This was written for the Big Time Bang over on LiveJournal.
It's probably the longest thing I've ever written solo and I have no idea how I managed to finish. The plot is inspired by Pretty Woman. Warnings for prostitution, mildly graphic sex and Feelings.
A huge huge thanks to my beta, Sarah (_kirbylicious_ on LJ, Aranelle here) for listening to me whine and complain for the past five months and for letting me bounce ideas off her and for generally being amazing. This fic would have been horrible without her and her wonderful beta skills.
Thanks to Cassie (garnetice on LJ, The Brat Prince here) for being my second pair of eyes and reading this over even while she's trying to finish her own fic. All the Logan hate was written just for you, bb.
And last but not least thanks to my amazing artist, solarbaby614 for the beautiful art she created for me.
Extra note: Aranelle is posting on behalf of the author, any screw ups in scene breaks can be attributed entirely to her. She apologizes in advance for them.
Kendall Knight sighed quietly as he slid his sunglasses onto his face and stepped out into the bright L.A. sunshine. He hated flying commercially but, he'd sent his friends, and business partners, to L.A. ahead of himself the day before and his jet had run into a problem and wasn't able to return. At least he'd been able to get a seat in first class.
A familiar voice rang out above the noise of people being picked up and dropped off, followed by a long honk of a car horn. Kendall turned with a smile, spotting Logan standing outside an Aston Martin and smirking at him.
"Hey, dude," Kendall greeted him, tossing his luggage in the backseat and sliding into the front. "Nice car. I think I give you too much of a car allowance."
"Don't be an ass. You know I like my cars; besides, we can afford it," Logan said, throwing the car into gear and tearing out onto the road, making Kendall grip the side of the door tightly.
"Can you please get me to my hotel in one piece?" he asked weakly.
"Shut up, I'm fine," Logan told him. "So how was the flight? We have a charity dinner tonight outside the city."
Kendall groaned. Normally he didn't mind charity dinners, even though they tended to be full of pompous people who thought throwing money at a problem would solve it. The food was usually good, though, and Logan and Carlos always managed to keep things interesting, but all he wanted to do tonight was unwind before the long week he had coming up.
"Don't groan, you have to go," Logan told him, continuing before Kendall could protest. "You're the face of Knight Enterprises, not to mention the CEO; you have to go."
"Yeah, I know," Kendall sighed again. He did know, he knew it came along with the job. Being one of the most successful businessmen in the world, not to mention one of the youngest, didn't come without its obligations. But lately he was starting to get tired of it; tired of the act, tired of the people, tired of everyone trying to get something from him. He didn't regret his life, or his success. He couldn't, not when it took care of his mother and sister and best friends.
His dad had abandoned them when Kendall was ten and his mother had to work two jobs just so they could survive. Kendall would wake up some nights, stomach growly, and hear her crying as she tried to pay bills. He swore then that he would have money when he grew up, that he would make it so he never had to skip dinner so Katie could eat his and he would never have to hear his mother cry in the middle of the night.
Dreams of playing hockey flew out the window and he started to apply himself more at school, Logan tutoring him through high school. He got a job as soon as he was able in order to help out at home and managed to secure a scholarship to a business school. When he was twenty-four he started up a small company with Carlos, bringing Logan on after he graduated law school. Ten years later and he was among the top ten richest CEOs according to Forbes, and his company was still growing. But lately, it felt like it wasn't enough.
"So," Logan said, snapping Kendall out of his head, "no Jett?"
Kendall frowned. "He moved out on Monday," he said with a shrug.
"I'm sorry, man," Logan said, reaching over and squeezing his knee.
"It's whatever, he wanted me to be a person I wasn't, and all he really cared about was my money and how much he could get," Kendall said. "That's not love."
"I never did like him, neither did Carlos," Logan said. "You deserve better."
"Yeah," Kendall shrugged, unsure what better was or if he was capable of finding it.
James Diamond suppressed a groan as he snuck quietly back into his loft. He closed the door without making a sound, a feat he'd mastered over the past few months. The landlord was out in the hall and he was late on rent.
He was always late on rent.
James doubled back, heading into his bathroom and lifting the top of the toilet tank, grabbing the plastic box he and his roommate kept the rent money in. James knew he had most of it, he just needed another hundred dollars and the landlord would probably accept what he had.
"Fuck, Joseph!" he groaned, cursing his roommate when he found the box empty.
Frustrated, he grabbed his coat and opened the one window the tiny apartment had. He quietly made his way down the fire escape and headed back around the building, avoiding the front door and making his way three blocks to their local bar.
Red's wasn't the classiest of bars; in fact it was probably the furthest from classy something could possibly be. It wasn't James' favorite place, but the beer was dirt-cheap and he and his friends couldn't afford anywhere else, even after a good night. It was always dark and hard to see anything through the heavy haze of smoke that constantly filled the air from the fog machine the owner thought was cool. James thought it was better that way; he could ignore just how far down he'd fallen if he couldn't see the grime and desperation that decorated the place.
"Hey, Paul," James said, greeting the bartender while trying not to lean on the dirty bar. "Seen Joseph?"
"Upstairs," Paul said, nodding towards the stairs in the back. "Wayne was here."
James cursed softly and made his way to the back of the bar. Wayne was bad news. He'd been trying to get James to work for him for weeks but James didn't want to be controlled. He did this because he had to, and he did it on his own terms. He needed to have some control over his life.
Joseph had liked the idea of working for Wayne-guaranteed work, steady money, and protection; James could see the appeal, but he wasn't about to become a whore to a pimp.
"Joseph," James said, sitting across from his guitar-playing roommate. He was shirtless and wearing sunglasses, the scent of weed lingering around him. "Please tell me you didn't use our rent money for weed again."
"Dude, it's cool," Joseph hummed, strumming the strings on the guitar in his lap.
"It's not cool, Joseph, we need to pay rent, and some of that was mine," James said, running his hand through his hair.
"I needed to pay Wayne back for the weed. It's all good, though, he smoked me up before he left," Joseph told him. "Was looking for you too, Jamie."
"Well, he's not gonna find me," James told him, "and you should be careful, we don't need a pimp. Remember: we say when, we say where, and we say how much."
"I know, I know, Jamie," Joseph nodded. "Look, I made some money today playing in the park. Take that for rent. We'll get the rest tonight. We should get a move on."
James nodded. "All right, come on." He stood, making his way out of the bar with Joseph trailing behind him, ready to begin another night of work.
Kendall stood against the bar in the banquet hall, drink in hand as he surveyed the crowd. Speeches by the charity owners had finished quickly and dinner had just ended. Now it was the part he dreaded; making nice with all the guests.
Kendall hated fake people, and he hated being fake himself. He was never very good at this part of the evening. He caught Logan's eye from across the room, the look on his face clearly telling Kendall to stop scowling.
"If you don't smile, you're gonna get a lecture," Carlos smirked, coming up next to him and ordering two whiskeys.
Kendall looked over at his best friend and smiled at him. "Logan knows I'm not good at these things. I'm better if I have a date, usually they can schmooze for me."
Carlos looked up at him, concern written all over his face. "Logan told me Jett moved out."
Kendall shrugged. "It's okay, I was expecting it. I'm not upset."
"You're never upset," Carlos said. "That's what worries me, Kendall. You've gone through four break-ups in the past two years, and you weren't bothered by any of them."
"I didn't love any of them," Kendall said flatly, "not for a lack of trying."
"Kendall-"
"Carlos, let's not. It's not in my cards, and you can't have everything, right? I'm successful, so I guess I had to sacrifice something for that," Kendall shrugged, taking another sip of his drink.
"Bullshit, Logan and I are successful and we're in love," Carlos told him, "if you would just be open to it."
"You and Logan are different. You were made for each other, we've all known that since we were ten. Not everyone gets a soul mate for their entire life." Kendall downed the rest of his drink and ordered another.
Carlos sighed; it was better not to argue with Kendall when he was like this, Kendall knew his friends knew him too well.
"Look, I have a few contacts in the area, if you want me to set you up with a date for the week," Carlos said, trying to switch gears.
"I can find my own dates, Carlos," Kendall told him. "Look, tell Logan I'm sorry, I need to go."
He put his full glass on the bar and headed towards the exit, ignoring Carlos calling after him. It usually took a lot usually for his lack of a love life to get to him. He envied his two best friends, but he was always able to ignore the feeling that he was alone. Lately that feeling had been staring him in the face and not letting him think of anything else.
He was lonely, and he was running as fast as he could from admitting that to himself.
Taking Logan's car was probably a little extreme, but Logan had forced this party on him, and Kendall figured they were even now. There was also the added bonus of speeding away from the party as fast as he could.
An hour later, having driven aimlessly, Kendall was lost. He never drove in L.A., usually he had a car that took him around because he didn't know the streets.
"Fuck," he muttered as he pulled onto another unfamiliar street. This was definitely the wrong part of town to be lost in. He could see prostitutes on the street looking for customers, and he was pretty sure there was a drug deal happening in the alley across the street.
"Good job, Knight," he muttered to himself. He could see the headlines - 'Multi-millionaire found dead in a dumpster'. He drove another block, looking for someone who looked like they wouldn't kill him if he asked for directions.
Kendall spotted two guys standing on a corner a block or so down. One was sitting on a bench playing guitar, while the other stood on the curb.
The boy standing by the curb made Kendall's breath catch when he saw him. He was tall and tan; that Kendall could see immediately. He was wearing jeans that fit him perfectly, that hugged his ass but were loose enough to make it look like they were tailored just for him. They were perfectly paired with a deep red sleeveless shirt that showed off the boys' arm muscles. Kendall knew he was being ridiculous, but this boy looked like a god, illuminated by the cheap lights behind him, and Kendall found himself pulling up to the curb before he had a chance to think.
As the boy approached the car Kendall was struck again by how incredibly beautiful he was. His eyes were outlined in black liner, drawing whoever looked at this boy right into the bright hazel of his irises. His hair fell carelessly across his forehead, a little long, and Kendall couldn't help but imagine running his hands through it and grabbing a fistful as he fucked this boy's beautiful mouth.
"Hey, looking for a good time?" The boy asked with a smug smile. He knew he was hot, and the illusion was shattered.
Kendall burst out laughing. "Does that actually work?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.
The god-boy pouted, and Kendall found himself wanting to kiss the pout right off those lips. "Usually, yes," he said, leaning against the car.
Kendall smirked. "Well it's too bad I'm looking for directions."
"Are you now," he boy smirked, "where ya headed, Blondie?"
Kendall resisted the urge to scowl at the boy. "The Sunset Tower hotel, you know it?"
The boy laughed. "Well, you're pretty out of your element here, aren't you?" He smirked again. "Fifty bucks."
"What?" Kendall asked in disbelief. "You're going to charge me for directions?"
"Nothing in life is free, fifty bucks is the cheapest you're gonna get it," the boy told Kendall impatiently.
"Fine," Kendall growled, taking out his wallet and handing the boy a fifty. "So how do I get back?" he asked, staring in shock as the boy opened the passenger door and climbed in the car.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
"You're just gonna get lost again, Blondie, I'll show you how to get there, no extra charge." The boy smirked again, and Kendall couldn't decide if he wanted to punch him or fuck him.
"Fine," he grumbled - the boy was probably right anyway.
"Great, just pull out here," the boy instructed, pointing to the road.
Kendall did as he was told, glancing over at the boy. He was relaxing back in his seat with a small grin on his face. "Aren't you going to lose clients by doing this?"
The boy answered with a shrug. "It was shaping up to be a slow night. Besides, this car is sick, I've always wondered what it would be like to drive in one."
Kendall glanced at him again. "What's your name?" he asked curiously.
"What do you want it to be?" the boy replied coyly, the smirk still on his face.
Kendall just gave him a look and the boy rolled his eyes. "James," he said, leaning forward and fiddling with the radio. "Oh, make a left up here."
Kendall turned at looked at James again. "So, uh, out of curiosity, what's the going rate these days?"
James turned to Kendall smugly. "Two hundred."
"A night?"
"An hour."
"Two hundred an hour? Jeez, people pay that?" Kendall asked in shock.
"For me they do." The smirk was back again. "Rent isn't cheap you know, neither is food."
Kendall shook his head in disbelief.
"Make a right onto Sunset and it's gonna be up the block," James instructed.
Kendall nodded, keeping an eye on James until they'd pulled up to the hotel. "Well thanks, I guess."
"No problem," James said, getting out of the car.
"Are you okay getting back?" Kendall asked.
James held up the fifty Kendall had given him earlier. "Bus fare," he said shrugging.
Kendall nodded and handed his keys to the hotel valet. "Okay, well, have a good night."
James nodded and turned, Kendall watching him walk to the bus stop and sit on the bench. He turned to go into the hotel but hesitated, instead turning and looking back at James. What was the harm in spending an hour with him? He could afford it, and it had been a really long time, and he was ridiculously hot. There was something about him that Kendall didn't want to walk away from yet. Before he could talk himself out of it he was walking back over to James.
"You said two hundred?" he asked, and James turned to look at him with a smirk.
"I did," James nodded.
"Okay, come on," Kendall said, holding out his hand. James took it and stood up, letting Kendall lead him into the hotel.
"Nice place," James mused looking around. "You must be loaded, huh?"
Kendall laughed, "You could say that," and led James into an elevator, hitting the top floor button.
"Penthouse, swanky," James smirked. "So Mr. Swanky, you gonna tell me your name?"
"Kendall Knight," he told James as the elevator reached the top floor.
"Well, I should have charged you more," James laughed.
"So you know who I am?" Kendall asked, letting him into the suite.
"Not until you said your name," James shrugged as they walked in, "I read page six, you're always on there."
"Whatever happens tonight stays here," Kendall said seriously, stopping to look at James, "or you can leave now."
James rolled his eyes. "I don't air my clients' business to the world. I don't care what you do as long as I get paid."
Kendall nodded, for some reason believing the boy in front of him. "Good." He gestured into the main room. "Make yourself comfortable, I'm going to have them bring up some champagne."
"Fancy," James said, flopping down on the couch and spreading his arms across the back of it like he owned it. "I could get used to this. Usually I spend an hour in the back seat of a car, maybe a cheap motel. You're spoiling me."
Kendall stared at James while he made the call to room service. He knew what was happening, and Logan would kill him for this, but his instinct to take care of everyone was taking over. He watched James, wondering what had happened to him that make him turn to this kind of lifestyle. He obviously took pride in his looks, he was well groomed, he spoke and carried himself like someone who was brought up into a nice lifestyle. He didn't have the sunken, sallow look of someone who turned to drugs, Kendall couldn't help but wonder where he went wrong.
"Not that I don't love the attention," James said, breaking Kendall out of his thoughts, "but we only have about forty five minutes left and I do like to give my clients what they pay for."
Kendall blinked at James for a second, opening his mouth to say something only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. The champagne.
"I don't really know- that is I've- never done this before," Kendall stammered after the champagne had been delivered and they were alone again.
"It's easy," James said, sitting up and reaching into his back pocket. "Condom preference? I'm thinking extra large?" He smirked and Kendall blushed.
"How much for the whole night?" he blurted out.
"What?" James asked, astonishment written on his face.
"Look, I can't just fuck you and kick you out, I need to be comfortable. We can drink some champagne and just let things develop," Kendall said awkwardly, running a hand through his hair.
"A thousand," James told him, knowing that would pay for rent for the next two months.
"Done," Kendall said, walking over to the desk on the other side of the room, taking out a billfold, counting out money and placing it in an envelope.
"Here," he said, handing it to James and grabbing the champagne and glasses, opening the bottle.
"So before we start, is there anything I should know about this?" Kendall asked, offering James a glass of champagne and taking a seat on the couch.
"I'm clean," James told him, used to this part. "I always use condoms, I get tested every six months, I do not, nor have I ever done drugs, especially not any that involve needles. I'll top or bottom, whichever you prefer. I don't do anything that involves leaving a mark on my body, so if you have whips or canes hidden in here somewhere, keep them hidden."
Kendall felt himself blush. "I don't..." he stammered, "I don't do things like that."
James nodded. "Just checking, you'd be surprised what some people get off on," he said, sipping his champagne.
"Do you?" Kendall asked abruptly. "Get off that is?"
James looked at him for a moment. "Well, that depends. Sometimes - sometimes because I want to, sometimes because if I don't it won't stop," he told him. "Oh, I also don't kiss on the mouth."
"Why not?" Kendall asked, confused and a little disappointed; he'd wanted to feel those lips against his own.
"Too intimate. This is a job, and I won't let those lines get blurred. I have to keep something for myself," James said, finishing his glass.
"Are you always this open with your clients?" Kendall asked curiously, taking a sip of his champagne.
James shrugged. "You don't do this much, figure I should make you comfortable."
Kendall nodded, looking James over, his eyes coming to rest on the other boy's lips. "I really can't kiss you?" he asked.
"Not my mouth," James told him, moving closer to Kendall on the couch. "There are other things my lips can do though, things you'll like more."
Kendall swallowed, gazing at James, his brain conjuring up images of exactly what James could do. He looked at James nervously; he never took himself for someone who would pay for sex, but here he was and all he wanted to do was fuck this beautiful boy in front of him.
"Are you gonna show me?" Kendall asked with more courage than he actually felt, doing his best to shove away the nerves as he locked eyes with James again.
James smiled at him, reaching forward to pluck the glass out of Kendall's hand and putting it on the coffee table. "Yes," he said, crawling forward, his fingers toying with the hem of Kendall's shirt. "I usually don't have to seduce my clients."
"Wait," Kendall gasped as James' hand slipped under his shirt and brushed against his skin.
"For what?" James murmured, looking up at Kendall through his eyelashes. "I know you think I'm hot, and you've been staring at my mouth since I walked up to your car." He let his fingers tease against Kendall's skin, smirking when Kendall sucked in a breath.
"Let me take care of you tonight, baby," James murmured, pushing up Kendall's shirt and pulling it off him. "Let me do what I do best." All Kendall could do was nod.
James leaned forward and pressed his lips to Kendall's chest, nipping at it lightly and Kendall could feel his breath speeding up as James' mouth trailed over him. "I'll take good care of you," James crooned, dragging his lips up to Kendall's nipple, and Kendall could feel James smirking when it made him shudder. He popped the button on Kendall's pants, unzipping them and pushing them down as he moved to the floor, kneeling between Kendall's legs.
James attached his mouth to the inside of Kendall's knee and sucked on the skin lightly. Kendall moaned again - James definitely knew what he was doing, and knew that he was slowly driving Kendall insane. "James, please," he heard himself begging before he could help it, but he couldn't bring himself to care - all he wanted was that mouth wrapped around him, it had been way too long.
James moved back up slowly, pressing kisses up one of Kendall's legs and back down the other. It made Kendall's breathing pick up and his hands curl into fists at his side. Then James reached up, slowly peeling Kendall's boxers down and nuzzling his nose against the inside of Kendall's thigh, making Kendall shudder again as James breathed him in deep.
After a moment James pulled back - Kendall thought he heard James tossing clothing across the room, but his eyes had fallen shut under James's ministrations so he wasn't sure. The next thing he knew, James was rolling a condom on him. There was a pause then, Kendall finally opening his eyes to look at James. James held his gaze for another long moment before leaning in and wrapping his lips around the head of Kendall's cock, tongue running across the top before swallowing deeper, making Kendall moan out his name.
James held Kendall's hips down and took him deep, obviously not wanting Kendall to thrust up right away. Kendall felt James take a moment to adjust before beginning to bob his head, pulling another long groan form Kendall's throat.
Kendall reached down to rest his hand on top of James' head, his fingers tangling in James' hair and pulling slightly. James loosened his grip on Kendall's hips, letting him buck his hips up and fuck James' mouth the way Kendall was dying to.
Kendall felt like he was going crazy - James was incredible, the things he could do with his mouth alone made Kendall want to stay in bed with him for the rest of his life. His orgasm took him completely by surprise, ripping a shout from his throat. He tightened his hand in James' hair and rode it out before collapsing back against the couch.
He felt James swallow reflexively, gasping softly when James ran his hands up Kendall's thighs soothingly as he came down from his orgasm. James pulled off with a smirk and looked up at Kendall.
"Still wanna wait?" he asked with a smug smile.
"I can't believe you took my car." Kendall knew those were going to be the first words out of his best friend's mouth when he called him early the next morning. James was still asleep in the bed and Kendall slipped quietly out of the room.
"I know, I'm sorry," Kendall said, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the tray room service had brought up. "I just needed to get out of there."
Kendall heard Logan sigh on the other end of the line. "We're worried about you, Kendall, and we're worried about this week. It's a really important deal, and Griffin already doesn't want to do it - how is it going to look if the CEO is running out on charity events?"
"I'm sorry, you're right." Kendall sighed. "I know what I'm doing, it will work out, have a little faith in me. Have I steered you wrong yet?"
"What if it doesn't?" Logan asked. "Look, Griffin is bringing Mercedes to dinner tonight. She may be his spoiled daughter, but she's smart, and she knows business. You might want to consider bringing a date, you remember what happened last time?"
Kendall remembered well. Mercedes had tried to get him to be her boyfriend in exchange for their business support.
"You need to be taken this week," Logan continued. "I have some people I can call."
Kendall looked into the bedroom, watching James roll over in bed and smiling. "I have someone already."
"Who?" Logan asked suspiciously. "It had better not be Jett."
"No." Kendall shook his head. "Someone I met last night. Don't worry, I have it covered. I'll be in the office in an hour." He hung up before Logan could grill him more.
"I smell coffee," James said, coming into the room wearing boxers and rubbing his eyes.
"Help yourself," Kendall said, gesturing to the cart. "I also got some breakfast that you're welcome to."
"Nice," James said, pouring a cup and sitting down. "I need to stick with clients who are loaded from now on if this is the treatment I get." He grinned as he loaded his plate up with items he never got to eat; pancakes, and fruit, and sausage.
"Speaking of clients," Kendall said, putting his cup down. "I have a proposition for you."
James looked up at him with a smirk. "I didn't proposition you enough last night?" he asked with a playful leer, making Kendall's cheeks flush.
"Yeah," Kendall cleared his throat. "I'm going to be in town for the next week and I'm going to need a date to bring to events - I was wondering how you would feel about spending the week with me. I'll pay you, of course."
"You want to bring me to big fancy events?" James asked incredulously, staring at Kendall like he was insane. "Why on earth would you want to bring a hooker around all week?"
"Well I wouldn't exactly tell people your profession," Kendall told him, wincing inwardly at James's comment, "but I need someone who can mingle, and you're incredibly good looking, and I can tell you're a people person. You would be good in situations like that, better than I am anyway."
James continued to stare at Kendall, seeming to calculate things in his head. Kendall thought James looked surprised and wondered if he'd ever done anything like this before, or with someone as high profile and as wealthy as Kendall - it struck Kendall that if James asked for enough money he could potentially get his life back on track.
"Fifty thousand," James said, the picture of confidence, but Kendall could see the tiniest hint of fear that he'd get kicked out.
Kendall eyed him. "Twenty-five."
"I have to buy clothes for your fancy outings," James pointed out.
"Fine. Thirty, and I include all expenses for the week," Kendall told him.
"Forty-five," James said, crossing his arms.
"Forty."
"Done."
Kendall nodded. "Okay, forty plus clothes and expenses," he said, sticking out his hand for James to shake.
"Deal," James said, shaking his hand and then going back to his breakfast.
"Great." Kendall finished his coffee and put it down. "I need to go into the office for a few hours, and then we have a really important dinner tonight. I need you to do some shopping today - get one or two nice suits, and some casual outfits for day outings. Have you ever played golf?"
James shook his head. "No, golf is boring," he said, shoving a bite of pancakes in his mouth.
"I know," Kendall agreed with a laugh. "So I'm gonna leave you some cash, and my credit card. I'll send my car back for you. Have it take you to a few stores. Buy whatever you want. Here's my card, if you need to reach me."
James nodded and took the card - everything about Kendall was screaming professional and James had a strange desire to get him to loosen up. "Yes, boss," he said with a smirk, causing Kendall to roll his eyes as he left the suite.
James sat back in the car that Kendall had sent for him. He'd been shopping all day and he had almost forgotten how much he loved it. There was a point in his life where he'd spent all his time hopping from store to store to find the right clothes to perfect his look. It felt like a different lifetime.
He hummed happily, watching the scenery pass him by. He had extra money in his pocket for the first time in years and he was itchy to spend it. But he didn't want to blow it. This job was his chance to fix everything he'd messed up and start over, and he was starting now.
"Pull over here," he told the driver, sitting up suddenly. They were outside Rocque Records, he knew he had enough money to book some studio time, enough to get some demo tracks down finally.
"I'll be back," he told the driver, jumping out of the car and making his way up to the building.
"I'm looking to book a recording space and pass along some music to an agent," James told the receptionist once he got her attention. He gave her a smile that he knew from experience would have her swooning, and sending him along to talk to someone who was actually in charge.
As soon as he was shown in to the office of the girl in charge he knew he was in trouble. A smile wouldn't work on her - she was shrewd, a business woman that wouldn't fall for his charm.
"So you want to use Rocque Records to record a demo?" she asked, looking him up and down. He realized belatedly that he probably should have changed out of his stolen thrift store clothes and into something designer that was waiting back in the town car. "We usually try not to rep boys who spend their time whoring themselves out for money."
James winced inwardly. He didn't think anyone would recognize him in this part of town, but she did seem like she would be a party girl. James had been to a few of those parties with clients.
"I want to record," James nodded, trying not to let her intimidate him.
"Why?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Can you even sing?"
"Yes, I'm good," James said, slightly offended. "And I want to use the best. Rocque Records is the best."
"We are." She walked around her desk and stood in front of him. "Sing."
"What?" James asked in surprise.
"Sing," she repeated. "We don't let just anyone record here, you need talent, a gift, fire. So sing, or get out."
James wasn't ready for that. He thought he'd have more time to prepare for something like this. He took a deep breath and sang the first song that popped into his head.
"So take a good look at my face, you'll see my smile looks out of place, if you look closer it's easy to see the tracks of my tears."
She looked at him for a moment. "Nope, sorry." She shook her head and moved back to her desk.
"What?" James asked in astonishment. "But I'm good!"
"Not good enough. Do yourself a favor - take that money and get some voice lessons, or a decent meal and some clothes that don't scream 'I robbed a hobo', get a real job, and please don't waste my time again. I'm looking for talent, not that," she said, dismissing him with a gesture.
James glared at her for a moment before turning and stalking from the room. He was good, and he knew he was good. He would show her one day, he'd show everyone that had ever turned him down.
It had been a long day of meetings and strategies and Kendall was exhausted by the time he made his way back to the hotel. He had to pick up James and then go back out to a dinner meeting with Arthur Griffin and his daughter.
He was looking to partner with RCM CBT GlobalNet Sanyoid and Rocque Records to open a studio in New York that Kendall's company would run. Kendall had always loved music and it was a profitable investment for the company.
When he stopped at the front desk to grab his messages and call up to the penthouse he was distracted by the piano in the lobby. Someone was playing it, and a beautiful voice was accompanying the music. This could be the sound he was looking for, someone to launch his New York studio.
Dropping his mail on the desk, he made his way over to the piano and stopped short.
James.
James was the voice, the musician playing something so hauntingly beautiful Kendall couldn't breathe. His boy off the street was one of the most talented singers he'd ever heard.
"I didn't know you could sing," Kendall said, approaching the piano after James had finished.
James looked up, surprised to find Kendall standing there. He shrugged. "It's not something clients usually ask. Are you ready to go?" he asked, standing up from the bench.
Kendall nodded, still in shock as James looped their arms together and led them out to the waiting limo.
"You look nice," Kendall finally commented as they climbed into the car. And James did - he was dressed in a black suit with a blue tie, and his hair was pushed back off his face. Kendall felt his cheeks heating up as he looked the other boy over. There was no denying he was probably the hottest guy he'd ever had in his company.
"Thanks," James smirked, leaning back against the leather seats. "I know how to shop and dress."
"I can see that," Kendall said, clearing his throat.
"So, boss, where are we going tonight? Who do I need to impress by being the great Kendall Knight's boyfriend?" James asked, smirk still on his face.
"We're having dinner with Arthur Griffin, CEO of RCM CBT GlobalNet Sanyoid and his daughter, Mercedes," Kendall told him. "They are probably the strangest people I've ever met, but they know their stuff and I need them to believe that investing with me will pay off."
"What are they investing in?" James asked curiously.
"We're looking into starting a small, independent record label. Something for up and coming artists," Kendall explained, not missing the way James's eyes lit up at his words.
"Really?" James asked, obviously intrigued.
"Yeah. I love music, always have. It's kind of like a pet project, or that's what Logan is calling it anyway. But we ran some numbers and it'd be profitable, so I got the green light," Kendall explained.
"Aren't you the CEO?" James asked. "Why do you need permission?"
"I am, but I answer to a board of directors," Kendall said with a shrug. That was just how business worked.
"So what kind of sound are you looking for with your studio?" James asked, leaning back and looking at Kendall with what looked like hope.
"I'm not sure yet," Kendall said carefully, not sure how to tell James that he was exactly what he was looking for. He didn't want to get his hopes up if none of this worked out. "First we need an investor, then I can start planning."
James opened his mouth to reply, but by that point the limo had pulled up to the restaurant and they were climbing out.
Kendall took James's arm to lead him into the dining room and over to Arthur Griffin and his daughter. He stopped when he felt James hesitating.
"What's wrong?" he asked, turning his head to look at the other man, whose eyes were on the girl.
"Nothing, I've just met her before," James muttered, scowling. "She kicked me out of her studio after telling me I had no talent."
"Is she deaf?" Kendall asked, offended on James' behalf but calming when he saw the blush that had spread across James' cheeks at his words.
"Thanks," James grinned. "Come on, let's go make you an amazing deal."
Dinner was going well. Kendall knew how to impress people by just being himself, and since Logan had coached him on talking numbers he seemed to have Griffin's attention when he told him how much revenue a studio he owned would bring in. His daughter was less impressed.
"I don't know Daddy," she said, eyeing James with disdain. "Rocque Records does fine, and who's to say they'll turn out any talent?"
Kendall visibly bristled. "I know music, and I know talent when I hear it." He had to keep himself from snapping at her. He didn't like the way she was looking at James. "We're going to put out more than just synthesized pop music, I want singers who have talent and their own merits, people who write songs that speak to their audience. Who connect with them."
"Like him?" Mercedes asked with a roll of her eyes, motioning towards James.
"Yes, like him, who has more talent in his pinkie finger then you have in that bottle-blonde head of yours," Kendall spat. "James is more talented than anyone I've ever met, and we'd be lucky to have him record with us."
"Oooh, a fight," Griffin said gleefully, looking between Kendall and his daughter. "This is much more interesting. How should we settle this?"
"Easy." Mercedes smirked at them. "James against our best singer. At the end of the week, we'll have the crowd choose. If your pretty whore wins, then you have a deal."
"He's not a whore." Kendall snapped and stood up, telling himself it would be bad for many reasons if he punched her. "If we're done here, send me the time and the place and we'll see you on Friday."
He offered his hand to James and pulled him up, leading him out of the restaurant and to their limo.
"Are you crazy?" James demanded once they were inside.
"I might be?" Kendall said weakly, the night's events sinking in. Logan was going to kill him.
"You can't base your entire investment on the fact that you heard me sing once!" James exclaimed, looking panicked. "I suck. I've been turned away by every studio in the LA area, why on earth would you make a deal like that? You hardly know me!"
"First of all, you don't suck, not in the slightest," Kendall said firmly. "You're not overproduced junk, and that's what I want. Mercedes Griffin is a spoiled bitch who wouldn't know talent if it danced in front of her naked. There are always other investors."
James stared at him. "Why are you doing this? Is it because of what I am? I'm not looking for a way out Kendall, I'm fine."
"I'm doing this because you are talented," Kendall said, voice still brooking no argument. "And I saw your face while you were playing that piano. You love it."
"Yeah, but loving it doesn't put a roof over my head, or food in my stomach," James said bitterly, "not everyone has millions of dollars to throw away on pet projects. Some of us have to resort to other methods."
"Don't turn this around on me," Kendall retorted, getting irritated. "I grew up with nothing and I worked hard to get where I am today. Nothing was handed to me."
James said nothing and stared out the window, watching the city pass.
"I didn't ask to be saved. I'm not a charity case you can throw money at."
"I refuse to believe that you actually wanted your life to end up this way," Kendall countered. "You wear a good mask James, but I've been putting masks on since I was ten. I'm not trying to 'save' you, I'm trying to give you a chance. What you do with it is your choice. If by the end of the week all you want is the money I owe you and you want to go back on the street, fine. All I'm asking is you try to help me first."
"Fine," James sighed, "but don't say I didn't warn you when we lose."
James woke up the next morning to find himself wrapped up tightly in Kendall's arms. Kendall, he'd learned quickly, was a cuddler after sex. James usually hated cuddling.
With Kendall, it was different. He found himself sinking in to the other man's embrace, found himself feeling safe. He was getting into dangerous territory and he knew it.
He crawled out of Kendall's arms slowly, trying not to wake him up. They'd been up late and James wanted to let him sleep longer. He took a quick shower, wondering if he should order them room service as he rinsed his hair, when he felt a pair of arms circle him from behind and lips on his shoulder.
"You want some company?" Kendall asked, and James could still hear the sleep in his voice. "We can conserve water."
"Do I have a choice?" James asked, slightly amused. "You're already wet."
"Only for you, baby," Kendall said, laughing as he kissed James' shoulder again. "It occurs to me that I've been a very selfish lover. And I would like to remedy that."
James opened his mouth to protest, but Kendall had moved his hand, wrapping it around James's half hard dick, and instead all that came out was a strangled noise. James let himself lean back against Kendall's chest, his head resting on Kendall's shoulder, allowing Kendall to hold him up as he jerked him off slowly.
It had been forever since someone took the time to just pleasure James. Usually James was on his knees, or they went straight to fucking, he couldn't remember the last time it was like this - when sex was fun and not a job, when he was comfortable with another person. He couldn't remember the last time another person cared enough to jerk him off and not just use him to get themselves off.
He wondered what it would be like to actually be Kendall's boyfriend, for all of this to be real and not a job. As he came he wondered what it would be like to lift his head slightly and kiss Kendall's lips; just like he'd wanted to since the moment he first saw Kendall.
Dangerous territory.
He could feel himself slipping into it as he turned in Kendall's arms and buried his face against Kendall's shoulder, kissing the skin there. "What's the plan for today?" he asked after a minute, regaining his composure.
"We have a charity golf event this afternoon," Kendall said, running his hands down James' back lazily.
"Sounds great," James said sarcastically. "I suck at golf."
"Don't worry, so does Logan," Kendall laughed. "Clean enough? I need some breakfast - there's a nice place on the way to the course. Best French toast I've ever had."
James nodded and pulled back. "Yeah, sounds good," he said, biting back a response about never being clean enough. He had a job to do today.
Kendall grinned at him as they got out and James found himself returning the smile. Maybe pretending for a little while wouldn't be a bad thing.
"You do suck as this," Kendall laughed, watching James attempt to hit the golf ball off the tee.
"Shut up," James grumbled, trying to hide his smile. "You could come over here and show me."
"What, like in a cheesy 'let me wrap my arms around you' move?" Kendall asked, and James could hear the teasing in his voice as Kendall came up to him.
"Well, we're supposed to be in love, remember. There are cameras watching," James smirked. Something passed across Kendall's face, gone too quickly for James to decipher.
"True," Kendall smiled. He wrapped his arms around James and adjusted his stance.
"Like this," he murmured swinging James' arms to demonstrate. "Now you."
James nodded as Kendall stepped back and swung his club, finally hitting the ball. "Sweet!"
"Why won't you show me like that, Logan?" Carlos laughed as the two walked up behind them.
Logan rolled his eyes at his boyfriend. "Because I've tried that, and you turned it into a makeout session at the mini golf range."
"Oh, right," Carlos grinned, clearly not ashamed of that fact.
Logan shook his head fondly. "They're serving lunch now, we should head in."
"Great, I'm starving." Kendall smiled and threw an arm around James, leading him towards the club and the dining room. "Having fun?"
James nodded. "More than I thought I would."
"Good," Kendall's smile widened as they walked.
"Hey, lovebirds," Carlos called back to them, "hurry up, will you? I'm hungry."
James liked Carlos from the moment Kendall had introduced them that morning, immediately giving him a welcoming smile and dragging him down to pick out golf clubs. Logan had only looked at him suspiciously, and while James couldn't blame him, it was making him feel uneasy.
"How'd you two learn to golf?" James asked curiously once they'd all sat down, looking at Logan in hopes of getting the other man to warm up to him.
"College," Kendall grinned, throwing an arm around Logan's shoulders. "Logan thought it would be a good skill to learn and made me take a golf class with him sophomore year."
"And I was right," Logan reminded him. "So James, where did you go to college?"
"I didn't," James said glancing warily at Kendall, he hadn't expected an interrogation and the way Logan was eyeing him was making him nervous. "I worked with my mom for a year or so and then I moved out here to become a singer."
"A singer?" Logan remarked with a smirk. "That's interesting. And how did you and Kendall meet again?"
"In a bar," James answered smoothly, not missing a beat. "He came in looking for directions and I helped him out."
"Logan," Kendall muttered, kicking his friend discreetly.
"What? I'm curious," Logan said. "It's interesting that you happened to meet a singer in a bar when you're out here to get funding for a studio."
"I didn't know that was why he was here, if that's what you're insinuating," James said, feeling his defenses go up.
"Logan," Carlos warned. "Lay off."
"What?" Logan asked, holding up his hands. "I just find it funny that Kendall went from being bitter about relationships to 'being in love' with a singer he happened to meet at a random bar two days ago."
"Seriously, Logan?" Kendall asked, clearly starting to get annoyed. "I didn't know he was a singer until last night, and he didn't know why I was here."
"That may be true, but I'm sure he liked the idea of dating Kendall Knight - that would probably boost his career, if not his wallet."
"I don't need money," James sneered. "My mother is Brooke Diamond. I'm sure you've heard of her, the Estee Lauder of the Midwest? I'm not after Kendall for his money, and I'm not after him at all. We met by chance and happened to have a connection, and he asked me to be his date at some events this week. I didn't plan to start to fall for him, but it happened."
He glanced over at Kendall to see a shocked look on his face. "I'm sorry, excuse me," he said, getting up and throwing his napkin onto the table.
Kendall shook his head and glared at his friend. "For someone who just wants me to be happy, you sure know how to scare potential boyfriends away. Sorry, Carlos." He nodded at his other friend before taking off after James.
"Hey," he said, catching up with James and reaching for his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
James turned and looked at Kendall. "It's fine, not your fault your best friend is an asshole."
"He's just protective of me, and he has a right to be," Kendall said, leading them both over to the valet and handing the man his ticket for his car. "We aren't exactly telling the truth."
"I'm not after you for your money," James said, turning his glare on Kendall, hurt that he would even think that. "I'm your employee, I'm already getting your money."
"You're James Diamond," Kendall said. "Don't you think that was something you could have mentioned?"
"Why?" James shot back. "What difference would that have made? Knowing that I'm not just a poor hooker, you don't feel the need to save me anymore?"
"What I want to know is why the hell you would sell yourself like that if you have almost as much money as me," Kendall crossed his arms and looked at James with distrust. "Why make me feel sorry for you? Do you like pretending you're almost homeless just to get money out of people, to get them to fall for you? And then what? You break their hearts?"
"Fuck you, Kendall," James spat, climbing into the car as it pulled up. "Just fuck you."
"We've already done that," Kendall said the hurt evident in his voice.
James didn't say anything, knowing if he opened his mouth he'd either tell Kendall everything, or just punch him in the face. Neither option looked good.
Not a word was spoken the entire drive to the hotel, or on the way up to the penthouse, and James immediately went to collect his things once Kendall let him in.
"What are you doing?" Kendall demanded following him into the bedroom, worrying.
"You think I'm staying here?" James snapped. "After that? I know what I do to survive isn't glamorous, but I have never felt as degraded as I feel right now."
"So why do it?" Kendall asked curiously.
"Because I have to!" James shouted. "I might be James Diamond in name, but my mother disowned me when I told her I didn't want to work for her company and moved out here instead. I was nineteen and an idiot, I thought all I needed was to have someone hear me sing and that would be it. Once I ran out of money I tried to find jobs, but no one kept me on for long. I tried singing for money, but realized that selling my guitar would get me more. After that money ran out I met Joseph, and he taught me how to do this. Yeah, my apartment might be crap, but at least I have a home, and I usually get two meals a day. So judge all you want to, Kendall, but I won't apologize for doing what I have to, to live."
"I-" Kendall started.
"And I don't want your pity, or your charity," James said, cutting Kendall off. "I don't need it. Just give me the money you owe me for the first night and I'll be on my way."
"I don't pity you," Kendall said, taking a step towards him. "I think you're stronger and braver than I could ever be. I think you have more to offer the world than this, and I want to help you because I like you, not because I pity you. You are unlike anyone I've ever met before. I honestly forgot what it was like to genuinely enjoy someone's company who isn't Logan and Carlos, or my mom and sister."
When James didn't say anything Kendall continued, taking another step forward and closing the distance between them. "I'm sorry for how I reacted. People have tried to use me in the past, and I got scared for a minute that you were going to hurt me. I want you here, I want to work with you. Please stay with me."
James stared at Kendall for a moment, trying to take in everything he was saying. He acted on impulse, surging forward to kiss him but stopping himself at the last minute and letting their lips almost brush. "Don't make me regret this."
"Is that a yes?" Kendall asked, pulling back slightly and making James laugh.
"Yes, just…don't do that again," James said, leaning forward and dropping a kiss on Kendall's forehead. He dropped the things he had in his arms and wrapped them around Kendall, walking them backwards until they hit the bed and fell onto it. James trailed kisses across Kendall's face, his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks - he knew if he didn't he would wind up kissing his lips like he wanted to. He felt Kendall tugging on his shirt, attempting to pull it off, so he disconnected them long enough for Kendall to remove it, and to get his own off, too. After that it was a blur of hands, and lips and groans, and lips. James hadn't been with anyone like this in years and he was reveling in it. He hadn't realized how much he had missed this kind of intimacy.
The next thing his brain registered was Kendall flipping him onto his back, hands and lips trailing down his torso. "Let me take care of you," he heard Kendall murmur before he felt Kendall's lips swallowing him. James let out a groan and stared down at Kendall as Kendall sucked him off - he didn't think he'd ever seen anything hotter.
"Fuck, Kendall," he gasped, hand going to tangle in the blonde's hair to hold him there as he bucked his hips up. He fucked Kendall's mouth, his dick brushing the back of Kendall's throat, the sensation almost making him come undone.
"Close," he managed, trying to pull back but Kendall held him steady, scraping his teeth lightly against James's shaft and swallowing him down deeper. James's fingers tightened in Kendall's hair as he came down his throat with a curse, flopping back on the bed and breathing heavily.
He looked down to find Kendall watching him with a smirk. "You're so hot," Kendall said, crawling up James' body and kissing his neck.
James smiled and reached up to card his hand through Kendall's hair, pushing it back off his face. "You're really fucking good at that," he said breathlessly.
"I know," Kendall grinned.
James laughed, his hands trailing down Kendall's back lightly. He reached down and gripped Kendall's ass, squeezing it. "You have a really nice ass, have I told you that yet?" he murmured.
"No," Kendall laughed, looking down at James mischievously. "Will you fuck me?" he asked, and James' breath caught for a second.
"Yes," he said, hooking his leg around Kendall and rolling them so he was staring down at Kendall, smiling. He leaned down and kissed Kendall's nose, feeling Kendall scrunch it up and he laughed again. He moved his lips, trailing them down to Kendall's neck, avoiding his lips even though he'd never wanted to kiss anyone more than he wanted to kiss Kendall.
Kendall gave a small whine and James smirked, concentrating on driving Kendall insane for a while. He sucked on the sensitive skin of Kendall's neck, leaving small marks as he moved down. He licked and sucked his way across Kendall's chest, paying close attention to the noises Kendall was making, concentrating on certain spots when Kendall let out a moan or a whine.
"James," Kendall gasped, and James looked up to watch him; already panting, his pupils blown. James smirked to himself; it always gave him a small thrill when he was able to do this, able to drive his clients crazy with lust, and it was even better with Kendall.
"Shh." James smirked, moving back down and kissing Kendall's hips, trailing his lips down Kendall's thighs before nudging his nose against Kendall's dick, satisfied when he heard a soft whine from above him. He sat up to look at Kendall, Kendall's hands fisted in the sheets under him and his head thrown back on the bed. He was gorgeous.
"Beautiful," James murmured, crawling off the bed to grab his bottle of lube and a condom before returning to Kendall.
"Ready?" he asked softly, coating his fingers and teasing them against Kendall's entrance until he saw Kendall nod.
James smirked and gently pushed one finger in, bending down to lick a stripe up the underside of Kendall's cock. He felt Kendall's hand reach up and land on the back of his head, guiding him down with a groan. James's eyes snapped up and locked with Kendall's, staring him down as he took Kendall into his mouth, adding a second finger and scissoring them apart to stretch the other man.
Kendall let out a loud moan but kept his eyes locked with James', and James smirked to himself, crooking his fingers expertly, knowing how to make Kendall's vision go white. He pulled a high pitched whine from Kendall when he crooked his fingers and he added a third, making sure Kendall was ready before pulling back.
James pulled Kendall closer, rolling on a condom before pushing into him slowly. It was amazing, and he kept his eyes locked with Kendall's, waiting for the other man to nod before starting to move. Everything was lips and tongues and teeth after that. He kissed along Kendall's chest as the other man moaned underneath him. He moved roughly, fucking Kendall like he'd wanted to do from the moment he saw Kendall in that silver sports car.
Kendall pulled him up so they were looking at each other, and the intensity of Kendall's stare was almost enough to make James come right there. He held it together.
He wanted to bring Kendall off first, to watch Kendall's face as he came. He wanted to feel Kendall's desperation, how much Kendall wanted him - he was the only one in a long string of men who had ever wanted James back, and he wanted to savor that feeling for as long as he could have it.
Kendall reached up, trying to bring their lips together and James resisted, stopping Kendall right before their lips touched, barely allowing them to graze. They stayed like that, tension flowing through them as they watched each other, breathing into each other's mouths but not closing the distance.
James brought a hand between them and it was easy to bring Kendall off, a few well placed thrusts and a flick of his wrist and Kendall was coming hard, crying out James' name desperately.
James followed him seconds after, finally dropping Kendall's gaze and burying his face against Kendall's neck, biting down on him lightly with a groan.
"Fuck," Kendall laughed breathlessly above him. "That was, fuck."
James laughed, muffled against Kendall's skin. "Yes, that was," he said, lifting his head to smile at him. It was becoming harder and harder to think of Kendall as just a client, and not someone he was falling in love with.