My heart pounded and blood rushed through my veins to my head, causing it to spin. Each step I took closer to the door, the faster my pulse raced. My stomach knotted but filled with flutters at the same time, already knowing what was to come. Like a fly to honey, I couldn’t stay away.
The hallway was empty but I could hear faint sounds behind the closed doors of the rooms I passed.
Stopping in front of the black door, I looked up at the numbers written in gold. My heart tripled in speed.
422.
It was the same room every time and each time my stomach did somersaults. I adjusted the strap on my trench coat before digging into the pocket to grab the gold and black key.
Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. Like always, the room was dimly lit. I moved to the bed a little further in the room.
“You know the rules,” a sonorous voice called out. It sent ripples through my stomach.
Turning around, I faced the door and waited.
A few seconds later a blindfold covered my eyes and the trench coat was removed. Now I was dressed in nothing but a bright-red, lace bra and matching thong. My breath hitched when a hard body pressed against my back and a hand wrapped around my front, cuffing my neck. His other hand grabbed my breast, and he pinched my nipple, twisting it through my bra and causing me to wince and moan breathlessly.
I knew nothing about the man but that didn’t matter. The aura in the room was always strong and demanding when I stepped in,ominous.
Every time I came here it started out the same way. After that, I never knew what to expect or how it would play out. All I knew was I would leave after having multiple orgasms, body hurting beautifully, and exhausted. The man in the room always stole my breath and caused my nerves to jitter, all without me ever seeing his face…
(Ah-zair-ra)
Adjusting the baseball cap on my head to block the sun out of my eyes, I walked through the courtyard of Willow Community College, where I’m in undergrad. At twenty-five, I was finally nearing the end after some time off and preparing for medical school. Some students were scattered around laughing and talking to themselves, while others sat in the surrounding yards studying and goofing off.
I had just finished my last class of the evening and was headed home for the day. I anxiously checked my phone for a text from my dad to see how my mom’s latest appointment had gone. My shoulders fell forward and gloom filled me seeing nothing from him. I planned on skipping class today to go with him but he assured me it wasn’t necessary and he would let me know right away how things were.
Just as I was about to lock my phone, it vibrated, causing me to stop mid-step and straighten my spine.
“Excuse you!” someone said from behind me, but I ignored them.
My stomach stirred checking the screen, but disappointment filled me seeing it was a notification from the booking app. I clicked it then entered my PIN. It instantly took me to the secured messages where I read a request for a dinner date tonight, a new client who needed eye candy on his arm. I had been working atElite—a luxurious, exclusive escort service—for five months now and so far it hadn’t been that bad.
My teeth sank into my bottom lip thinking about it. There were different tiers when it came to payments. Dinner dates started at six hundred and fifty dollars an hour. After Vee’s cut of forty percent, I would walk away with a nice amount plus whatever tip the client wanted to give. I was in no position to turn the money down right now. The jobs sent our way weren’t mandatory and we were allowed to turn them down if we wanted, but most girls didn’t. Elite took its girls through strict screenings to ensure we were the right fit and the girls were brought on by invite only. And even then, you could be turned down. Thankfully a close friend of mine had been able to put me on.
Sighing, I confirmed the date and knew the rest of the details would be sent shortly. I checked the time. I had about four hours to get home and get ready. I was glad I had decided to get a silk press at my last hair appointment, so I wouldn’t have to worry about doing my hair. I knew my mom’s appointment had to be over by now. Before heading home I stopped by my parents’ house to see what was going on.
When I pulled up to their house, relief and annoyance filled me seeing my dad’s truck in the driveway. I cut my car off, snatched my key out the ignition, and hurried to the front door.
Using my key I unlocked the door and rushed inside, heading directly down the hall to where I knew my parents, at least my mom, were.
When I got to the downstairs room that had been converted into my mom’s bedroom, I paused at the door for a second, watching her lying in bed with her head propped up, more than likely watching her stories. A colorful, silk scarf was wrapped around her head.
“Hi, Mommy,” I called out, stepping into the room.
Her eyes left the TV and fell on me. A smile curled her mouth.
“My pride and joy. How are you, my sweet girl?” She coughed a couple of times, making me rush to her side.
“Are you okay? Do you need water?”
She shook her head and held up her hand. “I’m fine.” She coughed again, waving me off. I took note of how frail her hand was. Although it was hot outside, she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and bundled under her blanket.
“You guys didn’t call after your appointment. How did everything go?”
My mom had been diagnosed with stage two ovarian cancer that unfortunately had progressed to stage three. The tumors they found were too large to operate on until they shrank which was why she had an appointment today. They wanted to see if chemo was working enough to finally operate.
“Girl, would you sit down? All that stressing over me isn’t healthy.” She nodded toward the chair near her bed. I hated hearing how weak her voice was. My mom was always such a strong and vibrant woman. The past year had taken a noticeable toll on her.
