“No,” she hums. “But I can pretend.”

I try to do as Jett asks and stay strong for everyone, even if I don’t fully understand what’s happening. Everything is changing at a drastic pace, and I’m just trying to keep up.

Jett has given me my life back, so at the very least I can afford him with my trust—with my blind faith, even if it is a brand new concept to explore. It’s been three weeks since my universe exploded. Since I killed my father in an outburst of rage and found out the man I once called Master was unassumingly living under the same roof as me.

Jett has been the one who’s helped me through it all. Who’s protected me, supported me, comforted me.Loved me.That word is strange to use. No one has everlovedme. They’ve tolerated me, taken care of me because they were paid to, but never truly cared.

I want to be a person who cares, who utilizes their emotions even if it hurts. I understand what pain is, and I know I can survive it. I don’t want to be empty. I don’t want to be no one. Nothing.

With Jett, I feel like I’m someone, and that is an empowering thing.

Within that empowerment, I search for my strength.

I find it for Jenna and Ellie and Jett and myself.

Jenna is bouncing back, but I can see the light dimming in her eyes. Her innocence is fading, and in its place, a jaded woman is emerging. The thing I’m most fearful of.

I don’t want her to become the miserable person I once was. She’s too happy, too sweet. A breath of fresh air amongst the smog.

Despite my worries, the show must go on. Jett is adamant that Mansion runs as smoothly as possible, which means we all keep up with our clients’ needs. And my regular is here expecting what he pays an obscene amount of money for.Me.

I walk into the client bedroom dressed in a lacy pink baby doll with leather trim and sky-high heels. My long red hair is blown out pin straight and my eyes are rimmed in black. Seduction made to order.

Marcus is already prowling the room, white dress shirt unbuttoned and a shot of whisky straight up in his hand. He’s younger than many of the clients who frequent Mansion and extremely good looking. Sessions with him are easy to swallow.

“There’s my girl.” He smiles as I saunter toward him.I’m Jett’s girl.

Marcus kisses my neck once I’m within reach. I play into his hands, reacting the way he wants. The way he expects. Moaning as he runs the tip of his tongue along my collarbone.

“You look good enough to eat.” I catch a whiff of whiskey on his breath as he moves up my neck. He does love his booze.

“Thank you. Are you ready to indulge?” I entice him, touching my index finger to his lip.

“I am. Where’s Spice? I requested a duo.”

My stomach sinks. “She’s under the weather. I think Jett is sending someone in her place.” And as if on cue, Nadia floats into the room.

She’s a tall, curvy, bubbly brunette who loves sparkles. She’s always decked out in some kind of rhinestone ensemble.

“The party can start now.” Nadia wastes no time cozying up to me and Marcus.

“That’s what I’m talking about.” He grabs the back of my head and urges Nadia and I to kiss. We put on a show, exaggerating the embrace to amp up his excitement. It works like a charm, because within a few seconds, he’s moaning and grabbing himself.

Marcus steps back as Nadia and I continue to kiss and touch and seduce. He downs his drink then drops the glass on the small wet bar against the far wall.

“Strip,” he orders as he unfastens his cuff links. Nadia and I comply like the naughty little vixens we are, pulling at each other’s delicate spaghetti straps and peeling the clingy material off one another’s body. Marcus keens approvingly as we stand before him, completely naked, ready and waiting.

“Sugar, lay on the bed.” He creeps toward us, dropping his navy blue dress pants. “I want you coming while my cock is in your mouth.”

I shift backwards onto the mattress. There’s no real bedding, just pink satin sheets and two puffy pillows.

I lay on my back as Marcus grabs one of my wrists and secures it to a cuff attached to the frame of the bed. “I was in the mood for a little kink today,” he clues me in as he squeezes my breast. Kinky isn’t usually his style, but I guess we all need to mix it up every now and again. Marcus secures my other wrist as Nadia cuffs my ankles. Lust shines in his bright green eyes as I lay there tethered, naked, and spread wide.

“Fuck, you’re somthin’ else.” He slides down his white boxer briefs, exposing his erection.His small erection. For as tall and muscled and built as he is, Marcus is not well endowed. He was blessed with good looks and smarts, but that’s about it. I’ve faked it with him every single time, and today, I’m sure, will be no different.

“Make her come,” Marcus tosses back to Nadia as he straddles my head. “I want to feel you moan all around me.” He shoves his short, stocky cock in my mouth, and it barely stretches past my molars. Sucking him off is like giving a toy action figure head.

I do genuinely moan when Nadia licks me, though. That I enjoy. Women just do it for me. Her soft tongue and plump lips grazing against my clit is heavenly. I concentrate more on her than Marcus as he pumps his pudgy cock in and out. “That mouth is so fucking good. Take it, bitch. Take all of it.”