Oh…Mr. High Class has some serious sharp edges. “I misunderstood. Allow me to start again.”
He made a get on with it gesture with his fork and I took that to begin.
“I’ve worked at The Crystal Menagerie for five years, loved it, was good at it—”
“It.” Ben didn’t ask a question, just spoke one word.
“Men, sex, being a companion. I can read a room and sure as shit know what men want.”
The fork slid out of Ben’s mouth and slowly he placed it on his plate. “Sure as shit?”
“Yeah. I was the best The Crystal Menagerie had.”
“If you were so great, if you loved it so much, Mr. Riley, why are you no longer there? Why seek out new employment and start over again?”
I wiped my mouth with my napkin and looked him straight in the eyes as I spoke. “Because a year ago when I saw you at the Holiday Ball, I asked about you and Supernal, realized I wasn’t, in fact, working at the best escort service in the country, and I couldn’t have that. So, here I am—I’m the best and I want to work for the best.”
He tilted his head to the side, a ghost of a smile on his face. “Let’s hope your confidence isn’t your curse, Mr. Riley.”
Did that mean I got the job?
“Finish eating, we will go to my office to discuss details further.”
Shit. I think I got the job!
3
Ben
Crew was a firecracker. I knew several clients who would very much love his personality. While I wasn’t a fan of his sharp tongue being directed at me, I understood others enjoyed such things.
As we stepped into my office, I gestured for him to sit across from me. Dane had already put together the paperwork—I swear that man was all knowing.
“I can see you have a quality that could be beneficial to Supernal. There are clients who enjoy someone of your character.”
He smiled. “And you, do you like it?”
“I’m not a client. I am, however, your boss, and while I let it slide that you spoke to me in such a manner at lunch, do understand I expect the utmost respect. You’re paid well, want for nothing, and are safe and well taken care of here. In return, I expect respect.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “And all your boys obey you?”
“Obey is a word I don’t like used when referring to the business relationship I have with mymen…not boys.”
“I will always treat those with the same respect given to me. But, yeah, I have a personality and I won’t be someone I’m not, you get me?”
I understood what he was saying completely. “I want you, all those under my employ, to be treated well. I will not tolerate disrespect. Your personality is yours and I’m sure while you’re here you’ll clash with some of the men, and others you’ll click with. I have an open-door policy when it comes to concerns. Dane is also always readily available to assist.”
Crew wagged a finger at me. “I knew this was the perfect place for me.”
I quirked a brow, I wasn’t about to feed into his overconfidence. “Let’s go over the contract, shall we?”
We spent the next hour talking salary, explained dos and don’ts as well as fireable offenses. I explained the importance of his body, his choice, and that no client ever holds the control when it comes to his will. If any try to cross that line, I’d blacklist them faster than they’d be thrown out the door.
“All of this looks amazing, Ben, I—”
“Mr. Asher. You’ll refer to me as such.”
“Mr. Asher, right, okay…” He shot me a smirk but went right along with what he was going to say. “I am eager to start.”