I shake my head while laughing at these silly thoughts, but it’s true. My experience with the Hulk was enchanting and meaningful, even it was a paid date. Still, I’m taking it easy today. Like my lover said, I’ve earned it.
Finally, I haul myself out of the tub, and in my sweatpants and oversized coffee lovers t-shirt, I stroll over to the loveseat in my apartment and slip under my favorite purple blanket. A rich mocha is at my elbow, and the romance I have in hand, Mr. Eldridge’s Daughters, is something I’ve been trying to finish for ages now. Despite being a historical romance, it’s utterly filthy and taboo. Mr. Eldridge evidently has five daughters who band together to form a whorehouse in Victorian England. Spicy? Yes, and exactly up my alley.
But right when I get to the part about the youngest daughter experiencing anal for the first time, my phone rings and I jolt with surprise, almost spilling my drink.
“Ugh.”
It’s a video request from my manager at Curves, Nicole. I really don’t want to answer, but I press the green button.
“Hey Nicole,” I say in a somewhat sour tone. “I just got to a good part in my book.”
My manager’s face lights up my screen, and to be honest, it’s not a face people would associate with a madame. Instead of having a Cruella de Ville look, instead, Nicole looks like a Midwestern mom who shops at Target. She’s middle-aged with kind, cornflower blue eyes and a sweet smile. Her hair is cut in that weird style that’s like a reverse mullet, and for the most part, her clothes look to be from Old Navy. It works though, because you’d never guess that Nicole is a handler with Curves. Instead, she looks like a PTA mom, which she probably is.
“Hey Chrissy,” she sings. “Sorry to interrupt. What book are you reading?” I hold up the novel so she can see the cover. “Oh my God, I’ve wanted to read that one for so long!” my manager gushes. “Is it good?”
I nod.
“Yes, definitely. I think us Curves girls could even learn something from it, to be honest, because it’s pure filth but in a Victorian setting.”
Nicole laughs with mirth.
“Then I’ll definitely have to pick it up. But speaking of which, I just wanted to check in with you about your date last night, and to make sure everything went well.”
I think for a moment.
“It went really well. Why?”
“Oh wonderful,” she gushes with a big smile. “That’s great news.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“Yes, but I want to ask: why did Sanford even book Curves? He’s obviously easy on the eyes and even famous because he’s a former professional athlete. He doesn’t need the agency.”
At first, Nicole tries to beat around the bush.
“For the same reason all of our clients book through us. They want intelligent, sassy, and beautiful women, and that’s you, honey. Plus, they don’t have to work for it when they use us,” she winks.
But I won’t be dismissed so easily.
“No, it’s more than that. Did he give you a particular reason for needing an escort?”
Nicole looks down and sighs for a moment before meeting my eyes through the screen again.
“Yes, Mr. Cooper requested a woman who could accommodate a large man, if you get my drift.”
I shoot her a look.
“Yeah, but why didn’t you tell me so I could be prepared?”
She scrunches her nose.
“Well, he said he’d bring all the accoutrements you’d need—”
I cut her off.
“No, not with lube and all that. I mean, why didn’t you give me a heads up as a professional courtesy? Just so I’d know ahead of time.”
My manager sighs again.
“I’m sorry Chrissy. I just didn’t want to spook you before you went into date. Mr. Cooper could be a great earner for Curves, and I knew if anyone could handle him, it would be you.”
I sigh myself, hearing the word “earner.” It makes me feel like I’m on some sci-fi world toiling in the mines, and that I’ve been classified as an “Earner.” But then, a thought strikes.
“I’m not the first girl you set up with Sanford, am I?”
Nicole bites her lips, but then nods.
“You’re not. He went out with another one of our girls about two weeks ago, and we thought she’d be a good fit because she’s had three kids. She’d be stretchy down there, and able to accommodate him. But it turns out that women really do bounce back after pregnancy because she couldn’t take it. We offered to refund the fee, but Mr. Cooper merely asked to try again, with a different girl this time.”
I squint at Nicole.
“So why’d you pick me then?”
She sighs and taps one finger a bit.
“Well, when Mr. Cooper decided to give us one more chance to find him the right girl we had to make sure we picked someone who could deliver, and you were the first woman who popped into mind. You’re sassy and feisty, Chrissy, and even better, you never back down from a challenge. I was sure you’d be just his type and it seems I was right too, because he reached out to me this morning to request another rendezvous with you.”