Ash

Fuck.I thought in frustration. This is going nowhere.

I had just politely exited the fourth potential assistant I'd interviewed. Somehow each one seemedworse than the previous. I was thankful I'd decided to restrict interviews to the first half of my workday and keep one client in the late afternoon. At least it wouldn't feel like a completely wasted day. I heard the buzzer at the door and sighed audibly to myself.

At least it's the last one.I thought, Maybe I'm just being too picky.

I knew I wasn't. Working as the assistant to a consort is an unusual job. An individual has to be diplomatic, discrete, autonomous, and amenabletoeverything from scheduling appointments to changing umm…dirty…sheets. It certainly isn't for everyone. Most people that apply think it's some sort of cake receptionist gig where they can simply answer a few callsand daydream. They never consider they'll have to be involved in any of the messy stuff. I"ve found candidates who don't feel that way tend to be curious about the industryand are hoping to use the experience to see if they are interested in going through guild consort training themselves. I'm not running an exploratory internship program; I need an assistant.

Working as a consort has been a legal and respectable profession for close to a century now. Sometimes the job is exactly what people imagine it to be, but not always. After the last world war, so many people had been lost that many found themselves desperately alone. As a result, prostitution ran rampant, and the spread of illness took a large toll on the remaining population. Eventually, the new governments intervened, and it became a reputable profession for those who joined the Guild of Consorts andcompleted therigorous training program. The Guild's curriculum is intensive and doesn't simply consist of an education in sexual practices and safety precautions; it also includes courses indiplomacy, psychology, finance, and communication. Consorts havebecome something that people hire for everything from simple sexual interaction, to sought after companions for all manner of events including high level diplomatic functions. Though the profession itself is widely accepted, ona personal level, many people still judge those of us that choose to engage in it quite harshly.

I've been a consort for nearly twenty years. I'm good at what I do, and my practice has flourished. Even though I'm nearing forty, thanks to a combination of proper nutrition, a regular exercise routine, and fortunate genetics,I can easily pass for much younger. I'm slightly taller than average at exactly 6 ft., and while I may not be as muscular as I was in my twenties, I still have a slim, athletic build. My skin is pale, and my eyes are an unusual shade of light green that resembles tumbled sea glass. I keep my pale blondhair shoulder length, though Itypically pull it back when I'm working. On occasion clients will request it down, and I wear it loose when I'm on my own. It falls in subtle waves that curve around my jaw, and cascades forward in a way that almost allows me to hide behind it. I don't have much of a social life outside of work and in truth, I wouldn't even know how to go about such a thing. I often find myself sitting on the train or in the corner of local cafes, melting into the background andwatching the way others interact with a sort of confused awe.

I have enough stamina to regularly see three or four clients a day,four or five days a week, without the need for medication to assist my performance. My clientele largely consists of regulars at this point, although they tend to make enough new client referrals to keep things interesting. I"ve done well enough for myself thatseveral years back I was able to purchase asmall house with a yard outside the city, and my work apartment is in an upscale part of town. All things considered, I'm happy with my life. Aside from the fact that, at the moment, I still need to find a new assistant.

I forced the muscles of my face into the shape of my welcoming, professional smile as I answered the door.

The man on the other side surprised me. He was several inches taller than me, and wore tight, dark brownslacks with a deep blue long-sleeved T-shirt that clung to his broadshoulders and fell like water over the rise of a well-formed chest. It looked soft, maybe cashmere, or some other rich, natural fabric and I had to suppress the urge to reach out and trace myfingers along his arm. He seemed to carry a bit more body fat than I, but not much, and his muscular physique looked like it had been hard earned withphysical labor rather than deliberately sculptedin the gym. His skin was perfectly tanned; the type that appeared to be a perpetually golden caramel color because his genetics were flawless rather than because he'd recently spent time in the sun, and his chocolate hair was just long enough for a few stray locks to dipdown acrosshis forehead, drawing my gaze to eyes that pulled me in and held me. I found myself unable to move for a long moment as I lost myself in their embrace. They were a color I'd never seen before. A warm, pale, golden brown, almost as if they were pools of caramel or wildflower honey.

Fuck. If I hire this guy, clients are going to be disappointed when they have to sleep with me instead of him.

I offered my hand. "Good morning. You're Jesse?"

"Yes Sir. That's me." He smiled broadly and his eyes held my gaze, but his fingers seemed to tremble as I held them momentarily in mine. Probably just my imagination.

I stepped back from the door and gestured to the seating area in the middle of my waiting room. I'd tried to make it both comfortable and professional, furnished in clean whites, charcoals, and warm dark wood. A sofa and a pair of wingback chairs clustered around a coffee table that was stocked with glass water bottles and a few books on various subjects; art, architecture, gardening. Calm subjects, things that I enjoyed. Just past the seating area sat a desk that held little other than a computer screen. The wall behind the desk was composed entirely of windows.

My office was in an upscale part of town, and the view on clear nights when the lights of the city sparkled in the darkness was breathtaking. On the right side of the room were French doors that led to my workspaces, and to the left, a second set of French doors led to a small kitchen.

Jesse moved past me and took a seat in one of the wingbacks.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview." He began speaking even before I joined him."I know I don't have experience in this sort of thing."

I smiled gently and sat on the edge of the couch closest to him. It kept us both at a slight angle vs facing one another, but I liked to see how people responded when I chose an unexpected seat that was closer than they'd anticipated. He didn't seem fazed and simply adjusted his position, smiling nervously at me again as I began.

"You may not have experience as an assistant, but your resume says you're currently a medical student, something I certainly never thought I'd see on an application to work for me. I suppose part of my desire to have you interview is curiosity, but I also think it's quite likely that you"re smart, hardworking, and dedicated if you're managing that type of education. I've found it's far easier for someone with good personality traits to adapt to a new job, than for someone familiar with a job to change their personality."

He grinned broadly again and nodded as I continued. His eyes glowed in the afternoon light and the way I wanted to do nothing other than stare into them for hours as if they were a sunset startled me.

"Tell me a bit more about yourself. Why you've applied, and why you think you'd be a good fit."

He'd clearly been nervous since the moment I opened the door, but as he began speaking, his demeanor shifted instantly to that of a man confident and professional in both his tone and posture, though I noticed that his fingers still wrung around themselves in the way children's fingers twitch nervously when they think they might be in trouble.

"I come from a family of farmers, and while I"ve enjoyed that well enough,I've always felt like I have more to offer. I've been interested in medicine since I was a kid, and my family has saved for years to put me through school. I don't have the heart to tell them even with all they've given me I can't quite afford things like..well…food…"

He laughed a bit in nervous embarrassment.

"So, I need a job. School is demanding, and I need something part time that doesn't require me to spend a lot of brain power learning a whole new skill set."

His eyes grew a bit larger, and he cringed as he realized he'd made it seem like he was unwilling to learn, and he quickly corrected himself as he continued.

"I know I have no experience in this sort of thing, but I'm a quick learner.I can use computer systems, I'm good with people, and I don't mind hard work." He glanced around a bit as he continued,"I mean if there's like cleaning or other things like that…" He trailed off again and laughed. "I'm not really sure what the job entails to be honest."

To say I was stunned would be an understatement. In less than five minutes, he'd managed to list precisely what I was looking for. He seemed to be everything I could want in an assistant, and he was gorgeous to top it off.

"I hate to say this so directly after a whole fiveminutes, but you couldn't have phrased that any better. I've sent fourother people packing already today without giving them a serious thought, and I couldn't be happier that you seem like such a good fit so far."

Probably not the best negotiating tactic, but I was getting desperate.

He beamed, looking relieved that I hadn't instantly kicked him out. There was nothing about his appearance that seemed childish. He was nothing but clean lines and strong muscles and good posture. He didn't even appear to be all that young. The softest of lines were beginning to form beside his eyes. They deepened slightly when he smiled. If I had to guess, I'd place him in his late twenties or early thirties. Yet, there was something about him that seemed almost…innocent in the way his smile seemed to take over his face without hesitation or concern.

"The job is fairly basic. Clients come in, you greet them, offer them water or tea, and take their payments. You'll also reschedule appointments when necessary.I have a lot of regulars though, so manyof my appointments arestanding."

I stood as I spoke and gestured for him to follow, leading him into the kitchen.

"Basic things in here. Teacups and water bottles go in the dishwasher at the end of the day and the waters need to be refilled. If I have more than twoclients back-to-back,during the second appointment you'll make me a protein shake." I grinned at him a bit. "I mean, I'm good, but even I don't have the stamina to make it all day without some kind of pick me up."

He blushed as he nodded his understanding.

Good lord! Applying to work for a consort and that made him blush. Where is this guy from and could he be any more adorable? Did I just call him adorable? What is that about?

I led us back to the waiting area and continued. "While I'm with clients, just a few things here;restocking waters andstraightening books. There is no real cleaning as I have a service that does that a couple times a week."

He nodded once more, listening intently as I led him into my work area. He followed close behind me, looking around curiously while trying not to appear too obvious. I'd have been shocked to find he'd ever utilized the services of a consort. I'm not sure I'd ever seen someone quite so nervous as they entered my room.

The bedroom's decor was similar to that of the waiting area.I had filled it with warm dark greys and comfortable greens; colors that were calming and relaxing while still appearing neutral and professional. I kept a few plants on minimalist shelving, and a small desk with a chair that I rarely used stood in the corner. A large bed with white sheets was the centerpiece, of course. Small black end tables rest on either side holding candles and more water bottles.

"A bit more in here." I continued, "Between clients, you'dstrip the linens and remake the bed."

I watched his face carefully as I spoke. He nodded when conversation called for it; face carefully schooled into an unchanging expression.

I led him through the room's second set of French doors and into the large bathroom. "I shower between clients, so after appointments I'll walk them out to you then head back here. If they have any questions or want to reschedule, you'll take care of that before doing the bed."

I pointed to a hatch in the corner. "Linens go in there, they're all marked as mine, and they go to a laundry service."

He nodded silently yet again, but his gaze no longer followed me as it had during the rest of the tour. He stood, staring at the large glass shower that was open to the rest of the room, blushing as he realized I'd be in there when he brought in the linens.

I leaned my shoulder against the glass and studied him intently.

"Modesty doesn't exactly come with the job."

He was clearly startled that I'd read his mind, and his blush deepened. I wouldn't have thought that possible. This was definitelysomething I needed to address. The poor thing seemed almost terrified.

"You ok?" I offered the gentlest smile I could."You sure you're interested in a job with me? We're just standing here talking and you're pretty red."

Somehow, he managed to blush even more,and he stammered a bit with his reply.

"It's j-just a new environment. Naked people all over hospitals. I'll adjust quickly."

I nodded as I led the way back to the waiting area. I was pleased with that response as well. He was obviously trying his best despite appearingnervous enough it seemed like he wanted to simply turn and run out the door.

"One last thing. While my clientele is pretty upscale, and my rates high enough to weed out most trouble, this profession isn't without its risks. I've been lucky throughout my career, and I've only had someone get violent once. He was a small enough guy I could handle him on my own. However, there are things I simply don't do, and on occasion people believe they can convince me to make exceptions when they get here even though my rules and limitations are made clear before their first appointments. They can get a bit worked up when their requests are once again denied, and violenceisn't unheard of. There is an emergency button beside the bed and if I ever press it, you'd need to either to come in and physically assist me or if that makes you uncomfortable, place a call to the authorities."

His expression shifted several times as I spoke and the color of his eyes seemed to darken as he worked his way through surprise to concern to determination, which somehow pleased me deeply.

"Of course." He nodded. "Hell, I didn't even think about that. Of course, I'd help."

I smiled gently. "That's about it then. Realistically, it's reasonable that you'll have perhaps thirtyminutes of downtime between clients, longer for couples' sessions during which you could study. As long as everything I need completed gets taken care of, I have no issue with that."

His face lit up with obvious relief, his eyes glowing as his smile spread across his face.

"Does this still sound like a job you'd be interested in?"

He seemed both surprised and thankful I was offering him the position.

"It's actually really perfect for me, I think."

A small dimple appeared on his left cheek as his nervous smile grew. That was new. Why hadn't I noticed that before?

I didn't understand the way I seemed to be reacting to him. I have plenty of attractive clients, but I couldn't recall a time when simply seeing one of them smile brought me the same level of enjoyment.

"Do you have plans for the next few hours?"

Confused and surprised by the question, heshook his head cautiously. "Not really."

"In that case, would you be willing to stay and do a trial run?I have a client coming in about thirty minutes and we could both see if it feels like a good fit. If so, the job is yours. No pressure of course, we can always arrange for you to do a trial at another time."

He grinned yet again. "That sounds great!"

His joy was contagious, and I couldn"t help but smile in return."Perfect. Would you like some water or tea or anything while we go over the computer system a bit?"

"No, thank you."

Lord he was polite.

I gestured to the computer and crouched down at his side as he settledintothe office chair. Almost instantly he looked down at me and furrowed his brow; moving to stand.

I laughed. "Nope, this will be your desk, not mine. Besides," I grinned, "have to keep limber."

He blushed once again butsettled back into the chair. We went through the scheduling and payment systems quickly. He had been telling the truth during the start of our interview. He was smart and very capable.He followed my instructions easily, and quickly began to jump ahead once he had a feel for the software.

As I knelt at his side, I was close enough that the warmth radiating from his leg kept distracting me, as did the way the fabric of his pants stretched and clung to what appeared to be a very muscular thigh. The subtle scent of citrus seemed to rise from his skin each time his arm moved next to my shoulder. Fifteen minutes later he understood the basics of the programs I used, and I didn't think I could handle his proximity any longer. I groaned asI stoodand laughed a bit.

"Getting old."I grimaced. "I'm going to go get ready, youdo your thing. This client is a long time regular. Really nice guy. He's been happily partnered for about tenyears, but there are some things she doesn't like that he enjoys, so their arrangement is he sees me every other week. Offer him water and collect his payment;he knows the drill. Oh, and don't be surprised when his partner shows up toward the end of the appointment. She'll just have a seat and wait."

I patted his shoulder."You got this?"

He grinned up at me,"Yep, good to go."

Lord. Why was his smile so attractive? Why had I touched his shoulder? While I was in no position to reconsider offering him the job, it's not like there were piles of qualified candidates breaking down my door, I was beginning to wonder how smart it was to have someone I found so attractive sitting in my office all day.

When I came out ten minutes later in a black silk robe, my usual work attire, both Jesse and my client were waiting calmly. As Jesse looked up at me, I raised an eyebrow. He nodded slightly, and I turned to my client and offered my hand.