“Damn,” I said as I rushed towards the car with Edward just ahead. I was late to get to Keaton’s. I’d overslept. All the excitement of the day before had taken a toll, and so many days in a row spent out in the city letting men use me was something that was leaving me feeling more and more tired. But I hadn’t even completed my very first week as a full courtesan yet.I hurried into the club but I didn’t find the normal people there, just Keaton, Eric, Dante and a friend of Keaton’s I couldn’t remember.“Are you late?” Keaton asked as soon as I walked in, looking up from a tablet set on a table between him and the others.“About ten minutes,” I replied, hoping he was in a good mood. “I can stay ten minutes later if you’d like.”He frowned and stared at me as I rushed over, but he went back to the tablet and just wrapped an arm around my waist.“No. I’ve got to go organize some more details for the party. We’re trying to decide on the theme so we can order anything else we need before it
Keaton immediately sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I put my arms around him and leaned in, hoping my emotions came across as sad and not exposing the fear I felt about my loss of income.“I’m sorry. I should have told you before now. I only found out a few days ago. Right before we planned the food.”“That explains why you were so grumpy,” I replied, giving him a quick kiss.“Yeah. I don’t want to leave, Auralia. I like it here. I like having the world’s most successful courtesan to play with.”“But your father is insisting.” I sighed, not sure what else to say. Already I was painfully aware that I was going to have to find someone else or my income was going to take a huge hit. Was this what had been worrying Daniel the evening before? Had he known I was going to lose Keaton’s regular daily amount soon? It would drop me into losing money each day if I couldn’t replace him.“I know you’ve given me a lot of time, and I still want you here every day before the party. It might be sel
As my time with Keaton finished, he slipped me a fifty credit token and gave me another kiss.“Don’t think I’ll let you off easy tomorrow,” he whispered. “I’m going to tie you to a table with your legs open and we’re all going to ride you hard. It’ll be a trial run for the kinds of things the guests and investors will do to you at the party.”I nodded, not sure if I should appear pleased or take it as the warning it was sounding like.Thankfully Keaton walked away before I was expected to do anything else.Sighing at the weight it added to my stomach, I made for the door. I’d only managed to get to the bottom of the stairs and the door to the rest of the club when someone hurried down after me. Turning, I saw Eric appear.“Auralia. Are you busy for the next couple of hours?” he asked.I shook my head, knowing my schedule was clear until seeing Tomichii much later.“Would you take a booth with me? All that bondage talk with Dante has... Well... Normally Keaton shares and...” Eric’s chee
“Why don’t you tell me what you do for money,” I said, also curious and hoping a change in subject would help him open up. “There must be so many different ways now.”“I don’t do a lot of work. Don’t have to. I inherited a nest egg from an elderly uncle I used to go see. Before we could all get these cell shots that keep us so much younger. It was too late for him, and it didn’t work so well on the older generations anyway. I invested a lot of what he left me in the cell shots, felt it was only right to see it made cheaper for everyone to have, but we’re not all the way there yet.”“Oh, not everyone stays young for ages then?”“No.” Eric shook his head. “It’s not cheap. And it only works so well, you know. There’s still a few things it can’t work against. The humans who work in the mines still slowly deteriorate. Although it can slow even that. I’m working on making it cheaper, and more effective, but... Not everyone agrees it should even exist.”“Well, I’m grateful it does,” I replied
I sighed, sat in a booth at the restaurant alone. James and Jack were both gone, my time once more free, and my stomach full of food. I’d enjoyed every moment I got to spend with James, but he’d made it clear he wasn’t going to let his guard down and let me back in while I couldn’t be his alone, or at least regularly. And he was leaving.Having just heard today that Keaton was also leaving the only city I knew of this strange modern world, I was left reeling. Lost.I felt like yet again the rug had been pulled out from underneath my feet, even if James had never shown me any interest since my unveiling. I’d worked hard to entice the men to come to my unveiling, and then so many of them had effectively disappeared or were disappearing.Once again I’d been reminded of all the various people who had warned me not to fall in love. Was this why? Because the men moved on and left us behind? I didn’t know the answer but I’d done my best to pull myself together and move on.After that, I’d tri
Dante growled and pushed me up against the side wall, his lips coming down on mine. He pushed an erection up against me, hands roaming across my breasts. I gasped at the aggressive passion, but found myself yielding to it. I’d been attracted to Dante since I’d set eyes on him.“I shouldn’t be letting you do this,” I said, as his mouth finally broke from mine and allowed me up for air.“Yet here you are, submitting to my desire.” Dante grinned, smug, his hands tugging at my nipples to help make his point.I gasped at the sudden flare of pain, but didn’t object even to that. Once more his lips met mine, his hands exploring, moving lower down my body.“I can’t wait to see you in the outfit Keaton chooses for his party. See if it truly suits you to be that kind of submissive.”“Why don’t I find one myself,” I replied. “We could spend some time together more officially and you can make sure it’s what you’d like.”Dante chuckled, the sound growing darker. “Would you like that? Being my next
I trembled as I walked to Pete’s apartment. Despite deciding to ignore Katrina’s warning and some reassurance from Daniel the night before that he didn’t know of a courtesan who had complained, I was worried something awful was going to happen.That morning I’d even woken early, but Keaton hadn’t noticed I’d arrived early enough to make up the time he’d not had me the day before. Everything with Keaton and his friends was back to normal, as he’d said it would be, and no one had made any mention of Keaton leaving in only a few weeks.I’d also noticed Dante was absent, and I’d wondered if it was a direct result of our little spat. If it was, there was no one to ask. Keaton had already displayed enough jealousy of Dante that I didn’t dare even mention his name.I’d then been to see Rick, and taken great solace in the lesson as well as his continued sweetness. Already seeing his face was making me feel safe, but that feeling had lasted only as long as I’d been in the building. Now I was on
“It sounds like you’re a wonderful man,” I said. “Thank you for inviting me to spend some time with you.”“I don’t know. I still feel a little guilty.” He turned to look at me, almost forcing me back so he could stare at my face. “Some of the reason I want you here is to screw. I try not to just want that from someone. I know many only use a courtesan for that, but it’s not like there’s an alternative for a guy like me.”“I don’t mind you wanting to screw me,” I replied, finding the blunt conversation refreshing. “Why don’t we go to the bedroom, take care of a few needs of yours, and then we can talk more, get to know each other better. I find everything is a lot more relaxed without the anticipation of will it or won’t it go okay once we’ve both got our clothes off.”He laughed, letting me get up and take his hand. His cheeks flushed a little, but he didn’t try to stop me or argue as I led him through to what I hoped would be his bedroom.There was a large double bed there, immaculate
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