New Story: First Impressions (J2AU) NC-17
Written at my usual slow as molasses pace, this is for Working Hard for the Money - a spn/j2 fic meme. The theme is sex workers. The prompt I chose was: Jared meets Jensen at a Hollywood party. He assumes, wrongly, that Jensen's for hire. Jensen thinks Jared's hot, so he just goes with it.
I will tell you right now, this is undoubtedly the schmoopiest hooker fic known to man.
You've been warned.
Beta'ed by the ever talented callistosh65 and debbiel66. Thanks as always, ladies.
***
First Impressions
By Ancasta
"Chad, are you sure?"
"I'm telling you, Jay, the guy's a pro. I heard him talking rate with that skinny bald dude over there."
Jared sighed and snuck another peek at the man in question. Tall, broad shoulders, trim ass, perfect features, perfect hair. God. If Jared had been asked to list his turn-ons, he would have wound up describing this man to a tee. He was everything Jared liked in a guy and more.
"Even if he is for hire, there's no way I could afford him," Jared said, turning away and taking a sip of his beer. The last thing he wanted was for his ideal man to catch him ogling.
"That's complete and utter bullshit, and you know it," Chad said with an authority born of friendship and alcohol. "You've got your first residual check burning a hole in your bank account. Unless his dick is gold-plated, you can afford him. You'd said you wanted to celebrate, treat yourself a little. What better way than this?"
"I'd meant maybe go out for a really good steak or get the truck detailed or something," Jared said. "Not spend a couple of hours with a hooker." Standing far too near, a spray-tanned starlet looked his way and frowned, reminding Jared that Chad and he weren't exactly alone. Damned overcrowded industry parties. Jared hated them. He wouldn’t have even bothered going if his agent hadn't guilted him into it.
Chad leaned in close, as if learning from Jared's mistake. "Look, man, the last thing I want to pay any attention to is your sex life. Trust me on that, okay? But I swear to God, if you don't get yourself laid-and soon-I'm going to start advertising for a new roommate."
That was low. Jared had known Chad longer than most of his other friends combined. So he couldn't help but sound a little hurt when he asked, "What are you talking about?"
Frowning, Chad narrowed his eyes. More than usual. "I mean all your homo angst is seriously messing with my mojo."
"'Homo angst'? What homo angst?" Jared demanded more loudly than he'd intended. Luckily, this time, no one spared him a glance. "I'm not seeing anyone. I've never even brought anybody back to the apartment-which, it bears noting, is more than I can say for you."
"Exactly!" Chad said, gesturing so broadly his gin and tonic sloshed in its glass and splashed over onto his wrist. "You're not seeing anyone. But you want to, and I understand that. A man has needs. Only ever since that bastard Randy fucked with your head instead of your ass, you're not even willing to try."
"That's not true," Jared said, drinking some more beer. Even though it really kind of was. Randy and he had met at the gym where Jared used to have a membership. Jared had spent months mooning over him before Randy had finally asked him out. By the end of their first date, Jared had been head over heels. By the end of their fifth, it was over.
"Dude, don't pull that crap," Chad said, wiping his damp sleeve on his pant leg. "I was there, remember? Just because that world-class asshole ran the other way when you asked him to pop your cherry, doesn't mean every gay guy will. You've gotta get back in the game."
"Ran the other way," Jared echoed softly, looking down at his feet. The really sad thing was Chad wasn't exaggerating. Randy had been into him-gratifyingly so-until he'd found out he'd be Jared's first. That, he'd wanted no part of.
Sorry, Jay, but I’m nobody’s training wheels.
His rejection had made Jared feel diseased instead of simply someone who'd discovered their preferences a little later than most. It still made him feel that way, if Jared were honest.
"I just want you to consider something," Chad said, slinging his gin-moist arm around Jared's shoulder. "If you're paying a guy, he's not going to dump you. You'd be calling the shots. Think of it-this is the perfect way for you to finally lose your damned virginity and get on with your life."
Jared wanted that almost as much as he wanted Mr. Ideal on the other side of the room. "I guess you might have a point."
"Of course I do," Chad said, giving Jared a little shake. "I've got more going for me than my stunning good looks."
Jared smiled. "You do. You're a good friend."
"Fuckin' A," Chad said, finishing off his drink.
"Okay," Jared said, taking a slow, deep breath. "Maybe you're right, maybe this is a good idea. So…what should I do?"
Chad shrugged. "Go over and find out if he's available. And while you're doing that, I'll find somewhere not to sleep tonight."
"And if he isn't available?"
"Make an appointment. The sooner, the better. Just call me, so I know what's up."
Make an appointment. Like he was getting his teeth cleaned or his hair cut. That’s all it would take to make Jared someone the Randys of the world wouldn’t kick out of bed without so much as an ‘I’ll call you.’
When he looked at it that way, the decision was simple.
Nodding, Jared squared his shoulders and set his all but empty beer bottle on a nearby tray. "All right. Yeah. I'm gonna do this. Wish me luck."
"Go get'em, tiger," Chad said with a hearty thump to Jared's back. "You march on over there and you buy yourself some time with the gay hooker of your dreams."
Laughing in a way that threatened to deteriorate into hysteria, Jared left his roommate and wound his way through the throng of beautiful people. The man he was heading towards didn't seem aware of his approach. Mr. Ideal was chatting with a stylishly dressed woman, old enough to be his mother. Jared sincerely hoped she wasn't in the process of making an appointment of her own. He'd heard the saying 'he who hesitates is lost.' But he would have to wonder what kind of horrible karma he was working off if he were to be deprived now, after he'd finally summoned the courage to make his move.
"So, will I see you on Tuesday," Jared heard the woman say as he drew near, "at our usual time?"
Mr. Ideal smiled, full of charm. "Just try and keep me away." Like an old-fashioned gallant, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
The woman looked amused. "You, sir, are a flirt."
Mr. Ideal didn't seem bothered. "What can I say? You inspire me."
Wow, Jared thought. He's smooth.
The woman chuckled. "I'll see you on Tuesday, Jensen. In the meantime, try and behave."
"I'll do my best."
As soon as the woman had faded into the crowd, Jared took the final few steps to Jensen's side. "Hi."
Jensen's eyes swung around to meet his. They were green and clear and as beautiful as the rest of him. Man. The guy must make a fortune in his line of work. "Hi."
"I'm Jared," Jared said, offering him his hand.
After the briefest hesitation, Jensen took it. He had a good handshake. "Jensen. Nice to meet you."
They both just looked at each other for a moment before Jared blurted out, "So…do you go to many of these things?" Great. Just great. Way to open up a conversation with a line one step removed from 'Do you come here often?' Was it any wonder he couldn’t get laid?
Thankfully, Jensen didn't seem to notice. "A few. Kind of goes with the territory, you know?"
Sure, Jared thought. That made sense. Prostitutes needed to network, same as anyone. "I know what you mean, my agent is always nagging me to get out more and be seen. Don't like it much, though. Half the time I just stand around at these things, feeling like a dork."
"Are you an actor?" Jensen asked.
"Yeah. Just starting out, but yeah."
"Done anything I might have seen?"
"I booked a national commercial," Jared replied with his brightest smile. "For Adidas. It's the one with a bunch of guys playing basketball and then a girl comes along and is better than any of them. I'm one of the guys."
"I kind of figured," Jensen murmured with an answering smile before taking a sip of his drink. Whiskey, Jared thought. Or maybe bourbon.
He plowed ahead. "It's airing now. My mom called to say she saw it last week during American Idol. She was pissed she didn't have the DVR going."
"Sorry, I don't think I've seen it," Jensen said with what sounded like genuine regret. "I don't watch a lot of TV. I work most nights."
Of course, Jared thought. He would, wouldn't he?
Jared shook his head. "It's no big deal."
"Yeah, it is," Jensen said. "Booking a national commercial is a huge deal. You should be proud of yourself, especially if you're new to town. Believe me; I know how hard that can be."
"Yeah," Jared said, sympathy beginning to stir as he considered what might have driven Jensen to take up this kind of work. What if he'd come to Hollywood, just like Jared had, hoping for his big break, only to wind up doing this instead? What must have happened? If he'd suffered some kind of setback, hadn't he anyone he could turn to, friends he could lean on? Jared's heart ached for the guy. "I guess I got lucky."
Jensen nodded and took another sip of his drink. "Never underestimate the importance of luck."
"No," Jared said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Luck is good."
Jensen looked at Jared over the rim of his glass, his gaze warm and approving. He didn't seem bored or ready to excuse himself, Jared thought, despite their less than scintillating conversation. Maybe he was into the idea of Jared being his next client. Jared figured there was only one way to find out.
"So, um…are you here alone?" Jared asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. He hadn't seen Jensen spend much time with anyone in particular. From what Jared had been able to tell, Jensen had mostly been hanging out off to the side, visiting with people now and then. But no one had seemed to capture his attention for long.
"Yeah," Jensen said. "I came on my own. What about you?"
"Oh, I, uh…my roommate and I came together," Jared said, searching the room to see where Chad might have gone. He caught sight of him over near the bar, chatting up a sweet-looking brunette. She seemed to be enjoying his company. It appeared Jared wasn't going to have to feel guilty about where Chad spent the night. "But I'm pretty sure he's got plans for the evening."
"Plans that include him being out of the apartment?" Jensen asked.
Jared couldn't be certain-he didn't trust himself when it came to stuff like this-but he was pretty sure that was meant to be suggestive, or at the very least a little flirty. He tried not to act as flustered as he felt. "That's what he said."
Jensen pursed his lips and lifted his brows, as if he were giving the matter due consideration. "You know…luck is good. But privacy might be better."
"Yeah?" Jared said, his heart doing an odd little stutter-step inside his chest. "So you're available then?"
"That depends," Jensen murmured, the warmth in his eyes turning to heat. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, I don't know," Jared said, glancing down as he raked his hand through his hair. "I mean…I guess I need to know what you charge." He lifted his gaze, hating the blush he could feel rising to the surface of his skin.
He saw Jensen frowning. "What I charge?"
"Yeah," Jared said, wondering at the look on Jensen's face. He didn't seem pleased. Jared rushed to put things right. "I'm sorry. Is that rude? I don't know how to do this. I've never hired anyone before. I mean…not anyone who does what you do. Am I not supposed to ask about things like price?"
Jensen studied Jared, his expression unreadable, before swallowing down what was left of his drink and setting the glass aside. "What is it exactly you think I do?"
"Well…I thought, that is…" Jared could feel flop sweat trickling down the center of his back. This was a bad idea, such a bad, bad idea. "Never mind. You know what-I'm sorry. Forget it." He turned to walk away. Only Jensen stopped him.
"I don't want to forget it," Jensen said, his grip tight around Jared's wrist. "I just want to make sure we're on the same page. You're looking for a little company, is that right?"
Jared looked down at the hand on his arm, then brought his eyes level again. He wet his lips before he spoke. "That's right."
Jensen arched his brow. "Kinky or vanilla?"
Much as he wanted to, Jared couldn't hold Jensen's gaze and answer. He looked away once more. "Uh…vanilla, I guess."
Jensen began sweeping his thumb back and forth over the inside of Jared's wrist. "What do you want to do?"
That made Jared lift his chin. "What do you mean?"
Jensen seemed amused he could make Jared squirm. "You want a hand job, a blowjob? Something quick? Or do you want to take your time?"
Jared swallowed hard. "I…uh, I don't want to rush."
Jensen smiled. It wasn't particularly friendly. "You want to fuck me."
"No," Jared said quickly. "Actually…I was hoping you would do me."
Jensen's thumb stilled on his wrist. "You were?"
"Yeah," Jared said, nodding. "Don't you do that kind of thing?"
Now Jensen was the one who seemed addled. He let go of Jared's arm. "No, I…uh…I do."
"Great, then…um, how much for that?"
Jensen didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at Jared long and hard, as if trying to make up his mind about something. "One thousand dollars."
Jared's eyes widened. "For a fuck?"
"For the night."
A whole night? A thousand bucks might be more than it would have cost him for a steak dinner, but Chad was right-Jared could afford it. "Oh. A night. Okay."
It was more than okay. It was awesome. Jared hadn't been with a lot of guys during his admittedly spotty sexual history, but Jensen was way hotter than any of them. Only…
"Do you take credit cards?"
Jensen shook his head and chuckled. "Dude, do I look like I have one of those approval machines stashed in my pocket?"
"No. No, I'm sorry," Jared said, scrambling yet again to make it right. He couldn't remember Richard Gere going through anything like this in Pretty Woman. "It's just…I've got maybe forty, fifty bucks on me, and I don't think the ATM will let me withdraw more than a few hundred, so I'm worried-"
"Do you have a checking account, Jared?" Jensen was looking at him calmly. But Jared thought he spied laughter in his eyes.
"You're willing to take a check?" Jared asked.
"Why not?" Jensen said, folding his arms across his chest. "Are you going to fuck with me?"
"What? No!" Jared said. "No. I wouldn't do that."
Jensen shrugged. "Well then, I don't see a problem. Besides-we're going back to your place, right?"
Jared nodded. "Yeah. We're going back to my place."
"Good. Then I'll know where to find you if it bounces."
Their deal struck, the two men headed out. But not before Jared pulled out his phone and dialed Chad.
"Chad, hey. I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving. I'll see you later."
"Tell me you're not leaving alone."
"I'm not."
"Score! I'm not either, man-and that's a promise. Have an awesome time, okay? We'll compare notes tomorrow."
"Yeah. All right. Just, um…don't come home too early."
"You dog! It's a deal."
As it turned out, Jensen had taken a cab to the event, so they only needed to collect Jared's truck from the valet. While they waited for an attendant, Jared tried to initiate conversation with Jensen. But it was awkward. There were too many people around to speak freely about their plans for the evening, and it wasn't like Jensen and he really knew each other all that well to begin with. They didn't progress much beyond what a nice night it was and how packed it had been inside.
Jared began to worry. He wasn't very good at casual; he knew that about himself. When he'd been dating girls, he'd gone from one long-term relationship to another. Since discovering guys, he'd hooked up a few times. But it had never been anything heavy, and he'd always had more than the single bottle of beer he'd drunk that night to ease the way. He was nervous, plain and simple, and was pretty sure the condition would only get worse the closer they got to his bedroom.
There was only one thing Jared could think of that might rectify the situation.
"Hey, are you hungry?" he asked, once Jensen and he were in his pick-up and pulling away from the party.
Jensen looked surprised by the question. "Are you?"
Jared chuckled. "If you knew me at all, you'd know how silly that question is. Which is kind of my point."
"What are you talking about?"
Jared chose his words with care. "I was just thinking it might be nice if we had the chance to get to know each other a little bit first. I mean…since we have the whole night."
Jensen arched his brow. "You're dropping a G and you want to spend part of the time you bought eating dinner?"
"Maybe not dinner," Jared said. It was a little late for something heavy, after all. Nearly ten o'clock. "What about coffee and dessert?"
Jensen chuckled, then shrugged. "It's your money, man."
"Good. All right. We'll stop first." Jared reached over and hit the button on the dashboard CD player. Our Lady Peace issued from the speakers, filling the silence. He kept the volume low enough that they could talk over it if they wanted to. He just couldn't tell if Jensen would. He was kind of hard to read. About a lot of things.
"Where we'll be stopping…will they have pie?"
Jared glanced over to his right. Jensen was looking back at him as if nations might fall, depending upon his answer. "I think I can find us someplace with pie."
Slowly, Jensen smiled.
Jared turned his attention back to the road. Maybe this really would be okay, after all.
They wound up at Dinah's Kitchen, a restaurant featuring classic diner fare served by a not so classic wait staff-instead of aprons and name tags, they were more about tattoos and piercings. Still the food was good and cheap, and they served pie. They lucked out and got a booth against the front window. Jensen ordered apple pie and coffee; Jared opted for a root beer float.
"What are you-six?" Jensen asked, frowning at Jared's dessert even though it was clear he was only teasing.
"Yep. Just tall for my age," Jared said before blowing the paper off his straw. It shot through the air like a sea serpent through water.
"Tall for any age," Jensen grumbled, catching the straw casing mid-flight, rolling it into a ball and flicking it back at Jared.
Jared grinned when it bounced off his shoulder. "What can I tell you? They grow 'em big in Texas."
That gave Jensen pause. "You're from Texas?"
"Y'all didn't pick up on my accent?" Jared asked, laying on thick the drawl he'd worked so hard to lose.
"I'm from Richardson," Jensen said, as if he couldn't believe the coincidence. "Just outside Dallas."
"San Antone," Jared said, pleased. He would never have known; Jensen had even less of an accent than he did.
"Home of the Alamo," Jensen said.
"Home of the World Champion San Antonio Spurs," Jared said, stirring his float.
Jensen rolled his eyes and cut into his piece of pie. "Oh, God. A Spurs fan."
From there, the flood gates opened. The pair found, while they differed when it came to basketball, they were united in their love of the Cowboys, Texas-style barbeque, and the quality of music to be found on 6th Street in Austin. The more they talked about the Lone Star State, the more Jensen let slip details of his life since leaving there. Jared was able to learn Jensen had spent a number of years in New York before moving to California, that he had an older brother and a younger sister-just like Jared-and that at one time he’d believed he'd make his living playing guitar.
"But you know how that goes," Jensen said, flagging down the waitress for a refill on his coffee. "Best laid plans and all that."
Jared nodded, wishing he could find out what had derailed Jensen's dreams. But they'd reached such a nice rapport; he didn't want to pry and ruin it all.
The minutes flew as they fueled up on caffeine and sugar. Jared couldn't believe it when he checked his watch and saw it was nearly midnight.
"You about ready to head out?" he asked.
Jensen smiled, easy and laid back. "It's your night. We play it your way."
Jared had to admit-it felt good to have that kind of control. "I think I'm ready."
"Lead on, Macduff."
Jared's apartment was less than a mile from the diner. They were there in no time.
"Please excuse the mess," Jared said as he opened the door. "I hadn't been expecting to bring anybody back with me, so the place isn't exactly ready for Architectural Digest. But then again, it never really is."
As they entered the apartment, Jared hit the light switch. Luckily things weren't all that bad, just the usual debris-dishes in the sink, mail piled on the bookcase near the door, a hodgepodge of game controllers and remotes littering the coffee table.
"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked, heading towards the refrigerator. On his way past, he tossed his keys into the bowl on the kitchen table. "We probably have beer."
"I think I'm good. Thanks."
Jared pulled out a bottle for himself just the same. Like clockwork, his nerves had returned. He thought he might need a little help calming them.
Beer in hand, Jared leaned his hip against the counter and watched Jensen wander around the living room, his hand trailing over the back of the sofa, his eyes taking it all in. Jared couldn't figure out the appeal. Any furniture that wasn't from Ikea had come from Goodwill, the carpet needed to be vacuumed and the only 'art' on the walls were a couple of vintage movie posters and a pinup calendar Chad's brother had gotten him for Christmas.
"So you really hadn't planned on picking anyone up tonight?" Jensen asked when his tour was finished and he was standing opposite Jared in the kitchen doorway.
"No," Jared said, shaking his head. "There was no big master plan. If anything, I figured Chad would bring someone back with him again and I'd be sleeping with earplugs in."
Jensen was watching him closely. "How did you know what I do for a living?"
Jared wished he didn't still get embarrassed, talking about Jensen's profession. "Chad found out. He heard you talking to someone."
Jensen raised his brows. "And came running back over to point out the hooker?" he asked dryly.
"No. No, not at all," Jared assured him. "I’d actually noticed you before he even said anything. I mentioned to Chad you were just my type, and it…kind of went from there."
Jensen nodded, his expression thoughtful. Then, eyes averted, he reached up to cradle Jared's cheek in his hand, leaned in, and kissed him. No tongue, just pressure and warm, soft lips. Making a hushed, breathless sound, Jared pulled Jensen to him, holding him close, wanting the kiss-innocent though it was-to last. He liked this. He liked it a lot. He hadn't been expecting gentleness.
"Why do you want a hooker to fuck you?" Jensen whispered when the kiss was finished, his face near, his lashes all but concealing his eyes.
Jared cleared his throat before he could speak. "I, uh…I want someone who knows what they're doing."
"There are plenty of experienced guys out there who aren't professionals," Jensen said, meeting his gaze. He pushed Jared's hair back and away from his face. It was all Jared could do to keep from closing his eyes and leaning into it.
"No, I know," Jared said, his mouth dry despite the beer. "It's just…I need to be sure."
"About what?" Jensen asked, lowering his hand.
"How it's all gonna go down," Jared said.
Jensen frowned. "What are you so nervous about?"
Knowing he was going to have to come clean sooner or later, Jared set his beer on the counter, and screwed up his courage. "I guess you should probably know. I-I've never done this before."
Jensen's eyes grew wide. "Like…ever?"
"No, not ever," Jared said. "I mean I've done it with girls. Tons of times with girls. Me having sex with them, that is. Not anything…you know…kinky."
"Have you done anything with a guy?" Jensen asked, seemingly concerned. Or maybe just confused.
"Yeah, of course," Jared said as emphatically as possible. "Lots of stuff." Which was maybe a slight exaggeration.
“Like what?” Jensen said, seemingly unwilling to take it on faith.
Jared sighed. “You know the things you’d mentioned at the party?” he said. “The quick stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve done that.
“But…?”
“But not much more.”
Jensen shook his head, small and slight, almost like he didn’t even know he was doing it. "I don't get it,” he said. "How can someone like you not already be with someone who’s begging to do this?"
"What do you mean?"
Jensen looked like he wanted to throttle him. "I mean you shouldn't have to pay someone for something like this."
"I sure hope you don't use that line on all your clients," Jared said, beginning to feel a bit annoyed himself. This was supposed to have been a sure thing. "It'd wreck havoc on your business."
"I'm not…" Swallowing hard, Jensen shoved his hands through his hair, turned and walked away, into the living room. "Jesus."
Jared frowned, wondering why every time the question of his virginity came up it became such a big deal. "Look, Jensen, I appreciate you being willing to walk away from a gig rather than take advantage of me, however misguided that impulse might be," Jared said from the kitchen doorway. "But I tried what you're suggesting, and…well, let's just say it didn't work out like I'd hoped."
Jensen turned back to face him, his expression grim. "Did some fucker hurt you?"
Surprised by his reaction, Jared shook his head. "Not physically."
Jensen stared at him for a moment as if gauging whether or not to believe him. Finally he said, "Yeah? Well, whoever he was, he was an idiot."
Jared smiled. "Thanks. I like to think so."
"It's just…" Jensen ran his hand over his mouth before continuing. "Look, I like casual sex as much as the next guy. It's fun. I'd be the first to admit it. I just think there are times when it's better to be with someone you care about, someone you like."
"I like you," Jared said.
Jensen grimaced. "Jared-"
"I do," Jared insisted, coming to Jensen and taking hold of his arms. "You're nice. And you're funny. And you haven't lost your patience once tonight, even though it kind of feels like I've been putting my foot in my mouth more than I've been putting in food or drink. I don't care what you do for a living. Jesus, Jensen. You may be the handsomest guy I've ever seen; I'm lucky it's going to be you. I may not get to keep you. But tonight you're mine." Jared hesitated because he could see something troubling in Jensen's eyes, something that looked a lot like doubt. "You are, aren't you?"
His gaze focused somewhere around Jared's ankles, Jensen didn't say anything for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice came out huskier than usual. "Yeah, Jay. I'm yours."
"Good. I'm glad," Jared said, holding out his hand. "Come on, I'll show you where my bedroom is."
Jensen followed along willingly enough, though he didn't say anything. When they reached his room, Jared let go of Jensen and crossed to the nightstand to turn on the lamp. It was small and the light it threw wasn't particularly bright. But that seemed like a plus in Jared's eyes. He wasn't going to pretend what was happening between Jensen and he was romantic-much as he might have wished that were the case-but at least the shadows would make the room look nicer than it really was.
He opened up the nightstand's drawer, and pulled out lube and condoms, before withdrawing something a little less racy. "Hey, before I forget, why don't I write you your check?"
Jensen reached around him from behind, took the checkbook, and set it on the nightstand. He closed the drawer for good measure. "Not now."
"Are you sure?" Jared asked, turning his head. "I don't want you to-" Jensen was right there. Jared could feel Jensen's breath on his cheek.
"Leave it," Jensen murmured before nuzzling at Jared's temple and pressing a kiss just in front of his ear. It tickled, and made Jared's nipples stiffen and ache beneath his shirt.
"Since you are so dead set on making this happen, I'm going to tell you how it's gonna go," Jensen said in Jared's ear, his voice silky, his hand sweeping long and slow over Jared's back. "I'm going to take off all your clothes and lay you down on this enormous bed. And then I'm going to use my mouth on you. All over. Taste every bit of skin. I'm going to touch you, too, like no one's ever touched you before. Make you want me. Make you beg. And when you're out of your mind with it, strung out and needy and so sensitive, it wouldn't take much more than my breath to make you come, I'm going to do what that idiot ex of yours was too much of a pussy to do. I'm going to fuck you so good and so hard you won't remember your own name, let alone his."
"Jesus," Jared whispered, trembling with what he hoped was anticipation.
Jensen smiled. "See? Already he forgets."
And with that, he began to put his plan into action.
Jared was naked and on his back before he was ever even sure how he got there. Jensen soon shed his clothes as well and joined Jared, his warmth and weight helping to keep Jared anchored when pleasure threatened to make him take flight too soon.
Jensen's touch was a revelation, strong and sure, yet so sensitive when it came to its effect on Jared. Jensen paid close attention to Jared's reactions, playing Jared's body like it was an instrument he knew and loved, and from which he could coax the most beautiful music. And that sound, the moans and pleas Jared couldn't have silenced if his life had depended on it, seemed to guide Jensen. It led him to linger over the tender skin where Jared's leg met his hip, to nose and nip along Jared's side and on the inside of his bicep, to lap at the shallow indentations right where his back flowed into his ass.
"You have dimples here too," Jensen murmured against his skin.
"Please," Jared whispered, his eyes squeezed shut, his hands clinging to his pillow as if it were a life raft. "Oh God, please."
Jensen spread him open with his thumbs. "Soon, I promise. Soon." His lips drifted lower still.
And Jared could only babble and shake.
Finally, Jensen reached for the supplies Jared had left on the nightstand what seemed like ages before.
"Bend your knee a little for me, Jay."
Drunk with sensation, Jared lay on his belly, both the bed's pillows bunched beneath his chest. Jensen covered him like a blanket, making him feel warm and safe.
"I need you to relax now. Tell me if you need me to stop."
"I won't."
Jensen pressed a line of kisses along Jared's shoulder to his neck. "Here we go."
Hesitating for only a moment, he pushed firmly but carefully inside.
Jared held very still, wanting to remember this, wanting to really feel it. Not just because it was his first time, but because of whom he was with. Jensen, who was panting in his ear and holding equally still, muscles drawn tight as he waited for Jared to adjust. Letting go of his death grip on the pillows, Jared reached out and laced the fingers of his right hand with those of Jensen. “It’s okay. I’m good.”
Sighing, Jensen rubbed his cheek against Jared's hair, the bulk of his weight braced on his arms.
"God. Do you know what you do to me?" Jensen rumbled in his ear. "How hot you are, how good this feels?"
"Tell me," Jared urged, his voice soft.
"You're everything I like, everything I want," Jensen said as he began to ease back and forth, the glide careful and measured. "You just…you make me do stupid things."
"Like what?" Jared asked, rocking with him, their motion gentle.
"Pretend." Jensen said the word as if he were ashamed.
"Don't," Jared said softly. "Don't pretend. You don't have to. Just be with me as you. No one else."
And as Jensen's strokes began to lengthen, to gain power and speed, Jared realized that was what he truly wanted. Not some anonymous ideal man, a Ken doll he could buy and use and get rid of when he was done. He wanted this man, this particular man. Jensen, with all his secrets and his snark. Jared didn't want this to be something they did once. How could he ever be satisfied with only just a taste?
Jensen brushed over something inside him that made Jared jerk and groan. He bucked back against him, demanding more of the same. Jensen turned them both, so they were lying on their sides and pulled on Jared's top leg until it hooked over Jensen's hip, opening Jared up and arching his back
One arm caught between the mattress and Jared's middle, Jensen leaned over and with his other hand took hold of Jared's cock, all the while surging forward and back, his body slapping Jared’s every time they met.
"Oh!" There was nothing else Jared could say. Countering Jensen's every thrust, he reached up and grabbed a fistful of Jensen's short, thick hair, pulling him forward until their lips touched and clung.
When they'd parted, Jensen smiled down at Jared, his face flushed and damp with sweat, his eyes shining. "Beautiful boy."
There was something in Jensen's expression, something fond and real and wanting, that set Jared off. His eyes slammed shut and he tipped back his head.
"God!"
Hips shimmying helplessly, he let go, all over Jensen's hand and the sheets, gasping his way through the death of his pesky virginity. Jensen stayed with Jared throughout his release, his hand working Jared’s shaft, his hips pounding, hard and fast.
The minute Jared was done, Jensen rolled them back over, faced-down, pressed up onto his hands and set about finding his own finish. All it took was another half dozen strokes and he was groaning as his body shuddered and seized.
When it was over, they just lay there for a moment, Jensen's cheek pressed to Jared's back, their legs entwined, until Jared mumbled, "You rolled me onto the wet spot."
Jensen slid free. Oh yeah. Jared could definitely feel what they'd done. But it was a good ache, like the way he felt after a particularly challenging workout. The soreness was just more intimate.
He heard what he guessed had to be the condom hitting his bedside trashcan, then Jensen's hands were on him once more.
"Come here, Princess."
Jensen rearranged him. This time, Jared wound up lying in Jensen’s arms, his face resting against Jensen's chest. Jensen was sifting gently through his hair. Jared didn't know how Jensen found the energy to move even that little bit. He was wiped. He could barely keep his eyes open.
"Jensen…"
"Hmm?"
"That was…really good."
"Yeah. It was."
"You're really good."
"Nothing but the best for you."
"Don't leave when I'm asleep."
"I won't."
"You can't. I have to… Your check."
"Shh. Sleep, Jay. Just sleep."
And Jared did.
When he woke, day was just winning its eternal battle with night. Jared was lying on his stomach, facing Jensen. Jensen was on his back and staring at the ceiling, his gaze pensive.
"You stayed," Jared said, his voice morning-rough.
Jensen turned his head to look at him. Jared couldn't read his eyes. "You told me to."
"Do you always do what you're told?"
The corner of Jensen's lips pulled up. "When I'm properly motivated."
Jared rose up onto his forearms. He glanced down before meeting Jensen's eyes once more. "So how long do I have you for?"
Jensen rolled onto his side, his head propped on his hand. "How long do you want me?"
Jared smiled and bowed his head. "What I want and what I can afford are two different things."
"You'd be surprised how cheap I can be."
Jared lifted his eyes and looked at Jensen. He seemed worried. He had a little crease between his eyes Jared longed to smooth with this thumb. "What do you mean?"
Jensen licked his lips before he spoke. "Jared, I don't want your money."
Jared pushed to sit up, the sheet pooling around his waist. "Don't be stupid. That crack about what I can afford wasn't meant as a subtle hint. I'm not asking for charity. You earned your money, fair and square."
Jensen sat up too. He wouldn't meet Jared's eyes. "I didn’t ‘earn’ anything. I only did what I wanted to do."
Jared smiled and ran his hand through his hair. "I’m glad you wanted to be with me, Jen. I mean…I appreciate that, but-"
"Jared, I'm not a prostitute." Jensen was looking at him now, even though Jared could tell he really didn't want to.
"You're not…?" Jared said, staring. "I'm sorry. I don't understand."
"I'm not a prostitute," Jensen said again. "I've never been a prostitute.”
Jared frowned. “But then…why did you let me think you were?”
Jensen sighed. “When you came over to me last night and asked how much I charged, I thought at first I'd mess with you,” he said. “You know-string you along, then let you down hard. Teach you a lesson."
"But how could I have even made that mistake?" Jared definitely wasn't awake enough for this kind of thing. What Jensen was saying didn’t make any sense. "I mean…Chad heard you negotiating your rate."
"Negotiating my rate?" Jensen echoed, his brow wrinkled. "The only rate I might have discussed last night was my day rate."
"Day rate for what?" Jared asked.
"Jared, I spent the last seven years in New York, working as a model," Jensen said. "I moved out to LA a few months ago to try my luck at acting. A photographer I used to shoot with was at the party, and he started talking to me about a possible job. I can't recall the conversation word for word, but I'm pretty sure we talked about my 'rate’."
Jared felt his heart tumble from his chest to his belly button. How could he have gotten everything so completely mixed up? "But you said you worked nights," he said. "And you made the appointment with that woman."
"My acting coach," Jensen said. "And I work nights because I tend bar to pay the bills. Not all of us can land national commercials, you know."
"I work catering too," Jared said, feeling as if maybe he should apologize, for having enjoyed a little success, and for so much more. "And walk dogs for an agency."
"I didn't know that," Jensen said. "You never said."
"Seems like maybe there are a lot of things we haven’t said," Jared said. "Like why you decided to come home with me anyway and do…what we did."
Jensen laid his hand over Jared's. "It's like I told you," Jensen said. "At first, I was kind of pissed, insulted. I couldn't believe you thought I let guys fuck me for money. Then you said you wanted me to fuck you, and I thought, 'What the hell ‘? I was curious. So I decided to play along." He shrugged and chewed on his lip for a moment before continuing. "I never expected to like you.”
“You like me?” Jared asked, trying not to get too hopeful too soon. “You really like me?”
“Yeah, Sally Field, I like you,” Jensen said with an eye-crinkling smile.
“Wow,” Jared said, beaming in return. “That’s really, umm…so what do you think we should do about that?”
Jensen drew closer and pushed Jared back down atop the rumpled sheets. “I think we should stay in bed all day. It’s Sunday, after all. A day of rest.” He leaned down to kiss Jared, deep and slow.
“What about Chad?” Jared asked rather dreamily when their lips had parted.
“What about him?”
“He’ll be home later today.”
Jensen thought about it for half a second. “Loan him your ear plugs.”
“Yeah?” Jared said, grinning.
“Yeah,” Jensen said, nodding. “Because some time today, I want you to fuck me. And Jay-I make a lot of noise.”
Jared would have made some noise just then, himself-a gasp of anticipation, maybe, followed by a heartfelt, “Thank you, God.”
Only Jensen kissed him again.
And it wasn’t as if Jared was going to complain about that.
They could both kick up a ruckus later.
After all, Jared had an unopened economy-sized pack of ear plugs in the bathroom medicine chest.
He fully intended Chad would have cause to use each and every pair.
The End
I will tell you right now, this is undoubtedly the schmoopiest hooker fic known to man.
You've been warned.
Beta'ed by the ever talented callistosh65 and debbiel66. Thanks as always, ladies.
***
First Impressions
By Ancasta
"Chad, are you sure?"
"I'm telling you, Jay, the guy's a pro. I heard him talking rate with that skinny bald dude over there."
Jared sighed and snuck another peek at the man in question. Tall, broad shoulders, trim ass, perfect features, perfect hair. God. If Jared had been asked to list his turn-ons, he would have wound up describing this man to a tee. He was everything Jared liked in a guy and more.
"Even if he is for hire, there's no way I could afford him," Jared said, turning away and taking a sip of his beer. The last thing he wanted was for his ideal man to catch him ogling.
"That's complete and utter bullshit, and you know it," Chad said with an authority born of friendship and alcohol. "You've got your first residual check burning a hole in your bank account. Unless his dick is gold-plated, you can afford him. You'd said you wanted to celebrate, treat yourself a little. What better way than this?"
"I'd meant maybe go out for a really good steak or get the truck detailed or something," Jared said. "Not spend a couple of hours with a hooker." Standing far too near, a spray-tanned starlet looked his way and frowned, reminding Jared that Chad and he weren't exactly alone. Damned overcrowded industry parties. Jared hated them. He wouldn’t have even bothered going if his agent hadn't guilted him into it.
Chad leaned in close, as if learning from Jared's mistake. "Look, man, the last thing I want to pay any attention to is your sex life. Trust me on that, okay? But I swear to God, if you don't get yourself laid-and soon-I'm going to start advertising for a new roommate."
That was low. Jared had known Chad longer than most of his other friends combined. So he couldn't help but sound a little hurt when he asked, "What are you talking about?"
Frowning, Chad narrowed his eyes. More than usual. "I mean all your homo angst is seriously messing with my mojo."
"'Homo angst'? What homo angst?" Jared demanded more loudly than he'd intended. Luckily, this time, no one spared him a glance. "I'm not seeing anyone. I've never even brought anybody back to the apartment-which, it bears noting, is more than I can say for you."
"Exactly!" Chad said, gesturing so broadly his gin and tonic sloshed in its glass and splashed over onto his wrist. "You're not seeing anyone. But you want to, and I understand that. A man has needs. Only ever since that bastard Randy fucked with your head instead of your ass, you're not even willing to try."
"That's not true," Jared said, drinking some more beer. Even though it really kind of was. Randy and he had met at the gym where Jared used to have a membership. Jared had spent months mooning over him before Randy had finally asked him out. By the end of their first date, Jared had been head over heels. By the end of their fifth, it was over.
"Dude, don't pull that crap," Chad said, wiping his damp sleeve on his pant leg. "I was there, remember? Just because that world-class asshole ran the other way when you asked him to pop your cherry, doesn't mean every gay guy will. You've gotta get back in the game."
"Ran the other way," Jared echoed softly, looking down at his feet. The really sad thing was Chad wasn't exaggerating. Randy had been into him-gratifyingly so-until he'd found out he'd be Jared's first. That, he'd wanted no part of.
Sorry, Jay, but I’m nobody’s training wheels.
His rejection had made Jared feel diseased instead of simply someone who'd discovered their preferences a little later than most. It still made him feel that way, if Jared were honest.
"I just want you to consider something," Chad said, slinging his gin-moist arm around Jared's shoulder. "If you're paying a guy, he's not going to dump you. You'd be calling the shots. Think of it-this is the perfect way for you to finally lose your damned virginity and get on with your life."
Jared wanted that almost as much as he wanted Mr. Ideal on the other side of the room. "I guess you might have a point."
"Of course I do," Chad said, giving Jared a little shake. "I've got more going for me than my stunning good looks."
Jared smiled. "You do. You're a good friend."
"Fuckin' A," Chad said, finishing off his drink.
"Okay," Jared said, taking a slow, deep breath. "Maybe you're right, maybe this is a good idea. So…what should I do?"
Chad shrugged. "Go over and find out if he's available. And while you're doing that, I'll find somewhere not to sleep tonight."
"And if he isn't available?"
"Make an appointment. The sooner, the better. Just call me, so I know what's up."
Make an appointment. Like he was getting his teeth cleaned or his hair cut. That’s all it would take to make Jared someone the Randys of the world wouldn’t kick out of bed without so much as an ‘I’ll call you.’
When he looked at it that way, the decision was simple.
Nodding, Jared squared his shoulders and set his all but empty beer bottle on a nearby tray. "All right. Yeah. I'm gonna do this. Wish me luck."
"Go get'em, tiger," Chad said with a hearty thump to Jared's back. "You march on over there and you buy yourself some time with the gay hooker of your dreams."
Laughing in a way that threatened to deteriorate into hysteria, Jared left his roommate and wound his way through the throng of beautiful people. The man he was heading towards didn't seem aware of his approach. Mr. Ideal was chatting with a stylishly dressed woman, old enough to be his mother. Jared sincerely hoped she wasn't in the process of making an appointment of her own. He'd heard the saying 'he who hesitates is lost.' But he would have to wonder what kind of horrible karma he was working off if he were to be deprived now, after he'd finally summoned the courage to make his move.
"So, will I see you on Tuesday," Jared heard the woman say as he drew near, "at our usual time?"
Mr. Ideal smiled, full of charm. "Just try and keep me away." Like an old-fashioned gallant, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
The woman looked amused. "You, sir, are a flirt."
Mr. Ideal didn't seem bothered. "What can I say? You inspire me."
Wow, Jared thought. He's smooth.
The woman chuckled. "I'll see you on Tuesday, Jensen. In the meantime, try and behave."
"I'll do my best."
As soon as the woman had faded into the crowd, Jared took the final few steps to Jensen's side. "Hi."
Jensen's eyes swung around to meet his. They were green and clear and as beautiful as the rest of him. Man. The guy must make a fortune in his line of work. "Hi."
"I'm Jared," Jared said, offering him his hand.
After the briefest hesitation, Jensen took it. He had a good handshake. "Jensen. Nice to meet you."
They both just looked at each other for a moment before Jared blurted out, "So…do you go to many of these things?" Great. Just great. Way to open up a conversation with a line one step removed from 'Do you come here often?' Was it any wonder he couldn’t get laid?
Thankfully, Jensen didn't seem to notice. "A few. Kind of goes with the territory, you know?"
Sure, Jared thought. That made sense. Prostitutes needed to network, same as anyone. "I know what you mean, my agent is always nagging me to get out more and be seen. Don't like it much, though. Half the time I just stand around at these things, feeling like a dork."
"Are you an actor?" Jensen asked.
"Yeah. Just starting out, but yeah."
"Done anything I might have seen?"
"I booked a national commercial," Jared replied with his brightest smile. "For Adidas. It's the one with a bunch of guys playing basketball and then a girl comes along and is better than any of them. I'm one of the guys."
"I kind of figured," Jensen murmured with an answering smile before taking a sip of his drink. Whiskey, Jared thought. Or maybe bourbon.
He plowed ahead. "It's airing now. My mom called to say she saw it last week during American Idol. She was pissed she didn't have the DVR going."
"Sorry, I don't think I've seen it," Jensen said with what sounded like genuine regret. "I don't watch a lot of TV. I work most nights."
Of course, Jared thought. He would, wouldn't he?
Jared shook his head. "It's no big deal."
"Yeah, it is," Jensen said. "Booking a national commercial is a huge deal. You should be proud of yourself, especially if you're new to town. Believe me; I know how hard that can be."
"Yeah," Jared said, sympathy beginning to stir as he considered what might have driven Jensen to take up this kind of work. What if he'd come to Hollywood, just like Jared had, hoping for his big break, only to wind up doing this instead? What must have happened? If he'd suffered some kind of setback, hadn't he anyone he could turn to, friends he could lean on? Jared's heart ached for the guy. "I guess I got lucky."
Jensen nodded and took another sip of his drink. "Never underestimate the importance of luck."
"No," Jared said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Luck is good."
Jensen looked at Jared over the rim of his glass, his gaze warm and approving. He didn't seem bored or ready to excuse himself, Jared thought, despite their less than scintillating conversation. Maybe he was into the idea of Jared being his next client. Jared figured there was only one way to find out.
"So, um…are you here alone?" Jared asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. He hadn't seen Jensen spend much time with anyone in particular. From what Jared had been able to tell, Jensen had mostly been hanging out off to the side, visiting with people now and then. But no one had seemed to capture his attention for long.
"Yeah," Jensen said. "I came on my own. What about you?"
"Oh, I, uh…my roommate and I came together," Jared said, searching the room to see where Chad might have gone. He caught sight of him over near the bar, chatting up a sweet-looking brunette. She seemed to be enjoying his company. It appeared Jared wasn't going to have to feel guilty about where Chad spent the night. "But I'm pretty sure he's got plans for the evening."
"Plans that include him being out of the apartment?" Jensen asked.
Jared couldn't be certain-he didn't trust himself when it came to stuff like this-but he was pretty sure that was meant to be suggestive, or at the very least a little flirty. He tried not to act as flustered as he felt. "That's what he said."
Jensen pursed his lips and lifted his brows, as if he were giving the matter due consideration. "You know…luck is good. But privacy might be better."
"Yeah?" Jared said, his heart doing an odd little stutter-step inside his chest. "So you're available then?"
"That depends," Jensen murmured, the warmth in his eyes turning to heat. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, I don't know," Jared said, glancing down as he raked his hand through his hair. "I mean…I guess I need to know what you charge." He lifted his gaze, hating the blush he could feel rising to the surface of his skin.
He saw Jensen frowning. "What I charge?"
"Yeah," Jared said, wondering at the look on Jensen's face. He didn't seem pleased. Jared rushed to put things right. "I'm sorry. Is that rude? I don't know how to do this. I've never hired anyone before. I mean…not anyone who does what you do. Am I not supposed to ask about things like price?"
Jensen studied Jared, his expression unreadable, before swallowing down what was left of his drink and setting the glass aside. "What is it exactly you think I do?"
"Well…I thought, that is…" Jared could feel flop sweat trickling down the center of his back. This was a bad idea, such a bad, bad idea. "Never mind. You know what-I'm sorry. Forget it." He turned to walk away. Only Jensen stopped him.
"I don't want to forget it," Jensen said, his grip tight around Jared's wrist. "I just want to make sure we're on the same page. You're looking for a little company, is that right?"
Jared looked down at the hand on his arm, then brought his eyes level again. He wet his lips before he spoke. "That's right."
Jensen arched his brow. "Kinky or vanilla?"
Much as he wanted to, Jared couldn't hold Jensen's gaze and answer. He looked away once more. "Uh…vanilla, I guess."
Jensen began sweeping his thumb back and forth over the inside of Jared's wrist. "What do you want to do?"
That made Jared lift his chin. "What do you mean?"
Jensen seemed amused he could make Jared squirm. "You want a hand job, a blowjob? Something quick? Or do you want to take your time?"
Jared swallowed hard. "I…uh, I don't want to rush."
Jensen smiled. It wasn't particularly friendly. "You want to fuck me."
"No," Jared said quickly. "Actually…I was hoping you would do me."
Jensen's thumb stilled on his wrist. "You were?"
"Yeah," Jared said, nodding. "Don't you do that kind of thing?"
Now Jensen was the one who seemed addled. He let go of Jared's arm. "No, I…uh…I do."
"Great, then…um, how much for that?"
Jensen didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at Jared long and hard, as if trying to make up his mind about something. "One thousand dollars."
Jared's eyes widened. "For a fuck?"
"For the night."
A whole night? A thousand bucks might be more than it would have cost him for a steak dinner, but Chad was right-Jared could afford it. "Oh. A night. Okay."
It was more than okay. It was awesome. Jared hadn't been with a lot of guys during his admittedly spotty sexual history, but Jensen was way hotter than any of them. Only…
"Do you take credit cards?"
Jensen shook his head and chuckled. "Dude, do I look like I have one of those approval machines stashed in my pocket?"
"No. No, I'm sorry," Jared said, scrambling yet again to make it right. He couldn't remember Richard Gere going through anything like this in Pretty Woman. "It's just…I've got maybe forty, fifty bucks on me, and I don't think the ATM will let me withdraw more than a few hundred, so I'm worried-"
"Do you have a checking account, Jared?" Jensen was looking at him calmly. But Jared thought he spied laughter in his eyes.
"You're willing to take a check?" Jared asked.
"Why not?" Jensen said, folding his arms across his chest. "Are you going to fuck with me?"
"What? No!" Jared said. "No. I wouldn't do that."
Jensen shrugged. "Well then, I don't see a problem. Besides-we're going back to your place, right?"
Jared nodded. "Yeah. We're going back to my place."
"Good. Then I'll know where to find you if it bounces."
Their deal struck, the two men headed out. But not before Jared pulled out his phone and dialed Chad.
"Chad, hey. I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving. I'll see you later."
"Tell me you're not leaving alone."
"I'm not."
"Score! I'm not either, man-and that's a promise. Have an awesome time, okay? We'll compare notes tomorrow."
"Yeah. All right. Just, um…don't come home too early."
"You dog! It's a deal."
As it turned out, Jensen had taken a cab to the event, so they only needed to collect Jared's truck from the valet. While they waited for an attendant, Jared tried to initiate conversation with Jensen. But it was awkward. There were too many people around to speak freely about their plans for the evening, and it wasn't like Jensen and he really knew each other all that well to begin with. They didn't progress much beyond what a nice night it was and how packed it had been inside.
Jared began to worry. He wasn't very good at casual; he knew that about himself. When he'd been dating girls, he'd gone from one long-term relationship to another. Since discovering guys, he'd hooked up a few times. But it had never been anything heavy, and he'd always had more than the single bottle of beer he'd drunk that night to ease the way. He was nervous, plain and simple, and was pretty sure the condition would only get worse the closer they got to his bedroom.
There was only one thing Jared could think of that might rectify the situation.
"Hey, are you hungry?" he asked, once Jensen and he were in his pick-up and pulling away from the party.
Jensen looked surprised by the question. "Are you?"
Jared chuckled. "If you knew me at all, you'd know how silly that question is. Which is kind of my point."
"What are you talking about?"
Jared chose his words with care. "I was just thinking it might be nice if we had the chance to get to know each other a little bit first. I mean…since we have the whole night."
Jensen arched his brow. "You're dropping a G and you want to spend part of the time you bought eating dinner?"
"Maybe not dinner," Jared said. It was a little late for something heavy, after all. Nearly ten o'clock. "What about coffee and dessert?"
Jensen chuckled, then shrugged. "It's your money, man."
"Good. All right. We'll stop first." Jared reached over and hit the button on the dashboard CD player. Our Lady Peace issued from the speakers, filling the silence. He kept the volume low enough that they could talk over it if they wanted to. He just couldn't tell if Jensen would. He was kind of hard to read. About a lot of things.
"Where we'll be stopping…will they have pie?"
Jared glanced over to his right. Jensen was looking back at him as if nations might fall, depending upon his answer. "I think I can find us someplace with pie."
Slowly, Jensen smiled.
Jared turned his attention back to the road. Maybe this really would be okay, after all.
They wound up at Dinah's Kitchen, a restaurant featuring classic diner fare served by a not so classic wait staff-instead of aprons and name tags, they were more about tattoos and piercings. Still the food was good and cheap, and they served pie. They lucked out and got a booth against the front window. Jensen ordered apple pie and coffee; Jared opted for a root beer float.
"What are you-six?" Jensen asked, frowning at Jared's dessert even though it was clear he was only teasing.
"Yep. Just tall for my age," Jared said before blowing the paper off his straw. It shot through the air like a sea serpent through water.
"Tall for any age," Jensen grumbled, catching the straw casing mid-flight, rolling it into a ball and flicking it back at Jared.
Jared grinned when it bounced off his shoulder. "What can I tell you? They grow 'em big in Texas."
That gave Jensen pause. "You're from Texas?"
"Y'all didn't pick up on my accent?" Jared asked, laying on thick the drawl he'd worked so hard to lose.
"I'm from Richardson," Jensen said, as if he couldn't believe the coincidence. "Just outside Dallas."
"San Antone," Jared said, pleased. He would never have known; Jensen had even less of an accent than he did.
"Home of the Alamo," Jensen said.
"Home of the World Champion San Antonio Spurs," Jared said, stirring his float.
Jensen rolled his eyes and cut into his piece of pie. "Oh, God. A Spurs fan."
From there, the flood gates opened. The pair found, while they differed when it came to basketball, they were united in their love of the Cowboys, Texas-style barbeque, and the quality of music to be found on 6th Street in Austin. The more they talked about the Lone Star State, the more Jensen let slip details of his life since leaving there. Jared was able to learn Jensen had spent a number of years in New York before moving to California, that he had an older brother and a younger sister-just like Jared-and that at one time he’d believed he'd make his living playing guitar.
"But you know how that goes," Jensen said, flagging down the waitress for a refill on his coffee. "Best laid plans and all that."
Jared nodded, wishing he could find out what had derailed Jensen's dreams. But they'd reached such a nice rapport; he didn't want to pry and ruin it all.
The minutes flew as they fueled up on caffeine and sugar. Jared couldn't believe it when he checked his watch and saw it was nearly midnight.
"You about ready to head out?" he asked.
Jensen smiled, easy and laid back. "It's your night. We play it your way."
Jared had to admit-it felt good to have that kind of control. "I think I'm ready."
"Lead on, Macduff."
Jared's apartment was less than a mile from the diner. They were there in no time.
"Please excuse the mess," Jared said as he opened the door. "I hadn't been expecting to bring anybody back with me, so the place isn't exactly ready for Architectural Digest. But then again, it never really is."
As they entered the apartment, Jared hit the light switch. Luckily things weren't all that bad, just the usual debris-dishes in the sink, mail piled on the bookcase near the door, a hodgepodge of game controllers and remotes littering the coffee table.
"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked, heading towards the refrigerator. On his way past, he tossed his keys into the bowl on the kitchen table. "We probably have beer."
"I think I'm good. Thanks."
Jared pulled out a bottle for himself just the same. Like clockwork, his nerves had returned. He thought he might need a little help calming them.
Beer in hand, Jared leaned his hip against the counter and watched Jensen wander around the living room, his hand trailing over the back of the sofa, his eyes taking it all in. Jared couldn't figure out the appeal. Any furniture that wasn't from Ikea had come from Goodwill, the carpet needed to be vacuumed and the only 'art' on the walls were a couple of vintage movie posters and a pinup calendar Chad's brother had gotten him for Christmas.
"So you really hadn't planned on picking anyone up tonight?" Jensen asked when his tour was finished and he was standing opposite Jared in the kitchen doorway.
"No," Jared said, shaking his head. "There was no big master plan. If anything, I figured Chad would bring someone back with him again and I'd be sleeping with earplugs in."
Jensen was watching him closely. "How did you know what I do for a living?"
Jared wished he didn't still get embarrassed, talking about Jensen's profession. "Chad found out. He heard you talking to someone."
Jensen raised his brows. "And came running back over to point out the hooker?" he asked dryly.
"No. No, not at all," Jared assured him. "I’d actually noticed you before he even said anything. I mentioned to Chad you were just my type, and it…kind of went from there."
Jensen nodded, his expression thoughtful. Then, eyes averted, he reached up to cradle Jared's cheek in his hand, leaned in, and kissed him. No tongue, just pressure and warm, soft lips. Making a hushed, breathless sound, Jared pulled Jensen to him, holding him close, wanting the kiss-innocent though it was-to last. He liked this. He liked it a lot. He hadn't been expecting gentleness.
"Why do you want a hooker to fuck you?" Jensen whispered when the kiss was finished, his face near, his lashes all but concealing his eyes.
Jared cleared his throat before he could speak. "I, uh…I want someone who knows what they're doing."
"There are plenty of experienced guys out there who aren't professionals," Jensen said, meeting his gaze. He pushed Jared's hair back and away from his face. It was all Jared could do to keep from closing his eyes and leaning into it.
"No, I know," Jared said, his mouth dry despite the beer. "It's just…I need to be sure."
"About what?" Jensen asked, lowering his hand.
"How it's all gonna go down," Jared said.
Jensen frowned. "What are you so nervous about?"
Knowing he was going to have to come clean sooner or later, Jared set his beer on the counter, and screwed up his courage. "I guess you should probably know. I-I've never done this before."
Jensen's eyes grew wide. "Like…ever?"
"No, not ever," Jared said. "I mean I've done it with girls. Tons of times with girls. Me having sex with them, that is. Not anything…you know…kinky."
"Have you done anything with a guy?" Jensen asked, seemingly concerned. Or maybe just confused.
"Yeah, of course," Jared said as emphatically as possible. "Lots of stuff." Which was maybe a slight exaggeration.
“Like what?” Jensen said, seemingly unwilling to take it on faith.
Jared sighed. “You know the things you’d mentioned at the party?” he said. “The quick stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve done that.
“But…?”
“But not much more.”
Jensen shook his head, small and slight, almost like he didn’t even know he was doing it. "I don't get it,” he said. "How can someone like you not already be with someone who’s begging to do this?"
"What do you mean?"
Jensen looked like he wanted to throttle him. "I mean you shouldn't have to pay someone for something like this."
"I sure hope you don't use that line on all your clients," Jared said, beginning to feel a bit annoyed himself. This was supposed to have been a sure thing. "It'd wreck havoc on your business."
"I'm not…" Swallowing hard, Jensen shoved his hands through his hair, turned and walked away, into the living room. "Jesus."
Jared frowned, wondering why every time the question of his virginity came up it became such a big deal. "Look, Jensen, I appreciate you being willing to walk away from a gig rather than take advantage of me, however misguided that impulse might be," Jared said from the kitchen doorway. "But I tried what you're suggesting, and…well, let's just say it didn't work out like I'd hoped."
Jensen turned back to face him, his expression grim. "Did some fucker hurt you?"
Surprised by his reaction, Jared shook his head. "Not physically."
Jensen stared at him for a moment as if gauging whether or not to believe him. Finally he said, "Yeah? Well, whoever he was, he was an idiot."
Jared smiled. "Thanks. I like to think so."
"It's just…" Jensen ran his hand over his mouth before continuing. "Look, I like casual sex as much as the next guy. It's fun. I'd be the first to admit it. I just think there are times when it's better to be with someone you care about, someone you like."
"I like you," Jared said.
Jensen grimaced. "Jared-"
"I do," Jared insisted, coming to Jensen and taking hold of his arms. "You're nice. And you're funny. And you haven't lost your patience once tonight, even though it kind of feels like I've been putting my foot in my mouth more than I've been putting in food or drink. I don't care what you do for a living. Jesus, Jensen. You may be the handsomest guy I've ever seen; I'm lucky it's going to be you. I may not get to keep you. But tonight you're mine." Jared hesitated because he could see something troubling in Jensen's eyes, something that looked a lot like doubt. "You are, aren't you?"
His gaze focused somewhere around Jared's ankles, Jensen didn't say anything for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice came out huskier than usual. "Yeah, Jay. I'm yours."
"Good. I'm glad," Jared said, holding out his hand. "Come on, I'll show you where my bedroom is."
Jensen followed along willingly enough, though he didn't say anything. When they reached his room, Jared let go of Jensen and crossed to the nightstand to turn on the lamp. It was small and the light it threw wasn't particularly bright. But that seemed like a plus in Jared's eyes. He wasn't going to pretend what was happening between Jensen and he was romantic-much as he might have wished that were the case-but at least the shadows would make the room look nicer than it really was.
He opened up the nightstand's drawer, and pulled out lube and condoms, before withdrawing something a little less racy. "Hey, before I forget, why don't I write you your check?"
Jensen reached around him from behind, took the checkbook, and set it on the nightstand. He closed the drawer for good measure. "Not now."
"Are you sure?" Jared asked, turning his head. "I don't want you to-" Jensen was right there. Jared could feel Jensen's breath on his cheek.
"Leave it," Jensen murmured before nuzzling at Jared's temple and pressing a kiss just in front of his ear. It tickled, and made Jared's nipples stiffen and ache beneath his shirt.
"Since you are so dead set on making this happen, I'm going to tell you how it's gonna go," Jensen said in Jared's ear, his voice silky, his hand sweeping long and slow over Jared's back. "I'm going to take off all your clothes and lay you down on this enormous bed. And then I'm going to use my mouth on you. All over. Taste every bit of skin. I'm going to touch you, too, like no one's ever touched you before. Make you want me. Make you beg. And when you're out of your mind with it, strung out and needy and so sensitive, it wouldn't take much more than my breath to make you come, I'm going to do what that idiot ex of yours was too much of a pussy to do. I'm going to fuck you so good and so hard you won't remember your own name, let alone his."
"Jesus," Jared whispered, trembling with what he hoped was anticipation.
Jensen smiled. "See? Already he forgets."
And with that, he began to put his plan into action.
Jared was naked and on his back before he was ever even sure how he got there. Jensen soon shed his clothes as well and joined Jared, his warmth and weight helping to keep Jared anchored when pleasure threatened to make him take flight too soon.
Jensen's touch was a revelation, strong and sure, yet so sensitive when it came to its effect on Jared. Jensen paid close attention to Jared's reactions, playing Jared's body like it was an instrument he knew and loved, and from which he could coax the most beautiful music. And that sound, the moans and pleas Jared couldn't have silenced if his life had depended on it, seemed to guide Jensen. It led him to linger over the tender skin where Jared's leg met his hip, to nose and nip along Jared's side and on the inside of his bicep, to lap at the shallow indentations right where his back flowed into his ass.
"You have dimples here too," Jensen murmured against his skin.
"Please," Jared whispered, his eyes squeezed shut, his hands clinging to his pillow as if it were a life raft. "Oh God, please."
Jensen spread him open with his thumbs. "Soon, I promise. Soon." His lips drifted lower still.
And Jared could only babble and shake.
Finally, Jensen reached for the supplies Jared had left on the nightstand what seemed like ages before.
"Bend your knee a little for me, Jay."
Drunk with sensation, Jared lay on his belly, both the bed's pillows bunched beneath his chest. Jensen covered him like a blanket, making him feel warm and safe.
"I need you to relax now. Tell me if you need me to stop."
"I won't."
Jensen pressed a line of kisses along Jared's shoulder to his neck. "Here we go."
Hesitating for only a moment, he pushed firmly but carefully inside.
Jared held very still, wanting to remember this, wanting to really feel it. Not just because it was his first time, but because of whom he was with. Jensen, who was panting in his ear and holding equally still, muscles drawn tight as he waited for Jared to adjust. Letting go of his death grip on the pillows, Jared reached out and laced the fingers of his right hand with those of Jensen. “It’s okay. I’m good.”
Sighing, Jensen rubbed his cheek against Jared's hair, the bulk of his weight braced on his arms.
"God. Do you know what you do to me?" Jensen rumbled in his ear. "How hot you are, how good this feels?"
"Tell me," Jared urged, his voice soft.
"You're everything I like, everything I want," Jensen said as he began to ease back and forth, the glide careful and measured. "You just…you make me do stupid things."
"Like what?" Jared asked, rocking with him, their motion gentle.
"Pretend." Jensen said the word as if he were ashamed.
"Don't," Jared said softly. "Don't pretend. You don't have to. Just be with me as you. No one else."
And as Jensen's strokes began to lengthen, to gain power and speed, Jared realized that was what he truly wanted. Not some anonymous ideal man, a Ken doll he could buy and use and get rid of when he was done. He wanted this man, this particular man. Jensen, with all his secrets and his snark. Jared didn't want this to be something they did once. How could he ever be satisfied with only just a taste?
Jensen brushed over something inside him that made Jared jerk and groan. He bucked back against him, demanding more of the same. Jensen turned them both, so they were lying on their sides and pulled on Jared's top leg until it hooked over Jensen's hip, opening Jared up and arching his back
One arm caught between the mattress and Jared's middle, Jensen leaned over and with his other hand took hold of Jared's cock, all the while surging forward and back, his body slapping Jared’s every time they met.
"Oh!" There was nothing else Jared could say. Countering Jensen's every thrust, he reached up and grabbed a fistful of Jensen's short, thick hair, pulling him forward until their lips touched and clung.
When they'd parted, Jensen smiled down at Jared, his face flushed and damp with sweat, his eyes shining. "Beautiful boy."
There was something in Jensen's expression, something fond and real and wanting, that set Jared off. His eyes slammed shut and he tipped back his head.
"God!"
Hips shimmying helplessly, he let go, all over Jensen's hand and the sheets, gasping his way through the death of his pesky virginity. Jensen stayed with Jared throughout his release, his hand working Jared’s shaft, his hips pounding, hard and fast.
The minute Jared was done, Jensen rolled them back over, faced-down, pressed up onto his hands and set about finding his own finish. All it took was another half dozen strokes and he was groaning as his body shuddered and seized.
When it was over, they just lay there for a moment, Jensen's cheek pressed to Jared's back, their legs entwined, until Jared mumbled, "You rolled me onto the wet spot."
Jensen slid free. Oh yeah. Jared could definitely feel what they'd done. But it was a good ache, like the way he felt after a particularly challenging workout. The soreness was just more intimate.
He heard what he guessed had to be the condom hitting his bedside trashcan, then Jensen's hands were on him once more.
"Come here, Princess."
Jensen rearranged him. This time, Jared wound up lying in Jensen’s arms, his face resting against Jensen's chest. Jensen was sifting gently through his hair. Jared didn't know how Jensen found the energy to move even that little bit. He was wiped. He could barely keep his eyes open.
"Jensen…"
"Hmm?"
"That was…really good."
"Yeah. It was."
"You're really good."
"Nothing but the best for you."
"Don't leave when I'm asleep."
"I won't."
"You can't. I have to… Your check."
"Shh. Sleep, Jay. Just sleep."
And Jared did.
When he woke, day was just winning its eternal battle with night. Jared was lying on his stomach, facing Jensen. Jensen was on his back and staring at the ceiling, his gaze pensive.
"You stayed," Jared said, his voice morning-rough.
Jensen turned his head to look at him. Jared couldn't read his eyes. "You told me to."
"Do you always do what you're told?"
The corner of Jensen's lips pulled up. "When I'm properly motivated."
Jared rose up onto his forearms. He glanced down before meeting Jensen's eyes once more. "So how long do I have you for?"
Jensen rolled onto his side, his head propped on his hand. "How long do you want me?"
Jared smiled and bowed his head. "What I want and what I can afford are two different things."
"You'd be surprised how cheap I can be."
Jared lifted his eyes and looked at Jensen. He seemed worried. He had a little crease between his eyes Jared longed to smooth with this thumb. "What do you mean?"
Jensen licked his lips before he spoke. "Jared, I don't want your money."
Jared pushed to sit up, the sheet pooling around his waist. "Don't be stupid. That crack about what I can afford wasn't meant as a subtle hint. I'm not asking for charity. You earned your money, fair and square."
Jensen sat up too. He wouldn't meet Jared's eyes. "I didn’t ‘earn’ anything. I only did what I wanted to do."
Jared smiled and ran his hand through his hair. "I’m glad you wanted to be with me, Jen. I mean…I appreciate that, but-"
"Jared, I'm not a prostitute." Jensen was looking at him now, even though Jared could tell he really didn't want to.
"You're not…?" Jared said, staring. "I'm sorry. I don't understand."
"I'm not a prostitute," Jensen said again. "I've never been a prostitute.”
Jared frowned. “But then…why did you let me think you were?”
Jensen sighed. “When you came over to me last night and asked how much I charged, I thought at first I'd mess with you,” he said. “You know-string you along, then let you down hard. Teach you a lesson."
"But how could I have even made that mistake?" Jared definitely wasn't awake enough for this kind of thing. What Jensen was saying didn’t make any sense. "I mean…Chad heard you negotiating your rate."
"Negotiating my rate?" Jensen echoed, his brow wrinkled. "The only rate I might have discussed last night was my day rate."
"Day rate for what?" Jared asked.
"Jared, I spent the last seven years in New York, working as a model," Jensen said. "I moved out to LA a few months ago to try my luck at acting. A photographer I used to shoot with was at the party, and he started talking to me about a possible job. I can't recall the conversation word for word, but I'm pretty sure we talked about my 'rate’."
Jared felt his heart tumble from his chest to his belly button. How could he have gotten everything so completely mixed up? "But you said you worked nights," he said. "And you made the appointment with that woman."
"My acting coach," Jensen said. "And I work nights because I tend bar to pay the bills. Not all of us can land national commercials, you know."
"I work catering too," Jared said, feeling as if maybe he should apologize, for having enjoyed a little success, and for so much more. "And walk dogs for an agency."
"I didn't know that," Jensen said. "You never said."
"Seems like maybe there are a lot of things we haven’t said," Jared said. "Like why you decided to come home with me anyway and do…what we did."
Jensen laid his hand over Jared's. "It's like I told you," Jensen said. "At first, I was kind of pissed, insulted. I couldn't believe you thought I let guys fuck me for money. Then you said you wanted me to fuck you, and I thought, 'What the hell ‘? I was curious. So I decided to play along." He shrugged and chewed on his lip for a moment before continuing. "I never expected to like you.”
“You like me?” Jared asked, trying not to get too hopeful too soon. “You really like me?”
“Yeah, Sally Field, I like you,” Jensen said with an eye-crinkling smile.
“Wow,” Jared said, beaming in return. “That’s really, umm…so what do you think we should do about that?”
Jensen drew closer and pushed Jared back down atop the rumpled sheets. “I think we should stay in bed all day. It’s Sunday, after all. A day of rest.” He leaned down to kiss Jared, deep and slow.
“What about Chad?” Jared asked rather dreamily when their lips had parted.
“What about him?”
“He’ll be home later today.”
Jensen thought about it for half a second. “Loan him your ear plugs.”
“Yeah?” Jared said, grinning.
“Yeah,” Jensen said, nodding. “Because some time today, I want you to fuck me. And Jay-I make a lot of noise.”
Jared would have made some noise just then, himself-a gasp of anticipation, maybe, followed by a heartfelt, “Thank you, God.”
Only Jensen kissed him again.
And it wasn’t as if Jared was going to complain about that.
They could both kick up a ruckus later.
After all, Jared had an unopened economy-sized pack of ear plugs in the bathroom medicine chest.
He fully intended Chad would have cause to use each and every pair.
The End