Page 81 of Their Courtesan
That’s only the tip of the iceberg.“Do you want kids, Judith?”
She looked at him as if he were nuts. “They don’t exactly fit my lifestyle. Don’t bring up my boss. She’s a special case, in every sense of the phrase.”
“Wasn’t going to.”
“Anyway, I can’t say I’ve ever felt the tug of motherhood. Who knows. Maybe one day. I’m in my thirties now, so if I haven’t felt it yet, I probably won’t. Right?” Was she really fishing for reassurance on that issue? She wouldn’t like Seth’s response.Do you know how many mid-40s first-time mothers I’ve seen?
“As a medical professional, I’m inclined to remind you that complications rise the older you become, but it’s never impossible.”
“Hmph. Thanks for the reminder.” Judith picked up a piece of bread and tossed it into Seth’s soup bowl. “Let’s talk about something else. Like what we’re doing tomorrow.” Her grin was infectious. How could Seth stop himself from joining in? “I haven’t been on a date in the city in alongtime. Not since my last patron…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at the romantic setup on the balcony. “Hell, I haven’t even done something like this since that guy.”
“Who was it? Or can you tell me?”
Judith looked around, as if there were any servants there to eavesdrop and report back to the boss about broken NDAs. “Mitch Hutcherson. Do you know him? He’s from this county, not the city. Didn’t live too far from here until he moved to the Middle East for work.”
Seth searched his brain for that name. “Doesn’t ring a bell.” That was a lie. He knew Mitch. They were one year apart in school.
What a small world.He kept his cool whilst imagining that boring asshole having sex with Judith.You can’t tell me he was good in bed.Seth didn’t often compare himself to other men like that, but he had to be assured that he pleasured Judith far more than Mitch Hutcherson. That guy couldn’t hang on to a girlfriend for more than three months. Even the secret son – whom Seth delivered years ago – with a mistress couldn’t have been from a joyful union.I would be so much better.
“You’re better in bed.” It was like she read his mind.
Seth snorted. “Much better, I’m sure.”
She smiled. “One of the best. You actually make me feel like you want to be with me.”
There went both of their smiles. “What do you mean?” Seth asked. “Of course I want to be with you. I wouldn’t be doing all of this if I didn’t.”
“You’re a rare breed, Dr. Christens.” Judith held up her wineglass for a toast. “Only you would come to a pleasure house looking to give one of the residents a good time.”
He held up his glass as well. “I can’t help myself. I see you and think about everything you deserve… and how I can give it to you.”
A tint of blush appeared on her cheeks, her sheepish look blooming into an awkward laugh as their glasses clinked.
They took their time that night, knowing that they had no deadline. A tour of the labyrinth took them past dusk, when the dim lamps turned on and insects buzzed in the air. Inside her room, Seth sat in her large lounge chair and regaled her with some of the milder medical stories he carried, while Judith sat at his feet, arms and head resting in his lap. Eventually she dozed off down there, and for a few minutes Seth was content to sit and stare at her vulnerable visage.
They bathed together. They watched a movie on a small laptop Seth brought, since Judith didn’t have a TV. He offered her a massage before she could give him one. As he touched her, careful to both relieve her tension while inciting arousal through her delicate form, Judith candidly talked about the type of men she had been with over the past dozen years.
“You know they only want your body, to have a good time, to secure that they at least fuck one beautiful woman that month, to forget about you in the morning… and you’re fine with that. The money makes sure you’re fine with that. I don’t regret a single day of it, but lately I’ve been wondering how it may have stinted other parts of my life. I’ve never been in love, Seth. Isn’t that weird?”
“Everyone is different,” he said smoothly, although a lump formed in his throat. He squeezed her shoulders, thumbs pressing into her back. “Maybe you don’t fall in love easily. I know I don’t. That’s a good thing for your line of work.”
“I suppose.” Judith shrugged into his massage, arms stretching out before her and face buried in her bed covers. “What if I am falling in love with someone, though? How would I know?”
“You know because you can’t think of anyone else, even when you’re not around that person. You are always thinking about how you can help them and make them happy. You imagine a future with that person.”
Judith didn’t say anything until, “Kiss me, Seth. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
So began their first lovemaking session that night.Do you realize you’re the one I’m talking about, Judith?Even when he was with her, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He hoped that one day – soon – she would realize the same thing about him.
***
Fog covered the Château grounds early Thursday morning when Seth stole his love from the compound and drove off with her. By the time they reached the main highway leading to the city, the fog had burned off, and sunshine lasted their entire journey.
“I like your car!” Judith called over the wind whipping in from the window. Her sunglasses glowed on her face. “Stylish!”
Seth took a sharp curve before responding. “What are you talking about? It’s just an Audi.”
“Dude, there’s no such thing asjustan Audi! How fast can it go?”
