JamesStill stretching and yawning, I make a pot of coffee and flip open my laptop to check the morning's email. Will it have come?If I get that contract, I've cracked it....I scroll through quickly, checking first to see if anything has come in from Haswell....No joy.I mutter to myself and gulp down some coffee.All that work.…If it doesn't pay off....There's the usual other stuff; a screeching letter from Marlene for more money; she can go to Hell. If she can't control her spending, it's not my fault. She's had all the money I ever agreed or was required to pay her. If she thinks I'm paying any more for her to keep her live-in lover available, she can forget it.A letter from Georgie about her university fees; invoice attached....Jeez.... Working for a doctorate now. Well done, Little Girl. I'm so proud of you....I log on to my bank account to settle the invoice immediately. No need for Georgie to pay the price for her mother's behaviour.... Two mi
James"I'm sure you get my point, Sir.""It's hard to miss. And what about the contract with the girls? What does it cover?""Each contract is personalised to the girl. They each have different, um, assets, to sell to gentlemen, and sometimes ladies, of different tastes. We interview them to see what they have to offer. Some of the girls, for example, are interested in art, or movies or literature. We have clients who are looking for what you might call a courtesan, who want an intelligent conversation with the girl."So, every contract is different and is tailored to the girl and what she agrees to do. For example, Jewel here," he flips to a different page, "has offered to be a 'wife' for the period of one year with all the customary wifely responsibilities, including housekeeping and suchlike, as well as.... other duties. We have had a few similar contracts in the past. They can be a great success for both Buyer and Seller. Sometimes the girls renew the contracts or even marr
JamesI pause on the threshold....Michael's words and anger echo in my head.Should I really be doing this?There's a good crowd and the hall is full. Rather than taking a seat, I hover at the back, watching the proceedings for the ongoing.... lot.... Is that the right word for this?The girl on the podium is collared and kind of so-so looking. She's pretty enough; not my type, but there's plenty who would go for her; a brunette with sultry eyes and pouting lips.Her figure's good and there's plenty of chance to see it. She's wearing a leather harness that pushes her tits up and out, displaying everything she's got. Technically, she's not naked, but she might as well be.Her behaviour is odd....What counts as odd in this situation?She's behaving as though she's coy, or bashful, but it doesn't look genuine. There's a hard edge to her expression.I glance at her details on the brochure. She's called 'Blossom'....And it claims that she's a virgin.Yeah, righ
JamesThe bidding resumes.Charlotte stands there, so vulnerable and yet so brave, while the mob drool over her. I watch her face closely, her expression. She looks a little spaced out.The mind disconnecting from an unpleasant reality? But she doesn't look distressed. Her breathing is fast and shallow, but she's not panic-stricken. Is she enjoying this at some level? Relishing testing her own limits?Or is she a true sub? Revelling in the submission aspect of it all?And of course, she is going to earn a great deal of money, so long as she keeps her nerve for the seven days of her contract.And nothing too unpleasant happens to her....Does she understand how dangerous this is? Even with the so-called safety procedures of the auction house.How would I feel if that were Georgie up there?And she's younger than Georgie....I feel queasy, my gorge rising at the thought of what I am doing.You're being ridiculous, a middle-aged man with virgin fantasies.This i
JamesHer head drops, and she stares at the floor, nodding."Is Charlotte your real name?"Still staring at the ground, still silent, she shakes her head."No, of course not. But for the avoidance of doubt for you, the auction house knows exactly who I am." I chuckle. "If nothing else, they have my credit card details."Now she looks up at me again, her eyes softer.That's it, isn't it... You need to feel safer...Fair enough..."You are, how old? Twenty-two was it?"Nod."It's not easy to be a twenty-two-year-old virgin these days. How did you manage it?"She looks shame faced. "I got married," she says, her voice small, "but he didn't love me. I found out later that he'd only married me to please his parents... He.… he didn't like girls… On our wedding night, he wouldn't..." She stalls and her words dry up.Should I believe her?She doesn't look as though she's lying...Poor kid... What a lousy start..."Not a good start to life, I have to agree. So, aft
JamesThe audience is already breaking up, but some on the front couple of rows hear me and sit down again...Does this happen often?... Others, further back, see them sit and also resume their seats."Yes, Mr Alexanders. What can we do for you?"Then I spot them, the small pile of her clothes, tumbled to the side of the podium, and I remember that I have left her naked.I hold up a finger. "One moment, if you please."Quickly I gather up the clothes and pushing open the door, toss them through to the side chamber where I have left my green-eyed beauty."And put your clothes on, Charlotte. I own you now, but you are in charge of what happens in the next few minutes."Back in the auction chamber, I talk quickly to the auctioneer."Charlotte is I think, willing to offer some further... services... to the bidders here. I'd like you to run another auction on her behalf, but I will take the details of the top... oh, dozen bids. She may be willing to co-operate in... sha
JamesI aim, and I think succeed, in ending the meal with her well-fed, but not overly so and just the slightest bit tipsy; enough to lower her shields without being falling-down silly.As we enter the apartment, I take her coat, then take her hand. Holding her eyes, I lead her through to the bedroom.I tried to make it beautiful for her and paid the hotel staff to have it ready for us when we returned. And as we step in, I'm glad that I did so. This is hardly the classic dream of a young girl's first romance, but perhaps I can give her a convincing substitute...Candlelight washes its golden glimmer over her face, the light like embers in her fiery hair. Flickering shadows cast depths into the space that would not normally be expected in a hotel bedroom.Now... seduce her.How did you feel, all those years ago, when she guided you through your first time?Charlotte stands before me, her expression a little... adrift... Holding her by the waist with one hand, I stroke her
JamesClearly baffled, she simply stands there. But as I move to the vee of her thighs, bathing her sex in the heat of my breath, she wails and, staggering, snatches at me with her hands, pulling at my shoulders and hair."Gently…" I say, as I stroke between her thighs at the moist heat of her panties. "Open your legs a little. Let me at you." She's moaning and staggering, and as I feel at her folds through the fabric, her head flinging back, there is a warm gush and a spreading stain."Master, I'm sorry, but I can't stand up properly."Gotcha, Girl...I stand and sweep her up, dropping her onto the bed where she lands, gasping and sweating.Her excitement is quite unmistakable now, and for a long moment, I hesitate, looking down at her...Is she ready…?... for more...?"Are you still nervous, Charlotte? Still scared?"There's nothing to her but eyes as she looks back up at me, shaking her head. For a further long moment, I stall, wondering, then...I start to un
JamesMichael takes a moment before speaking, then, ".... All through your life, you've had everything thrust upon you. Even meeting James and me, you chose to enter the auction, but you did that out of necessity. I'd like to know what you want. Now that you are free to choose for yourself, what is it that you want?"And he falls silent, watching her, and waiting as she looks around at everything about us....And I wonder what she sees. With everything that life has thrown at her, the horrors of her childhood, the terrors of her adulthood, and now to be here, in this lovely place, with the home she always yearned for.And is that enough for her?She gestures around, hands trying to encompass it all. "What more could I want? We're all here, at last, together. I have you both. I have what I want."Yes!Result!Michael's eyes shift to mine....Definitely....She sees us, knows what is going on, and leans in to Michael as he kisses her. "I think I'm going to ask you to
Charlotte sits in the office facing Mr Chambers. He's middle-aged and pleasant enough, and clearly doing his best to make her feel at ease. Nonetheless, her embarrassment is excruciating and she can't look him in the face."Can I get you a cup of tea, Miss Conners? Or coffee perhaps?"Her throat tight. "No, thank you."If she tried to drink right now, she would bring it right back up again."Very well. I understand you would like to enter our auction for the sale of...." He picks up a sheet and reads.... 'The services of 'Charlotte' for the period of one week, those services to include anything required of her by her purchaser and also to include the sale of her virginity.' Is that correct?"She squeezes the word out. "Yes."He places the document on the table. "I should explain Miss Conners, that whilst you might find it easier to have a female representative to work with right now, here at the auction house we feel that a girl who cannot go through this interview with a m
RichardAt one of these interminable 'drinks dos' I am expected to attend, I do my best to put on a polite face. But I'm having trouble.I have the mayor on one side, "Since the plans were made public for the new City-Scape layout the share value has soared, Richard...."And my head of corporate law on the other. "There are still some legal obstacles to overcome...." argues Lazenby.I am unsympathetic. "That's what I pay you for."What I pay you a lot for........ So, stop whining and do your job.Listening to the mayor droning on, I nod politely, trying to appear interested but, in fact, my attention is half on the gathering at the other side of the room.As Charlotte and Elizabeth are chatting by the bar. Michael arrives, strolling across the lounge with that easy half-smile that is his habitual expression. Charlotte spots him and moves aside to make room for him."Hi, Michael." Elizabeth's eyes are bright as she looks up at him.He returns the smile. "Hi, Beth. L
Richard"But you've been running 'Life and Fitness' in the City for years.… and turning a healthy profit, surely?""Yes, but you know how it is since two thousand and seven. All the banks have tightened up the rules."Bloody bastards at the banks....Pretty perfect for me though....How to approach this…??James said he has a problem accepting help........ Carefully...."Ummm.…Take this the right way, but I'd be happy to help."Glass in hand, Michael freezes, knuckles. His voice is barely polite. "Thanks, Richard, but I'm not a charity."James' meets my eyes again with a 'Told you' look. He laughs softly. "Now, who's suffering from stiff-necked pride?" Michael gives him a look that should have dissolved him on the spot, but James simply gives him a mild look, sucking at his teeth as he tries to extract a bit of peanut.I follow Michael's lead, keeping my own tone cool. "It wasn't a charitable offer, Michael. I'm a businessman. It was a proposal."He flush
JamesAs we leave, Richard murmurs, "Keep your face straight.""You might have warned me....""What? That you were my ace-in-a-hole?" Despite his advice, Richard's mouth is twitching. "Not a chance. It worked out so much better that you were surprised when he finally realised who you are."I glance over my shoulder to see that we are safely out of range, then stop and turn to face him. "Richard, who am I? I'm an architect. A good architect granted, but...."He lays a hand on my shoulder. "You, my friend, are the architect who will have changed the face of the City. Not many can make that claim. Your immortality is going to be standing as evidence around us for generations to come."It's an interesting thought."I never expected to be famous."He rocks a hand back and forth. "Perhaps not with the Common Man, but I looked through those Get-Well cards at the hospital. Did you?""Er, no.""You should. I asked Michael to keep them for when you left the hospital; for when
JamesMy mobile rings: Richard."James, I was having a word with Charlotte earlier. She's a little upset that the university is kicking up a fuss over the way her course options are moving around. The training periods, academic time and so on. It was all supposed to be arranged, but apparently, they're giving her a hard time over it.""Yes, I thought something like this might crop up. Did you have something in mind?""Absolutely. I know where this is coming from. The Chancellor, Wilmore, is fine, but the Bursar is an interfering busybody with an inflated sense of self-worth, who pokes his nose into every aspect of university life, whether it belongs there or not. If he didn't have tenure he'd have been out years ago.""So…?""First, I like you to have a word with Charlotte...."*****The crook of my thumb and forefinger under her chin, I force her face to mine, "Charlotte, is it that you want to attend the university? Or that, in a couple of years' time, you simply want
James"So how did it go?"Michael prises the cap off a beer bottle on the edge of the table then gulps down from the neck before wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "It was.... surreal."I'm up and about and able to walk now, at the level of using the bathroom without the intervention of a nurse. Nonetheless, Michael's return is an excuse for me to climb back into bed, take the weight from my aching leg and draw a surreptitious sigh, which he pretends not to notice.And I'm happy enough to be here. Back in the beach house, the environment is soothing and convinces me to sleep more than I could have done in the renovation/building site which is our mountain home, even were we able to return there.I prop myself up against the pillows and Michael reaches around, rearranging them for me. When I'm settled comfortably, "Go on. I'm listening.""Cutting a long story short, Klempner admitted to murdering Charlotte's father, seemed to have some kind of crisis over her looking
KlempnerJennifer's face....The loathing there when he says that....The idea that she might be anything to do with me........You're Conners' daughter........ Not mine…Blondie's still speaking… "And your final revenge on her was to steal the child, to force her to grow up into slavery herself.... To fit your idea of...."I claimed you........ Mine........ My due........ My redress....Blondie is still talking.... "And when you found she'd grown up to look like her mother, you became obsessed with it again, determined to have the daughter forced into a life that the mother had already told you repelled her...."And I remember the disgust in her eyes....My beautiful Mitch........ Looking at me like shit on a shoe...."Is she alive? Charlotte's mother?" Blondie asks.I can't stomach looking at him. "I've no idea. The police gave her a new identity, hid her from me. I couldn't find her, and I've not seen her for over twenty years. But if she's not s
KlempnerHer face twists...."You still don't want to believe me? She was very good at her job. Good enough that, at first, we didn't realise she was a professional. We thought she was just being.... friendly. And I'll admit, when I set eyes on her, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen...."..... Mitch's daughter....Blondie's knuckles on her shoulder whiten. ".... So did Frank. We took a room for the night and.... well, you know the script from there. You've had two guys together often enough I'm sure...."Her face sets. "So, what then?""She was fun to be with. Not just a good fuck, but actually good company. We both liked her. And she seemed to like us.... Really like us I mean, rather than just pretend to because that's part of the job description. In the morning, we took her number, and later, we called her back. It went from there. We'd meet up with her a couple of nights a week. It became regular. And then.…"Blondie breaks in, his voice low. "A