1 Chapter One: On Creek Avenue

She shrugged uneasily as the Mercedes slowly approached her. Her heart was heavy with expectation. It had been a long night and the fruits she had to show were a pair of hands full of worthless air. The street spot that she occupied had become her home at night for the past five months. And the transition from summer to winter had come with numerous challenges. She wore a short flowery dress that freed her long toned thighs from obscurity. The sighting of flesh was a key component in the business. She had to project just enough in order to arouse her secret weapon, curiosity. As the car came close, she felt nervous. It was too fancy for this particular street. She stood on Creek avenue, four blocks away from prime real estate as far as her line of business was concerned. Once she attempted to find a spot there but just narrowly escaped with her life. She had to settle for the less attractive site where premiums were so low that the only way to survive was volume. But so much for survival, to her winter had been more than cold. It threatened to make her extinct. Somehow it seemed the men preferred heaters compared to female body warmth.

The car stopped just in front of her and as she looked with her feet hesitant, the window lowered halfway. She stepped towards it and then bent to take a peek inside. The inside of the car had similarities of a home she afforded only in her dreams. She did not possess a deep knowledge of cars but she could tell this one was as high-end as they come. There was a gentleman by the wheel. He turned his head and looked at her, smiled and then beckoned her with his left hand while the right was on the steering wheel. Her right hand firmly clutched onto her purse by her shoulder and she let loose a breath of air. A slight uncertainty visited her mind and came with a myriad of thoughts. Why so nice a car? Why on this particular street? Why me? The thought of a transaction-less night pushed all others aside and she stretched her hand and reached for the handle. She let herself in and then said hello. He smiled at her while he gazed for a moment projecting a hint of satisfaction. Then he turned up the almost silent radio and focused at the road. Next, he sped off into the chilly winter night.

There was soft pop music playing in the car as they silently sat next to each other. She was so desperate to find normalcy within the car but the environment that surrounded her branded her an unfamiliar object. She tried to discreetly send her eyes on a reconnaissance mission, hoping one thing would give her a sense of belonging. She turned slightly towards him. He was tall and dashingly handsome. She wondered why someone with such good looks would want to look for a prostitute when any girl would lay down and surrender her womanhood to the full extent of his predilections. She looked for alcohol but found none. He nodded in sync to the gentle music playing and tapped the steering wheel gently while paying attention to the road. Momentarily, she allowed herself to sink in to the soft leathery seat she occupied and for a moment she resolved the majority of her lingering self-esteem issues. As she was getting comfortable, she heard a distinctive clicking sound, tilted her head towards the dashboard and saw the indicator light flickering. Their trek was almost over and tonight's destiny awaited. The car then turned into a yard that housed a beautifully lit high-rise building. He navigated his way past a number of cars and finally picked a spot. Once well aligned within the space, he switched off the engine and announced, "This is home".

As she opened the vehicle in order to reluctantly let herself out, winter`s arms waited to lock her in an embrace. There was a cool breeze that brushed with significant vigour against her. Her thighs were once again victims, paying the cost of beauty. He locked the doors and then waited by the corner of the car. When she caught up, he led the way. She wondered what she had gotten herself into. There were so many things amiss in this setup. For starters, no foul language? Usually there would have already been enough to make up a short story. The other men enjoyed taunting her and telling her dirty stuff as if they needed to in order to get it up. But he dared not talk to her at all, let alone say any. She cat-walked across the parking lot and into the building. They came to a glass door and a doorman came and opened it for them. Then her gentleman said to him, "Patrick I told you, you don`t have to do that for me". Patrick smiled at her as she went in. What was wrong with this night? Everything! Too many smiles, no mistreatment. They went to the elevator and as soon as he pressed the up button it opened and presented itself at their service. At the third floor, there was a sharp dinging sound and voila! They had arrived. Only a few steps and they stood at the door. At his door. He pulled a bunch of clanging keys from his leather jacket and finally she anticipated normal service was about to resume. There was a slight whir as the door swung open. He looked at her, raised his arm to welcome her in and gently said, "Welcome to my humble abode". She smiled and stepped into a world of uncertainty.

Just before the moment of truth, uncertainty was commonplace. She had had many transactions before but she wasn't experienced enough to know one type of man from the next. However, this was a type she thought didn`t exist. His apartment was stunning. The sort of places she saw when she looked into the TV. Was this by any chance a dream? She thought of pinching herself but the cold assured her she was well awake and there was no need of subjecting herself to physical punishment given she was probably looking forward to a night full of such. He followed after her and once inside took off his jacket and threw it onto the couch that was a few steps past the door. "Make yourself at home", he said as he went down the hallway and disappeared into a room to which her eyes had no access given her position. She moved to the couch and gently lowered herself into its soft fabric. In no time, he had returned and he smiled at her, cleared his throat and said "You can take a warm shower in there", pointing to the room he had disappeared into. "There are fresh towels and everything you will need inside." She thought for a moment. This was a first. Then again, everything that had happened to her tonight was a first. And the night still quite young and brimming with promise. She smiled back and got up and went into the bathroom. When she opened the taps, the reception was as promised. Her highest expectations were met and exceeded. She thought to herself that he ought to really like his package in the best possible condition. The shower gel smelled so good and its aroma pervaded the entire room. The thoughts were continuously colliding inside of her head. What were his intentions? An instinctive thought made her alert to the possibility of the door opening anytime soon. Maybe he would pounce upon her while she was already an unwrapped gift, ready for the taking. But the minutes were elapsing fast and all were characterized by a confounding action deprivation. To think that half an hour ago she was stranded on the street corner, now she was deeply imbued in satisfaction that was beyond her wildest dreams. The warm shower water cascaded down her body from her head and navigated its way around her well contoured frame. She intended to be in her best shape for what was ahead. This was one customer she needed to keep.

She stepped back into the living room and stood a few steps away from him. He sat on the couch with a steamy cup in his left hand and the TV remote in the other. Her steps were gentle but he quickly felt her presence and looked in her direction. She stood in nature`s adornment and he could not help but notice she was as fair as day. Each body part was proportional to the next and shared a strong sense of corporate responsibility towards the whole body. Her breasts were perky and the nipples looked straight at him invitingly. The walls of his resolve threatened to crumble. But he just but kept himself in check. He had changed while she was in the shower and was in his sleep clothes. A bedroom robe made up the exterior but her standing there naked numbered its days on his body. He got up from where he sat, walked towards her and stood behind her. Her mind went into overdrive. She thought to herself that he must be inspecting the package and crossed her fingers hoping not a single piece of landscape would be found wanting. She felt him draw closer to her and thought maybe he wanted to caress her while he kissed her neck. She tilted her head slightly so his lips could get enough play area. His hands went up and when they made contact she felt the softness of the cotton robe sit on her shoulders. The breath air that escaped from his nostrils hitting against her cheeks increased gently. Was he moving in for the kill? She maintained her tilted head position and her deep anxious breaths were testament to the hope that for once her expectations would be met. He put his robe upon her and his wrapped around her as he tied the waist belt. Then came to her ear and whispered, "My name is Jake".