Politics. Escorts. Blackmail. (13 page)

Thursday—November 10, 2011

V
irgil had only been in the taxi five minutes heading to meet his Realtor in Williamsburg when he got a text from Midori:

“Hot damn,” he said aloud in the backseat. The fast-driving taxi driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Virgil kept looking down at his phone and typed,
I’ll be there. Thank u.

It was close to six in the evening when Virgil and Midori sat on the sectional in the living room of her Upper East Side apartment, the same room where he broke it off months earlier after finding out what she really did for living.

She sat on one end wearing leggings and a black tee. He sat on the other end, still in his dress pants and dress shirt.

She was the one who asked, “So, what is it? What’s up with us?”

“You tell me.”

“I don’t know. I want to be with someone who accepts me, that’s all. Not someone who holds my life against me like I’m some jezebel.”

“I can understand that.”

Her legs were crossed. “Could you ever get past the fact that I’ve slept with so many men? I mean, keep it real.”

“I don’t know.”

She leaned forward and used her hands as she spoke. “Okay. Could you accept me if your stepdad ends up winning the election in November? The president’s son dating the escort. That’s tabloid material. You say you don’t want to hurt your mom. That would hurt her. I don’t want to be some woman you hide out because you have to keep it a secret. I think you made a decision to not be with me, and hurt me rather than hurt her.”

He looked calm. “Being with you has nothing to do with her. You lied to me. Like we said, we have trust issues.”

“Virgil, we have moral issues. We have salacious issues of secrets and escorts. We have issues of politics and infidelity.”

He leaned forward, too. “I’m talking about no one other than the two of us in this room. If we tried again, honestly, I wouldn’t want you to keep doing what you’re doing. I’d want you to stop. I need to make a decision about you without basing it on them. Their lives are their lives. They make choices they have to live with, just like I do.”

She shook her head. “That sounds great, but it’s not realistic. I know how you feel about your mom.”

“What’s real is that I don’t want to live this life alone. I’ve got a good job, I’m continuing my education, and I want a family.”

She asked, “Is it okay for me to want the same? I dream of that, too, you know?”

“Okay. Let’s work toward that. Let’s try and see where things go.”

She looked uncertain, leaning back against the cushions. “Virgil, I can’t commit to that. I’m still doing what I’m doing and that won’t fit. Not right now anyway.”

“Then when? Do you see yourself ever stopping?”

“I do.” She looked down at her lap.

“Then there’s no time better than now.”

“I can’t. Not just yet. Just a little time.”

“You’re saying you need just a little more money in your pocket?”

“Maybe a year’s worth, maybe less.”

He asked, “So, it’s about your bank balance? You’re letting money determine when your heart can be fulfilled?”

She sighed and gave him her eyes. “My heart will be fine. Yes, it’s odd what I do and why I’ve planned certain things the way I have. But let me ask you. I can’t help but to keep wondering. If you care so much for me, and miss me, and would be willing to move forward, why is it we never made love?” She frowned.

He seemed to lapse into his own thoughts and replied, “You know why.”

“I know what you said. You said you’re saving yourself. But, you’re almost thirty.”

“True. But I’ve gone this long.”

Her face lightened up and she suddenly stood and stepped up to him, right up against his leg. She took his hand. “Baby. Make love to me.”

“Midori.”

“Please.” She leaned over to kiss him on his cheek.

He looked her dead in the eye and stood.

She led him down the long hallway to her bedroom where he’d spent the night in the past but never had sex.

She flipped a switch along the wall and the blinds lowered at the same time that the sounds of jazz played from the overhead speakers, and she headed to the bed.

He stopped as he got close. “Midori. I need to wait.”

“Wait for what? I don’t wanna wait anymore.”

“I do.”

“Virgil, let me show you how good it could feel. Even if we don’t end up together, I just don’t want someone else to be your first.” She faced him, pulled down her leggings, took off her top, and showed him her braless, pantiless, nude self.

He looked longingly at her body and let out a loud sigh. He’d seen her naked before when she’d walk around the bedroom after taking a shower, but this time, every inch of her looked ripe and ready.

She lay back on the chocolate bedspread of her queen bed and opened her legs, playing with herself by rubbing her vulva, spreading her lips apart.

He aimed a direct stare at her opening. It was pink and moist looking. She stuck her middle finger inside then put her finger into her mouth. “Umm, good. You need to know what pussy tastes like. Or do you already?”

“I don’t.”

With seductive eyes, she told him, “I promise, if you’re wondering about me, I’ve been tested. You can wear a condom if you want. And my latest results from last week are in my dresser drawer. Fuck me, Virgil. Let me feel you inside of me.”

He shook his head and looked down at the floor. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” His eyes quickly raised to between her legs again. “You look amazing. I just…I’m not ready.”

“When will you be? At least let me suck you. Let me make you come.”

He still said, “I can’t.”

She tilted her head. “Are you into women?”

“Trust me. I am,” he said, as if there was no doubt.

“I’m just wondering because I’m really trying here.” She scooted back and closed her legs. Her energy downshifted. “They say the squarest-looking men are the biggest freaks. Hell, you’re proving that wrong. Is it because of what I do? Would you have had sex with me today if you didn’t know what I do for a living?”

“No. That’s not it.”

“I don’t understand. Who saves themselves like that?” she asked, batting her eyes.

“Midori. Don’t be mad.”

“Forget it. Just forget it.”

He approached the side of the bed. “Midori. Look at me.”

She crossed her arms.

He began to unzip his pants, and he let them fall, then he pulled his white underwear down to his knees. He lifted up his shirt so she could see everything, and stood there. His heart pounded.

She slowly brought her eyes to him and lowered her sights to his penis.

He looked like he was holding his breath, waiting for her to laugh or for her to run out of the room.

What she said was, “You have a great body. I love your body.”

Midori climbed from the bed and stood before Virgil, unbuttoning his shirt and removing it. He stepped out of his pants and underwear, naked in front of a woman for the second time in his life.

She was in front of him naked as though they were both the same when it all came down to it. And they kissed.

She took his hand and they sat on the edge of the bed. She lay back and patted the mattress. “I want you right here.”

His penis was stiff. He lay on his back and she got on top of him, again kissing, and grinding on him. She kissed his neck, chest, nipples, pectorals, and went further until she met the boundary of his curly pubic hair. She scooted her body down between his legs, and lightly touched his penis with her fingertips, licking the foreskin that housed his tiny shaft as it peeked from the edge. She pointed her tongue to his tip and kissed his dick with full lips, looking up at him. “I love you. I love your penis, too.”

He exhaled loudly, with a sigh.

He kept his arms still and his hands flat along the mattress on either side of his tense body, just watching the reality of Midori’s mouth meeting his penis.

He struggled to process the fact that she had no reaction. No criticism. No fear. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He felt himself actually getting more stiff than ever before. He could see just a little more of his shaft the more she kissed it, licked it.

His legs made room for her journey, as he bent his knees and opened wider. She licked his testicles, and the seam that ran down the middle of his scrotum. His balls were actually very large. She squeezed them between her lips, taking her right hand to rub his dick back and forth.

Virgil felt a rush travel from his balls to his dick. He was hot and he was nervous, but he stayed in place for her to continue showing him what it was like to have a woman go down on him.

She rubbed his thigh and brought her lips to his dick again, taking it into her mouth and giving it a suck like she would a lollipop, offering tongue and wetness and warmth.

Virgil tensed up and his chest rose and fell according to his fast breathing. Instantly, he felt his ejaculate travel and escape from his tip. He clenched his hands to a fist and begged his body to slow its roll, but his sperm spilled right into Midori’s mouth. She didn’t back off; she stayed put and drank from him. It was a rush of semen like he’d never experienced. He gave continued grunts and kept watching her face as she offered big eyes until her last swallow. She looked at him as though she was supposed to swallow, like it would be rude not to.

“You taste good,” she told him.

He just stared as she moved over to lay alongside him, resting her body up against his and placing her head along his chest.

“Thank you for letting me have you,” she said, looking pleased.

“Thank
you
.” He looked stunned.

She rubbed his arm and they lay still, listening to the music, saying nothing else, then fell asleep.

He awoke while she still slept, with groggy eyes, and he said, “I love you, too.”

The beginning of a trust rebuilding.

Two people from two totally different worlds.

Trying.

Friday—November 18, 2011

I
t was a cold Friday night and after all that had happened between them, Money and Midori agreed to take time out for some sisterly bonding over dinner in the theater district. Even after the phone call that seemed to break the ice, Money invited her sister out for a meal, just to make sure.

First they walked around, all bundled up in coats and scarves, and took in the vitality of the bustling, neon electric blocks of Times Square, hitting Sephora and M&M’s World specifically, admiring the glitter and glitz of the holiday window displays.

An hour later, in the trendy Oceana Restaurant, they sat near the bar under the blue overheard, aquariumlike lights. They sipped on Pinot Noir and enjoyed steamed oysters, awaiting their main courses of seared shrimp and grits for Money, and broiled mahi-mahi for Midori.

Midori reflected back to her wonderful weekend in Puerto Rico a while back with Dr. Feelgood. He was once again charming, attentive, generous, funny, and fine. And as before, he slept overnight alone and headed back to his life with a cheating wife, all just to keep from having to share his wealth with her, breaking his own rule by spending a second vacation weekend with the same escort whom he knew as Brooklyn. Midori broke it all down. “I thought Dr. Feelgood liked me, outside of all this,” she told her sister.

They were both dressed in dark brown without having planned it. One in a knit, Viviana shoulder dress and one in a Dolce and Gabbana pantsuit.

Money asked, “Who?”

“Dr. Feelgood.”

“Is that what you call him?”

“Yes. Okay, Mr. 81. He was so smooth and such a gentleman. Money, he really knows how to treat a woman.”

“But like you said, he’s married, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then I beg to differ. He really doesn’t know how to treat his wife.”

Midori explained, “She’s cheating.”

“Yeah, well, just wait till she finds out he’s spending tens of thousands to pay for sex. He’ll wish he’d just gone ahead and filed for divorce. His records will be subpoenaed. That could mess us up.”

“You’re always thinking about the business.”

“I am.”

“What about looking at the side of him that’s wonderful? Maybe he’d be a dream come true.”

Money looked doubtful. “I told you about that. It doesn’t happen.”

“Well, that trip to Puerto Rico was just as amazing as the Florida Keys. His wife must’ve found a damn good man on the side if she’d risk losing him. He’s a heart surgeon and he looks good as fuck.”

“Good as fuck? Oh, well then. He must be handsome. ’Cause fucking is good.” Money giggled.

Midori’s face gave way to a smile. “Yes, he’s very sexy.”

“Well, all that glitters definitely ain’t gold. That’s just his side of the story. For all we know he could be kicking her ass.”

“Money, stop. Anyway, I’m telling you, I needed that getaway. Sometimes getaways are the ticket.”

“I guess so. It was Dr. Feelgood who asked for you. This time it wasn’t us who decided.”

“I know. But still, I was happy to go.”

“Well good.” Money sipped her wine and then asked, “Does it bother you that the majority of these men are married?”

“No. I understand. Sometimes it’s the taken men who call. I get the big picture.”

“Good.”

Midori folded her arms along the table. “I was thinking, if someone I was with paid for sex on the side, I guess that would be my come-around, you think?”

Money explained, “No woman wants that. But in my opinion, I think a woman should be more worried about a man who’d end up finding a woman to sleep with him for free. That means she likes him. But if he pays, he’s less likely to feel an attachment or desire. He’ll head on back home to the wife like he got away with something. It’s almost like that makes them even happier. Their ego is fluffed up. They’re not gonna leave the wife for the hooker. I just don’t see it. Maybe this business makes me look at men differently, but I think they’re more likely to leave their woman for the girl they meet at the club.” She scooted back in her chair. “Like my husband left me for that bitch in L.A. They both felt something. Something deeper than sex. But hey, sex can bond two people if they do it often enough. Sometimes these guys just want a pussy that’s different from the one they have at home. It’s too much for them to cut the good woman loose and take a chance that the pussy that felt good wouldn’t drive them fucking crazy. Go figure.”

“Yeah. True. I was gonna ask you, are you getting more calls from women who want men these days? Kemba must have a lot of repeat business.”

“He does. Kemba, though, he’s really large. Some women can’t handle him.”

Midori asked, looking amused, “And they’re complaining? Big is a good thing.”

“One or two have asked if we had someone else.”

“Wow. That man is beautiful. A real chick magnet.”

“He is. But you get a lot of requests, too. Is everything cool with that Homeland Security guy? The one who pays more for the waterworks.”

Midori shook her head and picked up her wineglass. “That’s hard to take. It’s good money, but I think I told you before, I’ll bet he’s the type to beat his woman’s ass. He doesn’t like women one bit. No telling what happened to him when he was a kid.” She sipped.

Money nodded. “Sometimes they’re missing something in life, at home maybe. I believe you can have the best marriage in the world, and your man will fuck around if given the chance. I’ve lived it. I’ve seen it. I hear about it. I know the smell of it. I, for one, don’t believe in fidelity. I don’t think people are made to be with one person for the rest of their lives. Monogamy is not natural. I’m not the one to trip out if my man cheated. I didn’t trip this last time. I just filed for divorce and kept it moving.”

“I really do think fidelity is possible. I believe both people can be faithful.”

“Well, when you see it, will you introduce me to it? Because it is one elusive sucker.” Money grinned.

“I will.” Midori smiled and looked around for the waiter.

“I will say, what you don’t know won’t hurt you. You gonna cheat, and I don’t know about it, let’s move forward. Just be smart about it.”

“How can you use the words
smart
and
cheater
at the same time? Like we’re supposed to be giving them credit for outsmarting the woman?” Midori asked, placing her glass on the table while blinking fast.

“No, I’m not saying that. Just like the guys who come to us. They need to be discreet.
Discreet
is the word I’m looking for.”

“Good. That’s better.” She smiled.

“Look at you, getting all riled up.”

“You know us. We always did have our little debates.”

Money smiled, too. “True. I know it’s been tough. But I’m glad Bailey seems to have disappeared. He hasn’t called for service. And I really do hope things are cool with you and Virgil.”

“Oh, him? We broke up.”

“You did?” Money looked surprised.

Midori picked up her drink again. “Yeah. We argued about even the thought of him threatening to break into the mayor’s e-mail. He later told me he would let all that go and see how his stepdad does on his own. He did want to see me again after we broke up, but I said no. It just wouldn’t work. You know, him having a stepfather running for office. It was all a fantasy.”

“Okay now. You sure you won’t change your mind and check it out? See what happens.”

“I do wonder at times, but no, I won’t. Can I tell you something?”

Money nodded.

“I did fall for him. But I know it wouldn’t work.”

“I can understand that. Plus, with him still thinking you’re in real estate, not knowing the truth. You’d need to deal with that. He does still think that, right?”

“He does.” She hoped her face didn’t show her lie.

“I see. Just keep him a little bit close, just so you know what he’s up to. We haven’t heard from Senator Ellington in a minute, either. And since he seems to be doing well in the polls, the more popular he gets, he won’t be able to go anywhere without people recognizing him. So you’re right. That’s probably a done deal. I’m glad all of that ‘spying on the opponent’ crap has died down.”

“Me too.”

“Hi,” Money said to a good-looking white guy who walked by, heading to the nearby bar. He smiled and took his seat upon a teal-blue bar stool. One minute later another man walked up to him, and the two of them talked.

Money and Midori chatted some more before Money leaned in. “I’ll bet you he’s an escort.”

Midori looked over coyly. “Why?”

“Okay, well, maybe it’s a first date, but it’s definitely two men hooking up.”

“Really. You think they’re gay?”

“Look at them.” They both checked them out harder as the bartender set two drinks in front of the men. “The touching of the forearm, blushing, giggling. They’re flirting just like a man and a woman would. And look, a damn mai tai. What man drinks mai tais unless he’s got a little fruit in his basket?”

“Fruit basket? Please. I don’t see it, but, if you say so.” Midori glanced away, shaking her head at her sister.

The second man patted the first man on the back, then got up and walked away, heading in the direction of the restroom.

Money placed her lap napkin on the table. “Midori, come with me. Don’t want the guy to come back thinking I’m hitting on his friend. Plus, I want you to hear this.” She scooted her chair back and got up.

“Okay.” Midori put down her drink and got up, too.

Money led the way a few steps to where the man sat. “Ummm, hi. Excuse us. My name is Ms. Watts. This is my friend.”

“Hi,” he said, smiling at them both.

Midori nodded. “Hi.”

Money said, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Have you ever thought about the business? You know—escorting people on dates?”

“No.”

“Well, can you call me on your phone right now, just in case you ever think about it? It’s a six-figure income. Maybe more.”

He took his BlackBerry from the bar and handed it to her. “Okay. Here, you do it.”

“Okay.” Money dialed herself. Her phone rang from the table where she and Midori had sat. She hung up his phone. “Your name?”

“They call me Bronx.”

“Bronx. I like that. Okay. Well. Sorry to bother you. You have a good one.”

“You too,” he said to them both.

As they went back to their table Money said, “Maybe I’m wrong, but something’s up with him.”

“He is handsome.”

“Fine as fuck.”

“Maybe fine as shit. But not quite fine as fuck.” Midori laughed, and they sat back down.

“Oh. Okay. Not as fine as your good doctor.”

“Not even.”

“Can’t believe they call him Bronx. That fits right in.” Her cell beeped. She looked at her phone and read the text, saying in a low tone, “Bronx is asking when he can start.”

“Really?” Midori looked surprised.

Money didn’t. She smiled and glanced over at him. His back was to her and he was still sitting alone. She said, “I’m telling him I’ll have the booker call him. And I’m keying in here that it’s both men and women.” She typed and then put her phone down. It beeped right back. She looked at it. “Bingo,” she said softly to Midori. “He said perfect. Told you.”

“Wow. I never would’ve guessed.”

“This is good. I’m convinced there’s more money in closeted clients than straight ones. He’s gonna be good for us. We’ll get him tested and ready.”

She called her booker and spoke in almost a whisper, looking around to see who might be nearby as she fingered the strands of her long hair. “Hey. I think I’ve got the match for Mr. 11. I’ll text you his phone number. Hook them up as soon as Mr. 11 is in town. His name is Bronx. I know. Thanks.” She hung up.

“Just like that?” Midori asked.

“Just like that.”

“Well, aren’t you the recruiter?”

“Of course I am. Besides, if I don’t recruit, believe me, Romeo’s ass will.”

The waiter walked up and placed their main courses before them.

“There he is,” Midori said, looking relieved. She inhaled the aroma of her seafood, then said, “You’re also my sister.”

“That I am.” Money broke out into a full smile. She told the waiter, “Thanks.”

He asked, “Can I get you ladies anything else?”

“No, we’re good,” replied Midori. He walked away and she said to Money, “One day, we’ll get our happily-ever-after.”

“If you say so, Midori. If you say so.”