be honest.”

  London nodded and before he could say anything more, he was interrupted by Wayfarer, “What’s going on here?” the older man asked, voice a little tense.

  London cursed in his head. After witnessing the other man trying to roofy Marbell’s drink, he’d completely forgotten about his actual client of the night. “Charles,” he said nonchalantly, “Was just having a nice talk with a friend.”

  Wayfarer gave Marbell a territorial look and grabbed London’s arm, “Well, I think this nice talk is over. I’m going to order one more drink, and then we can head to the back.”

  Eyes switching from Marbell’s to Wayfarer’s, London just said, “Sure, babe. I’ll be there in a minute, just remembered I forgot something in the car.”

  Giving Marbell one last glare, Wayfarer threw back a shot and started away.

  “How much is he giving you?” Marbell asked.

  London scratched the back of his neck embarrassingly, “Two-thousand.”

  Without missing a beat, Marbell took London’s hand, and said, “I’ll give you twice that if you come home with me. But not for sex, just to have you with me.”

  A confident smirk touched at London’s mouth, “So you really did miss me, eh?”

  “Maybe, I did.”

  Seeing Wayfarer disappear into the back of the club, London thought for only a second before he took Marbell’s hand lightly and led him to the exit. “Keep your money,” he said over the music, “If I can get out of here while I have the chance, I’m all for it. Besides, I wasn’t kidding when I said ‘Baby misses his daddy’. I’ll get out of here just to spend whatever time I can with you.”

  Leading Marbell out, London almost felt like a teenager again, sneaking out of Wonderland. When they reached his car, he unlocked the doors and they got inside since Marbell had taken a taxi there. Before buckling up his seat belt, Marbell turned to London, and said, “I may have said no sex, but...will you charge me if I ask to kiss you?”

  London shook his head, “No.”

  The two leaned in close
r to one another then, and as the space between them grew shorter, London couldn’t believe the feelings that were forming within him. Before starting all of this selling himself for money, he’d been very clear with himself that everyone was going to remain on the consumer side of this business. And that was exactly how it had been...until Marbell it seemed.

  Their lips hadn’t touched yet, but the heat of minty breath tickled London’s. Marbell brushed up against him, the ocean scent of his hair calming and overwhelming at the same time. “I don’t want to feel for you the way I’m afraid I will,” he whispered.

  London’s lips caressed Marbell’s cheek, “There’s still time to back out if you don’t want this.”

  Marbell kissed the young man in front of him, the hunger in him evident by the way he bit down on London’s lower lip, pulling gently before letting go. At the way Marbell handled his tongue, London almost wondered how he’d made it two weeks without seeing him, if this was the reaction he got when they finally had time together. “Just don’t make me regret it if I fall for you,” the teacher warned.

  V – Drugs

  When London arrived at Marbell’s house, he was taken aback by the sheer size of it. He knew the guy was loaded with cash, but this place looked like something a celebrity would buy after making it bigtime. The neighborhood Marbell lived in was called Barcello Estates, and the estates bit lived up to its name. This red bricked mansion was three stories high and could likely fit up to five families, maybe more inside its thick walls. Pulling into the driveway, London was reminded of that old TV show that made ordinary people like him envious of the rich and famous. He was waiting for the cameras to pop out and for Marbell to give a grand tour of the place.

  Peering out the windshield, London said, “Are you sure you’re just a math teacher? You’re not a paid actor that just teaches on the side? Part of the mob, maybe? Nah, you’re way too soft for that. Your dad?”

  Marbell shook his head and got out of the car, “I’ll let you know when I’m ready for you to hear my story.”

  Taking the hand Marbell held out to him, London hummed against his ear and kissed the back of his neck, “Have I mentioned that I’ve got a thing for mysterious guys?”

  Leading them up the steps to the large front door, Marbell pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked it. Before going inside, he tugged London a little closer and kissed him, almost seeming to take his breath away. “Have I told you I’ve got a thing for protective guys with tattoos, sex appeal, and a love for family?”

  “What can I say?” London smiled, enchanted by the kiss, “I’m the total package.”

  London was mesmerized when they entered the house. It was so huge he almost felt insignificant from its size. They walked through a white polished foyer and into a living area with the biggest flat screen television London had ever seen. The furnishings about the room reminded him of an old timely Victorian setting, large glass double doors looking over the backyard and onto a glistening pool with a tennis court out back as well. “Please,” Marbell gestured to the sofa, “Make yourself at home. I’m just going to run upstairs and change. I feel like I smell like Wonderland...”

  When Marbell disappeared, London plopped down on the sofa, but didn’t remain seated for long. Eyes wandering the walls and shelves in the living room, he found it odd that no family portraits were anywhere. Usually houses had pictures of brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers about the walls, but, excluding the framed diplomas Marbell had earned through his education, there were no pictures anywhere. Apparently he’d majored in boy Literature and had a PhD in Mathematics.

  Nearing a narrow bookcase sat between a record player and fish tank, London’s eyes scanned over the spines of the books placed there. While two rows were dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe and a collection of fantasy adventure novels, London couldn’t help but notice the depression, anxiety, psychology and therapeutic books lined on several others.

  “Do you go to your client’s houses very often?” Marbell asked from behind.

  London turned around with his arms crossed over his chest, “You’re not paying me to be here, so technically you’re not my client right now.”

  Coming further into the living room, Marbell took a seat of his own on the sofa, dressed now in comfortable cotton sweats and a tank top. “I’ll give you the money if you want it,” he said, “All you have to do is ask.”

  London came down beside Marbell, “I said you could keep your money. I’m just glad to be out of that fucking club. Charles isn’t too bad of a guy, but his choice in location is absolute shit. Although, I’ll admit, since I’ve been doing all of this for money, I probably just risked losing one of my regulars, and that’s not good for business.”

  Marbell laid back a little until he was leaned against the armrest, his legs stretched out in front of him and across London’s lap. “What’s a night at Wonderland with him like?”

  “Nothing special, I can tell you that,” London said. “The guy just likes to get a couple...a lot of drinks in him before I do him in the back. Likes ‘em young, too.”

  “I can see that.”

  Without warning, London dragged Marbell over to him until he was seated on his lap. “You seem to like ‘em young.”

  Letting his arm settle behind London’s neck, Marbell said, “You’re not too much younger than me. It’s just four years. It’s not like you just got out of high school or anything.”

  “This is true,” London nodded. “So, what did you have in mind since we’re not having sex tonight? I mean, I’d totally let you hit it free of charge, but since you just wanted to hang out, we can do that, too.”

  “We can...” Marbell thought for a moment. “Wow, the only thing I can think of is sex, but, honestly, I kind of wanted to give you a break from that.”

  London bit back a smile, feeling a slim sense of giddiness inside all of a sudden. Tracing small ovals at the bottom of Marbell’s spine, he said, “I can cook for you. My brother tells me I’m excellent in the kitchen, he says I would be a great househusband someday. Which I rightfully appreciated, because that makes me good in bed and the kitchen, but he doesn’t need to know that.”

  Marbell rutted his brow with a smirk and got up from London’s lap. He led the way to the kitchen. “So you really are raising your brother and sister, huh? Henry had an English paper due last week and since he saw I’ve also dabbled in English, he asked if I’d take a quick look at it since he hates the other teacher. It was just about home life. Couldn’t help but notice you all don’t have much of a mother or father.”

  “Yeah...” London sighed, “My mom is an unshakable druggie and the Old Man is a murderer. Had to come back home after he got locked up.”

  Marbell watched London move about the kitchen, looking in different cabinets until he found the pantry. “So you haven’t been around much? How long have you been back with Henry and your sister?”

  London looked over a bit of pasta and the different types of sauces the pantry had before taking them out. He then raided the freezer. “No, I haven’t. This is just the start of my second year with them. Henry still holds it against me that I only came back because the Old Man was out of the picture, and I hate to admit it, but he’s absolutely right. The Old Man and I never saw eye to eye, especially when he found out I liked guys and girls. Let’s just say I had to get out of there at a young age before he killed me.”

  Marbell was sat on a stool at the kitchen island. He fidgeted a little before closing his hands together on top of the counter. “Sounds rough, I’m sorry you had to grow up like that.”

  “Yeah, Henry thinks he got the worst of it, but, between you and me, he’s not the one who had a knife at his throat when he turned sixteen. I know for a fact I’d be dead if I hadn’t gotten out when I did. But that doesn’t excuse how bad I’m sure he got it after I was gone.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Marbell apologized, feeling bad for bringing up the topic.

  London laughed as he rummaged through the freezer
, taking out a pack of chicken breasts and different vegetables he’d defrost. “Why are you apologizing to me? It’s not like you’re the one who fucked up my entire childhood by being an abusive sonofabitch. And, trust me, my Old Man is literally a ‘son of a bitch’. My grandmother raised him cruel. So, pretty much, my bloodline is total trash.”

  “On the bright side,” Marbell mentioned, “You’ve got good genes.”

  Winking over at Marbell, London blew him a kiss, and said, “Thanks.”

  For several minutes, Marbell merely watched his house guest move about his kitchen, back and forth to the freezer and spice cabinet. It wasn’t an ordinary thing to have someone in his home like this, and tonight it felt nice to finally not be alone with someone he didn’t mind the company of.

  By the time London was finished whipping up their late night dinner, it was striking 1:30am. He didn’t know what to call the meal but all that mattered was that it tasted delicious. Seated together at the kitchen island for several minutes, London looked up after taking the last bite of his pasta. He smiled to himself when Marbell’s glasses began to slip down his nose, and the man fixed them before they could reach the tip. “You know what you said to me when we were in the car?”

  Marbell looked up at the abrupt question, finishing his chewing before he answered. “Don’t make me regret it if I fall for you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about it?”

  “Is me being an escort for multiple people going to ruin the chances of you falling for me?”

  Marbell could sense the question was a serious one by the way London looked at him. “I don’t know,” he started. “Honestly, I don’t really feel like I’m in the position to tell you to stop doing what you’ve been doing for money just for me wanting you all to myself. We’re not even in the position to start dating. I mean, I know we’re sharing this late dinner in my kitchen, and I seem to have expressed some feelings for you, but I hardly know you. And, on top of that, you’re the relative of one of my students. Wouldn’t that be strange even just for Henry?”