I tried not to lose the delicious dinner I'd eaten as Yaru handed me the small neon collar and the chains that attached it to two cuffs.

"My contact informs me Keaton is there currently. If you stand any chance of winning him back, we'll need to seize the moment." Yaru hadn't said anything new or unreasonable. It was true, I needed to pick my moments carefully. But I still didn't like the idea of putting on the bondage wear.

Pushing my fear aside, I lifted the collar into place. Yaru clipped it shut before I could change my mind. It could feel it all the way around my neck, but James had picked a good size and it wasn't too tight. Not long later I was wearing the cuffs as well, the tinkling of chains evident every time I moved. Yaru gave me the key to unlock them, which I tucked inside my clutch bag, zipping it up safely.

You've just got to get his attention. Show him you're submissive, but confident. He liked that before. The pep talk helped calm my nerves and reduce the shaking as I strolled into the club. It was a familiar place now, but heads still turned as I came in and a hush still settled on one section of the room.

Doing my best to ignore it, I strode over to one of the few empty booths, swiped my card and sat down. For the next twenty minutes that's exactly how things stayed. I knew Keaton was in the building still. I occasionally saw him and his friends as they passed by, but he didn't even look my way.

By the time I'd been there half an hour, people stopped looking my way as much and some of the cold whispering atmosphere vanished. Still, Keaton didn't come.

"We need to get his attention," Yaru said, not needing to clarify who he meant. I frowned, thinking about how exactly to do that.

"How do I go about spending credits when I don't have any?" I asked.

"Normally a courtesan has her tips for any purchases she does make, but you've not had any tips yet."

I nodded, expecting Yaru's reply to lead to a no, but he tilted his head to one side and looked thoughtful.

"There is precedent for you to borrow some credit until after your unveiling, however. What did you have in mind?"

"Getting Keaton's attention. There's a particular drink I have in mind."

"All right." Yaru took his tablet in his hands, tapped a few buttons before holding up a menu to me.

I ordered, buying him the very expensive drink he'd got me a week earlier. Instead of having the bar staff take it directly to him, I had them bring it to me. Taking the key to my chains out, I popped it into the drink. Immediately, Yaru chuckled.

"Edward, I know you're not an errand boy, but would you be a darling and take this to Keaton for me?" I asked. Edward looked like he was going to complain, but he eventually took it, rolling his eyes.

While he was gone, I waited, doing my best to appear calm and collected. I had never been particularly good at being patient.

When Edward returned, empty-handed and alone, I raised my eyebrows. He shrugged, retaking his guard post.

"Well, it was worth a try," Yaru said. "Perhaps we should move on to another destination."

"Then how would Auralia here earn back this?" Keaton said, holding the key up. His face had a dark sort of amusement to his eyes. I tried not to shiver in fear, or show the arousal that flushed through me the moment our eyes locked. A part of me was terrified at the things he might want to do to me, but another part of me grew wet simply by thinking about it.

It only contributed toward my arousal to remember what had happened the last time we'd been at the club together. I'd not been sure I'd wanted everything he'd done to me, and I'd been cross at Yaru for allowing it, but I'd had plenty of orgasms. And even the slight fear of what might be demanded of me next had added to how turned on I'd felt.

Yaru, glanced my way and got up, offering the seat to Keaton with his hand. Instead of taking it, he simply waved my mentor away. I wondered if Yaru would obey the arrogant suggestion at first, but we both knew he needed to. Even if it technically broke a few rules, I needed to play Keaton's game. If I secured anyone for my unveiling, it needed to be him. This had to work.

Edward wandered far enough away that Keaton and I were effectively alone, the club music loud enough to keep our conversations between us.

"Rather interesting gift," he said, still not sitting. "Did you think I was bored?"

"I honestly didn't know. But I do know you enjoyed what I had to offer before."

"I'd heard that you've got a lot less to offer now." His eyes narrowed, his expression going cold. I paused for just a moment, not hiding the slight frown his remark had caused.

"Some courtesans don't seem to like how quickly I'm learning. Or that I've gained the interest of people they liked. But you're welcome to come check for yourself, if you're so inclined. It's not like I could stop you."

Keaton looked at the key and back to the chains, noting it would keep my hands from protecting myself if he did do anything to me.

"And what's to stop me taking exactly what they say you've lost?"

"Trust," I replied. "Isn't that what all this is meant to be about? Isn't that the perfect submission? For me to trust you with my entire reputation? You could ruin me, take away any chance of me ever earning my debt back until I'm sent off to the mines. Or you could protect me and my honour."

"Interesting proposal, but there are plenty of women who want something from me. Very few who've got something I want."

"Then so be it. If my offer doesn't tempt you enough. Submission isn't something I ever expected to offer anyone anyway." I held out my hand for the key as if it was no bother to me if he gave it back. He was right, he had plenty of women fawning over him, begging him to spend his credits. There was no way I'd stand out being just another one of those.

Slowly his arm came out, as if he was ready to give me the key back, but his eyes never left my face and he paused, holding it above my palm.

"You've never had a dominant in your life?" he asked. I shook my head.

"You seemed so... natural last time you were here. Letting me do as I pleased. And my friend."

"I never expected to like it. Not when you first started, but it was... good. More than good." I could feel myself heating up as I thought about it.

Suddenly his fingers closed around the key again and he finally sat down. I didn't speak, but I could feel my heart begin to race. Involuntarily I squeezed my legs tighter together, my skin tingling with anticipation. What would he ask of me? I knew whatever it was, I'd need to say yes. He'd need me to obey, but he was right. He could ruin everything, and no one would be close enough to stop him.

He put the key on the table, between my hands. I raised my eyebrows, studying his face.

"Leave it there," he said. "Show me how willing you are to obey, to let me be your dominant."

His now-empty hand reached across my torso, drawing a slight gasp as it reached the top of the flimsy underwear that sat underneath the paint. Breaking the edge of the design, he pushed his hand down the front. I bit down on my lip, not sure I could breathe. I'd been so guarded, only letting Daniel this close to me, and now here I was, letting someone touch me who had no incentive to not just ruin me.

"Open your legs," he said, his voice deep, commanding, with a confidence that expected to get what it wanted. I hesitated, and then did as he bid. Trying not to tense up, I locked my gaze on his face, but his own attention was on his hand, watching as he probed lower, until his fingers pushed past my outer lips, sliding slowly lower and lower. Suddenly he let out a delighted groan.

"Oh my, you are wet, aren't you, Courtesan?"

"I did say that I'd found your dominance unexpectedly good."

He let out a low chuckle and carried on, until his fingers were right by my slick entrance.

"Now, hold very still. You wouldn't want me to slip and take away your proof."

Not waiting for me to respond or give my consent, his digit pushed deeper, penetrating me slowly. Now I did hold my breath, obeying him anyway as he stopped probing. Suddenly a grin broke out on his face and he slowly withdrew back to my entrance, his hand brushing over my clit enough to make me moan.

"Well, that answers that question. And I'll repay the trust, submissive." Centimetre by reluctant centimetre, he withdrew until we were simply sat beside each other again, the key still on the table. My breathing calmed while he studied me.

"I've never had a confident submissive before. I look forward to teaching you to enjoy all my interests and offerings, but for now there's one slightly more pressing matter of business. Your unveiling. I intend to be the first man there to take you. Don't disappoint me by inviting anyone with more wealth."

"I won't," I replied, perhaps a little too quickly. In truth, I wouldn't be able to. I didn't know anyone richer or have many more interested in coming.

"Good. I expect to see my official invitation soon, but I must go now. Keep yourself out of trouble. And get some more body paint. I want to see a whole new design. Not this sly thing you're doing where you adjust what you've got."

"I..." I stopped myself from saying I couldn't afford it at the last second, gulping as I closed my mouth. Did courtesans admit that sort of thing?

"Spit it out," he said.

"I can't afford it," I replied, barely louder than a whisper. "Daniel only bought enough for two designs."

He frowned but didn't reply.

"Very well. You're not earning yet. I forgot such demands weren't yet fitting. It's been a long time since I've toyed with a veiled." Keaton placed a small kiss on my forehead, almost out of character in its sweetness and gentleness after the way he'd confidently roamed my most intimate areas.

I watched him walk away, breathless and irritatingly aroused and unsatisfied. A moment later Yaru came back, his eyes questioning. Unable to give him my focus, I kept my eyes on the last spot I'd seen Keaton.

"You appear very calm, me dear. I take it that he was at least civil?" Yaru asked when I still ignored him. Eventually, I nodded.

"More than civil. He'll attend my unveiling."

"Good. That takes the pressure off somewhat. Perhaps you can make this work after all. But come, you'll need to do more to recover your reputation. While having men come to your unveiling is important, long term you also need regular clients. And there's only one way to get those.

Yaru took the key from the middle of the table and quickly undid my cuffs and collar. With little else left to do, I walked out towards the dance floor, looking for someone to talk to. It would be a nice change from the last few days to try and find someone entirely new.

But people averted their eyes, making their thoughts clear with their body language. No one wanted to talk to me. It seemed my reputation had taken a battering in more than one way.

Before long I was sat back at my table, alone and miserable, wanting for the night to end.