The hustle and bustle of New York City rang up between the high-rise buildings. 34 floors up, I woke to the sound of a zipping suitcase. I sat up, rubbing my eyes into focus.
"I was trying not to wake you," Ashley Benson said, setting her suitcase upright at the bedroom door, "What time is your flight?"
I rolled over and grabbed my phone and looked at my boarding pass. "Uhh, 2:40."
"Don't let it sneak up on you. With traffic, it'll take longer than you think."
I lifted the covers off me and placed my feet off the edge of the bed. I was still bottomless from the previous night's exploits. My member was standing in full attention to welcome the morning. I stood and walked toward the bathroom, where Ashley was gathering her final few items.
As I entered, Ashley shut her make-up case and turned toward me, her smile twinkled.
"I'm gonna miss you!" she said, giving me a hug. Her hair and face pressed warmly against my bare chest.
"I'm going to miss you too," I said, giving her a final squeeze.
"I've got another project starting in a few months. I'm going to put in a request to have you come stay with me, again."
"I'd love that," I smiled, giving her a kiss.
Ashley grabbed her make-up case and walked toward the bathroom door, playfully squeezing my butt as she exited.
It had been a bumpy start to the two-month residency at the hotel. Running into Samantha and our resulting breakup had thrown me off my game. Fortunately, Ashley had a warmth that quickly helped ease my heartache. Samantha vanished after that night. Jonathan said she had been called away to visit a new resort opening in Japan, but I obviously knew that wasn't the case. It hurt me that she had been hurt, but it was ultimately based on her own choices.
I exited the warm shower, steam covering the mirror. I wrapped myself in a towel and entered the bedroom to find Ashley's luggage was already gone. A note lay on my pillow:
Joe,
Thank you for the last two months! Not only did I enjoy our time together, but I feel like I once again understand my true worth. I hope this isn't the last time we get to spend together; but if it is, just know how much you mean to me. I value the friendship we've forged over these two months and will be forever grateful for having met you.
With love,
Ashley
I couldn't help but smile. Deep down I knew she felt this way about our time, but it was great to hear it directly from her. Little did she know, she helped me more than she even knew.
30 minutes later, I was standing on the curb, searching for my ride, luggage in tow. A black Towncar slid between two taxis. The driver rushed from his seat and around toward me.
"Joseph?" He said, out of breath from the four-foot sprint.
I nodded, even though the last time I had been called Joseph was when I was eight, by my mom when I had gotten in trouble for something at school. He grabbed my bags and tossed them in the trunk. I slid into the rear passenger side door.
"There's an envelope for you back there," the driver said, as he flopped into the driver's seat.
It was a familiar envelope. It was obviously a new assignment from Eliza. While I'd hoped for a short break, I was anxious to see what was awaiting me. Opening the envelope, I pulled out her letter:
Joe,
Apologies for the issues that occurred with you and Samantha on this trip. Moving forward, we will do our best to ensure you aren't put on adjoining cases.
You will be returning to Los Angeles; but unfortunately, we can't afford to let you sit on the bench. Demand only continues to go up, as we've landed even more clientele this year. With your strong record, we are assigning you to a new client who has demanded confidentiality, Alexandra Daddario.
Alexandra is coming to us having wed about a year ago. She married someone nearly twenty years her senior, and while things are going well between them, she has found that she is not fulfilled in the bedroom. This is further exacerbated by their differing schedules and shoot locations. You will be keeping Alexandra company for three weeks in a beach house outside of Santa Monica, while she films a movie in the surrounding area.
Given her marital status, it is imperative that you are not seen in public with her. There is private beach access at the house and the area surrounding the house has been secured by our team. However, do not venture outside of the main plot of land for the house.
Here is a breakdown for the client:
Alexandra Daddario
Age: 36
Height: 5'8"
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Measurements: 34-27-34
Bra Size: 34D
Sexual Experience: Advanced
Alexandra will be very open and honest with you about her wants and needs for this assignment. Please be aware that she will be looking to explore and satisfy some things that she hasn't been able to over the last few year. We know that you will work to ensure she remains satisfied.
Eliza
Setting down the letter, I began to question the previous assignment. Eliza, whom I'd had a minor relationship with before, had known about my relationship with Samantha, which she indicated on my last assignment letter from her. Had she intentionally set things up so we would cross paths in hopes that it would ruin our relationship? Or was I just being paranoid?
My mind was fixated on this question for the entire trip out west. Would she be that blatantly destructive? Did Eliza know that running into Samantha would have bothered me so? Was it purely happenstance? Did she think having us in the same location would actually be good for us? I couldn't decide.
The mental battle I was having caused the trip to fly by. Next thing I knew, I was pulling into a tucked away alcove of the California coastline. A quaint house sat perched on a hill and was surrounded by vegetation, allowing for lots of privacy. A SUV sat parked in the circle drive. I walked toward the door as the driver unloaded my bags. The door quickly opened, as I approached.
"Come in, come in," a voice frantically whispered from behind the door.
I quickly shuffled into the entryway, as the driver rolled my suitcases in behind me. The driver then turned and walked back toward the car, and the door shut behind him. This revealed to me the voice that had hustled me inside.
Eyes. Piercing blue eyes. Eyes blue like the Caribbean coast. These eyes had me in a trance. I suddenly realized it had been at least ten seconds and I hadn't said a word.
"Uh, Joe. I'm Joe, from the Agency," I stammered.
Alexandra smiled warmly and snickered, "I know! I've been expecting you. Please come inside and we can talk."
I followed Alexandra through the modest beach house. It was nice and modern, but not the unnecessarily large house you'd expect a celebrity to stay in. Alexandra led me to a sitting room, which had a couch that faced the ocean.
"Can I get you anything?" Alexandra offered as she gestured for me to sit on the couch.
"A water would be nice."
Alexandra walked toward the kitchen. Her tall, beautiful frame pacing toward the fridge. It was the first time I had an opportunity to admire more than her turquoise eyes. She was wearing a purple v-neck top, which showed just a pinch of cleavage. It fell beautifully against her full chest. She was wearing jean shorts that weren't super short, but still showed plenty of her long legs. It was a comfortable look, which helped set a comfortable vibe immediately.
Alexandra returned and handed me a bottle of water, before sitting on the opposite end of the couch. Her body language wasn't unwelcoming, but there was something that was slightly off. She wasn't being flirty, if anything she felt somewhat disconnected from me.
"I guess, I'll start," Alexandra quickly said with a nervous timbre to her voice.
She adjusted in her seat, trying to make herself comfortable. She nervously ran her hands through her beautiful brunette hair.
"I'm not sure how much they've told you. I'm married. Gosh, that seems awful to admit. I settled down a little over a year ago. I thought it was time, I mean, I'm in my mid-30's, I couldn't stay single forever. He is awesome! We love each other and get along so well. It's just, something is missing."
I nodded along encouragingly, in hopes she'd relax and settle in.
"I knew when we were dating that we weren't completely compatible in the bedroom. He isn't bad, but I've grown to love certain things that he just isn't into. His preferences clash a bit with mine," Alexandra ran her hand through her hair, pulling it behind her ear.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but I just need you to know, I'm not here to judge. The only way that this works is if you are comfortable with me and this situation, as a whole," I encouraged.