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TWENTY

Ashley

Matthew called me into the office before I could leave for the day but all I wanted to do was go home. My shift hadn’t been bad, it had just been difficult. I’d gotten more attention than usual, which was overwhelming, and then a newcomer had stared me down with an intensity that had me needing bouncers to accompany me to my car when it was time to leave. My singular goal was to get home and shut the world out and recharge.

After I knocked on the door and Matthew told me to come in, I waited for him to tell me to sit down, and I leaned back in the comfy chair.

The man scrolled his iPad before speaking. “You’ve become quite popular and you’re doing well here,” he said, lifting his eyes.

“Thank you, I do my best.” The note of hesitation in his voice had me wondering what he was thinking. It almost seemed as if he were surprised I was doing a good job. The expectations weren’t much when all one had to do was be friendly and flirt, for the most part.

“I know you do,” he replied. “The reason I called you in here is I was approached with an offer for you.”

“An offer?”

Matthew rested his elbows on the desk surface. “Yes. I have a contract here. Seeing as you are still relatively new, I’ve agreed to a short deal for the length of one month before any permanency.”

He stood up and came around the desk to lean against the edge. “You would be in service, everything provided, for thirty days if you choose. This is a big opportunity for you and an unusually high amount of compensation.”

I’d been chosen. This was what Lily had told me about. I could have my very own patron and be set for life just like her. “What would this entail?”

Matthew twisted and picked up the tablet again. “He has some very particular requests.” He placed a finger on the screen and scrolled. “You are to use the same bathing products as you do at home. You must be willing to wear a collar and leash at all times. Oral sex is expected regularly. No use of emojis. Bath at least once a day without exception, keep your nails trimmed to no longer than a quarter of an inch past the tip of your finger.” At that, he eyed me over the edge of the device before he went back to reading.

“Are you known for scratching people?” He asked. I shook my head. “You will be required to meet him in an apartment in the Upper East side. Normally, we move you girls in with a patron but considering some of the requests, we’ll be doing this a little bit differently. Some of the requests, such as the nails, aren’t an issue until you’ve become acquainted.”

This was all happening too fast. “But I haven’t agreed to anything,” I protested.

“Ashley, why would you turn down an opportunity like this? They don’t come very often, especially not for girls like you. This is life changing, you’ll never lack a single resource the rest of your life. It is for the best and we will make sure you are safe and cherished.”

He made some good points, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. “I appreciate the opportunity, of course, but what if I don’t like him?”

“Well, my dear, that is why we’ve arranged for the two of you to meet here rather than riding off into the sunset,” he said, his face breaking into a smile. “It will remain a private meeting, but it will be here, in one of the individual rooms. Security will be on standby for the off chance your meeting isn’t mutually beneficial.”

That was reassuring but I still hesitated. Being in service to someone new felt like I was cheating on Micha. Which was completely ridiculous, but my heart still yearned for the man. “What if I say no?”

Matthew sighed and pressed his lips together. “I understand your sense of caution but when have I ever steered you wrong? You’ve accomplished every task we’ve given you and performed above expectations. Do you doubt your own abilities?”

He hadn’t steered me wrong so far; this was just a big step. “I would be away from Kayla and Lily, right?” If I was going to be kept in an apartment, I had to assume so. I’d come to rely on their support and friendship.

“Temporarily, yes. The three of us will meet here at the end of thirty days and discuss your arrangement and experience and then move forward. Your patron may bring you here to visit or for entertainment if he desires but he will be your sole job and source of income. No sharing, unless of course he requires that of you. But the contract explicitly states he won’t allow for it, and once you both sign, it is set in stone. Or rather, blood, as that is what’s required to make this official.”

“Blood?”

“Yes,” he answered, “blood.”

My mind spun, trying to look over all the angles and what this would entail should I agree. “May I see the contract, please?”

He pushed off the desk and held the device out for me. Scrolling through, the patron’s name was retracted, a black bar through the letters that would reveal his identity. “Why is his name blacked out?”

“If you should turn down the offer, there’s no need for you to know who he is.”

I nodded and went back to scrolling. The potential contract appeared okay to me, but I was still nervous about literally signing my life away in blood for a full month. “I would be able to exit at any time if it went sideways?”

“Of course. We want you to have a positive experience while employed with us. Your trepidation is understandable but think about all that awaits you. You’ll never have to worry about security or money again. You won’t age if your patron so desires. You’ll live a life of luxury and be waited on hand and foot. All of this, in exchange for your time and compliance.”

Lily had told me she had been doing this for fifty years. and she didn’t look a day past twenty-five, tops. I would be a fool to turn this chance down. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

He cocked his head. “You don’t sound sure.”

“I’m not; but I trust you have my best interests at heart. Plus, you said I could change my mind if the collaboration isn’t mutually beneficial.”

“I’m proud of you, you’ve come a long way.” Matthew patted me on the shoulder and walked behind his desk. “First things first, Lily must prepare you.”

“Is it possible I could have an arrangement like hers where I can be here and fulfill some duties?”

Matthew tapped away at his laptop before casting me a glance. “Yes, eventually, if your patron allows.”

I was going to be cut off from everyone and everything. Did I really want to do this? It was only thirty days. Thirty days and I would never want for anything ever again. And who knew, maybe I’d even like the guy and it would turn into a long-term arrangement.

A knock sounded on the door and Matthew called out, “Come in.”

Lily breezed in, smelling like cotton candy and wearing a long, baby pink, feather dress and a silver halo-style crown on her head. “Matthew!” She exclaimed, skipping over to him and throwing her arms around his waist.

He chuckled, “Don’t let Skylar see you or you’ll end up on her table next.”

She batted her eyelashes. “Oh, she knows I don’t have designs on you, I just love you.”

I could only assume Skylar was his wife. “Hi,” I smiled at her when she turned to me.

Lily came over to me, taking my wrists and turning me in a circle. “You’re so pretty it's going to be a blast getting you ready. Are you excited? You have your own sponsor!”

“A little nervous, but yes, a bit excited,” I replied.

“Lily,” Matthew got her attention. “I’m taking Skylar to the beach house in Rhode Island this weekend. Can you check with your patron if it's all right for you to assist Bryant should anything come up?”

“Sure, of course I can. I’m sure it will be fine,” she answered.

Maybe I’d have my own beach house after all of this? The thought sent a frisson of anticipation through me. It would be nice to have Della visit me at my own mansion rather than always having to go to hers.

Then I remembered the money would only be enough for such an extravagant purchase if my “arrangement” became permanent. And what was the difference between a patron and a sponsor? I had so many questions. “Hey, what’s the difference between a sponsor and a patron? Are they the same thing?”

“They are,” Matthew said. “For the most part. We tend to use the terms interchangeably,” he lifted a shoulder, “But sponsor is technically the term we use when there’s permanency. We’ve become lax with labels over time.”

“Oh,” I said, mulling the new information over. “How long have you been doing this?”

“A couple years. Lily, please assist Ashley with preparations now. I have work to do.”

* * *

Matthew’s people arranged a car for us, and we zipped through Manhattan’s streets before taking a left off Fifth Avenue onto a side road. We pulled up outside a building with shiny brass lettering stating, “Bellissa Beauty Spa.”

After exiting the car and entering the building, we were wrapped in clouds of fragrance and gentle music. A young-looking receptionist checked us in before leading us past a bamboo screen. The woman couldn’t be past her teenage years, and I had to wonder if she knew the exact reason I was here.

During our visit, my body was subjected to a full wax, with hair yanked out of places I didn’t even know it could grow.

“Ouch,” I complained, holding Lily’s hand in a death grip while she muttered encouraging words and noises. “What the hell,” I whispered.

“It's okay, it's worth it. You’ll be super smooth just the way God intended. Think of it as the luxury it is.”

Glaring at my friend, I retorted, “Are you even human? This is torture.”

Lily glanced up, her mouth sliding to the right. “Honestly? I don’t know anymore. I’ve drank so much blood; I might not be.”

My face hit the pillow, and I groaned. “Of course you’re not. How could you be?”

“Hey, I’m a person too. Don’t be species-ist or prejudiced.”

I had to laugh. “I’m sorry but beauty is painful. Why doesn’t the numbing cream work?”

“It does,” the technician offered. “You’re just sensitive because it's your first time.”

“Makes sense.”

My friend rubbed a soothing hand down my back. “You’ll feel like a million bucks after. And you’ll have more than that in your bank account. I’m so excited for you. I hope your patron is lovely and handsome. Matthew only allows quality candidates. I can’t wait to meet yours; I bet he’ll be stunning.”

“He better be.”

The technician started massaging a cooling lotion into my skin. “This will soothe your skin, give it a glow, and prevent bumps and ingrowns,” she announced, as I sighed over the relief.

Next, it was time for my hair to be tamed. After a heavenly scalp massage, my hair was trimmed, deep conditioned, a smoothing treatment rubbed in, and high-end products applied. The final result was magazine worthy, and I marveled at the shine and definition. My hair had never looked as healthy as it did that very minute.

My thoughts went back to when Micha gently combed his fingers through my hair, sculpting each and every single curl while I leaned against him on his bathroom counter. That was after he’d somehow locked me in the shower stall. At this point, I knew he had to have used some kind of magic to force the door shut. He hadn’t wanted me to escape. He’d known I would’ve run away first chance I got.

Or at least tried. It was doubtful I would’ve gotten very far.

Lily’s face loomed in front of mine. “What’s wrong? You don’t like your hair? You look sad.”

“It's not that. I love the hair, its perfect.”

“Then what’s wrong?” She watched me intently as I stood up, the technician guiding us to a massage table.

Once I was situated, two young men came in and began working the knots out of my back, one on each side of the table.

“There was someone before... I’m not at liberty to say. We didn’t even have a relationship, not really. He was awful to me but also, I don’t know. I can’t explain it but there was definitely something there and I miss him.”

She nodded and frowned. “You love him, don’t you?”

“No,” I insisted, “there’s no way. I was just used to having him around. There was chemistry for sure, between us. We don’t even like each other.” Guilt welled up inside as the words left my mouth. I really felt like I was doing something wrong, agreeing to a sponsor.

“Oh my God, you’re in denial. Why did you agree to be sponsored if your heart is elsewhere?”

One of the young men loosened a particularly tight knot that had me letting out an embarrassing moan before I could reply. “You don’t understand. I’m not allowed to talk about it but essentially, we’re dead to each other.”

“That’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever heard. He’s not human, is he?” She lifted one of my curls and released it after sliding her finger along the length.

“No,” I said, carefully. “He’s not.”

Was it sad I was potentially in love with a monster? Yes. I suspected everything would be a lot different right now if only I’d been able to explain myself. Granted, he’d been a dick before that, but I didn’t know what battles he’d been fighting. We’d never had the chance to really talk to each other about anything in depth. Why would we when he was my boss? The closest we’d come was the day I told him stories about my youth.

“Things have a way of working out. If it was meant to be, it would’ve happened. This is a new chance for you; the man could be everything you ever dreamed of and the two of you fall in love. I’ve seen it happen before.”

I dozed off in a perfect state of relaxation and when I woke up, the woman who’d been guiding me through the process held up a bathrobe, Lily right by her side.

“I feel fantastic,” I stated, rolling my shoulders. “I can’t remember the last time I felt so limber.”

My friend grinned as I tucked my arms into the outstretched sleeves. “Limber could be coming in handy,” my friend said and winked.