devilish grin that rivalled Tristan’s. “Unless I really like what I see.”
“Which all depends on if we like what we see.” Tristan gestured at the leather wallet on the table. “One of us isn’t cheap. Both of us will cost you.”
8
“I’m willing to pay for the finer things in life.” The john stroked his chin with his index finger. “How much?”
“Eight hundred for an hour.” Tristan didn’t flinch, but
Jared’s heart skipped. That much? Shit. Tristan had been here long enough that he was allowed to negotiate his own prices as long as Market Garden got its cut, but eight hundred?
That was more than double what Jared usually got paid.
Significantly more.
Rolex balked, sitting up a little straighter. “Not sure I’m willing to pay that much.”
Tristan’s arm slid around Jared’s shoulders. “Well, that’s to see us both fuck and get fucked. Twenty for a kiss, four hundred for a fuck. We can negotiate the steps in between.”
Fuck, mate. If this guy bails, can we go somewhere and do all those steps anyway?
The john’s eyes flicked back and forth between them.
“Tell you what. I’ll start at two hundred. If I like what that gets me, I’ll pay for more.”
Tristan pursed his lips. His fingers drummed on Jared’s
shoulder, and he focused on the wallet on the table. Jared’s heart beat faster and faster. At this point, he didn’t give a fuck about the money. He’d had a thing for Tristan for, God, how long now? Shit, whatever Rolex wouldn’t pay, Jared was tempted to pony up himself. He had a little bit of money left, even if it was dog-eared for inconsequential things like rent.
Damn, Market Garden really needed to issue store cards or
something.
Finally, Tristan looked at him. “This sound good to you?”
Jared nodded.
To the john, Tristan said, “All right. Two hundred, and
we’ll go up in one hundred quid increments from there.”
“How much does two hundred get me?” the john asked.
9
“What you just saw, ramped up,” Tristan said. “No clothes
off, nothing below the belt.”
Rolex chewed the inside of his cheek, watching Tristan
and Jared silently for a moment. Jared could already see the mental porno playing inside the man’s head, and he desperately hoped it was as hot as it was in his own mind. And that it became a reality in very, very short order.
Finally, the john spoke. “All right. You have a deal.” He
opened his wallet and took out four fifties. As he slid them across the table, he said, “I have a room at the Meridian Star Hotel. Shall we?”
Tristan didn’t move. “You been here before?”
The john shook his head.
Tristan gestured at the bar. “Quick background check and
all of that. Just a basic one. It won’t take long.”
Rolex eyed the bar, and Jared was afraid the inconvenience might put him off and send him on his way, but then the man nodded, and picked up his fifties. “Excuse me a moment, then.
You’ll wait here for me?”
Tristan lifted his mostly empty drink in a mock salute.
“Consider us yours for the night. We’ll be right here.”
While the john went up to the bar to complete the
background check, Tristan leaned in close enough to kiss
Jared’s neck.
“Are you sure you’re all right with this arrangement?” he
asked, his breath tickling beneath Jared’s ear.
All right with it? Are you fucking kidding me?
Jared swallowed. “Yeah. I am. Though I’ve never done this
with a, um, a partner.”
“Nothing to worry about.” Tristan’s other hand slid over
Jared’s leg, dangerously close to his groin. “Just follow my lead.”
10
“You do this often?”
“Never have.” Tristan pulled back, meeting Jared’s eyes.
Then he looked Jared up and down, and grinned. “But I think it could be fun, don’t you?”
“Ooh yeah.”
“Good.” Tristan leaned in again, and this time he did kiss Jared’s neck, making him shiver. “If anything goes south, or gets out of hand, and you want to call it off, just say ‘weasel.’”
Jared snorted. “Weasel? Really?”
Tristan laughed, warming the side of Jared’s neck. “Well,
you’ll remember it, won’t you?”
“Hmm, yes, I will.”
“Thought so.” He pressed a lingering kiss onto the side of Jared’s neck. “I’m looking forward to this, Jared. I’m curious to find out if everything I’ve heard about you through the grapevine is true.”
“The—” Jared straightened. “The what? ”
“I’ve heard that you’re—”
“Are we ready?” The john’s voice startled Jared.
Tristan sat up. “Ready when you are.” He glanced at Jared
and winked, mouthing, “I’ll tell you later. ”
Rolex opened his wallet and took out the four fifties
again. As he handed them to Tristan, he said, “Let’s go.”