Need for touches
Livy’s version:
March in Bucharest is a beautiful month. It’s the beginning of spring, where the days grow noticeably longer and the air warms as we begin the slide into summer. So it was typical that I chose to go to the office on the only day of the month when it rained.
Working from home during the pandemic had some advantages, one of which was not having to run home from the train station in the pouring rain. Which I was doing now, because of course I had left my umbrella at home. It had been sunny in the morning and well, it never rains in March, does it?
By the time I reached the entrance to the block I called home, I was soaking wet. I entered the apartment, took off my shirt and grabbed a towel from the bathroom.
Looking at my shirtless torso in the mirror, I felt a sudden sense of loneliness and a desire to talk to someone, anyone. I’m from Buzau, but I started a nine-month project based in Bucharest in February. I was working in the capital during the week, commuting home at the weekend. And then COVID-19 hit caranGiullia. Work became chaos as we tried to complete the project remotely. I had barely met my team, but through video conferences and phone calls I did everything I could. Once restrictions were eased, I was able to return home a few times, spending time with family and friends. Until now, at least. And then the second wave hit Bucharest.
I hadn’t been able to go home for six weeks and I was so lonely. It wasn’t that I didn’t know anyone in Bucharest, it was just that the team was now used to working remotely and I was still a bit nervous about meeting friends socially, with outbreaks of COVID around my neighborhood, for example.
No one was waiting for me in Buzău either, I think I was married to my job and my last girlfriend had left over two years ago. As she left, she said she felt sad for me, that I never tried to let her into my life. And now there was little chance for a relationship, other than a virtual one. I tried, but internet dating never seemed to work and all the friends I had here were well established in marriage and kids, so Uncle Liviu would have been a spare wheel.
The project I was working on had been expanded, management was happy with me, so if I wanted to, I could stay a few more months until the release date. If I was going to last the distance, I needed to get some balance in my life. Or at least some time with a woman. The truth was that I was almost always turned on and missed the touch, the lingering fingers of a woman as she trailed her fingers across my chest, the soft, tickling sensations of her hair as it touched my skin, the quiet exhalation of her breath against my cheek as what was sitting next to me, the comfort of the fingers together.
My penis swelled in my jeans as I thought about the last time I had sex. A Tinder date months ago, before caranGiullia. Jamie, a stunning brunette with a lithe dancer’s body, a smart head on her shoulders and a mouth she knew what to do with. Dinner and conversation had been fun, the sex spectacular, but she made it clear it was the last time.
Walking through the living room, I sat down on the tan leather sofa and looked at the camera. Depressing uniform, gray carpet, glass and chrome fittings, a flat screen TV and a standard photo on the wall. Boring and getting more boring every minute I sat there. I had a sudden thought. What I longed for was not just companionship, but touch, the touch of another person. At a time when touch was potentially dangerous, but the thought of being so alone was almost unbearable. I don’t know why I went ahead with that thought, but after everything that happened later that night, I’m so glad I did.
Picking up my cell phone, I logged into a classifieds app and went to the adult services section. Speaking to myself as I tapped the screen, I read aloud “Maseuse wanted this afternoon/evening for a business man in his thirties, athletically built and interested in good conversation; he desperately needs a woman’s touch. The only requirements are strong hands and a willingness to work bare bones. It can be mutual if desired, 450 lei per hour, call Liviu at…”
I reread the post. Was I really ready for this? “What the hell,” I grumbled and hit send and threw my phone on the couch. I went to the fridge for a drink, thinking ‘a random post to draw out who knows what from the depths of the internet, what could possibly go wrong’. I drank a glass of cold water and went into the shower.
***
Ranya’s version:
It was a relaxed evening at the salon. My last client had left half an hour ago and I had nothing scheduled for now. I lay down on the couch, pulled out my cell phone and went into selfie mode. I looked at the face staring back at me, pursed my lips, fluttered my eyelashes. Here I am, twenty-eight, quite attractive (or so I thought), long blond hair, brown eyes. My lips were a little thin, but I had good teeth and a perfect smile. The body was hourglass shaped, medium height, large breasts, curved back and thin legs.
While I was admiring myself in the room on my cell phone, I received a text from a friend: “Look what an ad I found: Masseuse wanted this afternoon/evening for a businessman, thirty years old, complex athletic and interested in good conversation; he desperately needs a woman’s touch. The only requirements are strong hands and a willingness to work bare bones. It can be mutual if desired, 450 lei per hour, call Liviu at… He seems a bit lonely, do we leave him like that or help him get rid of loneliness?”
Although I usually don’t do this, the customers look for me, this time I felt generous and decided to call the phone number in the ad.
***
Livius:
An hour after posting, I got a phone call. The voice on the other end sounded seductive.
– Hello, I’m talking to Liviu?”
– Yes, I answered. Who are you?
I heard his sharp intake of breath, then a firm answer.
– Ranya. I’m calling you about the ad you posted. It sounds like you’re feeling lonely, and I can help you relax. I am a professional masseuse and I offer erotic massage services at the hotel or at home.
– Okay, Ranya. how do you look
– I’m blonde, 160 cm, 53 kg and big breasts. The rest you will have to discover yourself.
My cock started to twitch slightly at her suggestion. What am I getting myself into? I wasn’t sure, but I was starting to feel alive, maybe for the first time in months.
– Okay Ranya, we should finish this discussion at my place. You agree? $450 an hour and I’ll pay for your transportation here and back home.
– Okay, Liviu. When and where?
I told him I would text him and ended the call.
***
Ranya:
My phone rang. Liviu had sent me a message with the address. I recognized the neighborhood, luxury, close to the center. I looked up the address on the internet and pictures of an apartment building came up. Then I went to get ready, and twenty minutes later I was on my way, sitting in the backseat of an Uber, hoping to have a night to remember. ***
Livius:
It would take Ranya at least an hour to get ready and get to my apartment. Now I committed to this, I was eager but also hesitant. I knew nothing about this woman, she knew nothing about me. Be nice, I told myself, enjoy the moment, especially the touch.
I walked over to the sliding door that led to a small balcony and opened it. Although the air was warm, the rain continued to fall as the day gave way to evening. Raindrops hit the balcony grill, forming puddles on the concrete floor. The white net curtain covering the glass door fluttered languidly with a gentle breeze, I could smell the jasmine from the garden in the courtyard below. In the distance, a low rumble of thunder showed that the storm front was not yet weakening. I pulled back the curtain, left the door open and watched the rain fall.
***
Ranya:
The Uber driver dropped me off at the entrance to the block. I went to the front door. On the side wall was an intercom with a video camera.
Within seconds, the intercom rang. Looking at the video screen, I could see a man with short hair and a thin face. His voice came over the intercom.
– Ranya?
I looked at the screen.
– Yes, Liviu? I’m Ranya. Here for the massage.
He smiled. A good sign.
– Come on up, please. The elevator is on your right. He pressed the enter button and disappeared from the screen. Let the action begin. I opened the front door and went to the elevator.
***
Livius:
A minute later there was a faint knock on the front door. I was pacing the floor, anxious, nervous. I hope it wasn’t a big mistake. I opened the door and there she was. Ranya, nice Ranya. A few inches shorter than me, she tilted her head and looked at me. Suddenly, I felt my mouth dry and my cheeks flush. She was very beautiful. Her blonde hair fell down her back, and her deep brown eyes lingered on me for a moment, then looked past me into the room. Flawless, pale skin, fine cheekbones and a playful smile. Ranya wore a tan Burberry raincoat, ideal for the wet weather and for hiding her figure from prying eyes.
– Well, sir, aren’t you going to invite me in?
– S… sure, I stammered.
My discomfort was obvious to her, she laughed and walked past me into the living room.
– Quite a boring place here, Liviu, she said, what with the businessmen and the lack of color?
I mumbled something and shook my head. I looked stupid at her. Ranya turned and walked towards me, unbuttoning her coat. He stopped a meter away from me and slowly opened his coat. I couldn’t speak, my face was burning. Ranya was standing in front of me, her left leg slightly bent in front of her right. She was naked except for a black thong, high heels and a belly button ring. I looked at the back of her neck as she touched her blonde hair. My pulse pounded in my throat as I looked at her full C cup breasts that were definitely not showing any effects of gravity. Small, pink nipples pointed straight at me. There was a glint of light from her belly button ring as she moved her waist back and forth, I kept lowering my eyes to see her strong athletic thighs and slender calves. I stared at the carpet, mesmerized. Ranya was gorgeous.
– Do you like my uniform? she teased me.
– Wow. Yes. Um, wow, that was all I could say.
– Well said, Liviu. Is there anything else to add?
I continued to look at the carpet.
“Hey, my eyes are up here, not on the ground,” Ranya said softly, taking my hand in hers. I lifted my eyes and met hers.
– That’s better, she murmured. Well Liviu, you are not old at all, in fact you are quite handsome for a boring businessman. So why are you agitated?
That was one of the characteristics of modern women, they were so direct.
– Maybe I didn’t think about tonight as much as I should have. I didn’t expect you to be so, well, perfect.
Ranya raised an eyebrow and sighed.
– Okay, so you like to think that everyone else is too good for you, don’t you? Why don’t you try this – I’m beautiful, you’re single, I’m a professional masseuse, and you need an erotic massage.
She held my gaze as I took a deep breath and exhaled.
– Yes, you are right, I said. I started suddenly. Ranya, please forgive my lack of manners. Take a seat in the lounge. Do you want to drink something? A water, a tea? Then we can move to the bedroom.
– Water, thank you, she answered and sat down on the leather couch.
I went to the kitchen, got a bottle of water from the fridge and two glasses and went back to the living room. Ranya was sitting on the couch, her coat loose across her chest, the v of the lapels drawing my eyes to her chest, where I could faintly see a hint of cleavage.
I drank cold water and inhaled.
– Sorry Ranya, I’m kind of new to this so I wasn’t sure how I’d react once it actually happened. I’m not really a spontaneous person and you blew me away with your honesty.
The attractive blonde in front of me smiled.
– So, to repeat myself, do you agree with what we discussed earlier? Massage for two, nudity, consenting adults and so on?
She nodded impatiently at me.
– Yeah, yeah, boy, you know how to throw a party down. Ranya stood up and slowly walked towards me. He stopped, unbuttoned his coat and put his hands on his hips. Once again I was mesmerized by her milk white breasts, her smooth skin and her beautiful smile.
– Come on, are we here to have fun or not?
He threw his coat on the floor and ran to the bedroom. Turning to me, he shouted
– Hey, let’s get started!
With that I suddenly snapped out of my reverie, watching her beautiful round buttocks disappear into the bedroom. I followed her
***
Ranya:
I was standing next to the king-size bed when Liviu entered the bedroom. He had spread towels over the bed, a pillow at one end. Lots of wipes and a bottle of massage oil. Also, plenty of hand sanitizer. It was rudimentary, but I managed.
