disappointment at the time, but I eventually realized that I fulfilled a need for her. She had been devastated by her ex, and I was there to make her feel good about herself. She wasn’t ready for another long-term relationship when we started dating. She needed a breather.”
“And is that what you were for her? You were that breather?”
“Yes. I was a necessary part in the process of her figuring out how to love again.”
Asia shook her head. “So you decided to put yourself through that kind of disappointment for a living?”
“No, I decided to save guys like myself from similar disappointment. I was completely clueless to the fact that I was my ex’s rebound guy, so I wasn’t prepared when she ended it. There are no illusions now. I know exactly what I’m doing from the outset. I step in and serve as that guy who helps a woman get over her past relationship. But I’m not there just to show her a good time. I help her to heal, to see what went wrong so that when the next guy comes along—the right guy—she’s less likely to make those same mistakes again.”
Folding both hands under her chin, Asia studied him for a moment before saying, “I must say it’s an interesting concept.”
He barked out a laugh. “You think it’s bullshit.”
“I did not say that.”
“But that’s what you’re thinking.”
Asia lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. “I am not here to judge. I just offered to hire you, remember?”
“But you don’t want to use my full range of services,” Dexter pointed out. “All you’re looking for is a stand-in stud.”
“My situation is different from your typical client’s.”
His assessing gaze seemed to see right through her. “I’m not so sure about that,” he murmured.
Asia ignored the heat that flashed across her skin as she reached for her forgotten coffee and took a sip, grimacing as she swallowed the lukewarm liquid.
“I have another question for you,” she said, pushing the cup aside. “You claim that you’re not an escort.”
“I’m not.”
“So, I take that to mean that, uh...sex isn’t included in your services?”
His grin broadened. “It’s extra.”
Her lips parted in shock. “So, you are an escort.”
Dexter tipped his head back, expelling a frustrated breath. “If you’re asking if I’ve ever had sex with a client—”
“That’s what I’m asking.”
“Yes, I have. Sex is sometimes a part of the equation, but not always.” Dexter splayed his fingers out on the table, clenching and releasing them. “Look, one component of building a woman’s self-esteem is showing her that she is still an attractive, sexual being. But I do not sleep with every client, and definitely not with the clients who I feel will not be able to detach themselves emotionally.
“In fact, if I get the sense that a client is particularly vulnerable, I recommend she see a certified therapist. I know my limits, and I know that I’m not equipped to provide the kind of help that some women may need.” One shoulder lifted in a casual shrug. “But with clients whom I believe can handle it, yes, sex can be a part of it.”
He held both hands up. “I’m upfront about it from the very beginning. I make sure before ever taking that step that the client fully comprehends where things stand. Whether we become physical or not, my clients know that I am providing a service, and when the time comes to end it, we end it.”
“There’s a time limit?”
“One month,” he said. “If I can’t repair the damage cause by the previous relationship in one month’s time, I can’t repair it at all.”
“Do you give a refund if you fail?”
“That’s never been an issue. Every single client has left completely satisfied.”
Asia was mortified at the way her nipples instantly tightened. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the coffee again and downed the rest of the liquid in one gulp.
Her work phone buzzed with an incoming text message. Thank
“And is that what you were for her? You were that breather?”
“Yes. I was a necessary part in the process of her figuring out how to love again.”
Asia shook her head. “So you decided to put yourself through that kind of disappointment for a living?”
“No, I decided to save guys like myself from similar disappointment. I was completely clueless to the fact that I was my ex’s rebound guy, so I wasn’t prepared when she ended it. There are no illusions now. I know exactly what I’m doing from the outset. I step in and serve as that guy who helps a woman get over her past relationship. But I’m not there just to show her a good time. I help her to heal, to see what went wrong so that when the next guy comes along—the right guy—she’s less likely to make those same mistakes again.”
Folding both hands under her chin, Asia studied him for a moment before saying, “I must say it’s an interesting concept.”
He barked out a laugh. “You think it’s bullshit.”
“I did not say that.”
“But that’s what you’re thinking.”
Asia lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. “I am not here to judge. I just offered to hire you, remember?”
“But you don’t want to use my full range of services,” Dexter pointed out. “All you’re looking for is a stand-in stud.”
“My situation is different from your typical client’s.”
His assessing gaze seemed to see right through her. “I’m not so sure about that,” he murmured.
Asia ignored the heat that flashed across her skin as she reached for her forgotten coffee and took a sip, grimacing as she swallowed the lukewarm liquid.
“I have another question for you,” she said, pushing the cup aside. “You claim that you’re not an escort.”
“I’m not.”
“So, I take that to mean that, uh...sex isn’t included in your services?”
His grin broadened. “It’s extra.”
Her lips parted in shock. “So, you are an escort.”
Dexter tipped his head back, expelling a frustrated breath. “If you’re asking if I’ve ever had sex with a client—”
“That’s what I’m asking.”
“Yes, I have. Sex is sometimes a part of the equation, but not always.” Dexter splayed his fingers out on the table, clenching and releasing them. “Look, one component of building a woman’s self-esteem is showing her that she is still an attractive, sexual being. But I do not sleep with every client, and definitely not with the clients who I feel will not be able to detach themselves emotionally.
“In fact, if I get the sense that a client is particularly vulnerable, I recommend she see a certified therapist. I know my limits, and I know that I’m not equipped to provide the kind of help that some women may need.” One shoulder lifted in a casual shrug. “But with clients whom I believe can handle it, yes, sex can be a part of it.”
He held both hands up. “I’m upfront about it from the very beginning. I make sure before ever taking that step that the client fully comprehends where things stand. Whether we become physical or not, my clients know that I am providing a service, and when the time comes to end it, we end it.”
“There’s a time limit?”
“One month,” he said. “If I can’t repair the damage cause by the previous relationship in one month’s time, I can’t repair it at all.”
“Do you give a refund if you fail?”
“That’s never been an issue. Every single client has left completely satisfied.”
Asia was mortified at the way her nipples instantly tightened. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the coffee again and downed the rest of the liquid in one gulp.
Her work phone buzzed with an incoming text message. Thank
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