Carol smiled softly. "I better put my shoes back on. We are almost there."

Daryl reached down and gently slipped her shoes back on her feet. "Wouldn't want you padding through your lobby barefoot." He gave her a wink.

Her driver held the door for her as she exited. Carol's stomach was in knots. Best not to overthink it. Just stay calm and let things happen as they may.

Daryl gently took her arm with a smile. "Shall we?"

Carol only nodded and headed toward the elevator. For a brief moment she worried she had forgotten her key that unlocked her floor as she fished in her handbag, breathing a quiet sigh of relief as her fingers closed around the tiny silver key.

As she strolled through the lobby with Daryl on her arm, Carol felt bold. Daring. Hell, she felt sexy. For the first time in a long time.

As they boarded the elevator, she noticed Daryl hadn't released her arm, and instead pulled her close to his side as if he wanted to make sure she wouldn't slip away from him. Was he anxious as well? Surely not, but there definitely was a current of energy between them. Every time her eye caught his, he offered that smile. A smile that made her heart trip just a bit, her belly flutter, and began to kindle a warmth between her legs.

The elevator door silently slid open to reveal Carol's expansive suite.

Daryl was accustomed to wealth. He grew up in a privileged home. Courted privileged women. Yet the sight of Carol's suite gave him pause. Done in shades of cream. Simply but elegantly decorated. It managed to be classy, yet welcoming. Classy art adorned the walls and lush Persian rugs graced the floor.

"First things first, these are coming off." Carol leaned over and undid the straps to her shoes, kicking them off with a sigh. "Let me take your jacket." She again paused to marvel at how well Daryl filled out his clothing. He handed her his jacket. The leather was butter soft and warm. She felt her cheeks flush yet again. She shrugged off her shawl and placed it with Daryl's jacket on the teak entryway table.

As Carol headed over to the bar, she called over her shoulder "What would you like to drink?"

Daryl watched as Carol walked. For whatever reason, he just loved the way she moved. The way that little black dress moved. She entranced and intrigued. As for the drink, Daryl liked to be sober. He liked to maintain control. It wouldn't be fitting to get sloppy drunk and unable to perform to the satisfaction of his client. He had a few drinks at the gallery and felt pleasantly mellow, but completely in control and fully aware. He smiled as he, too, made his way to the bar, "A glass of water will do for me."

Carol paused, "Are you sure. I really don't drink the hard stuff but I know my House Manager keeps the bar well stocked for when I entertain." She sat two crystal Lalique tumblers on the bar. They gleamed as if cut from ice.

Daryl shook his head then murmured, "I really don't need a drink." Then placing his hand on hers, he gently added, "If you do maybe I should just go."

Carol stared at him. What was that supposed to mean?

Sensing her confusion Daryl closed his hand gently on hers, drawing it to his lips to kiss it softly. "What I mean is if you are unsure you want to do this and need….a bit of liquid courage perhaps it is best if I leave until you are sure. I don't want any regrets. I want you to enjoy this. Completely."

Daryl knew she was nervous. It radiated from her. He also knew she knew what she wanted but was afraid to ask for it.

It was actually a bit refreshing. Usually his clients got to the nitty gritty pretty fast. All business, making him feel like the piece of meat he was. As this wasn't Carol's usual game she would need special handling. Extra care. While part of him relished this challenge he didn't want her to do something she may regret.

"Why don't we just go sit down so you can relax?" Gently he led her to the couch. A couch which was clothed in cream silk damask from Italy and which probably cost more than some families earned in a year.

Shyly she settled next to him. "I…I want to do this. I just don't know how. I'm sorry. I'm probably acting so silly and foolish." She knew she was stammering like a fool.

Daryl said nothing. He just looked at her. Let her talk it out. The cream silk of the couch setting off her black dress. The chain of diamonds sparkling like a strand of shimmering dew drops. Her silver hair and how it curled in pixie-like wisps about her face and at the nape of her gorgeous slender neck.

He tipped her face to his and whispered, "Just let me show you how. Just relax." He leaned down and kissed her softly, tentatively almost, on the corner of her mouth. He usually abstained from kissing clients, but he knew Carol would need this. Besides, he had been dying to taste those lips all night, so in a way it was serving his own selfish purpose.

Carol sighed softly when Daryl's lips touched hers, her body sagging into the couch. Whether it was in surrender or relief he could not tell.

He gently brushed her jawline with his fingertips as he allowed his mouth to wander fully onto hers. He gave her lips a teasing caress with his tongue. Her lips parted, permitting him full access. She tasted as sweet as he thought she would.

He broke off his kiss to whisper, "Tell me if you want to stop, otherwise I want you to just relax, okay?" That's right. Relax. I'll be what you want me to be. Confidant. Arm candy. Whore.

Carol could only nod. He had merely kissed her and she felt as if she was on fire. Her inhibitions were swiftly melting away. When he resumed his kiss, she hungrily accepted.

Daryl knew how to read a woman. He had to. His success as an escort depended on it. He would let Carol take the lead. Let her tell him what she wanted even if she didn't use words. He moved from her lips to her delicate neck, feeling her pulse fluttering under his lips. He heeded her soft sighs and murmurs, drawing his hand up her side, gently pulling up the fabric of her dress. She did not protest, did not push his hand away when he gently skimmed the tops of her taut thighs. She gave a low moan of approval as he again claimed her lips, her tongue eagerly slipping into his mouth as he whispered a touch between her legs.

She was drenched.

He shifted his position so that he was hovering over her. Her kisses became more voracious, hungry. She was opening up. Accepting what he had to offer her.

He slid her dress all the way up, exposing her to him. She did not disappoint. She was wearing lacy black panties. He had seen cobwebs that had more substance to them. The hoarseness of his voice surprised him when he rasped, "I'm going to take off your dress, okay."

She only smiled and nodded.

Jesus, she was gorgeous.

He slid the dress over her head leaving her in only her lingerie. I should be paying her for this privilege. The thought skittered through his mind, surprising him.

Her bra was a matching companion to the panties. Her eyes were shining and her lips were parted slightly. He could hear her soft, panting breaths.

She was ready.

He knew time was running out. He wanted to be sure she got her money's worth.

With a smile he slid down her body. Gently he eased her thighs apart. One more time he asked, "Do you want me to?"

Carol only nodded.

He complied, placing her long legs over his shoulders.

He kissed each creamy white thigh before sliding the gossamer veil of her panties to the side to allow him access to her most secret of places. He gave her a gentle, teasing lick. Slow to torment her just a little. He knew his craft well.

She gave a little keening cry low in her throat.

He delved his tongue deeper. Tasting her. Savoring her. Worshiping her. His sole purpose now was to give her pleasure.

She gasped softly.

He lost himself in her then, giving her slit long sweeping licks, pausing to tease her little pearl, before sweeping back down teasing her folds. Her juices flooded his tongue.

Carol was lost in his sweet torture, forgetting herself. Forgetting she paid him to do this. Allowing the ecstasy to surge through her and carry her away. She wound her fingers in Daryl's' silky hair, wantonly pushing him to her, urging him to go deeper, faster. The rough feel of his whiskers against her sex coupled with the sweet fire of his tongue was almost too much for her to bear.

She had thought when women made a lot of noise during sex, it was all for show. She had always enjoyed sex, wasn't shy, but she never was one to make much noise. Tonight she understood. The feelings Daryl's tongue was creating between her legs were unlike anything she had ever known. She never wanted it to end and found herself urging him on, cries and gasps of pleasure bursting from her unbidden and uncensored.

He complied with her urging.

Daryl knew she was close. He quickened his pressure and intensity, taking her where she needed to go.

Carol clenched tight and had her sweet release crying out his name.

Daryl lifted his head from his task, his job done. He smiled as he watched her body quiver with pleasure.

Carol's head was spinning at what had just happened to her. She felt delicious. Slowly she floated back to reality, coming to the realization she was clad only in her underwear and Daryl was still perched between her legs. Her dress? Where did she put her dress? Daryl, sensing her need to cover herself, reached to the floor where he discarded it, picked it up and handed it to her.

"How was that?" was all he said.

What could she possibly say? Her mind was blown? She wanted more? Much more?

"Fantastic." was all she could manage in reply.

Daryl rose from his place on the floor to once again sit beside her. He loved the flush on her cheeks and he loved that he was the one to put it there. He could still taste her.

As Carol arranged herself, Daryl placed his hand on hers and whispered, "Time's up. I have to go."

Carol only nodded and replied, "I know."

She shakily got to her feet. She wanted desperately to just take him by the hand, lead him back to the master suite. She knew that wasn't an option. Not tonight.

She walked him to the door, handing him his jacket. What do you say to an escort after he has done what he came to do? Smiling shyly, she managed to whisper, "Thank you for the wonderful evening. I'm…I'm glad I did this."

Daryl looked at her, still looking all disheveled and sexy as hell. There's so much I could show you, he thought to himself. I can take you places you never knew existed. He prayed she would call on him again. Sooner rather than later. Deep down he had a feeling that this was a one-time thing for Ms. Peletier. She was far too classy a lady for the likes of him. Taking Carol's hand yet again he kissed it softly, almost reverently. "Good night Carol." I wish I had met you under different circumstances.

"Good night….Daryl." Carol softly replied as she watched him go. After watching the elevator door slide shut, she stood there for a long time thinking about what the hell just happened.