Page 7 of Black Velvet

I'm about to make my way out of her office when I remember something.

"One last question," I say, turning back to her. "The blonde girl who was here before me—who was she? Does she work for you? How come I've never seen her on file when I asked for a new 'talent,' as you call them?"

The smile on Miss Barry's face tells me that she's not surprised at my question. Of course not. She saw the way my eyes lingered on the girl's backside as she walked away. Only an idiot would have missed my obvious interest, and Miss Barry is not an idiot.

"Yes, she's one of ours," she replies. "But she hasn't accepted new clients in a while. That's why we never shopped her around."

"I see," I utter, a disgusting flash of jealousy spreading through my veins.Icouldn't have her, but others could. I fucking hate that.

"However," Miss Barry adds, leaning forward while observing my reaction to her words. "There's a good chance that you might see more of her—ifyou decide to get involved with our new endeavor."

"The Velvet Rooms? She's going to be a part of that?"

Miss Barry casts me a mischievous look before she shrugs, a devious smile appearing on her face.

"Maybe."

Chapter 5

Elene

My mind is racing, pondering. I'm sitting in my car in the parking lot of Violent Delights, my right hand resting on the key, the left one holding onto the wheel, and my absentminded gaze resting on the landscape ahead.

I was ready to quit and leave all of this behind me.

I thought I was ready for the next step, to try something different, something that had nothing to do with my past four years at Violent Delights.

Now, I'm not so sure anymore.

I wouldn't have to sleep with anyone, she said. I wouldn't even have to allow anyone to put their hands on my body in any way. There would just be talking, serving drinks, spending time with them. I would be paid to talk and provide companionship for the evening. That sounds easy enough.

But therewasone thing that spiked my interest the most.

The money.

It would be the perfect opportunity to bridge the time until I figure out what I really want to do, a gentle transition instead of jumping headfirst into the unknown. I wouldn't have to lower my living standards, but I also wouldn't have to sleep with clients any longer. My pay would be ridiculous, almost matching what I've been making for the past few years. And all of that without having to get undressed or touched?

The Velvet Rooms sound too good to be true.

Black Velvet

Chapter 6

Elene

"Are you nervous?"

Sandi regards me wide-eyed and grimacing, her thick false lashes fluttering in a state of distress while she hoists her bustier. Even as she tries to contain her boosted-up breasts in the form-fitting lingerie, her tits spill over the top of the cups. Her face twists when her long, manicured nails pinch the fleshy curves of her escaping cleavage and I can't suppress a small giggle.

"Are you sure this is going to be okay?" I ask, jutting my chin forward. "It looks uncomfortable."

Sandi replies with a dismissive wave.

"Madam suggested it," she says. "Besides, beauty knows no pain."

I nod in hesitant agreement and gauge my own ensemble in the full-length body mirror on the wall next to us. Unlike Sandi, I never invested in a boob job, so it's much easier for me to wrap mine in tight-fitting clothing. Still, my outfit is anything but comfortable. A corset is laced tightly around my mid-section, transforming my outline into the perfect hourglass shape, but barely allowing me to breathe. I don't plan on eating or drinking much tonight, but even if I wanted to, this getup wouldn't allow it. I'm not as endowed as Sandi, but the corset disguises my small chest by forcing what cleavage I do have up until it's nearly to my chin, and forcing my stomach to become completely flat.

The bright, virginal white-laced corset, stockings, wrist cuffs, and four-inch heels all match. My rose-gold earrings match the little hooks lining the back of the corset and the somewhat tacky details on my heels.

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