Read Online Like a Lover by Jay Northcote - Free Book Online Page A

obvious displeasure when Josh said he couldn’t see
him on Friday, but he settled for Saturday instead. Josh kissed away the pout
to his lips until he stopped frowning and smiled again.
     
     
    Lying in
bed on Saturday after they’d fucked, Rupert asked Josh if he could book all
three of the nights Josh had scheduled as client nights in the following week.
    “Seriously?”
Josh turned so he could see Rupert’s face.
    Rupert
flushed and avoided his gaze by looking at the calendar on his phone instead.
“Is that a no?”
    “No, it’s
not a no. But why, Rupert? Why spend all that money for sex with me? I mean… I
know I’m good.” He let a little humour creep into his voice. “But I’m not that good.”
    “Will you
do it or not?” Rupert glanced at him then, his jaw set as he waited for Josh to
reply.
    Josh knew
he should say no. Rupert was so far under his skin already that it wasn’t a
good idea to keep seeing him so frequently. If Josh were smart, he’d claim he
had other bookings he couldn’t get out of. He was already seeing Rupert more
than he was comfortable with. Plus he felt oddly protective too. Whatever
Rupert's motivations were, Josh was sure it wasn’t wise for either of them to
get tied into some weird, exclusive client-prostitute relationship. It couldn’t
last, and he didn’t see any way it could end well.
    But against
his better judgement, he found himself agreeing. “Okay, then.”
    He could
cancel the new guy he’d agreed to see on Friday. Better to keep an existing client happy . The smile that lit up
Rupert’s face sent a warm flush of answering pleasure and excitement through
Josh. He tamped it down fast, but it did nothing to dispel his misgivings that
he was biting off more than he could chew.
     
     
    Each of the
next three appointments went by much like their others.
    They met
for a drink first and exchanged small talk. It felt more like a date every
time, and Josh had to keep reminding himself that wasn’t what this was. They
might act like lovers, but this was a job.
    Rupert
seemed to struggle with the boundaries too. He was affectionate in public,
touching Josh’s hand across the table, placing his palm in the small of Josh’s
back to guide him into the lift. But Josh wondered if that was part of the
fantasy for Rupert, if he liked to imagine there was more between them than a
verbal contract and an hourly rate.
    After
they’d come for the second time on Saturday night, they lay spooned together on
top of the hotel covers. Josh had his back to Rupert. Rupert hadn’t moved after
fucking him other than to pull out and throw the condom into the bin. His arm
was heavy and warm over Josh’s ribs, and Josh was sleepy and comfortable. He
knew the two hours Rupert had paid for had probably passed, but he didn’t want
to move.
    “Can I book
you for three nights next week too?” Rupert asked.
    “I’ve got
exams starting next week, so I’m taking a couple of weeks off.”
    “Oh… okay.
Of course.” There was an almost-hurt tone to Rupert’s voice.
    Josh put
his hand over Rupert’s where it rested on his stomach and let his fingers slide
between Rupert’s. “Sorry.”
    Rupert took
his hand away and rolled to sit up. “No need to apologise. Your studies should
come before your job. I understand.” He sounded stiff and formal. “I’d better
get going. I think my time’s up for tonight.” He got up and started gathering
his clothes from where they’d been discarded in haste earlier. He kept his back
to Josh as he stepped into his boxers and pulled them up.
    Josh
suddenly realised the prospect of two weeks without seeing Rupert wasn’t very
appealing to him either. He enjoyed the time they spent together—more
than he should. “If I get a free night where I need a break from revising, I
could call you,” he offered. “If you wanted?”
    Rupert
straightened up and turned with a pleased smile. “Yeah. That would be good.”
    When he was
dressed, he kissed Josh