“Have you been painting long?” I asked, not sure what else to say and falling back on small talk from the era I’d grown up in instead.“Only eleven years. I’m nowhere near as good as some of the greats,” the boy replied.“Eleven years?” I asked. “That’s a huge amount of time. You must be a pro by now.”“No. I still have a long way to go before I’m as good as some of the masters, but this will be good practice. I’m sure Tomichii will be pleased.”It was all I could get out of the kid. Everything else was merely comments on things like asking me to keep a part of my body especially still.Over an hour had passed when Tomichii returned. He immediately smiled and went over to the painter to see what had been produced so far. The two of them talked about things in hushed voices before Tomichii smiled and came over to me.“Thank you, Markus. If you could return in a week’s time, we will continue it then.” Markus nodded and left as Tomichii reached for my hand and lifted me to my feet.“I thi
I was in the car heading to the club the next morning before I had a chance to even think. I’d woken where I’d fallen asleep. In Daniel’s office, underneath Daniel. He’d ushered me off to my room to clean up, touch up the paint I wore and head back out again.More than once I’d been thankful that I wore paint instead of clothing and that it could last, but this would be the first time I’d worn the exact same design two days running.“You seem distracted,” Edward said, pulling out of me after using my body to meet his needs as well. Looking at him, I tried to work out what to say. Neither of us had promised to be with each other long term, but equally I knew I was living in a careful balance. Daniel’s gentleness had shocked me, however.“There’s a lot to think about,” I said in the end, knowing it was a non-answer. If it bothered Edward, he didn’t show it. Instead he sat back and waited for the car to take us to the club. It was half true. Having gone to Daniel and barely had five minut
“Where’s Dante?” I said a moment later, noticing he’d not joined the group with Keaton, and wishing to change the subject so I could regain my train of thought and composure.“Gone,” Keaton replied, his vocal tone suddenly changed, clipped and almost aggressive in its deepness. “Not that you should be looking for someone else while I’m the one paying for your time.”Gulping, I tried to find the words to respond. I’d clearly angered Keaton with my careless question.“I was just surprised. You were obviously talking about very important things, and I didn’t want to interrupt you or distract you,” I replied.Keaton studied me for a moment, the room silent now as everyone waited to see how he reacted. I tried to look like I didn’t feel guilty, but I knew everyone was looking at me and it made me feel more than a little uncomfortable.Eventually he nodded and waved at the waiter to bring him some breakfast as well.“Let’s talk about something happier,” Keaton said. “None of this depressing
Not sure entirely what to expect, I walked into the restaurant again. This time, rather than seeking out a companion, I found a table and ordered a drink and a small snack. It cost me a few credits, but less than I’d been tipped already that day. Before I could decide on a person to approach, a familiar face came to me.“Richard, isn’t it?” I asked, vaguely placing him as a business trip person whom I’d helped with some kind of math problem while at a bar.“Yes, I’m Richard. I think I owe you an apology, Auralia. I freaked out over a few rumors. Took a friend pointing out that jealous courtesans can make them and spread them faster than most of us men can keep up for me to realize you were probably innocent in all this.”For a moment I sat in a stunned silence, unable to process what he’d just said.“Would you do me the honor of letting me buy you a drink?” he asked a moment later.“The honor would be mine,” I replied, both grateful and stunned that this was happening. Maybe someone wa
“Is there anything in particular that you’d like me to do for you?” I asked. Almost immediately he frowned.“I don’t want this to be... like other courtesan and companion moments,” he said. “I’d like this to be more like lovers. I want this to satisfy us both, and for you to enjoy this and get what you want too.”“That’s very sweet of you,” I replied. “Shall we take some of these clothes off so we’re a little more equally attired and snuggle up under the duvet?”I felt him relax against me as he nodded and my hands found his trousers. Quickly, and almost as if I was an expert, I had him in nothing but his boxers and I was pulling back the covers.As I tried to get into the low bed beside him, I caught my foot and tumbled slightly. I blushed and laughed but felt him relax near me as he chuckled, and then I was in his arms, our mouths pressing together.My slight mistake and the laughter that had followed had broken the ice and he finally felt confident enough to explore my body with his
“There she is,” Tomichii said as I walked into the room, trying not to look as flustered as I felt.I smiled and slipped into the offered arm, letting him pull me into a hug while I smiled at the room of people. There were four investors, as Tomichii and Kioshi had promised, but no sign of Kioshi himself.Tomichii introduced all the men, although I recognised a couple of them from a previous party I’d been at. One where Bernice had done her best to embarrass me before I was unveiled.This time all the eyes were on me and I was the only courtesan in the room. I tried to smile and asked the two I recognised if they were doing well, wracking my brains for something they might have said the last time so I could ask them about it again. This seemed to do the trick and immediately I was surrounded by the four men.I was offered drinks, small items of food and generally conversed with for the next few minutes, everyone making it clear they were only there for me. I used the opportunity to pra
I slowly walked towards the door, my legs growing stronger as I moved and tested them. Apparently, even after all that, I had some capacity left.But I found my feet taking me in only one direction, towards the garden. I didn’t fight my instincts, knowing I’d appreciate the moment to clear my head before I had to return to the court and Daniel.It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders as I walked into the garden. The stars were out and more than easily viewable despite the city surroundings, and the lights had been dimmed to make viewing them easier while still being able to see to explore the gardens. I wandered towards my favourite spot, a view that continued to make me stop and think.Before I could get there, one of the men I recognised from the first investor meeting I’d been to stepped into view. He’d been sitting on the bench, a drink in one hand, until he’d clearly spotted me.He held up two tokens. Another one hundred.“I’ve been hankering to taste you since Tomichii let y
Groaning, I stretched and woke Mhairi beside me. It was the beginning of yet another day. I sighed, and tried to think of something to look forward to.“Another day?” she asked. I nodded.“Afraid so. Another day, and yet another attempt to earn enough money.”“You’ve not been doing badly so far,” Mhairi replied as we both began getting up, already a sort of routine between us. “You’ve got two companions who see you daily. That’s huge for a courtesan this early on.”“Only one,” I said as I sighed and began looking over the body paints. I didn’t have much left, and knew I couldn’t afford any more right now, but there was only one design I’d not worn in public yet; the one from my unveiling ceremony. “Tomichii doesn’t want me today. I’ve just got Keaton and then Rick until the very last hour of the day.”“Oh.” Mhairi came to my side and took one of my oldest designs out of my hands, mixing parts with the new design until she was satisfied. “Why don’t you come to a few places with me?” The
Walking along in the garden almost at the top of Tomichii and Kioshi’s building, I sighed. I was done with my regular appointments for the day, and Edward had indulged me in a moment to walk among the plants and stars. I tried to calm myself. It had been a full-on day, and I’d just said goodbye to a man called Ferg, a businessman who was a good friend of Tomichii’s and now one of my regulars.Deciding to accept his request had been a hard thing to do. I didn’t doubt that Tomichii would realize I was sleeping with them both. And I knew it would hurt him a little, something I didn’t want to cause at all. Of all my companions, he was one of my favorites. But I’d not been able to afford to say no.I had several regular companions now. My schedule was almost full each day, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. The most frustrating thing, however, was how little financial progress I was making. Despite Daniel’s attempt to introduce me to wealthier men, and Mhairi’s help at her club, I had nee
The waiter pointed out the guests we wanted on one side of the room, standing in a circle by what looked like a fireplace except for the lack of heat one so large would create. Keaton then led me up to them.Heads turned as I noticed an interesting mix of people. Some of the women in the room were dressed more normally, almost conservatively, including two we were heading towards. But just over half of the women were clearly courtesans, although again, they were wearing more clothing and were more restrained. No one was having sex out in the open, or being anywhere near as lewd.I, on the other hand, was wearing nothing but paint. For a moment I wanted to run from the room and cover myself up, but then I reminded myself that Keaton had chosen me for this task. He wasn’t a fool. If I should have been dressed differently he’d have had me put something else on while in the car on the way here instead of screwing me as swiftly as possible.As we reached the circle of people, it opened natu
The following day seemed to arrive quickly, even Daniel wishing me luck as I headed to the club to join Keaton. Mhairi had helped me put on the design he’d requested, touching it up where it had stretched, chipped, or faded a bit, and then I’d grabbed breakfast on the way, too late to eat it before I left the court.I felt a little nervous as I went into the club and hurried across the dance floor. Giving out invitations seemed to be an important task and I wanted to get it right.“Don’t fret,” Edward said as he pulled the door to the stairs open for me. “He’ll make it clear how formal he wants you to be. And everyone loves you.”I sighed and tried to smile, but I don’t think I was very convincing, as Edward opened the final door for me too.“You’ll be perfect,” he whispered.“There you are,” Keaton said a fraction of a second later, drawing everyone’s attention to me.“Sorry I kept you waiting,” I replied, although I knew I wasn’t late. I thought I saw Erin smirk, however, as I came c
“Finally, the leash,” Dante said, pulling it out of his pocket and handing it to Keaton. As Keaton looked up, Dante stopped staring at me.I exhaled, trying not to show my instant fear at the idea of being on a leash of some kind. Was I truly going to be subjected to that? It was clear the answer was yes, as Keaton didn’t even hesitate to clip it to the ring on the back of my neck. He gave it a little tug, the movement tugging on my throat. I swallowed, feeling the tightness on my neck as I did.“There,” he said, stepping back but holding the loop on the other end of the leash in his hand. “Perfect.”Trying not to let any other emotion show, I smiled and waited for everyone to finish admiring me. While Eric and Trey wandered over to also get a closer look, all four men now ogling, I tried to remind myself that I was naked all the time. That these men had seen and touched it all before. Still, I felt self-conscious.“What do you think?” I asked as I slowly turned on the spot, genuinely
As I hurried out to my car, still munching on a piece of toast, Edward appeared.“Another day on the job, princess,” he replied, taking a bite out of the toast I still held. I frowned at him, trying to look annoyed, but I knew Edward would never let me go really hungry and would willingly return the favor later if he had something I was hungry for.“Yup, another day, another four hours with Keaton,” I replied. I tried to stifle a yawn. Two weeks had passed since I’d had an introduction meeting with many men at a racetrack and Mhairi had made me realize I wasn’t seeing all my messages. Now I spent a good chunk of my journey times, and a little more time in the evenings and on my day off, replying to messages.Lord Logan had finally sent me a message. He’d given me a set of shares in some kind of horse racing company. There had been some kind of dig at how I’d lost money to almost every horse, but Daniel had seemed pleased with it. I’d thanked the wealthy aristocrat but had no other mess
By the time I was let up off the floor and sofas, several hours had passed, some of the men had even left, and there was a large pile of credit tokens in my purse. I was a little sore, but I’d had a few orgasms of my own to take the edge off, some of the men genuinely enjoying giving me a little pleasure too. As I got up I noticed Lord Logan still staring, and I suspected he had been sitting alone at the bar by himself the whole time.Hoping I was doing the right thing, I walked slowly up to him, our gazes locked.“You’ve been very quiet and distant. Do you not want to come join in?” I asked.“I’m not particularly interested in exhibiting myself to a room full of men I only half like,” he replied, his accent Eastern European. I tried not to show my surprise, but came a little closer, to see if his body language would change.“Would you like to find somewhere quieter?”He chuckled. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Have one of the richest men in the city become a regular schmuck, paying t
“I hope we haven’t kept you gentlemen waiting long,” I said when it was clear no one else was going to say anything and Daniel was already looking to me.“Only long enough for Quentin here to bore us with his opinions on the next thoroughbred I should buy,” the duke replied.“I’m afraid I know very little about horses,” I said. “Do you own many?”Lord Logan laughed but didn’t give me an answer.“He owns about twenty horses,” Sir McKythe said, his Scottish accent only faint; clearly not a place he spent much time. “And three racetracks. He also employs numerous jockeys.”“And I own three, and they do very badly, but I adore them and shan’t be buying any more,” the duke declared, lifting his glass.“To sentimental purchasing,” Sir McKythe declared, also lifting his drink. I raised mine as well, more than happy to bring sentimentality into it. It might just find me a regular.It was already clear Lord Logan wasn’t very impressed. As the duke congratulated me on my recent record-breaking u
I tried to take several deep breaths to keep calm as Daniel looked me over. On his instruction I was wearing my most elegant painted outfit, complete with an accessory he’d loaned me, a gorgeous necklace, anklet and bracelet set with gemstones that matched the color of the design so perfectly I was almost ready to ask if they’d been made for me.“There,” he said. “You look almost perfect. Now, come,” he said, taking my arm and placing it through his before he rested my lower arm on top and clasped my hand gently.It was purely for aesthetics, but he also seemed delighted to have me on his arm. Daniel himself was looking smarter than I’d ever seen him in a suit, the cut tailored to his body with perfection. My jaw had dropped when I’d seen him, but he’d ignored my reaction.“Where are we going?” I asked as he led me through the court’s corridors and down the front stairs. He grinned, but didn’t answer.We’d only reached the bottom when I saw a couple of other courtesans waiting there, a
Everything I tried showed this area of the city marked as separate for some reason or denied me the names and addresses of people nearby so I couldn’t even trick it into taking me somewhere only a few meters away.As the bubble car floated into an area that wasn’t separated out and was only a few blocks from Tomichii and Kioshi’s office, the options all appeared again. My fingers hovered over the stop button, but as I looked over the map to see if I could work out where to go back to help, I realized I’d been so focused on how I could stop the car to help that I’d neglected to pay attention to anything else.Feeling like I’d somehow entirely failed at a test in life to see what kind of person I was, but aware I had no idea what else I could have done, I sat where I was and let the car take me the rest of my journey. The last thing I’d seen filled my head, a frightened young woman accosted by two men.It only took a few more minutes and then I was standing in the elevator of Tomichii an