Page 120 of Their Courtesan
When the woman finally snapped, she damn well snapped.That baby has no idea what it’s in for.Even Judith shuddered, feeling like a puppy crawling into the corner with its tail tucked between its legs. “I don’t understand. Why are you punishing me? Didn’t I do a good job? This is what we both wanted…”
“It’s what we wanted, but it’s not what we need. The two can conflate sometimes.” Monica forced herself up, hands bracing against the back of the couch as she steadied herself. One hand darted to her stomach. “You have been presented with an amicable opportunity. These men could change yourlife,in more ways than one! I would be so stupid to simply take the money and not point out that this could be so good for you personally.”
“I…”
“For fuck’s sake, Judith, you’re over thirty years old!” Monica’s knuckles turned white against the couch. Was she sweating? Was she even okay?Oh my God. Don’t you dare have a fucking baby on me!“Do you think you can keep doing this forever?”
Judith wiped tears away from her cheeks.Stop fucking crying, dumbass.“Plenty of lesser women do this until they’re too old to screw in a light bulb, let alone some man’s dick. At the least, they can be Dommes. Men love that shit. Besides…” Judith snorted. “You know I want to be where you are someday.”
“Yes. Plus, you won’t make it far in this business if you don’t understand the bodyandthe heart. I wasn’t married when I opened this place, but I had been in love for a long time. I knew what it’s like. Now I’m happily married, having the most ungrateful baby to ever gestate, and I wouldn’t change any of it if you handed me a billion dollars of my own money and said I wouldn’t have to work another day of my life. I love this job as much as you do. I also know that if you keep going on the path you’re on, it will eat you alive from the inside. Maybe you don’t mind the physical stuff, but one day you’ll wake up at forty-five, fifty-five, sixty-five and wonder what’s missing from your life.”
“What are you trying tosay?That I should throw away my career for one of these men?”
“I’m not telling you to do anything but think. You’ll still make plenty of money until the wedding. I need you at next weekend’s bachelor party, after all.”
“Yeah, you’re a bitch. There are going to be two dozen of the richest bastards in the world at that party, and you expect me to not work any of them?”
“I’m not the bitch here. Perspective is.” Monica shook her head. “You think I didn’t know about all the freebies you gave Seth?” Whoa, did she call him by his first name? “Or all those heart-to-hearts you had with Miguel? You love those men as much as they love you. Again, I’m not telling you to do anything other than have a good long think about what your long-term plans are. You’re right when you say that your biggest asset is your body in this business, but you’re going to get older. Your beauty will fade and your skills won’t be able to make up for it. You might have another decade in this gig if you stay right where you are. You think any of these other girls are going to be here this long? They’ll fly this coop as soon as they’ve made their small fortunes or decide to get married and retire from this life. You’re the only one here who has made it their life. That’s not a bad thing, Judith, but… you need to be realistic about it. You have the brains and personality to take over this place one day or run your own location. I respect you as an employee and love you as a friend. Please, think on it. You can make whatever decision you want, but give it two weeks.”
“Two weeks of not making any money…”
“If it bothers youthatmuch, you can double your commission until then. There. Does that make up for it?”
They both knew it wasn’t about the money. It was about the power yanked from Judith’s grasp. No limitation had been put on her like this before… her brain told her it was ridiculous, fucked up, and so totally not fair.
Her heart heaved a sigh of relief.
***
“Don’t look over at the camera,” Judith said, standing between Miguel on her bed and the security camera in the corner behind her. “It can’t see our mouths moving. I’m taking every precaution.”
“Dare I ask?”
He had waltzed in here both frustrated and high on alcohol. The fun kind, at least. Whatever was bothering him, Miguel was ready to let loose with his beloved and have some old-fashioned fun.In a minute.Goodness knew Judith needed it too.
“I want you to tell me your personal phone number. Don’t worry. I’ll remember it.”
“What? That’s against the rules.”
“That’s why you need to keep it secret. I’m not supposed to be able to contact you without Monica’s help. It’ssupposedto protect me while making sure you understand our boundaries. Those boundaries apparently no longer exist. Give me your number. Now.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
She turned up the charm, grazing her hip against his chest. “What do you think I’m going to do with it? I’m going to call you at all sorts of hours.” Her fingers danced on his shoulder. “I’m going to make you stroke your cock to my voice, and then some.”
Eventually, she got his number out of him. The next time she saw Seth on Sunday, she extracted the same exact information from him.
She had money to keep making, after all. And some thinking to do… apparently.
