Nick has noticed her at yoga class several sessions running, gradually aware of the slender woman sinuously stretching next to him. Since when he's covertly ogled her pert boobs, taut thighs and, oh, those firm buttocks. Face makeup-free, damp hair in a loose ponytail; in contrast, her finger and toenails are always freshly manicured and painted. Strange that.
Overhearing a conversation, Nick discovers she's part of a group of dedicated cold-water swimmers who take a dip regardless of the weather before the class commences. Which no doubt explains the mystery woman's enviable energy and healthy skin tone. Eventually, he learns her name, Suki. Has she, Nick wonders, noticed me sneaking peeks?
Is this man aware I've been quietly sizing him up, thinks Suki at much the same time? The good-looking guy is in better nick than most blokes she meets. Suki smiles inwardly, Nick, a terrible pun given it's his real name. Not, groan, a nickname. Never let it be said she lacks a sense of humour.
Unknown to either, each is tempted to ask for a date. On the other hand, both have busy lives, and neither wants to get turned down when sharing the same exercise studio every week. Consequently, the two continue to co-exist in a causally nodding, covertly watching, mutually fancying limbo. Until...
Nick is working in London, covering an important business conference. Speeches and seminars over, the gathering adjourns for a formal dinner at an exceptionally posh hotel, where sat with other journalists covering the event, Nick sees an internationally known financier make his way to the top table accompanied by - it can't be - Suki. Does a double take. No doubt about it. A woman transformed, in a figure-hugging dress and sky-high heels she looks a million dollars.
An experienced observer of the corporate world, Nick immediately suspects Suki is only there as arm candy, helping the banker keep up appearances. Momentarily they exchange a look, equally surprised to see their classmate. It seems to Nick her long-lashed eyes silently implore him to keep his knowledge of her identity under wraps, or is he reading too much into a fleeting glance?
After the meal people circulate, chatting and networking. Nick observes Suki's VIP depart, talking urgently on his phone. Shortly after, a female hand touches his shoulder as he reads his notes. He turns in surprise. Wow, close-up Suki exudes elegance and sensuality.
"Hi," she comes straight to the point. "No point in pretending we haven't seen each other, okay if I join you?'
"Sure," recovering his composure, Nick politely pulls out a chair and Suki sits, side slits in her designer dress revealing a glorious expanse of tanned legs, glossy dark hair shining, silver bracelets catching the light.
"You've guessed why I'm here?"
"Some sort of professional companion."
"Tactfully expressed and astutely observed. "I do a couple of these..." Suki pauses, searching out a neutral word, "...partnering gigs a month. Pays very well, and leaves plenty of time for other activities, such as swimming and yoga."
"I can see the attraction of such a flexible means to make money, and of course you," Nick adds.
"Very gallant, thank you, consider me charmed. It's not money for old rope though," she says hastily.
"You don't have to justify anything..."
"If I explain you might be persuaded to keep my secret."
"I'll do so regardless, I promise," Nick replies, honestly.
"Hope you don't mind my talking? This constantly clandestine lifestyle is tiring, it feels good to share with someone I can trust," continues Suki.
"I'm intrigued, tell me more."
"My clients aren't simply hiring a bimbo," explains Suki, " rich and powerful they're smart too. Buying physical attraction, but also want someone to talk with on their intellectual level. So much homework! Lots of prep about their businesses, keeping tabs on current affairs and acting as a surrogate confidant and therapist."
"Tedious?" Sounds it to Nick.
"Sometimes, but most are interesting, personable and treat me well. I've visited some amazing places."
"They can't all be Prince Charming."
"No, a few are horrid, especially after too much booze, but I've developed coping strategies - plus the agency provides backup."
"You work for someone?"
"Too risky not to, they take bookings, ensure I'm paid and are instantly contactable if there's trouble. No advertising of course, all under the radar word of mouth and recommendation."
"And at the end of the evening?" Nick knows he's being intrusive. but can't resist posing the question.
"Legally, the default position is the punter simply booked an escort. Privately, further arrangements are at my discretion. To be honest, I'm sometimes a sex worker. Some of my clients want more than company and I sleep with a lucky few, exclusivity ensures my price stays high.
"And tonight?"
"My date got called away to deal with a crisis in capitalism," Suki laughs. "Extra services were never an issue, the man is gay and from a country where coming out isn't an option. One of my regulars, he puts me up in a room adjacent to his suite, giving the impression we're an item. Instead, I usually pass a young man making his way there on my way out. Gosh, I've said an awful lot."
"Kind of my job, to listen."
"You're a journalist?"
"Freelance newspaper writer for the financial pages, wouldn't be seen dead here otherwise."
"What a wonderful coincidence, though," Suki favours him with an unambiguously flirtatious expression and lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Want to come up and see my room, get a taste of how the super-rich live? I've suddenly got a whole evening free..." Who could refuse?
Turns out they don't spend much time checking out the decor. Suki sashays across the carpet and wriggles her hips enticingly. How can she walk in such heels, ponders Nick, admiring the way they alter her posture, pushing that superb derriere, no doubt deliberately, into delightful prominence. He lounges laconically against the doorpost, enjoying the view until Suzi takes the initiative and kisses him ardently.
"Unzip me," she demands, turning her back and kicking off those killer shoes. Shimmying sexily out of the dress, she climbs onto the massive bed and crawls slowly towards him on hands and knees. Is this the sort of provocative display Suki routinely performs for clients, or done especially for Nick's benefit? He watches amused, not yet ready to make a move.
"Playing it cool eh," muses Suki, "we'll see about that mister."
Nick is treated to an enticing view of her decolletage, barely contained by a lacy scrap of a bra, nipples already erect. She grabs his belt, pulls Nick closer and frees his straining cock.
"Right, let's see what you've got," she says in a voice redolent with lascivious intent. "My, you are pleased to see me." Suki looks up with a faux innocent expression, takes the tip of his cock between red lips, at the same time encircling his girth with a practised hand, bobs her head up and down then sucks him into her hot mouth. A couple of blissful minutes later, Nick politely detaches the dexterous maven.
"Wonderful though that BJ is, neither of us want to peak too soon," he says, regretfully deferring gratification. Momentarily disappointed, Suki views him suspiciously.
"Does what I do to earn money put you off?"
"You mean am I scared of you comparing me with other guys? Moral qualms about sex for money? Dislike female autonomy?"
"All of the above."
"Then no - makes you all the more interesting. The only place I'd want to tell you what to do is the bedroom."
"Good, because if this were an audition, you'd have aced it so far," Suki lays it on the line: "This is a different power dynamic for me, a chance to indulge fantasies, gratify my desires. I don't feel guilty about what I do but does take a toll on my sex life."
"I think I can fix that," says Nick confidently.
"So how do you propose to have your wicked way with me?"
"Like this," Nick answers, arranging Suki's lithe body on the bed, legs overhanging the edge and sliding down her knickers. "To start with, I'm going down on you."
"Oh, yes please," Suki blatantly opens her thighs, affording unrestricted access to all intimate areas. "And what then?"
"I fuck you - I've been wanting to for weeks."
"I was hoping you might say that."
Nick applies his mouth to her pussy, already swollen with arousal. Suki moans, spreading her legs wider, mutely inviting him to tongue her clit, lost to pleasure. Nick adeptly parts her labia and pushes a finger inside the velvet smoothness of her vagina. Adds another digit and frigs Suki's juicy pussy, taking her to the edge of orgasm. Insinuates a third, pushing far into her honeypot until a spasm heralds her climax, and she spurts onto his hand.
"Naughty girl," he admonishes
"That was very bad of me," she agrees happily.
"Roll over," he commands, and Suki meekly obeys, turning onto her front to expose nether cheeks worthy of a Botticelli sculpture. Nick applies the palm of his hand to the smooth skin, spanking them just sufficiently hard to sting. After a while she began to squirm, breathing faster.
"Does that hurt?" he enquires.
"Not really," she says, perhaps unwisely since he then slaps the tender tops of her thighs. "It smarts a little now," Suki pauses, "but in a good way." Nick increases the tempo and intensity, spanking her buttocks pink, however when Suki yelps, takes the hint and stops.
"A sample of what to expect in future," says Nick. "Now kneel up on the bed."
Totally in the zone, Suki complies unquestioningly, favouring him with a smouldering glance over her shoulder. On all fours is her absolute favourite position in which to be fucked. Nick guides the thick girth of his cock into her slickly lubricated slot, pushing deep inside the warm wetness in a single thrust. Having her tight love tunnel filled so swiftly and completely is almost too much, Suki gasps and writhes in delight at the exquisite sensations.
"Slow down baby," she pants, "let me adjust the angle, oh yes, rubbing against my clit, so intense."
