Page 2 of Hire A Cuddler

I nod and lean forward with my arms crossed over my chest. “And is the success rate with your patients high?”

“It is for the people that put in the work,” he says, looking at me down his nose. He obviously doesn’t like being questioned, but I don’t care. I can’t imagine ever being comfortable enough with him to actually let him touch me or cuddle with me.

“And what does that mean… put in the work?”

His smile is tight. “Well, for starters, answer questions.”

I nod and blurt out in frustration, “I’m here because I had a shitty upbringing and I don’t trust people. How’s that?”

If anything, his smile deepens, and it makes me feel like I did something right in his eyes. “That’s good. That’s a start at least. Let’s talk about schedules. I want to see you twice a week.”

“Twice a week?” I repeat, surprised.

He nods. “Yeah, I think it’s a good idea.”

I shrug, already dreading the next appointment. “Okay.”

He nods. “Okay, how about I give you a tour of the other offices and then we’ll convene again next week?”

I nod and follow him, trying not to let the disappointment set in. I don’t know what I was hoping for, maybe an instant connection where I felt a closeness with another person. Where I felt safe and maybe even was on the receiving end of a hug or something, but I don’t feel anything but numb… and ridiculous.

2

KING

“Who is she?”I repeat to the woman behind the desk.

She looks at me wide-eyed, shaking her head. “Sir, like I said, I can’t give out guest information.”

I’m about to pull money out of my wallet when the woman lifts her chin at me and holds her hand up. “Forget it. You’re wasting your time.”

Even though I’m pissed off, I am a little impressed. Most people don’t tell me no. Either because of my size or my name, I almost always get what I want.

I put my wallet back into my pocket, and with a nod, I walk away and take a seat in the lobby of the hotel. I lean forward, elbows on my knees, andglance down the hall in the direction where I last saw the woman.

I noticed her as she was walking into the hotel. I had just left a meeting next door, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She’s beautiful, and there was no way I was going to let her out of my sight. I’ve never had to chase a woman down before, but that’s exactly what I did.

As soon as I got through the front door of the hotel, I saw her walking down the hall with a man that either doesn’t realize how beautiful the woman is beside him or they just met. There was an awkwardness in their stance, and I’m hoping that they are not together. If they are, they won’t be for long. I’m not a homewrecker, but if he doesn’t have a ring on her finger, then she’s fair game.

I keep watching down the hallway, trying to figure out where she went or who she could be. Is she here on vacation? Is she staying at the hotel for work? The first floor has businesses; does she work in one of the offices?

The longer I sit here, the more intense my need is to see her again.

I feel as if I’m barely hanging on. I’m about to go up to the front desk again when I see the woman walking slowly down the hall with the same man. Istand up, hands fisted at my sides, and openly stare at her. For a second, I’d wondered if I’d worked it up in my head and maybe she wasn’t as beautiful as I thought. I had seen her from a distance before, but now, only a few feet away from her, it’s very clear that she is more than beautiful. And she has a body made for sin.

I want to reach out and stop her, but I don’t. I try to eavesdrop on their conversation, and it’s obvious their relationship, if it even is one, is a new one. It’s all very formal, and I let out a sigh of relief to figure out that she’s not on a date with this man. I hear them talk about seeing each other again in two days, and when the man opens his arms, as if expecting a hug, I almost move toward them.

I can’t stand here and let some man put his arms around her. I don’t know how or why I feel so strongly about her already, but I do.

I’m already on the move but stop suddenly when instead of hugging the man, the woman puts her hand out to shake instead. I watch as they shake hands and then watch the woman disappear.

I’m riddled with indecision. Do I follow her? There’s a vulnerability about her, and I don’t know if she will be open to just being approached by some stranger on the street. The man she was withis hanging around and I watch as he approaches another woman. They shake hands, talk, and then start walking down the hall again. Before they go into a closed door, I call out, “Excuse me, sir. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

He nods, looking at me with his eyebrows raised. “Go on in, Candace. I’ll be with you in just a minute.”

As soon as the door closes behind her, I step up to the man. I’m easily a foot taller and have at least a hundred pounds on him. “What’s your name?”

He leans his head back to look up at me, and his eyes are wide as he stutters, “Victor.”

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