Page 5 of Black Velvet

I feel myself blushing. It's not the first time that I’ve heard this. Most of my clients have been more than charming, showering me with compliments and gifts, and almost all of them wanted to see me again after the first time.

It always surprised me. How could they feel something I didn't feel? Why was this so much more to them than it was to me? Maybe it was just in the nature of things. After all, they were the ones paying for me, and not the other way around. But what if there is more to it than that?

"So, if I understand correctly, you are resigning, yet you haven't come up with a plan as to what you're going to do next. Is that correct?" Miss Barry states, interrupting my quiet musings.

I nod reluctantly. "Yes… you could say that."

Her eyes rest on me for a few moments, her deep red lips twitching as she ponders her next words. I feel terribly uncomfortable and wish for nothing more than for this conversation to be over. I expected it to be unpleasant, but I also hoped it would be quick and over with by now. Miss Barry must have girls quit all the time; I don't understand why she seems so upset about me leaving.

"I may have a proposition for you," she says, watching my reaction.

"A proposition?"

"A way for you to continue working for me without having to do anything that you no longer feel comfortable with," she elaborates.

"Do you mean an office job? Here? Like in accounting or something?"

She smiles, shaking her head. "No, we're all set on that front," she says. "But we're looking to expand our business and create something new, something very special and unique."

She pauses, further observing my reaction as I await what she’ll say next, my eyes wide with curiosity.

"I haven't told any of the girls about it so far, because it's not official yet," she continues, casting me a conspiratorial look. "Would you like to hear more about it?"

Our eyes meet in a silent stare-off for a few moments, before I respond with a voiceless nod.

Chapter 4

Damon

She is making me wait. It is almost six minutes past noon, and Miss Barry has not called me into her office yet. I'm sitting in one of the leather armchairs in the waiting area right next to her door, checking and rechecking the time like an idiot. It's not like I have to be anywhere, but I despise tardiness. This is a matter of principle.

There's not a single soul around. The dark and somewhat gloomy halls of Violent Delights are dead silent. The walls are painted dark red, adorned with black and white photographs set in black frames. They are pictures of some of the girls who work here, or used to work here. I recognize quite a few of them.

I get up from my seat, driven by the same unrest that has tormented me all my life. Sitting still, waiting—I hate it. I roam the hall, slowly walking past the photographs lined up on the wall, inspecting every single one of them as if I'm seeing them for the first time. For some of them, it’s true. It's been a while since I last stepped foot inside the agency. The last time I was here must have been the day I introduced myself to the madam as a potential client. Miss Barry prides herself and this agency in exclusivity, and it's not just the girls who are vetted through a thorough application process, but the clients as well. Only the best can work for Violent Delights, and only the best—and wealthiest—can enjoy the services they offer.

All of which makes this fucking waiting game even worse. I check the time again, realizing that less than five minutes have passed since I last checked. This is going too far.

I turn then on my heel, facing the door to Miss Barry's office to my left. I can no longer tolerate this waiting game. Whatever, or whoever, is keeping her busy enough to forget about her appointment with me will just have to leave her the fuck alone right this second. I don't have time for this.

The angry thudding heels of my heavy shoes echo against the dark walls of the hall when I approach the door to her office. Just as I'm about to impatiently hammer my knuckles against the door, it swings open right in front of me. I freeze mid-motion, my hand still lifted in preparation to knock. My eyes are mesmerized by the vision standing in front of me.

Piercing blue eyes lock onto mine. Framed by fake, deep black lashes, they contrast the platinum-blonde hair and porcelain skin of the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She's tall, very tall for a woman, and towers over the madam, who is standing right next to her, by almost four inches. Both of them are wearing high heels, but I can tell that this knockout beauty would be tall even without the added inches. Still, she needs to tilt her head back to meet my eyes.

The navy suit that hugs her slim frame emphasizes her fair skin and artificial blonde waves. Her pouty lips are painted light pink, matching the overall ensemble perfectly.

"Mr. Graves," I hear Miss Barry saying. "I'm sorry for making you wait!"

I acknowledge her with a quick nod, unable to tear my eyes away from the girl standing next to her. How have I never seen her before? Is she new? Did she just have her introductory meeting with Miss Barry?

I will have to inquire about her after we're done with whatever business Miss Barry wants to discuss with me today.

The ethereal beauty casts me a quick look. There is no smile, just an unreadable and somewhat apathetic expression on her gorgeous face as she slips past me out the door and into the waiting area.

I can't help but move with her, turning around and pinning my gaze on her backside as she hurries off.

"Please, come in."

Miss Barry's voice is coming from behind me, drawing my attention back to reality.

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