“Auralia, what a pleasing surprise,” I heard a familiar voice say. My eyes found Keaton as he strode closer, his eyes on my body. He reached for my waist as he came near, eyes still not on my face. “Damn, you look hot. I'd bend you over and fuck you senseless if you weren't veiled still.”“Would you now? You seem pretty sure I'd let you,” I replied, stepping a little closer to him anyway, letting his fingers settle just above my hips. Finally he drew his gaze up to my face. He had a smug grin.“Courtesans quickly learn not to say no to me.”“Oh, I bet they do. I look forward to the lesson.”“Not as much as I do, Courtesan. Not as much as I do.”Yaru coughed from nearby, making it obvious he was still there. Keaton glanced his way, a frown appearing.“Why don't you go have a drink at the bar?” Keaton said, his eyes back on me. “I'll keep Auralia company for a while.”Yaru looked to Edward.“If Auralia has no objection. But Edward will be nearby to ensure Auralia's honour remains intact.

I yawned, movement from Mhairi waking me up. She was sat beside me on the bed, smiling. I grinned back before I noticed that the sun was far higher in the sky.“Shit,” I said. “We're going to be late.”“Nope,” she replied, chuckling. “Today is our day off. Well, for the most part. Rules state we're not allowed to be forced into working today. Although we can opt in to go away with companions for mini breaks and holidays or things like that if we want.”“Right,” I said, sitting back down on the edge of the bed. It was my sixth day since becoming a courtesan and I had no desire to object to having a break.The last two days had been particularly intense, Yaru taking me to both Tomichii and Kioshi's office, the club and the diner each day. My feet were killing me by the time I got back to the court, and Daniel never let me leave his office without using me in some way on top.I grinned at Mhairi once we were both dressed. Her in an outfit I'd seen her wear out before, covering almost all

“Daniel told me what happened. Are you okay? Did he manage to screw you?”“No,” I said, my body shivering harder, the memory enough to make my throat tighten. Wrapping his arms around me, Edward frowned. “He didn't hurt me at all. Just scared me. Wanted to look at me.”“I wish I could tell you it got better,” he said. “But it doesn't. There's always going to be men thinking they can have exactly what they want.”“And most of them will get it, won't they?”“Well, it's going to be my job to make sure none of them do you any major harm, but yes. If a man has paid for your time and you said yes to it, I'm not meant to intervene unless he's trying to do something really sinister like cut you up, or break bones or something.” His eyes were full of pity.“Would you? If I asked you to?”“Sorry, princess. It's not you who pays my bills. I'll step in before some of the guys here, but if it's considered an official fetish, I don't get to stop it.”I nodded my head, only feeling more sick. A depre

For the first time since I'd woken up my heart felt light. Yaru and Edward were far enough away I didn't feel monitored by them, and Tomichii and Kioshi were fast becoming two of my favourite people. I couldn't be entirely open with them, but it was a start.“I think, Kioshi, you're very much in danger of charming your first courtesan,” Tomichii said, his eyes sparkling as he teased his friend. I blushed and looked away, no clue how to handle such a statement when it revealed my thoughts so completely.“We both know courtesans are more your diversion than mine,” Kioshi replied. “You charmed her on the very first day. We are just colleagues trying to help others.”“Oh, no... Well... I mean... yes, but...” I trailed off, my mind in a spin. I looked between them both, biting my lip as I tried to find the right words to say. How do I let two very different men know I like them both? Without sounding like any other courtesan who needed many clients.“Yes, Tomichii, right from the beginning

Nerves tore at my insides, threatening to bring up my breakfast. I was already painted up, wearing the cherry blossom design, with a few slight modifications. The paint was now all gone, but I looked the best I possibly could.“Good luck,” Mhairi whispered as Edward escorted me out to Yaru's car. I didn't reply, unable to. I was going to need more than luck.Yaru sat waiting, his eyes meeting mine.“Take me to Kioshi,” I said before he could ask and I could change my mind.“Kioshi? Are you sure?”“Yes,” I replied, not sure at all. But it was the best plan I could think of. And I'd been up most of the night going over alternatives and possible ways it could go wrong. It was my best shot.“He's going to be the hardest to convince of your innocence in all this,” Yaru replied.“I know. And so does everyone else.”“Big gamble. Do you think you can lie that well?”“I did last night, didn't I?”“Yes, my dear. Far better than I'd have ever expected, I must confess.”I didn't reply, agreeing wi