That night I left Sandy, after giving her $300.00. I had actually tried to give her more but she wouldn't take it. "You have made this one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever had. I feel guilty taking any money from you, but I do really need it."
"Don't be silly," I said. "Take the extra money."
"Rob, I want to see you again and again. I don't want to send you broke and never see you again."
"Sweetheart you don't have to worry. I'd rob a bank if necessary to be with you again."
"Well, that had better not be necessary," she laughed and then added, with a longing look in her eyes, "You will see me again, won't you?"
I leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips, "Try and stop me!"
*
So there I was, driving home in my car thinking to myself as I drove "how could this have been so good and why was I feeling like this. After all, it was a paid for fuck!"
But it didn't matter how I reasoned it. I was stoked on this woman!
The next day I had to drive to Muswellbrook, about a four hour drive into the country. I hate having to work Saturdays, but business is business. Anyway it is a lovely drive and Muswellbrook is a pretty town, situated in the Hunter Valley, one of the premium wine producing areas of New South Wales. Having left home very early, I was just pulling into the car park of the shopping centre I was to look at, at about 9am, and my mobile phone rang.
It was her!
"Rob, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything important, but I just had to ring and tell you how much I enjoyed last night and how much it meant to me."
I was gobsmacked! Then I remembered her financial position.
"Hang up and I'll call you back," I said.
"What? Oh thank you," she replied, and hung up.
I called her straight back.
"This is an entirely unexpected pleasure," I said when she answered; "You were the last person I expected to hear from."
"Why?" she asked.
"Well, putting this as delicately as I can, it was a financial arrangement when it's all said and done."
I heard a sharp intake of breath and what sounded like a stifled sob.
"Oh, you think I'm just a cheap slut! A whore! Well I'm sorry I bothered you!"
"Hey, whoa! Stop! That's not what I think at all. I'm flattered that you would want to contact me. In fact I'm over the moon. I just didn't think that you would."
"And why not?" she asked. Then she answered her own question. "It's because of the paying thing, isn't it?"
"Well, I guess so. Look let's just forget this part of the conversation took place and start again. I'm flattered you rang and I want to see you again. So when can I?"
"I'm sorry Rob. I wasn't thinking clearly when I rang. I should have remembered about the paying arrangement. It's just that I had such a wonderful time last night and I wanted to tell you. I haven't enjoyed sex, like last night, since I can't remember when. And I wanted to be sure I'd see you again."
"Sandy, rest assured you'll see me again. As soon as you like. How about tonight, I'll be back in Sydney by six."
"Why, where are you?" she asked.
"I'm in Muswellbrook, had to come up here to look at a shopping centre."
"Oh bugger," she said.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"The kids are going out with my girlfriend and her kids and I thought you might come over and make love to me again. We did make love, didn't we Rob?" she almost pleaded.
"Yes honey, we did make love and I would give anything to be there and do it again. But this is work and I had to be here."
"I wouldn't want more money Rob. I just wanted to see you again. Is that silly?"
"No sillier than how I felt when I left you last night. Look, can you get someone to look after the kids tonight? If you can, how about I take you out for dinner and we'll discuss everything."
"I can't promise, but I'll try. I might prevail on David's (her ex-husband) parents. They love having the kids and understand I have a life. I'll ring you later and confirm. OK?"
"Sure," I said "but just let it ring two or three times and hang up, I'll ring you back."
I heard the little intake of breath, like a stifled sob. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."
"It's OK hon. I'll talk to you soon, I hope."
*
I knocked on her door that evening, as arranged, at 6.30.
If she was breathtaking the night before, she was radiantly beautiful now!
Once more I was gobsmacked!
"You look devastating!"
"Why thank you kind sir. You look pretty swish yourself," she smiled.