Disclaimer: The character of Antoine belongs to Harris Goldberg and Rob Schneider. No infringement intended. All other characters owned by the author.

This story is rated R

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Ever been in a rut? I was. Didn’t realize it until my 30th birthday and I found myself with no husband, no boyfriend, not even a prospective date. I had the same hairstyle I had in high school and my clothes were at least 3 years old. I was a mess!

So when I got an unexpected small inheritance when my Aunt died, I decided some changes were past due. Long past due! With the help of my best friend, Sandy, we headed out early Saturday morning. I had my haircut and highlighted, a complete facial and makeover and a manicure.

“Wow, Jessa, you look great!”

I stared at myself in the mirror not believing that the person staring back at me was actually me. My once long thick brown hair was now cut to my shoulders; its natural curls springing up to frame my face. The highlights had brought out the red in my hair giving it more auburn color. I had makeup on, which I normally wore very little of, if any at all, and it accented my cheekbones and brought out the blue in my eyes. I was stunned. “Thanks,” I answered.

When that was done we hit the stores along Rodeo Drive where I bought several outfits. Sandy made me wear one of the dresses, asking the sales clerk to throw away my old clothes. It was a classy casual dress that clung to curves I didn’t know I had and complimented my coloring.

Then we stopped at a cozy outdoor café and had lunch. I was beginning to feel better about myself already. I noticed I was already starting to get long looks by men as I walked by them and it boosted my ego. We ordered our lunch and as I took a look around I caught sight of the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. He was, in my opinion, simply breathtaking. He had dark brown, almost black hair that hung down in waves to his shoulders. His face was totally masculine with dark eyes that reminded me of semisweet chocolate and a exotic looking, neatly trimmed beard that framed full lips and trailed along his jaw line to his sideburns leaving his cheeks clean shaven. He was with a beautiful blonde woman who looked like she’d just stepped off the cover of Cosmo and he was leaning close to her, speaking to her with a slow sexy smile. She answered him and he laughed loudly. I could hear his deep husky laugh all the way over at our table and it made me shiver and I nearly started drooling. I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from him as I watched him pick up his wine glass and take a sip of it. I felt a wave of desire course through me as I watched those full lips on the wine glass. I was so entranced by the sight I didn’t even notice that he was looking directly back at me now. It wasn’t until he gave me that slow sexy knowing smile and a wink that I realized I’d been caught staring.

My eyes widened in horror as I felt heat rushing to my cheeks. Good Lord, I think even my hair was blushing! I averted my gaze immediately and heard his husky laughter again and knew he was laughing at me. I felt like such an idiot.

“What are you doing, Jessa?”

“Nothing,” I squeaked. “Just making a complete ass of myself is all.” I grabbed my Iced Tea and took several long swallows to cool myself off and smiled at my best friend. She just shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Well, here,” she said and she slide a business card across the table to me.

“What’s this?”

“The icing on the cake,” she answered with a grin. I lifted an eyebrow and picked the card up.

Antoine Laconte – Escort services
213-555-6989

My eyes widened in surprise as I stared at the card then looked up at my friend. “Are you suggesting I call a gigolo?”

Sandy laughed. “Oh quit acting like a prude, Jessa.”

I gaped at her for a moment then answered a little offended. “I am not a prude, Sandy! I just don’t see myself as being that hard up.”

“It has nothing to do with being hard up, Jessa. It’s about breaking out of this rut your in and having some fun. When was the last time you had great sex?”

Great sex? Truthfully, I don’t think I’d ever had great sex before. Wasn’t even convinced that great sex existed except in romance novels. “Never,” I admitted unhappily.

“See what I mean? You need to get laid. You need to call this guy, Antoine and let him do his thing.”

I stared at the card debating. My gaze wondered over to where that gorgeous guy had been, but he and the blonde were gone. For some reason I felt disappointed. “So how is it you know about him?” I finally asked her curiously.

She grinned. “I don’t, actually. Tina gave that to me the other day and told me I just had to call him. Apparently she had a night with him not long ago and said it was – and I quote, ‘the best purchase I ever made’. She said the guy is Italian and absolutely gorgeous.”

I sighed. “I don’t know, Sandy.”

“Just keep hold of the card and think about it. Tina said he’s very high class and only takes new clients via recommendation, so if you decide to call him, be sure and tell him that Tina referred you. I’ll call Tina and let her know I gave you the card, so if he checks with her, she can give him the ‘ok’ about you.”

I nodded and tucked the card into my purse. We finished our lunch and did a little more shopping before I headed home with my new look and purchases.

I must have sat on my couch and stared at that business card for well over an hour. I listed all the pros and cons of why I should or shouldn’t call this guy. However, in the end, I realized I wasn’t going to marry the guy; I was simply going to have sex with him. I knew Tina and knew that she was as selective as I was regarding men and not into casual sex. If she was raving about this Antoine fellow, then he must be okay. I had to laugh though. Knowing Tina the way I do, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d made him take a complete physical before jumping in the sack with him. Making my decision, I reached for the phone before I could change my mind and chicken out.

I was disappointed when I got an answering machine. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure what I got. The phone rang twice, and then I heard a long beep, no message. It was a second before I started talking.

“Um, hi. I hope I have the right number. My name is Jessalyn and I’m looking for Antoine. My number is 213-555-0135. Thanks.” I hung up the phone with my heart pounding in my chest. Oh God, what had I done? Well, there was no turning back now, I’d already set the ball rolling and now it was in his court.

Half an hour later, my phone rang. “Hello?”

“Is this Jessalyn?” The voice was very male, deep and accented.

“Yes it is.” My heart began pounding in my chest as I realized that this had to be Antoine.

“Hello Jessalyn, this is Antoine. I’m returning your call?” My palms began to sweat as my mind went blank. Dear God, what do I say?

“Um, yes, thank you.” I was so nervous I felt like I was going to be sick.

“What can I do for you, cara mia?” he asked gently as if he sensed my anxiety.

I licked my dry lips and took a deep breath. “I’m not sure,” I answered nervously. “I just turned 30 and I’m in a rut and my friend Tina recommended you.” Oh God, I was babbling. I couldn’t believe I’d just told him I was in a rut. I heard his deep chuckle through the phone line and my knees weakened.

“I think I can help you break out of that rut. Who did you say recommended you?”

“Tina Combs?”

“Ah, yes, Tina. Sweet girl.” He paused for a moment. “Listen, Jessalyn, I don’t like to discuss business over the phone. Would you like to meet me for a drink?”

I swallowed hard, “Um, sure.”

“Do you know where Skaggs is at?”

“Yes, over on Hollywood Boulevard?”

“That’s the one. Meet me there in an hour and we will see what we can do about your rut.” I could hear the amusement in his voice and I wanted to find a hole to hide in.

“Okay,” I answered, my face flaming red. I was so glad he couldn’t see me.

“Describe yourself.”

“Excuse me?”

“So I know who I’m looking for, cara mia.”

“Oh, right, of course.” I was feeling like a complete moron. “Um, I’m 5’5”, shoulder length curly hair, it’s brown with red highlights. Blue eyes and I’ll be wearing a dark blue sleeveless dress.” He was silent a moment and I was beginning to think he’d changed his mind about meeting me.

“Tell me, bella,” he said softly. “Were you by chance at the 9th Street Café this afternoon?”

I gasped in surprise. How had he known that? “Yes, I was, but how did you-” I stopped, suddenly realizing who he was. Who he had to be. I groaned in embarrassment. I heard his soft chuckle wash over me, making my skin tingle.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting you, Jessalyn. I’ll see you in an hour.” He hung up the phone, not giving me a chance to back out.

So Antoine was the gorgeous man from the café. Which meant the blonde had to have been a client. Looking back on it, it made sense to me now as I stood on shaky legs to go get ready to meet him. I still wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, but I guess it didn’t hurt to just meet with him. Nothing had been set in stone.

I arrived at Skaggs early and found a place at the bar and ordered a drink. I was half way through my drink when I felt the graze of fingers across my shoulders as my hair was swept away from my neck. I felt warm lips press to my skin and the tickle of beard just below my ear, then a deep, sexy voice whispered in my ear.

“Tell me, bella. How can a beautiful woman like you be in a rut?”

My spine turned to jelly as I slowly turned to face him. He was still as breathtaking as he’d been earlier that afternoon. He apparently had showered and changed, for his hair was still damp as it curled around his shoulders and he was wearing a caramel colored Armani suit with a black pull over shirt beneath the jacket. He was tall, I hadn’t realized how tall he was at the café, but even sitting here on the stool, I still had to look up to him.

I think I smiled. At least I tried to. My brain wasn’t exactly functioning at it’s best at the moment, but that could have been from lack of oxygen. I kept forgetting to breathe. “Um, well, what you see now is not how I looked when I got up this morning.”

He smiled easily, “I see. So this is a new look for you?” I nodded as the bartender came over and Antoine excused himself while he ordered his drink. When he was finished he turned back to me. “Why don’t we go find a private table, hmm?”

He picked up his drink that the bartender had just placed there and took my hand in his and led me through the cozy looking sports bar and found a secluded U shaped booth away from all the noise. After we were seated, he raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “So let’s discuss this rut you are in, shall we?” I swallowed hard and nodded. I was already beginning to have erotic visions of this man naked as the day he was born doing things to me that you only read about in the smut novels.

“First I have a confession to make.” He raised an eyebrow in question. He was still holding my hand, stroking his thumb back and forth along my skin. I could feel the heat of it racing up my arm and my nipples hardened. “I didn’t get your card from Tina directly. I actually got it through my friend Sandy, who got it from Tina. But Tina is a good friend of mine and-”

I frowned when he began to laugh. He squeezed my fingers gently and smiled. “It’s alright, bella,” he answered with a wink. “Tina gave you a glowing recommendation. But I appreciate your honesty.” I could feel the heat in my cheeks, as they must have turned several different shades of red. Antoine suddenly released my hand and slipped his fingers around the back of my neck, pulling me towards him, his eyes dropping to my mouth. “I think we need to break the ice,” he whispered just before his lips met mine.

He kept it simple, but it still did not lessen its impact on me. His lips were soft and pliant, molding themselves to mine as I felt myself automatically lean into it. My eyes drifted closed as I enjoyed the sensation of his lips on mine, the feel of his beard chafing gently against the skin around my mouth. My hand came up to grasp at his wrist and I could feel the crisp hairs from his arm underneath my fingers. When his lips left mine, I nearly whimpered, my eyes fluttering open. The look on his face was one of smug satisfaction. He obviously knew his affect on women, and I was no exception.

I gathered my wits about me, feeling my face flame up once again at how quickly I’d melted to his attention. I finished off my drink in two swallows and was beginning to feel slightly annoyed at his knowing smile.

“So tell me, Jessalyn, what it is you are looking for from me?”

I twisted my fingers nervously and took a deep breath. “Please call me Jessa and I don’t know what I’m looking for from you. I’ve never done this before.”

“I see. Well, first we should establish how much you are willing to spend. My starting price is $1,000, which is for an hour of straight sex. It’s then an additional $500 for each additional hour and for each – shall we say – favor you desire.” He smiled, his straight white teeth nearly blinding me.

“Oh,” I answered, as my face seemed to be in a perpetual state of blush. His soft chuckle crept along my skin and I felt a pull in my groin area. I couldn’t believe that I was actually considering paying this man $1,000 to have sex. My mouth felt really dry and I desperately wished I had another drink. As if he read my mind, Antoine signaled to a waitress, who came and took our orders for another round.

“So, um . . .,” I stuttered, trying to make my tongue work. “What would you charge for all night?” I forced my eyes to meet his and found that his smile was kind, as if he were trying to make this whole thing easier on me.

“Actually, I don’t do all nighters. A lot of my clients are . . . married, so it isn’t prudent.”

“Oh, I see.” I took another deep breath and made a decision. “Can we just start with the basic package and add on as we go?” He nodded with a smile and I felt my heart flutter. “So how is payment made?”

“At the end. I only accept cash.” The waitress showed up then with our drinks and I had to force myself not to gulp mine down.

“And where do we do this?”

“Normally my place. I find that most women like the freedom of being able to leave when they want, which they can do if they are at my apartment.” His hand was covering mine again, his fingers caressing lightly over my knuckles.

“Okay, that’s fine with me,” I answered breathlessly. “So, I guess my final question would be as to when can this happen?”

Antoine tilted his head slightly and smiled. “Why not tonight?”

“Tonight?” I squeaked. He tossed his head back and laughed. The deep husky sound of it hit me like a sledgehammer and I found myself wanting to crawl into his lap and rip his clothes off. I clenched my hands into fists and forced myself to relax. Just go with it, Jessa!

Suddenly, Antoine became serious as he leaned towards me. His finger came up under my chin, lifting till my gaze met his. I could feel as well as see the sexual tension humming between us as he leaned so close that I could smell the spicy aroma of his cologne mixed with his own masculine scent. “If that kiss earlier is any indication, dolcezza, this will be as good for me as it is for you. I have a sneaking suspicion that you are going to be a little tiger and quite frankly, I can’t wait to feel your claws on my back.” I swallowed hard and my heart beat triple time.

Since it was only 5:00 p.m., Antoine suggested that we have dinner and since I’d just had a birthday, he indicated that dinner would be his treat. He took me to a fancy restaurant and we took our time, sipping champagne and eating things I had no clue as to what they were and didn’t want to ask. I just accepted that it tasted good and left it at that. I was afraid if I asked, I’d find out I was eating Monkey Brains or some weird exotic dish like that. I didn’t think Antoine would appreciate it if I threw up on him.

Conversation was kept light and directed to non-personal issues, though I did tell him I owned a used bookstore downtown and did rather well for myself. But all too soon, dinner was over and there was nothing left but to go to his apartment. I was nervous as hell, as he suggested that we take his car and come back for mine later. He weaved in and out of traffic until finally we were in Malibu. Once at his apartment complex, he took my hand and led me to his front door.

“Shoes off, please,” he stated as he kicked his own shoes off and tossed his keys on the bar. I complied, but gave him a questioning look. “18th century Persian carpet.” He indicated with a nod of his head. “I’m a collector of antiques.” I looked around his apartment in awe.

“Wow!” I exclaimed softly, very impressed. “Are those weapons all real?” I walked over to the far wall that was lined from floor to ceiling with different kinds of mid-evil weaponry.

“Yes, they are very real and very sharp, so please use caution in touching them, hmm? I would hate to have to rush you to the hospital so that they could reattach your finger.” I nodded as he came up behind me. His hands came around my waist and crossed over my stomach, pulling me back into the warmth of his body. I sighed as I rested my hands on his arms. He’d taken his jacket off and I could feel the hard muscles of his body against my back. He leaned down to nibble tenderly on my neck, working his way up to my ear. “The clock is ticking, dolcezza and I find I am anxious to feel those claws.”

I shivered as he turned me to face him. I felt his lips move over my forehead, feather across my eyelids, and whisper across my cheeks until they finally reached their goal of my mouth. And then he devoured me.

His taste was intoxicating. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his thick hair. I tried to raise myself up to my tiptoes, but somewhere along the way, my knees quit working and a sagged against him. His tongue dominated mine, he tasted, he stroked, he drank from me and I could only cling to him. My body hummed with the sensations that were zipping through it and I could feel the hard evidence of his arousal pressed against my belly.

His hands stroked along my spine, then moved out to my waist to come up and cover my breasts. I groaned as I arched into his seeking hands, his thumbs stroking my nipples through the layers of my clothing. I felt something like electricity arch through my body from my breasts to my groin and I think it was at that point that the tiger he had claimed was hiding within me, made itself known.

I began to return his kisses with fervor; my hands – anxious to feel his bare skin – dropped down from around his neck and began to tug impatiently at his shirt. I felt the vibration of his laughter seconds before it bubbled out of his mouth. “There’s my tiger,” he grinned as he lifted his arms so I could pull his shirt up and over his head. It dropped unheeded from my hands to the floor as I caught my first glimpse of the most delicious body I’d ever seen.

“Happy birthday, Jessa,” I whispered to myself as I reached out to touch his bronzed skin. He was smooth, yet his muscles were hard and well toned.

“Shall we take this to the bedroom or do you wish me to take you here?” I heard him ask the question, but it was a moment or two before his words sank in. He was staring at me; his dark eyes were clouded with desire, his breathing erratic. I couldn’t seem to get my tongue to work, so when I still didn’t respond, he swept me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom.

Setting me down next to the bed, he reached behind me to draw the zipper of my dress down. He pulled the material off my shoulders and pushed it down until it dropped in a puddle around my feet. My bra, slip and nylons went in order and I thought I would die when he dropped to his knees and pressed his mouth against my silk panties at the juncture of my thighs. I cried out as my hands clenched in his hair. I could feel the warmth of his breath, the dampness of his tongue as it began to soak through, teasing me. He striped the scrap of silk away and forced my legs further apart as he returned to torture me more.

I climaxed hard at the same time my knees finally gave way. Antoine caught me before I could sink to the floor and he stretched me out on the bed. He moved back to remove his pants and boxers, then he was there, his mouth on mine again, devouring. This time I was devouring back. My body was energized from that first climax and I pushed at him until he rolled over onto his back. I crawled over him, straddling his waist and began a trail of kisses over his chest. My tongue flicked cross a flat nipple until it peaked hard and I suckled it. Antoine groaned his hands held a tight grip around my waist. I moved lower until I felt the hardness of his sex rub against mine. Antoine let loose a string of something in Italian and I nearly climaxed again. His hips thrust up seeking entrance, but I shifted so he grazed off my inner thigh. I moved lower, my hands moving across his flat stomach. I could feel his muscles quiver at my touch as my mouth followed behind the trail of my hands.

“Je-Jessa-” I gazed up at him as I moved still lower to wrap my fingers around the pulsing hardness. “Th-this isn’t what y-you are paying me for,” he barely managed between his erratic breathing.

I smiled. “This is exactly what I’m paying you for, Antoine. I’m breaking out of my rut, remember?” His laughter turned into a loud groan when I took him into my mouth. I wondered if any of Antoine’s other clients had ever took the initiative like this or if they were just content to let him attend them. Judging from his response, my guess was on the latter.

His hands fisted into the bed sheets as I took my time working up and down the length of him. And it did take time . . . Antoine was hung.

Without warning, Antoine sat up and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Enough!” It came out in a harsh growl, and I knew he’d reached his breaking point. In one quick move, I found myself flipped onto my back, his knees pressing between my legs. He took a brief moment to dip his head and take a nipple into his mouth drawing it hard and deep. I cried out, my back arching up of its own accord. He released my breast and moved to the other, repeating the process until he was satisfied.

Moving up, his mouth claimed mine, our tongues clashing together in an attempt to dominate the other. His heavy frame crushed me into the mattress as he settled fully over me. I felt the head of his sex pressing against inner thigh. He shifted as I lifted my hips and then he was sliding inside me. Suddenly, he froze and then he jerked back out of me. I was so stunned that it took a moment for me to react.

“Antoine!” I gasped, my body mourning the loss of him. Though the light in his room was off, the light from the living room streamed in and I saw him reaching for his nightstand. A soft string of Italian curses left his lips as I heard the crinkling of something before he straightened up holding a condom.

“Christ, Jessa, you had me so worked up, I nearly forgot this,” he hissed as he quickly worked it on, then was back in my arms, covering me with his warmth.

His mouth came down hard on mine, his tongue plunging in as his sex plunged in between my legs. I gasped as I arched up to meet his hard thrusts, my legs wrapping around his hips, my body quickly reaching for its release. He tore his mouth away from mine as he buried his face in the crook of my neck. His breathing was harsh as his hips pounded against mine. A light sheen of sweet broke out over both of us as my fingers dug into his back.

Then my body exploded, shattering into a million tiny pieces. I cried out at the intensity of it, my body frozen by its release. Antoine followed seconds later, his hips pounding erratically, empting himself until he collapsed on top of me.

It was several moments before either one of us could move. Antoine eased off me and fell to his side. He rolled away from me for a brief moment and when he rolled back, the condom was gone. He pulled me into his arms and held me close, his fingers tracing a trail up and down my spine. “Thank you, bella.”

I lifted my head and looked down at him a little confused. “For what?” He smiled as he lifted his hand to caress my cheek with his fingers. “It seems you were not the only one who’d fallen into a rut.”

I laughed as he pressed me back into the bed and kissed me.

The end... for now.