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
As I came out of Rick’s building, I sighed. I was exhausted, and only halfway through the day. Rick had put me through my paces with the martial arts just as he’d done two days earlier and then quickly screwed me at the end, a little more business than he’d been the last time I’d paid him a visit. He’d also had the same person there for a lesson before, someone I’d enjoyed watching him spar with for a moment.But after so many days of giving my body to men and traipsing from one place to another, I was tired of it.I’d also messaged Mhairi about meeting up, letting her know I was free, but I’d got no reply, and Edward had simply shrugged it off when I’d brought it up. I was a little concerned about her, but my bodyguards lack of fear or anxiety made me push it aside for now.“Lunch and then Mhairi’s usual club,” Edward said, offering me an alternative to the plan I’d made earlier in the day.“Somewhere new for lunch as well, then,” I said, the words out before I knew where they’d come
“So, are you going to introduce us?” a guy said, coming up to the table between Edward and me, looking at me although he seemed to be addressing my bodyguard.“She can introduce herself if she wants to. I don’t own her,” Edward replied. “I just keep her safe and make sure anyone she doesn’t want near her gets the message.” Edward’s eyes were also on me, just a little extra emphasis on the words that mattered.I smiled.“I’m Auralia,” I said, trying to be polite.“Logan,” he replied, his eyes sticking to my face in a way that seemed more than a little refreshing. “Used to hang out with Ed here when he was a teenager. Before he got a big bodyguard job at one of those fancy courts. I can see he’s still doing the hard job.”“It’s harder than it looks,” I replied, feeling defensive of him. “We’re an interesting bunch to look after. But the job has its perks.”Logan laughed, his eyes lighting up.“I bet it does. We’ve been hearing rumors that there’s a new courtesan shaking things up. I gues
“Oh, come on, Mhairi,” I said under my breath, still sat in my car as the minutes ticked by, minutes I wasn’t earning any money. Edward wouldn’t let me out of the bubble and I was more than a little grateful that the glass was tinted and I couldn’t be seen from the outside.I reached for the door for a third time, Edward putting out a hand to stop me yet again, when Mhairi finally appeared, coming out of the front door of the club, a man on her arm. He kissed her cheek as she smiled and laughed, and wished him a good rest of the day.“Now you can get out,” Edward said, opening the door for me.“Auralia!” Mhairi said excitedly, the smile on her face broadening into a grin. “I hope I’ve not kept you waiting long. I’ve had a lovely companion keep my attention for the last little while and I couldn’t possibly deny him a thing.”I didn’t know how to reply to such a statement, so I didn’t, instead looking towards the club. It didn’t look massively different to the one Keaton had me in most m
“Well, that’s got to be the best quickie I’ve had in a few centuries,” I whispered as he began to pull back.“There’s plenty more where that comes from,” he replied, his mouth close to my ear as he gently helped me back onto my feet. “But the other men will never forgive me if we go for round two right away. Don’t leave without me getting another taste of you.”“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said as he began to walk away.No sooner was he out of my arms than another man walked up, coming past Mhairi as she rode someone in a chair. He had my tablet in his hands already and held it up with an offer on it. I pressed confirm and glanced at the name. Link. Unusual name.Link didn’t waste any more time leading me over to a long chair and encouraging me down onto it. Thankfully he was gentle, but the sex became a bit of a blur, several men only waiting for the previous man to get up before they came to use me too. An audience quickly grew as well, many men coming to watch, and Mhairi meeting any
As I stepped onto the steps in front of the court, I sighed, suddenly feeling every inch of the exhaustion that had snuck up on me over the day. Edward took my arm and helped me inside.“That’s got to be your best day yet,” he said, his voice gentle, as if he didn’t want to make me feel any worse.“Apparently.”“You’re getting there,” he added. “Another week or so and you won’t know any differently. It will feel almost comfortable, and predictable.”I didn’t reply, not sure how I felt about his words. And I didn’t get long to think about them. The sound of men shouting came drifting through the court door as Edward opened it. We both hurried through. Despite the late hour, everyone seemed to still be up, the commotion coming from within the courtesans’ own relaxation area.“What the—?” I said, hurrying forward, aware Edward hadn’t left my side as he normally did when we got back.I spotted the problem immediately. Two of the guards had Belle between them again. The same two who frequen
“Anyway, enough of these deep discussions. I’ve had a long day and I’ve been looking forward to having you back for hours,” Daniel said as he put his arms around me.His erection was apparent against my lower abdomen. It took all my self-control not to roll my eyes. For a planet with few women where the men couldn’t get sex as much, they were all so turned on all the time.But I also felt a slight thrill of smugness. Daniel had been waiting for me. Out of all his courtesans, it seemed he wanted me the most. And I knew that gave me an edge that none of the others had. It had perhaps already helped me protect Belle.Deciding one last fuck wouldn’t be so bad, I kissed him passionately and reached for his pants to free him myself. The idea of me holding some sway over Daniel pleased me, but I knew if I did, I’d have to use it wisely. Making us all a little safer was a good idea. It could help me in the future too. But I didn’t know how far I could push it.One thing I did know for sure, ho