"It's my company, so I am biased."
"Does anyone else freak out like this their first time?"
"Most new clients get nervous, Gretel," Abbey told her from the other side of the imposing mahogany desk.
Her arms were shaking.
"Let's sit over here." In her Italian wool suit, Abbey guided Gretel across the floor of her executive suite to the loveseat.
"I am usually a calm person, really, I am." Gretel's calves wiggled in her yellow rain boots.
"To answer your question, you are correct. It's not normal, or average, for women to directly pay for male companionship. That doesn't mean it's unnatural. I have run this enterprise for around fifteen years. Wow. It has been that long."
"I've heard your business is growing. Besides me, obviously. Therefore, I should stop thinking of myself as the only woman hiring an escort."
"Hundreds have come before you. And, with my help, they come a lot more often, thank you very much."
The two women chuckled.
"Have you ever... I mean, with another agency, of course, but..." Gretel wrung her hands.
"Have I ever hired a male escort for my personal enjoyment?" Abbey scrunched her nose. "I have considered the option, so that I can better relate to my club's members. I have had offers from other agents in the industry. My partner Jed gave me the green light, for research purposes. But I never... a fitting opportunity has not presented itself."
"I have thought about joining your club for ages. I only found the courage this year, and it took me weeks to finally make the call."
Abbey placed her arm around her client's trembling shoulders. "We are thrilled to have you. We will take good care of you. I already have a suitor in mind who will put you at ease."
"He's not going to be super young? Or much older than me?"
"No, Goldilocks, he will be just right."
Gretel relaxed. Her flat-ironed, onyx hair grazed the collar of her Peter Pan collar. "I will trust your judgment."
"What additional questions can I answer for you before we pick a time for you to meet your match?"
"Has anyone ever fallen in love? That would seem unethical and delusional and creepy."
"It has happened once. Mutually. Surprisingly rare, in my experience building this firm. The one occurence of a client and a suitor falling in love with each other, our whole team was in shock. However, we pulled ourselves together for the wedding. They said goodbye to the club, moved to a flyover state, and remain happily married."
She fiddled with the short bangs framing her brown forehead. "Has a pairing ever gone wrong?"
"Occasionally couplings are reshuffled. That is why we monitor your first few dates."
"Video cameras? I read the surveillance paragraphs in the paperwork I signed. Someone will watch us talk and eat and... conjugate?"
"Yes." Abbey placed her palms on her thighs.
"I have never had a third party watch me, that I am aware of, during an intimate encounter. I guess all the previous members have done it, so I might as well."
"Most of them have. Not all. Some take the relationship slowly. Intercourse does not necessarily appear as the first, second, or twentieth item on every member's menu. Companionship is often the main course."
Gretel released a sigh of relief. She patted the hem of her red kilt over her navy leggings. "Then I will start with an appetizer platter. I've done stuff. A lot of stuff. Not many activities I was fond of, because of the people involved."
"What sort of activities have you fancied in the past?"
Gretel's hands flew to her hot cheeks.
Abbey assured her, "If you don't want to, we don't have to discuss-"
"I want to. I need to. So that you know who would be good for me."
"Okay."
"Sometimes I like penetration. In front or in back. In my mouth?" Gretel shrugged. "Maybe."
"Are there actions you enjoy on your own that you may like to try with a partner?"
"I like rubbing." She pointed to her crotch area of her plaid skirt.
"Stimulating your clitoris?"
"On the outside of my panties while I read fanfiction. I put a finger inside to feel how wet I am getting to determine which stories turn me on the most."
"Brilliant idea."
"Thanks." Gretel crossed her legs towards Abbey. "Even though I doubt any stallions in your stable would be interested in browsing Sherlock/Elementary crossover slashfic with me."
"I'm sure one of them could be convinced."
After discussing logistical details, the pair chose a square on the calendar for Gretel's first date. By the time Abbey walked her out of the office and towards the elevator, Gretel had transformed from skittish about her desires to eager for her initial rendezvous.
"Nice job, boss."
Abbey was both startled and pleased, as usual, to hear the voice of her star employee Will. He was leaning on her assistant Doug's desk.
"Thanks." She spied a sneaky camaraderie brewing between her two team members. "What's going on here?"
The men exchanged a secretive glance. Will straightened his posture. "That's what I traveled down the hall to your office to ask you about."
Doug cleared his throat.