Touch Me

by Hex McKenna

Len is an ultra-competent, successful lawyer. He's also touch starved and exhausted.

Jack is the younger sex worker Len hires for a one-off night of non-sexual intimacy just to satiate the need.

But one night turns into more as neither Len or Jack can stay away, and the boundaries between professional and personal begin to blur.

--

Pairing: T4T NBi/M

Length: ~14k

Content Notes: explicit sexual content, negative self-talk, assisted urination (non-sexual), gender dysphoria, interpersonal and internalized transphobia, mild reference to sex work stigma

Genres: Transgender, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Queer, Novella

ebook

Published December 20, 2024

Reviews

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 01/2026.
One of the most touching novellas I've had the pleasure to read.
The vulnerability, the intimacy (especially the non sexual intimacy!), the cuddling and caretaking... all of it was deeply touching. Len and Jack have a special place in my heart.
55 perfect pages.
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Read 10/2025
A very impressive short story featuring a touch starved non binary character (Len/Lena) and a trans man (Jack).
Len hires the sex worker Jack for a night of non sexual cuddling and from there the story unfolds. It spans over 4-5 months.

The author was able to show the fears, frustrations and needs of both Len/Lena and Jack in such a touching way, I was impressed. Their intimacy was beautiful.

The main focus of the story is on Len finding the courage to ask for what they need, and Jack letting himself believe that he too gets to feel good and be cherished.

I adored this and would have loved to spend much more time with these two. The story ends on a optimistic and satisfying point, though, so yes I am happy because Lena and Jack are.

Another gem that I never would have found if not for my GR friends. Brooke and Smutty Sully thank you both. ♥️

This short story of 55 pages is available on itch.io (https://sexmckenna.itch.io/touch-me) - name your own price.

Content Notes: explicit sexual content, negative self-talk, assisted urination (non-sexual), gender dysphoria, interpersonal and internalized transphobia, mild reference to sex work stigma.

[Sully Smutty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s terrifying to need another person.

Well. That was much more emotional and slightly painful than I was expecting.

Cuddling and caretaking with someone who isn't quite comfortable needing it, even though they are absolutely touch starved.

Len plays a manly man role in day-to-day life, powerful attorney, tall, masculine, attractive. Len hires a sex worker for much needed intimacy that doesn't involve sex.

My heart hurt a bit watching their gender-awakening play out in real time. Surprisingly emotional short story, at only 60 pages. It felt like a lot less.

It also felt like there wasn't enough time to see them blossom into who they are, and get to a place where they won't feel ashamed of wanting and needing touch. Short stories that end on a hopeful vague note don't usually bother me, but this one I really hope they get another story...

What’s wrong with me? I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t need this like I do. 🥹

There were little bright spots of humor, but it's mostly heavy-duty caretaking, cuddling & snuggling, and getting washed in the shower.

Nonsexual intimacy perfection.

It's on itch.io, name your own price.

MC Names: Jack & Len/Lena
Tags: debut(?) novella, MX, trans MC, NBi MC, gender-awakening, sex work rep, T4T, intimate bathing, frotting, hand jobs, front hole fingering, praise, cuddling in bed, 6-inch height difference, crying, embarrassment & shame, requesting they/them pronouns for the first time, full-service sex worker, negative self-talk, assisted urination (non-sexual), gender dysphoria, interpersonal and internalized transphobia, mild reference to sex work stigma, queer aspec transmasc author,Trans Rights Readathon 2025.

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every single thing about these two 🥹

[Valen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non binary (Len/Lena) and transmasc sex worker (Jack). Super adorable, really quick read, so short but packed a punch.

[Meghan-Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so fucking cute i can’t

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. To everything. I need it all. I would read a thousand pages of soft dom Jack and his angel.
This book punches me right in my soul. Receiving safe, comfortable touch and feeling seen and accepted is undervalued in humanity. This book explores that in such a short span with a full emotional impact you aren’t expecting from a book called an “erotic short”

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was beautiful 😭😭😭😭

There’s a warm lethargy spread throughout my body that’s so foreign it takes me a moment to identify the feeling. Safe. I feel safe here with Jack. He does that for me. He’s given me so much more than I ever could have hoped or asked for.

This novella pulled an impossible amount of emotion out of me I’m kind of in a state of awe 🥹

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO SWEET and not what I was expecting

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah. That was fucking excellent. Erotica? No. Caretaking and cuddling? Yes.

[Verity Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored the sweet relationship between the main characters. Great trans/queer rep. Loved it.

[Gabs (gaybism) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing this as I’m getting choked up about the sweetness of this novella.

The author packed more chemistry and emotion in 60 pages than some authors do in a full novel.

It was tender perfection and both characters are amazingly written. The softness and dynamics between them are everything beautiful in this world.

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic short read.
Len is a successful lawyer that is touch starved and hires Jack, a sex worker just for a night of non-sexual intimacy. However, what was supposed to be only a one time thing develops into several nights and these two get to open their hearts and get to know each other.
Despite how brief the story is, it gets to convey a lot of feelings and emotion between the main characters. I wished it had been longer.
New to me author but excited to read more books from them

[Taylor Milligan-Csemez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of my sweet baby’s!!!! This was incredible!!!! I had such an emotional reaction to this in such a short amount of time. This shows how much a safe space and comforting touch is so important but we rarely see. I just loved everything about this and I’m definitely going to be rereading this a million times!

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my godddddddddd. The rep. The REP!!!!! It’s everything. The sweetest, most sensual, caring, tender, beautiful…. Words can not describe.

[v0id_93 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very lovely <3

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so unbelievably tender, with gorgeous characters and so much care that I’m going to be sitting in my feelings for a while.

[Ren Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so incredibly beautiful, I don’t have any more words than that…

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. I love Hex’s writing and I so wish this was a full novel! I would love to see where Len & Jack end up!

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Hex McKenna's shorts! 😍

RTC

[Tabitha O’Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a soft, sweet story. While billed as erotica, I'd call it more of a romance with a few spicy scenes. The focus is on Len's gender feelings and their need for touch and emotional vulnerability, and it was so lovely to see Jack support them wholeheartedly (while finding himself getting emotionally invested as well...). I wish Jack had been developed a little more as a character, and I would have loved to see more of each of their backstories, but on the whole this is a great T4T story with lots of sweet, tender moments.

[Vita · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s terrifying to need another person. I’m terrified by the depth of this ineffable need that Jack has tapped inside of me, a dark pit yawning black and endless and threatening to consume me whole. With just a few easy words, he’s articulated a yearning in me so old and haunting that I can’t remember when it started, can’t pinpoint when the innocent need for nurturing and connection curdled into something ugly and shameful. He doesn’t understand the gravity of what he’s offering me. He can’t possibly."

[Bucletina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastadoramente preciosa historia sobre dos personas que se encuentra, se entienden, se necesitan, se hacen bien y se desean. Corta, que te muestra una pequeña foto de sus vidas y no pretende ser exhaustiva y detallista en los cuándos, cómos y, sobre todo, no requiere cerrar todo con un moño. Qué hermosa experiencia.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was beautiful and tender. Touch starved characters are my favorites. So good. Poor Len was severely touch starved and Jack just wanted to take care of and comfort them. There was a lot more angst in this than I was expecting but I loved it. It’s so impressive how great of a story McKenna managed to write in just 50 pages.

[Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
🌶️🌶️
Damn, this made me emotional. 😭 Len(a)'s touch starved need for intimacy and dysphoric struggles were palpable. This was such a soft story, I couldn't put it down. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because I needed more.
I need this author to write a whole book, because damn. They are talented.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection 🥹
10/10 would ABSOLUTELY read again

[Fuzzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Len, early 40s, lawyer, anxious, touch starved, lonely, questioning their gender, hires Jack for non sexual intimacy-bathing and cuddling, trans femme

dark hair-graying at temples

Jack, late 20s, barista, sex worker, trans masc, service top daddy, sweet calm, stable

First person dual POV

size difference, sex worker/client, D/s, age gap, t4t, novella

A sweet examination of gender identity, and submission through nonsexual intimacy. Just lovely.

[Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Christ that was one of the most tender things I have ever read. Hex is magic for managing to stuff this much emotion into 55 pages but still have everything feel natural. Crying in the club (my bed) right now, so sweet.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

06/12/25 Edit - Still obsessed.


First review - These characters won't leave my mind...