Page 6 of Sex Coach

"How so ?"

"Well, my last one was about all the hot, happening places in Phoenicia, New York. I'm pretty sure if I'd turned in a piece that had anything to do with male prostitutes, I'd lose the chance to get another job with them." Immediately after, I regretted the directness of my reply .

But he didn't seem to mind. "Not everybody has an open mind about sex. That's just life. But it's a basic need – like food, water, companionship ."

I'd lowered my hand, and from the corner of my eye, I could see that he'd leaned in closer. The light gilded his hair now, and I had the impression that it was pale gold .

"I imagine you can understand that, can't you?" he murmured, his voice closer to my ear now. "By the way, speaking of companionship, I didn't catch my companion's name ."

"Ah..." I swallowed, feeling like there was a knot in my throat the size of a fist. "I'm...ah...Michelle. I imagine you were expecting Gina, but there were circumstances. I assure you, there are good reasons –"

"Drink your wine, Michelle. I know about Gina's wreck. Her assistant emailed me to let me know somebody else would likely handle the interview...perhaps even the article. Are you nervous?" He nudged the wine closer .

Did it show that I was nervous ?

Crap. I hoped not .

Determined to get back on track, I focused my brain and jotted down some questions that seemed legit. "How did you...get started? I assume this isn't something you planned on doing from the time you were a young boy of five or six," I added dryly, relying on humor to help cover my discomfort .

His laugh was just as sexy now as it had been the first time I heard it. He shifted on the stool, and I caught another glimpse of his profile. It was definitely a nice profile. Nice enough that my heart fluttered a bit, and I wanted to turn and look him full in the face. But I stuck to the agreement .

"It's a long story. Does the answer help you write your article ?"

"I...well, I don't know ."

He leaned in and whispered, "I don't think it does. How did you end up becoming a writer? Do you enjoy it ?"

"You do realize I'm supposed to be interviewing you, right?" Tapping my pen on the notepad, I scrawled something in the shorthand only I would understand. "You've got something of a reputation. A nickname to go with it too." Blood rushed to my cheeks, and I swallowed hard before I continued, "A very descriptive nickname ."

"And just what nickname is that?" he asked, clearly teasing me. But he didn't push for an answer, continuing to talk without waiting for me to reply. "It's true though that I take pride in my work. If you're going to do something, you might as well do it well ."

"I'm going to assume you're..." I stopped, nibbling on my lower lip as I wondered how in the world Gina did this. She'd interviewed dominatrixes and submissives before, swingers and others who led...interesting sex lives. A sex pro would probably be a piece of cake. And I was stumbling trying to think up a few questions .

"Who came up with the nickname? You or a client ?"

"A client." He laughed, a rich, full laugh that made me wish I hadn't asked. "It would be a bit arrogant for me to use that, don't you think? It's not like I have it written on a business card. Word just...gets around, we'll say ."

"Do you have a business card ?"

"No. Do you ?"

"I..." Hesitating, I started to look at him, but stopped. "Of course. But this isn't about me ."

"But it might come in handy," he replied. "In case I think up something I should tell you later on ."

He put a hand out .

It was the first direct contact we'd had, and I found myself staring at the long-fingered hand and wondering what it would feel like to have the King of Multiple Orgasms touching me .

Immediately, I blushed. In order to hide it, I busied myself digging out a card from my small purse .

"Here..." I thrust it in his direction. "Now, can we please focus and talk about you ?"

"We're trying to, but you keep getting distracted. How long have you lived in New York City ?"

"I'm..." Flabbergasted. I blew out a breath. "I'm not getting distracted. You're distracting me. And I've lived here a few years. What about you ?" Maybe that was how I should play it. Answer his questions, then turn it around on him .

"About the same. Where did you live before here ?"

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