Page 4 of Our Sadie

Not when I configure my features into the blandest and most inscrutable mask in my arsenal. It’s a skill I had to acquire even before my appearance became like something out of a horror movie, or I found gallows humor to be a necessity. Aloofness. Disinterest. That’s the public face I most often present to the world.

I realize that these men are here at my convenience. They’re here to serve me.

But the niggling saboteur at the back of my brain keeps reminding me of why. That they’ve only agreed to be with me because I’m paying for the privilege.

That’s right. The reason these men are here at all is because I’ve hired them.

When you can’t get men to date you through more traditional channels, sometimes, if you know where to go on the good ole internet, you can buy their time and attention.

Or at least, that’s what I did.

Bizarrely enough, the internet channel I purchased them through is my own creation. These men are freelancing contractors through Elegance, the site for the finest male escorts on the deep web. I built it, branded it, and continue to maintain it to this day.

Not that the men approaching me know that. They may never know that.

I keep my carefully contrived mask in place as the first of the contractors, Jerome Oakley, finishes unloading his bags and heads over to me. The exquisite jade of his irises is highlighted by the rich darkness of his African American skin, and like the other two, he’s got the devastatingly gorgeous thing on lock.

“Sadie,” he says as naturally as someone who’s known me forever. “Great to see you again, girl.” Perhaps due to his arms being occupied or simply due to choice, he leans in and gives my left cheek, the one blemished by scar tissue, a quick peck. It’s over before it begins, but I blink at him regardless. By how laid-back he seems when doing it.

But then, as an actor, the guy can probably take personas on and off like most of us do socks and underwear. Even if all his acting has been within the confines of the adult film genre.

I keep my greeting straight to the point. “I’ve assigned you all rooms in the east wing. It’s on the second-floor corridor to your right.”

He grins, bobbing his head, and sweeps in. Zach Neihaus is next, his gait smooth and unaffected despite the surgeries I know he’s had on both knees. While Jerome wore a fleece-lined denim jacket, Zach is wearing a much longer wool coat, even if it’s a bit frayed along the edges.

The lone fair-haired guy, the sun bounces off the curls of that honey-blond mop and makes it shine.

“Hey, there she is,” Zach announces himself, the cobalt of his eyes bright, not slowed down despite being encumbered by more bags than Jerome. The grace and strength of an athlete is in his every movement. “That coat suits you.”

Apparently, in addition to being a former ballet dancer and Fans4You hit, Zach is also a flatterer. My coat is a bright teal blue suitable for skiing. Such colors are preferred on the mountain just in case—God forbid—a search party has to track you down. So, I simply nod at him and reiterate the same instructions I imparted to Jerome.

My focus next centers on the third participant, the only man who almost canceled on me.

Of my three prospects, the one I’ve learned the most about is Dom Adrian. During our initial get-together, I felt like I understood him the least, likely because I’d been all about controlling the date. The times and places. Making sure the kiss I asked from him went far enough but not too far.

Maybe due to Dom being first in the lineup, I rushed him around more than the others. I probably came across to him like some neurotic bitch, not that he accused me of such.

But I know it wasn’t my finest hour.

Still, he possesses the traits I’ve been searching for. Attractiveness. Cordiality. Then, there was what happened during our one and only kiss. The chemistry between us awakened something inside me I believed had gone dormant. He also had this enigmatic air about him. While he’d been straightforward about his past as a prostitute, his overall seriousness made me think his choice of occupation must be only the tip of his personal iceberg.

That became even clearer two days after I made my official offer to the three men through the Elegance site.

From: Elegance, the Finest of Male Escort Services

To: Dominic Adrian, Jerome Oakley, and Zachary Neihaus

Client Sadie Vincent invites you to the Starlight Chalet, a private residence in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Please see attached images of the property for reference. If you accept, you will reside with her for a contracted period of ninety days. During that time, you will be expected to complete a series of tasks for her to the best of your ability.

All such tasks are to be determined.

Based on task completion, compatibility, and overall chemistry, the client will decide which of you she would like to become her long-term companion. Her chosen contractor will receive a longer-range contract with an annual wage of $250,000, as well as many other privileges to be announced at a later date.

Every contractor who agrees to the terms and successfully fulfills them to the client’s satisfaction will be given a lump sum payment in the amount of $75,000 at the end of the ninety days. Each contractor will also receive a stipend of $2,400 a week to mitigate any expenses that may occur.

As a contractor, you are encouraged to apply personal touches and a unique approach that will help you stand out.

For questions or concerns, reply to this email, or simply hit the I ACCEPT button below. An itinerary, travel arrangements, and other details will be sent if you do.

---