Page 46 of Of Mercury and Mist

His language was so similar to Micha and Josiah’s company, I’d flinched when he said, “no second chances.”

“Have you had negative experiences in the past?” He asked, appearing genuinely concerned.

There was no way I was going to admit it and therefore incriminate myself. “I think I’m just tired and overwhelmed. This place is fantastic. And I’m glad I get to start by being a server.” I gave him a small smile.

“We change lives for the better, here. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

It almost sounded too good to be true, the way he was talking up his business. But there wasn’t a sad or worried face to be seen. While I was slightly nervous, I was also very excited for a novel experience. The people milling about, the patrons and the workers, no one appeared to be stressed at all, or in fear of anything bad happening.

Especially not the woman who’s face broke out into a bright smile as she glided up to the man by my side. Her hair was styled into long, golden ringlets and she had iridescent glitter scattered along her cheekbones. Her dress was adorable, a short fluffy creation of pearlescent ivory feathers with a matching set of velvety wings springing from her back in the luxury version of a Halloween costume.

“Matthew!” She exclaimed, all effervescent and bubbly as she reached for his cheek and gave him a kiss. She bounced on her heels, stars in her eyes as she gazed up at the man with rapture.

The woman was acting like she’d just met her favorite celebrity, and I stared at her in disbelief. My shock must’ve been overly obvious because she backed away slightly, giving me a furtive glance before recovering quickly.

Matthew kissed her on the cheek gently and said, “Lily, this is Ashley. She’ll be starting out front as a server.”

He reached over and gave my shoulder a little squeeze. “You’ll be in good hands.”

Just like that he left me with the ecstatic fairy. “Come on, let’s get you dressed,” she said, waving her hand for me to follow.

Trailing after her, I tried to take everything in. Lily narrated some of our journey but there was so much to look at, I had a hard time focusing. When we were near the front, I stopped by a stage, mesmerized by what I was witnessing.

Lily sidled up to me as I watched a beautiful woman with pin-straight red hair. She was sitting on a wooden chair running her hands down the bare abdomen of the man standing in front of her. He leaned in closer and closer to her before she opened her mouth to run her tongue down his chest.

Next, he rested on his knees to slowly pushed her skirt up while his other hand rolled down her stockings, one by one. Her eyes closed and her head tilted back before his head darted between her legs.

Lily giggled beside me. “It's shocking at first, but then you come to expect it. You’ll see lots of things like this and then you’ll get to take part in them too—if you want. Only if you want.”

I glanced around the room. The serving area was behind us, with sets of tables and chairs like you’d expect at a restaurant. But then some were booths, and others had leather armchairs with low tables between them that would fit perfectly in place in a library. It was so classy and elegant, a stark contrast to what was going on with the woman alongside me. She reminded me of a cartoon, albeit a fun one.

“Do you do that?” I asked her.

She shrugged. “Once in a while if I want extra money. But I’m super picky who I let touch me. I have my favorites.” She gave me a pointed tilt of her head, as if to emphasize the importance of being choosy.

“What about that guy up there?” I nodded toward the man who was now licking the woman’s crotch with long strokes.

“Oh, he’s a sweetie! He’d be good for your first experience. When he’s done, she’ll go down on him. It's a mutual experience and pays really well.”

“Which one is the employee?”

Lily grinned. “The guy is.”

I rubbed my chin. “Why would an employee pay me for an experience if I’m also an employee?”

She rolled her eyes even though she was still smiling. “Employee perks, silly. We’re exclusiveandinclusive.”

Oh.

The man was attractive, and I doubted there was anyone working here who wasn’t. Trying to picture myself where the redhead sat, I shuddered. As much as I’d like to get laid, I didn’t think I’d enjoy doing it publicly.

Would that man shove his cock down my throat and rip my hair from my head? Would he gently wash my body afterward? I shook my head and Lily misinterpreted the action, tugging me by the hand toward the bar. Micha took up way too much space in my head.

If I was going to succeed, I was going to have to leave everything about Ipomoea behind me. Including, most likely, Della. My eyes burned and my heart tripped over itself.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I said, trying to inject enthusiasm into my voice and leave the past behind. “Show me how to be a server.”

FIFTEEN

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