Page 69 of Star Champion

Jemm’s teammates applauded, throwing back their drinks and enjoying the show. Meanwhile, Jemm wondered how best to remove Theeran from her lap before the sex server noticed the utter lack of arousal generated by her shapely backside or, more specifically, the lack of any body parts that could provide such a reaction. “I’m in a relationship,” she said. “I’m sweet on someone.”

Jemm winced at the touch of the woman’s hand stroking over her cheek. “Shush,” Theeran crooned. “She’s at home, and I’m here.”

Jemm glared at Xirri. “Raff,” she warned and mouthed, “No.” But the player was tipsy and beyond convincing. Next, she pleaded silently with Skeet. But while his gaze seemed somewhat more sympathetic than their laughing teammate, Jemm guessed he didn’t see the harm in the situation. What fella in their right mind would argue at having a confection like Theeran plopped in his lap?

Jemm couldn’t even argue it. Refusing Theeran could call into question many other things. Doubts had a way of coalescing into truth. It was the last thing she needed to happen this close to the season opener. Her family was depending on her. Klark was depending on her.

I can play this game, too, fellas. Aye, it was the same as bajha; she had to be sly and unpredictable to throw her opponent off-balance. Same game, different arena.

She stood, setting Theeran back on her spindly heels. “Where can we go?”

“Someplace private.” Theeran tucked herself under Jemm’s arm; not difficult to do as Jemm was a full head taller.

Xirri and Muse applauded. Skeet seemed to approve. Only big Sorrowman looked unhappy for Jemm, lifting his foamy glass of ale to Jemm in a toast. “Good luck, kid.”

Theeran snuggled close. “You smell like flowers,” she said.

Crat.Jemm winced.

“Were you with another girl before me tonight? Naughty boy.” Her fingers slipped between Jemm’s.

“Kes has beat us all,” Xirri told Theeran. “But he won’t be able to beat you,” he added to more laughter.

Theeran blew them a kiss and led Jemm away.

And directly to a reserved private room. Theeran pressed her fingertip to the entry pad, opening the door, then touched an icon that changed the display fromRESERVEDtoOCCUPIED.

The instant the door sealed behind them, she spun to Theeran, who had wasted no time removing a gauzy overwrap from her bodice. The swell of the upper half of her ample breasts glowed in the room’s soft light. “How much is your tip?” Jemm asked.

Theeran slinked toward Jemm like a ketta-cat toward a tasty morsel. “Not your concern. Everything is taken care of.”

“Whatever Xirri said he’d give you, I’ll double it.” Jemm dug cards out of her pocket and counted out silvers from a thick wad.

The sight of all the silvers stopped Theeran cold.

“I’ll triple it,” Jemm said.

“Five. That’s what most clients tip. The ones who want to see me again, that is.”

“I’ll give you fifteen.” Jemm counted out the thin cards. “But, we’re not going to have sex. We’re not going to do anything. The tip is for keeping that our secret.”

Theeran’s luminous lavender eyes reflected her willingness to take the bribe. She had been hired to do a job, but in the end she was just another working lass who needed the money. She hiked up the hem of her dress and slipped the cards into a money purse inside the garter on her thigh.

“Have a seat.” Jemm gestured toward an empty chair opposite a plush chaise. Only now were the details of the private room coming into focus, now that she did not have the immediate survival needs of thinking she would have to fend off Theeran.

Theeran gave Jemm another perplexed look then arranged herself in the chair.

Jemm perched on the edge of the chaise. “So, where are ya from…?”

They chatted for a while. Then, when a reasonable amount of time had passed, Theeran stood, finger combing her hair and wiping off her lip tint. She pinched her cheeks to give them color, and then her lips to make them appear well kissed, before reapplying the tint. “I can’t look as if I’ve been slacking off.”

“No. I need Xirri to think I got his money’s worth.” The dozer.

Theeran reached for Jemm to pinch her lower lip a few times.

“Ow.”

“Job security.” She turned Jemm’s collar askew then left the room ahead of her.

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