I tried not to yawn as I walked into Daniel's office again. Yaru had left me at the door to the building once more, Edward only coming in a few metres with me, before one of the other guards asked for his help with something.

The guards had become the least of my worries over the course of the evening as several different men had joined me and Yaru in our booth at the club. Keaton had come back, twice, each time Yaru stepping away to let the playboy do what he wanted to me unsupervised. I'd orgasmed more times than I could count, but I'd paid for each one in some way.

Now I was exhausted, and I still needed to report to Daniel, and make it back to my room.

When I arrived Daniel was alone, sitting at his desk, most of the boxes on the screen now empty. Only a few were green, most yellow or red.

"You're back late," he said, not looking up. "Was it a productive evening?"

"Yaru took me to a club."

"I heard. And Keaton paid you a visit."

"Several."

"Good. That's very good." Daniel put down his crystal tablet and finally looked at me. "But you don't look very pleased."

"Keaton is an interesting character," I replied, wary about complaining after Yaru's blatant disregard for my feelings on the matter. Daniel laughed, almost proving me sensible.

"He hurt you much?"

I frowned, before nodding.

"He's got interesting tastes. Come here." Daniel held his arm out and I stepped closer, not sure if it was a request or a command. Without much warning, Daniel got up and hugged me. I instantly felt my emotions rising to the surface and I shivered in his arms several times.

"Tell me what he did to you," Daniel asked, his voice soothing, almost fatherly. I didn't know what to say at first, looking up at him, genuinely surprised. I told him of the first encounter, how it had left me embarrassed more than hurt.

"You orgasmed as well?" Daniel stroked my hair, still holding me near his side.

"Yes, I guess, although I was only sort of sure I wanted to."

"Do you want to now?"

"I... Uhhh..." I blinked several times, not sure how to respond, but Daniel didn't miss a beat, pulling me down into a sitting position on the edge of the desk.

"Tell me what else he did to you."

"The second time he insisted on kneeling on the seat in front of me and using me to..." I trailed off, suddenly embarrassed again. Before I knew what was happening, Daniel had put himself in exactly the same position. A moment later, his cock was out, hard. My complaint was making him aroused. I clamped my mouth shut.

Prick. Just like Yaru.

"Did his hands play with your tits again?" Daniel asked, reaching to do just that. His fingers brushed over my sore nipples. I didn't reply. "I'll take that as a yes."

Just like Keaton had, Daniel rubbed his hardness against my stomach and pinched and twisted my nipples, hurting me and turning me on in equal measure, but he set a slower pace, his eyes watching my face.

It wasn't long before I was letting out little mewling noises, my body hot, wetness seeping out of me and down my thighs. I knew it was obvious how turned on I was, how much my body was enjoying it, yet again.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Daniel didn't stop, but we both looked. Edward stood there, his eyes fixed on Daniel's face, emotionless, like he'd seen it all before. I didn't doubt he had.

"Boss, there's something you should come hear," he said as if I wasn't there and we weren't in the middle of something.

"Give me two minutes," Daniel said.

Edward walked away again, as Daniel pushed me back until I was lying on the desk.

"Open up and finish me off," he commanded, bringing his hard cock up to my face. Realising he didn't expect me to disobey, I opened my mouth, barely able to process the request before he was inside me, pushing towards the back of my throat.

As soon as he'd settled into a back and forth rhythm, with me pinned beneath him, he thrust a hand backwards, down, underneath the small slip of material that covered my pussy. I moaned as his fingers pushed my soaking lips apart, brushing right over the top of my clit.

"God, you're wetter than I expected. Orgasm for me, show me how much you like this."

I couldn't have stopped myself even if I'd wanted to, his thumb rubbing over me in a very practised way. I whimpered around a mouthful of him, shuddering and barely able to breathe.

A moment later he hit his own peak, filling my mouth until I swallowed the salty liquid.

"There," Daniel said, tucking himself away while I still lay on his desk. "You truly were made for this job. You're so deliciously fuckable. Now get to bed. It's late and I expect you to be bright and ready to entice more men tomorrow."

Without another word, Daniel walked out of his office.

For several minutes I did nothing but sit there and shiver, fighting back tears. How could I find Daniel so attractive and want him so badly when he could be such a callous prick?

As soon as I was somewhat calm I hurried to the door. The coast was clear and I was more than ready to be in my own room, taking off this paint so I could sleep.

With no idea where Daniel went or what he was dealing with, I could only follow the route I usually took and hope no one who saw me got any bright ideas.

Relief flooded through me when I saw Edward up ahead, walking down a long corridor towards me. While he was still a long way off, I came close to a shut door, the handle turning. It swung open, almost blocking my path.

Two guards came walking out. Two guards I recognised.

"Well, well, well," Jeremy said, grinning at Rich. "If it isn't the veiled that got away from us the other night."

I ignored them both and hurried past, fixing my eyes on Edward, hoping he'd help. But he wasn't Kevin.

"Hey, not so fast." Rich caught my arm, spinning me into his arms. Beating my hands on his muscular chest, I struggled to get away, but he simply lifted his arms and wrapped them around my waist.

"Let me go!" I yelled. "Daniel's ordered me to bed."

My statement was met with laughter, Jeremy coming closer, making it clear the two planned to manhandle me somewhere else.

"Sorry to do this, guys," Edward said, now closer. "But we only recently discussed it. Auralia here's my new toy."

I felt Rich's grip relax, but he didn't let go and Jeremy didn't back off.

"You heard him," I said, doing my best to sound confident, my heart hammering in my chest. "I'm Edward's."

"Bit quick to claim a courtesan, don't you think? None of us have had a chance to even try her out."

"I know. But we hit it off." Edward reached out and tucked an arm around my waist. I leant into him as Rich finally relinquished me.

"Not sure I buy it."

"Ask Kevin," I replied, curling myself up against Edward, under his arm, like I'd been there before, as much to become part of the act as genuinely wanting to be closer to the safety he represented.

Jeremy frowned, but Rich only shook his head.

"Not worth it. Come on, there's plenty of courtesans to screw."

I felt myself relaxing as the pair walked away, heading back through the open door, until I was alone with Edward.

"Thank you," I whispered, not daring to say it louder, my torso still pressed against him. I could feel the contours of his chest, every taught muscle underneath the thin black t-shirt he wore.

"Don't mention it, princess."

"I thought you weren't interested in having me as a toy," I said when he still hadn't let go of me.

"I wasn't. Still not entirely sure I am. But you've had Keaton mess with your head while pushing you for more and more sex all evening, and then Daniel chose to take his turn. I figured there was only so much a new courtesan could handle in one night."

"They're going to be pretty angry when they find out we lied to them."

"Who says they need to know we ever lied, princess?" I felt Edward's other arm slip around my back, his body now holding me close. Our eyes met, understanding dawning on me.

He's offering to claim me. A weight fell off my shoulders and I suddenly felt safe, cared for, even if it wasn't love.

My eyes roved over the contours of his face, his high cheek bones, three-day-old stubble and piercing eyes. They settled on his firm-looking lips. Without thinking. I lifted myself up onto my tiptoes and pressed my mouth against his.

I heard and felt him suck in his breath, but he gave just enough pressure back to let me know the gesture wasn't unwelcome. I lingered there, feeling my body reawaken again. I wanted to know what he tasted like, what it was like to please a man who wasn't pushing for it. Who hadn't even asked for it.

Placing another kiss on the line of his jaw, I then moved to his neck and the line of skin above his t-shirt, then I lowered myself to my knees in front of him, running my hands down his firm chest as I did.

He caught my hands just above the waistband of his jeans.

"You don't have to do this. I won't make you."

"I know. I want to. It hasn't been completely my choice since I woke up."

His hands let go of my wrists before moving to his belt and unfastening it. I waited, almost patient, as he unzipped himself and pulled out his hardness. I couldn't look away, eager to see his erection and have it in me.

As soon as his large cock was stood proudly in front of me, his hands dropped to his sides.

Not hesitating, I leant forward, taking him in my mouth. I heard him gasp and it sent a thrill of pleasure through me. Out of everyone I'd pleased today, this was the first time I'd felt like it was happening because I had sought it. Even if I'd considered seducing Edward to gain his protection, he'd decided to protect me anyway. There was no ulterior motive, no need behind it.

It was only as he orgasmed into my mouth and I swallowed that I realised where we were. I'd just given him a blowjob out in the open, in the middle of a corridor. Maybe this courtesan thing was beginning to become more natural after all.

Edward reached out and helped me to my feet before putting himself away.

Almost tenderly, he then reached out and stroked my cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear at the same time.

"I've got to admit, princess, that's going to be something I'll want often. But I won't ever force you."

I frowned, thinking back to my first day.

"You seemed like you were going to when Yaru left me with you and Jake on day one."

"Yes." Edward looked away. "Daniel and Yaru like us to get the courtesans used to what they'll have to do as soon as possible. And they like to see how each woman will react. Most cry and plead. You showed some fight. It's a good sign this whole thing won't break you."

I nodded, not entirely sure I understood what he was saying.

"Come on, it's very late and no doubt Yaru will want to keep traipsing you across the city until you've got six confirmed unveiling companions."

Edward took my fingers in his, leading me back towards the courtesan area. I didn't resist, suddenly exhausted, although there was a deep throbbing inside me. I was unsatisfied, but too tired to want to do anything about it right then and there.

Keep taking it one day at a time, Auralia. You're surviving. Just keep surviving.