Now Zack was really confused. He struggled to think of something more articulate to say than, Huh?

Eventually, he went with, “That’s more than fine with me.” He was a professional, after all, and he intended to act like one, no matter how odd his client was being. “I aim to please.”

John made an amused sound. “That’s what I like to hear. I’m so glad we were able to come to this arrangement. I hope this hotel was an acceptable choice. I’ve heard the staff here have a reputation for respecting their clients’ privacy. That’s also one of the reasons why I chose you. You came highly recommended for your skill and discretion.”

Zack jerked straight up in his desk chair. He finally understood what was going on. They were role-playing. Or rather, John had been role-playing for several minutes now, and Zack had failed to catch on. He rubbed his chin, impressed. Beginning a scene was always a bit uncomfortable if the client merely dictated what they wanted and then expected him to take it from there. John had managed to set up the character he wanted Zack to play in a few sentences: a potentially poor prostitute serving a wealthy businessman. Maybe John had a thing for class differences. The prince banging the pauper, so to speak. Zack toyed with a few ways he could play his character and then settled on an idea.

“Judging by this suite, I’d say you made a great choice,” Zack said. He pictured a luxurious hotel room—one he’d never be able to afford—with ivory walls, a canopy bed, and a bathroom the size of his apartment. He whistled appreciatively. “It’s beautiful. I can tell you’re a man of taste.”

“Naturally, or I wouldn’t have selected you to be my companion for tonight. I hope you’re worth your hefty price tag.”

Sensing a challenge, Zack decided to break out one of his trademark PSO techniques. He visualized melted chocolate and imagined it coating his throat. He concentrated on the slickness of it until he thought he could actually feel it. If he focused, he could make his voice sound every bit as smooth and rich as chocolate, and then no one could resist him.

When Zack spoke again, his words reverberated in his chest, more vibration than actual sound. “I can promise you, I’m worth every penny. My job is to satisfy you, and I’m very good at what I do. Isn’t that why you chose me, after all? For my reputation for giving my clients exactly what they want? Tell me: what is it that you want, John?”

John’s breathing hitched. He started to reply but had to clear his throat first. Zack smirked victoriously.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure we’ll have fun figuring it out.”

“Then I think we should begin. Don’t you?”

“Yes,” John said. “Let’s start with something simple, shall we? Undress for me. I want to see what I paid for.”

There was an air of command in John’s tone that Zack responded to before his brain even registered it. He shuddered and quickly obeyed. “I reach for my jacket first. It’s black and hugs my body as if it were made for me. I move slowly, running my fingers up my sides, over my chest. I know exactly what I’m doing: teasing you, making you fidget with impatience and yearn to rip my clothes off.”