Quid Pro Quo (Market Garden, #1)(4)

Rolex balked, sitting up a little straighter. “Not sure I’m willing to pay that much.”

Tristan’s arm slid around Jared’s shoulders. “Well, that’s to see us both f*ck and get f*cked. Twenty for a kiss, four hundred for a f*ck. We can negotiate the steps in between.”

Fuck, mate. If this guy bails, can we go somewhere and do all those steps anyway?

The john’s eyes flicked back and forth between them.

“Tell you what. I’ll start at two hundred. If I like what that gets me, I’ll pay for more.”

Tristan pursed his lips. His fingers drummed on Jared’s

shoulder, and he focused on the wallet on the table. Jared’s heart beat faster and faster. At this point, he didn’t give a f*ck about the money. He’d had a thing for Tristan for, God, how long now? Shit, whatever Rolex wouldn’t pay, Jared was tempted to pony up himself. He had a little bit of money left, even if it was dog-eared for inconsequential things like rent.

Damn, Market Garden really needed to issue store cards or

something.

Finally, Tristan looked at him. “This sound good to you?”

Jared nodded.

To the john, Tristan said, “All right. Two hundred, and

we’ll go up in one hundred quid increments from there.”

“How much does two hundred get me?” the john asked.





9


“What you just saw, ramped up,” Tristan said. “No clothes

off, nothing below the belt.”

Rolex chewed the inside of his cheek, watching Tristan

and Jared silently for a moment. Jared could already see the mental porno playing inside the man’s head, and he desperately hoped it was as hot as it was in his own mind. And that it became a reality in very, very short order.

Finally, the john spoke. “All right. You have a deal.” He

opened his wallet and took out four fifties. As he slid them across the table, he said, “I have a room at the Meridian Star Hotel. Shall we?”

Tristan didn’t move. “You been here before?”

The john shook his head.

Tristan gestured at the bar. “Quick background check and

all of that. Just a basic one. It won’t take long.”

Rolex eyed the bar, and Jared was afraid the inconvenience might put him off and send him on his way, but then the man nodded, and picked up his fifties. “Excuse me a moment, then.

You’ll wait here for me?”

Tristan lifted his mostly empty drink in a mock salute.

“Consider us yours for the night. We’ll be right here.”

While the john went up to the bar to complete the

background check, Tristan leaned in close enough to kiss

Jared’s neck.

“Are you sure you’re all right with this arrangement?” he

asked, his breath tickling beneath Jared’s ear.

All right with it? Are you f*cking kidding me?

Jared swallowed. “Yeah. I am. Though I’ve never done this

with a, um, a partner.”

“Nothing to worry about.” Tristan’s other hand slid over

Jared’s leg, dangerously close to his groin. “Just follow my lead.”





10


“You do this often?”

“Never have.” Tristan pulled back, meeting Jared’s eyes.

Then he looked Jared up and down, and grinned. “But I think it could be fun, don’t you?”

“Ooh yeah.”

“Good.” Tristan leaned in again, and this time he did kiss Jared’s neck, making him shiver. “If anything goes south, or gets out of hand, and you want to call it off, just say ‘weasel.’”

Jared snorted. “Weasel? Really?”

Tristan laughed, warming the side of Jared’s neck. “Well,

you’ll remember it, won’t you?”

“Hmm, yes, I will.”

“Thought so.” He pressed a lingering kiss onto the side of Jared’s neck. “I’m looking forward to this, Jared. I’m curious to find out if everything I’ve heard about you through the grapevine is true.”

“The—” Jared straightened. “The what? ”

“I’ve heard that you’re—”

“Are we ready?” The john’s voice startled Jared.

Tristan sat up. “Ready when you are.” He glanced at Jared

and winked, mouthing, “I’ll tell you later. ”

Rolex opened his wallet and took out the four fifties

again. As he handed them to Tristan, he said, “Let’s go.”

He must have been here on a business trip. The hotel was

in the West End, and an impressive five stars. Somebody had serious money to spend, even in this shitty economy. But what did Jared know? He glanced at Tristan, impressed that he’d pegged the guy’s pay grade just right. Hell, Rolex might even turn into repeat business. If the guy stayed for a couple of days, and if they impressed him, they could both be drinking top shelf for a while.





11


They slid out of the booth, Tristan first, and the john

brought up the rear. As they stepped out into the night, a gleaming silver Jag on the other side of the street came to life.