Money Can Buy Happiness

Chapter 3

7.30 pm, Sunday night. Link felt as though he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. All he had done for the last half an hour was pace his living room, despite the fact that he swore his legs were going to give way at any instant. What would this Raven think if he found his 'client' collapsed in the middle of his own house? Link couldn't care less, actually.

The chills he was suffering – and the feelings that his bowels were being contracting – gave Link the urge to drink, but he talked himself out of it. The very last thing he needed was to be even slightly drunk when his guest arrived, particularly since said guest was bringing brandy.

20 minutes later, Link held a half-empty glass of wine in his hand.

Shit.

The truth was, he hadn't even noticed himself getting the wine, only that he was now drinking it, and couldn't stop himself.

7.40 pm.

Goddamn that clock!

Link sighed out loud. Stopping his aimless pacing, he sat down in his favourite chair, an old, yet cushy armchair that faced the couch usually reserved for guests. Or rather, for his mother when she came to visit. Link didn't have guests, not even business guests.

On that note, he had vacuumed the couch that afternoon, just in case. Even so, as he sat, Link went over everything to do with Raven's visit in his head. Right after dinner he had showered, incidentally for the second time day, as habit dictated he shower right after getting up in the morning.

Now Link was decked out in a stylish pair of beige khakis, and had pulled on a favourite turtleneck of his. The dark purple contrasted brilliantly with his bright blue eyes, but it seemed everyone but him noticed.

His golden hair was neatly brushed and parted and it shimmered in the light emitted by his fireplace. Link never used that fireplace, but earlier attempts at using his house's heating system to warm him up had failed, so....

7.55pm

Five minutes.

God, this is gonna be torture.

And yet, in that instant, the doorbell rang.

Link swallowed heavily. He set his glass on the small table in front of him and lifted himself out of the seat. Taking his sweet, sweet time, Link moved towards the door and turned the handle.

What the hell--?

A man, about Link's own height – no, exactly Link's height – stood in the doorway, smiling at him. As the smile widened slightly, Link realized he was gawping…with his mouth open.

"S-sorry," he mumbled, closing it quickly.

"Link?" asked the man, extending a hand politely.

"Yes, yes. Raven?" Link shook the offered hand.

"Pleasure to meet you."

Link swallowed hard again.

"Please, come in. I'll take your coat and your…briefcase?"

Raven chuckled.

"Just some stuff you'll have to fill out if all goes well. Oh, and the brandy of course."

"Yes, of course," Link echoed.

Guiding his guest into the living room, Link motioned to the couch opposite his big, comfy chair. Raven slipped onto the couch with a dancer's grace. He just as gracefully crossed one leg over the other, put the tips of his fingers together and eyed Link over the top of them.

"So sorry I'm early," he remarked without a glance to the clock, oddly enough.

"It's alright. I've been ready for, well, a while," replied Link, who was sitting rigidly in his seat, trying – desperately – to eye Raven with the same confidence the latter displayed.

"Yes, first-timers are always ready ridiculously early. I usually arrive early the first or second times around."

Link thought he heard a tone of let's-get-this-over-with in Raven's voice at the mention of purposely coming early.

Raven had no such intention.

A silence had fallen in the room. Link found it quite uncomforting. Raven, on the other hand, found it quite pleasing.

"So, where do we star—".

"Would you like a drink?" Raven leaned forward to open his briefcase and pulled out a bottle, "I assume you have glasses"

"Oh yes! I'll get a couple!" Link darted into the kitchen and searched his cabinets for two wine glasses. He possessed very few, and had to reach up to the highest cabinet to access the ones he did have.

As he was doing so, a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist. Link froze, arm in the air, as a smooth chin rested itself in his neck.

"Nervous?" asked a cool, confident voice in his ear.

"No," replied Link, despite not having moved since feeling Raven's arms around him.

"Really? You look like you're scared shitless," was the reply, murmured softly, "You must be a virgin."

Link lowered his hands and tried to turn around sharply. It didn't work, he was held fast, and starting to get more than a bit frightened.

"How the hell can you tell?" nonetheless, Link managed to be indignant.

"Simple. No one who has had sex before would be this nervous. You're obviously frightened. Frightened of what's going to happen, how it's going to feel, how you'll feel afterwards. It's rather unnecessary. I am technically in your employ, therefore it's you who runs the show in what we do. I can only offer my professional opinion."

"Which is?"

Raven spun Link around fast as lightning. The small of Link's back was pressing the edge of the counter, and both his hands were resting on it. Raven's face was right in his. The fact that he was leaning forward, whereas Link was doing the opposite, gave the illusion that Raven was taller. Link's heart was threatening to burst. It felt swollen. As did—

What the fuck

Raven pushed himself forward slightly, until their hips were touching. Link could smell mint on his breath, and tried to breath in properly without success.

"Why don't you go sit down?" asked Raven, "Let me get the glasses."

He removed himself from his precarious position and stood aside to let Link back through the kitchen. The latter took this opportunity to walk (run) back into the living room and sit himself down in his chair. He hadn't made eye contact with Raven on his way out and acted now as though the latter were still in front of him; namely, not looking up even when, moments later, his guest returned.

Link didn't look up as Raven uncorked the bottle. Nor did he when he heard the drinks being poured, or even when his glass was placed in front of him. Only when Raven was back in his seat, eyeing his brandy with exaggerated interest did Link blink again and move his glance from his exciting knees.

"How is it?" Raven ventured with obvious confidence.

"It's very good," Link tried to pretend nothing had happened, "It's rich."

"Isn't it, though?"

Link nodded fervently. Raven decided to put an end to the game. Link did have to work early the next day.

"You liked that, didn't you?" Raven leaned forward on his elbows, eyeing Link with interest.

"Yes," Link nearly whispered it. The eyes holding him were like a powerful truth serum.

"I know you did," Raven had also dropped his voice, as thought there were other people listening, "I could feel it."

Link knew exactly what he was talking about. He blushed until his cheeks burned and turned his face into the seat, like a child trying to hide some guilt from on-looking parents. Raven sat back.

"Come here. Come sit by me," he gestured with his hand and set the brandy down.

Link knew he had brought this upon himself by inviting the man over, he had spent the whole day convincing himself that he wanted this rather than call back and cancel. So, now that his dread was being put into play, Link set his drink down next to Raven's and walked around the table to sit next to his guest.

"Link," said Raven, placing his arm around Link's shoulders, "I could seduce you completely in a matter of minutes if I had wanted to. No, that's not right, I do want to. What I meant was, if it were proper. But it isn't. You're completely new to this, I figured that out for sure in the kitchen, and you hardly know me. So I won't do it."

Link's heart exploded with relief. Unfortunately, it turned his brain to complete mush, and he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Really? What if you just can't?" Link teased him.

Strong hands forced him down. Raven was on his knees and elbows above Link, cradling the latter's head and smiling wickedly. Link didn't dare move a muscle. He lay completely still.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I could," was the provocative reply.

"Yes," whispered Link for the second time.

"Yes," echoed Raven. His lips traced Link's forehead down to his chin without stopping. The fireplace finally started to give off some heat, Link realized. Or maybe it was just them. Nevertheless, it glinted off their hair and cheeks and Link started to writhe under the touch of his new friend.

"You're very beautiful," Raven whispered into Link's ear.

"I look exactly like you!" Link exclaimed.

"Hmm…you're right. How odd," Raven didn't really care though, he had just placed his lips on Link's neck and was preoccupied there for the moment. So was Link, incidentally. Raven had been right all along. Link desired nothing more at the moment than to throw his clothes off and have Raven do the same.

Raven could sense Link's desire, and pulled him upright.

"What…?" Link was dazed to say the least.

"Let's go upstairs. This couch is too thin, and the atmosphere isn't working."

"It's working fine."

"Not for me."

Obediently, Link let Raven stand him up and lead up the stairs to his bedroom. It wasn't very interesting, but the bed was large and comfortable. Link started towards it, slightly disgusted with himself to be so eager to get back to what had been happening. He managed to stop himself and force himself to turn.

Again, strong hands collided with his chest. Link was pushed backwards and, moments later, lay sprawled on the bed.

Pushing himself up on his elbows, he saw Raven standing at the end of the bed. The only light in the room was floating in from downstairs. Otherwise it was perfectly dark. Perfectly…sexy.

Balancing himself carefully, Raven lifted himself onto the bed and began to crawl towards Link. He was ineffably graceful, almost like a serpent as he pulled himself closer to the headboards.

like a serpent…

A serpent stalking its prey.

And about to bite.

Raven's fingers dug themselves into Link's hair and held his head in confident hands.

"Let your body go limp," he murmured, "And don't think. Just feel."

Link let his head be supported completely by Raven's hands. He breathed deeply as his head was lowered and set onto the pillows. The breath against his face began to warm up as Raven neared it. Link lifted himself slightly.

"Limp."

Link lowered himself back down. The hands, which had by no means let go, tilted his head forward and Link licked his lips expectantly.

Raven's mouth met Link's with a jolt. Not a jolt of movement, the contact had as soft and smooth as everything before it, but a jolt of pure pleasure spreading itself through Link's body, to his limbs. It warmed him, soothed him, and at the same time, excited him beyond belief.

Extracting his hands from their current placement, Raven drew them across Link's chest and past his stomach. Link sighed audibly at this gesture, but otherwise didn't move. Slipping his fingers underneath the hem of the turtleneck, Raven pushed it upwards.

Link sat bolt upright. He stared straight into Raven's face, and the latter noticed he was sweating somewhat.

"Don't you worry," Raven said nothing more, but pressed two fingers to his forehead and forced him back down into the cushions.

Moving his fingers back down, Raven pushed the shirt all the way up to Link collarbone, leaving his entire chest cold, and exposed.

Though not hurrying, Raven didn't waste any time either. Gingerly, he set his lips square in the middle of Link's breastbone. Link shuddered and licked his lips, but said nothing.

Raven's hands and mouth moved in an, above all, arousing pattern across Link's chest. His tongue darted out to draw circles and his hands ran over whatever was left.

No matter what Raven said, Link couldn't stay still or limp any longer. Without even thinking, his hips lifted sharply and rested again. His legs on the other hand, would not stay still. They shifted and wriggled as though trying to disentangle themselves from something. Combined with Raven's skillful hands, it was almost a dance, so smooth.

Raven slid forward and pressed his thumbs to the bottom of Link's jaw, tilting the head upwards, so he could kiss the neck, passionately. Link bit his lip and reached up to pull the collar of his turtleneck down.

"Thank you," Raven spoke as though Link had done something as common as pouring him a drink. Link, on the other hand, was entranced by the feeling of the mouth moving against his neck that he giggled. The hairs rose on his neck; funny, because the kissing didn't tickle, only the words.

Pulling his head downwards, Raven set his lips against Link's once again, the skillful tongue slipping out to caress Link's, so to speak. Link didn't open his mouth, but Raven made the most of it anyways. He knew he could make Link give way, but if didn't want it now, then he would leave it.

Drawing his lips away, he moved back down to the taut body beneath him.

Link lifted his hands to Raven's shoulders and moved inwards to his lapels. Raven smiled knowingly and sat up. He undid the buttons on his white linen shirt and tossed it aside.

Placing his hands on either side of Link's head he stretched himself out and pressed their bodies together. Raven could feel Link's need and pressed his hips to the former's, slowly moving them up and down in a firm, rhythmic pattern.

Link's head turned from side to side, his lip was almost bleeding now. Any moment he thought he would have a seizure, but he wouldn't give it up.

Raven wasn't wholly opposed to teasing either. Lifting himself up and ducking down, he kissed one of Link's nipples. Link cried out and Raven was immensely pleased with himself. As a treat, he let his tongue dart out and roll itself slowly over the nipple. Link shoved one hand into Raven's chest and, less than a second later, was sitting up, right in Raven's face.

"How much!" he demanded.

"How much what?"

"How much for….a session?"

"$200 per hour, but I'll cover it this time."

"Done!"

"I'll call you."


Link watched through his living room window as Raven's car pulled out of the driveway and headed off in the rain and the night.

His arms folded across his chest, Link was contemplating his decision. Was this really a good idea? Giving himself over to a complete stranger. A stranger who, as though the situation weren't bizarre enough, looked exactly like him no less.

No. He had made his decision. He would stick by it. Over and over he told himself, it would help.


Link slept better that night than he had in months.

Once he had gotten rid of one last problem that is.

Until that night, Link had never seen much use for cold water…

TBC