Page 106 of Their Courtesan
At the end of the day, he supposed, it was all about money for Judith. Miguel clearly had more, but Seth was local and offered more… what? Didn’t Judith realize how much Miguel loved her?Lovedher?
Was this guy in love with her too?
Miguel passed out half-dead in bed before he could ponder those questions too hard.
***
Even though he knew what a fucking folly it was, Miguel drove up to the Château early the next morning. No appointment. His mind was too cloudy to even think about that.
Most Wednesdays were spent either working or taking a breather at the marina. Maybe driving around other parts of the countryside. That day, however, he woke up with only one thing on his mind. Judith. He had to know something, and he wasn’t about to call her to ask.
Normally he didn’t act this uncouth to the local pleasure houses. They had businesses to run and people to keep safe, and he respected that. That was before his heart was on the line. Fuck his wallet. What about his manly-man feelings?
God, kill me. I don’t need feelings.
He swerved into the guest parking lot, which was completely empty on a Wednesday at lunchtime. Miguel briefly worried that he would walk in on Judith with a client from the night before, but then reminded himself that Monday and Tuesday were considered the weekend at the Château. If anything, her work week was getting started.
“I don’t need an announcement,” he told the bouncer, who stood up from his post with a start – and spilled half a container of salad on the marble flooring. “I need to see Judith. Is she in?”
The bouncer glared at him. This was a tough guy who wasn’t scared of Miguel or his money. Hell, he probably ate guys like him for breakfast once upon a time. These bouncers were always ex-military. A place like the Château probably employed an ex Green Beret or Navy Seal. Miguel saw a glimpse of a tattoo on the guy’s arm. Yup. Seal.
“If you don’t have an appointment,” and the bouncer damn well knew if there was an appointment or not… he didn’t have to look at his clipboard for that, “then I’m afraid I can’t let you in at this time unless it’s to speak with the madam.”
“Then let me speak to your madam.”
“She hasn’t returned yet, sir.”
“Damnit!” Miguel had to keep his cool, lest he get kicked out.
“Peter,” a soft voice said behind the bouncer. “It’s all right. I’ll deal with it.”
The bouncer turned to Judith, who walked from the dining room to the front door, still dressed in her paisley cotton robe and trudging around in white ballet slippers. Even dressed down like this, fresh from lunch, she looked like a damned angel crashing to Earth. Didn’t matter that her tangled hair wasn’t yet properly brushed and took up half her head in a messy bun. Nor did it matter that she didn’t wear a smidge of makeup.This is how she really looks. You know that.Somehow it made her more beautiful.
“Ms. King…”
“I’m the interim madam until Monica gets back later, am I not?” Judith remained poised, even as she shot Miguel cautious looks. “Besides, he’s here to see me. If Monica has a problem later, she can speak to me about it. Hey, I said it’sall right.He won’t be here long anyway.” Before Miguel could drop his mouth, she continued, “I have an appointment I should be getting ready for. Let’s make this quick, please.”
An appointment.With another man. Normally those facts didn’t bother Miguel. Why would they? He paid Judith for her time, and when that time was up… she was free to be with any other man she wanted… right?
Kick me in the fucking nuts right now.Hard. Kick him hard enough so that his testicles receded into his body and he never thought about having sex again. It was for the better. He had sperm frozen somewhere in Austria, or was it Switzerland.I don’t need my dick anymore. Just castrate me so this madness ends!
Judith didn’t offer him any pampering. This wasn’t an appointment. She wasn’t on her best game, and she didn’t have to be. As far as Judith was probably concerned, she didn’t even have to consider him a client at the moment.
Nevertheless, he quietly followed her upstairs and to her room, the bouncer glaring at him for as long as he could be seen.
“If you’re here about the photos, I can assure you that I had nothing to do with them.” Judith perched on the edge of her sofa and motioned for Miguel to sit wherever he liked. He chose her freshly made bed, facing her. “Discretion is one of my greatest policies. If your lawyer needs convincing otherwise, he can talk to Monica and me. We’ll set up an appointment.”
“So you saw the photos?”
Judith rolled her eyes with a sneer on her lips. “What, do you think I’m totally cut off from the world up here? I get decent cell phone reception, and we have secure Wi-Fi. Of course I saw the photos. I woke up yesterday morning to a gaggle of girls outside my door, giggling their faces off and marveling over your trouser snake. I daresay if you ever decide to move on from me, you’ll have every other girl lining up to try you out.”
How could I want to move on from you?It was like she didn’t believe him when he said he loved her!Because lots of men tell her that. What am I? Just #46 on her long list of billionaires who have declared love for her.No wonder she didn’t take him seriously.
“I don’t think you have anything to do with those photos. In fact, I wanted to apologize toyouand also say that I had nothing to do with them…”
“I’m sure. Don’t worry about it. I don’t think anyone knows who I am, and if they do, they’re not talking. Besides, there are plenty of pics and videos of me floating around the internet already. If you want, I could bring upKnock On Judy’s Backdoor #2.It’s a sequel. If you couldn’t tell.”
“Judith, I…”
