Page 61 of Of Mercury and Mist

“I’ll be right back. Would you enjoy anything else, sir?” She stopped at the edge of the table.

He shook his head, a pleasant smile crossing his face. “No, dear.”

Ashley was mere feet away. I could’ve grabbed her before she blinked. Suddenly, her step paused, and she looked over her shoulder. Her eyes met mine and I held my breath.

She missed a step, distracted, and grabbed the edge of the closest chair to catch herself before her face colored over her clumsiness.

The vampire was by her side in an instant, arm around her waist as she twisted for another glance at me. “Are you all right, sweetheart? I can fetch my own beverage,” he offered.

I couldn’t take it anymore. He had his hands where mine should have been. He was assisting where I should have been of help. Standing up, I flung the napkin on the tablecloth and stepped out.

As I went to leave, I felt Ashley’s eyes tracking my every step. Of course she’d found me attractive; that was the whole idea. But I didn’t have to like it.

TWENTY

Ashley

Matthew called me into the office before I could leave for the day but all I wanted to do was go home. My shift hadn’t been bad, it had just been difficult. I’d gotten more attention than usual, which was overwhelming, and then a newcomer had stared me down with an intensity that had me needing bouncers to accompany me to my car when it was time to leave. My singular goal was to get home and shut the world out and recharge.

After I knocked on the door and Matthew told me to come in, I waited for him to tell me to sit down, and I leaned back in the comfy chair.

The man scrolled his iPad before speaking. “You’ve become quite popular and you’re doing well here,” he said, lifting his eyes.

“Thank you, I do my best.” The note of hesitation in his voice had me wondering what he was thinking. It almost seemed as if he were surprised I was doing a good job. The expectations weren’t much when all one had to do was be friendly and flirt, for the most part.

“I know you do,” he replied. “The reason I called you in here is I was approached with an offer for you.”

“An offer?”

Matthew rested his elbows on the desk surface. “Yes. I have a contract here. Seeing as you are still relatively new, I’ve agreed to a short deal for the length of one month before any permanency.”

He stood up and came around the desk to lean against the edge. “You would be in service, everything provided, for thirty days if you choose. This is a big opportunity for you and an unusually high amount of compensation.”

I’d been chosen. This was what Lily had told me about. I could have my very own patron and be set for life just like her. “What would this entail?”

Matthew twisted and picked up the tablet again. “He has some very particular requests.” He placed a finger on the screen and scrolled. “You are to use the same bathing products as you do at home. You must be willing to wear a collar and leash at all times. Oral sex is expected regularly. No use of emojis. Bath at least once a day without exception, keep your nails trimmed to no longer than a quarter of an inch past the tip of your finger.” At that, he eyed me over the edge of the device before he went back to reading.

“Are you known for scratching people?” He asked. I shook my head. “You will be required to meet him in an apartment in the Upper East side. Normally, we move you girls in with a patron but considering some of the requests, we’ll be doing this a little bit differently. Some of the requests, such as the nails, aren’t an issue until you’ve become acquainted.”

This was all happening too fast. “But I haven’t agreed to anything,” I protested.

“Ashley, why would you turn down an opportunity like this? They don’t come very often, especially not for girls like you. This is life changing, you’ll never lack a single resource the rest of your life. It is for the best and we will make sure you are safe and cherished.”

He made some good points, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. “I appreciate the opportunity, of course, but what if I don’t like him?”

“Well, my dear, that is why we’ve arranged for the two of you to meet here rather than riding off into the sunset,” he said, his face breaking into a smile. “It will remain a private meeting, but it will be here, in one of the individual rooms. Security will be on standby for the off chance your meeting isn’t mutually beneficial.”

That was reassuring but I still hesitated. Being in service to someone new felt like I was cheating on Micha. Which was completely ridiculous, but my heart still yearned for the man. “What if I say no?”

Matthew sighed and pressed his lips together. “I understand your sense of caution but when have I ever steered you wrong? You’ve accomplished every task we’ve given you and performed above expectations. Do you doubt your own abilities?”

He hadn’t steered me wrong so far; this was just a big step. “I would be away from Kayla and Lily, right?” If I was going to be kept in an apartment, I had to assume so. I’d come to rely on their support and friendship.

“Temporarily, yes. The three of us will meet here at the end of thirty days and discuss your arrangement and experience and then move forward. Your patron may bring you here to visit or for entertainment if he desires but he will be your sole job and source of income. No sharing, unless of course he requires that of you. But the contract explicitly states he won’t allow for it, and once you both sign, it is set in stone. Or rather, blood, as that is what’s required to make this official.”

“Blood?”

“Yes,” he answered, “blood.”

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