'I'm a boyfriend for hire. All the women I date want the same thing.'

It's a regular Tuesday afternoon and Rhys leans over to gently kiss the cheek of the woman he's spent the afternoon with. She looks up at him, smiles warmly, and he locks her into a final embrace.

But Rhys isn't dating the woman he's holding. He's not in love with her. He may never even see her again. But for the next hour, he'll hold her hand, stroke her face, and give her the kind of focused, undistracted attention that many people in long-term relationships only dream about.

Rhys is a professional boyfriend.

Not in the pose-as-your-boyfriend-at-family-Christmas kind of way. But, it's not just about sex either.

What Rhys offers is affection, intimacy, conversation and human connection. For a fee.

Welcome to the "boyfriend experience," a growing service offered by male escorts across Australia. While sex work still carries its share of stigma, these men say what they offer goes far beyond the physical.

"It's often a simple, vanilla approach," he said.

"Focused on the little things that many women appreciate: a gentle touch of the face, a deep and meaningful kiss, holding hands," explained Rhys, who's been working in the industry for several years.

Watch: Anna Grosman Owns A Male Escort Agency. Post continues after video.

"It's about creating a space where someone feels safe and special."

The need for closeness is more important than ever. Research shows that a lack of affectionate touch, sometimes called "skin hunger," can have a negative impact on emotional and mental wellbeing. A 2022 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that during the pandemic, people experienced a heightened longing for touch, particularly those who were isolated or living alone.

And for many women juggling work, marriage, and motherhood, even a long hug can feel like a luxury. Between school drop-offs, job deadlines, and the emotional load of family life, the idea of someone simply being present— without asking for anything in return — starts to sound like the ultimate form of self-care.

Rhys describes one of his regular clients as "a high-functioning mother and professional" who comes to him for an hour of uninterrupted presence.

"She told me, 'I haven't been touched like this in years.' And it wasn't about sex. It was the simplicity of someone holding her, just being with her."

For others, the boyfriend experience is about rebuilding confidence. Will, another escort who's been in the business for two years, says many of his clients are women who've never had a sexual experience — or who've had very bad ones.

"Some of them are so nervous when they arrive," he said. "They might just want to talk, cuddle, experience light touch and connection. I think back to how nervous I was when I first had sex, and I try to give them the kind of experience I would have wanted then — safe, respectful, kind."

For some clients, though, the boyfriend experience does involve sex. But there's always an emotional component.

"One woman told me she hadn't been touched by her partner in years," said Will.

"She was craving that intimacy. We started with an erotic massage and ended up having really passionate sex. But even then, it was about that connection."

Both men say the key to their success isn't charm or looks, it's emotional intelligence.

"You need to be able to read the room," explained Will. "One client might want eye contact and conversation. Another might want silence and physical comfort. You can't fake your way through it."

Rhys agrees.

"People think it's all about performance, but it's really about presence. Being fully present, even for an hour, is rare these days. That's why it feels so special."

Listen to this episode of MID. Post continues after podcast.

While there's limited Australian-specific data on the male escort industry, international figures suggest demand is growing. In the UK, for example, a 2022 study by Swansea University found that while more men are entering the industry, they're also diversifying their offerings to include emotional intimacy, companionship, and non-sexual services.

Interestingly, for some clients seeking the boyfriend experience, it's not actually about being single for too long.

Rhys says many of his clients are married, and they all have one thing in common.

"They're not necessarily unhappy, but they're often unseen. They just want to feel cared for, to be the centre of someone's world for an hour. That's what I give them."

Rhys describes himself as a "love doctor". It's a cringey title, but there's no question, the man is passionate about his work.

"I love what I do," he said. "When someone walks out smiling, standing taller, more at peace, it's the best feeling. That's when I know I've done something that matters."

Both men say they've faced judgement, but not as much as you'd expect.

"People are mostly curious," Will said. "And when they hear the stories, they realise it's not sleazy. It's actually kind of beautiful."

Feature Image: Getty.

More stories like this:

• 'I'm a former male escort. Here are 4 reasons I would turn down clients.'

• 'I trial male escorts before they're hired. Here are my best and worst experiences.'

• Meet the women over 50 turning to escorts to save their marriages.