As my time finished with Keaton he slipped me a fifty credit token and gave me another kiss.

"Don't think I'll let you off easy tomorrow," he whispered. "I'm going to tie you to a table with your legs open and we're all going to ride you hard. It'll be a trial run for the kinds of things the guests and investors will do to you at the party."

I nodded, not sure if I should appear pleased or take it as the warning it was sounding like.

Thankfully Keaton walked away before I was expected to do anything else.

Sighing at the weight it added to my stomach I made for the door. I'd only managed to get to the bottom of the stair and the door to the rest of the club when someone hurried down after me. Turning, I saw Eric appear.

"Auralia. Are you busy for the next couple of hours?" he asked.

I shook my head, knowing my schedule was clear until seeing Tomichii much later.

"Would you take a booth with me. All that bondage talk with Dante has... Well... Normally Keaton shares and..." Eric's cheeks flushed as he trailed off.

Pretending my bodyguard wasn't closeby I took Eric's hand and stepped into his personal space.

"I'd be delighted to spend some time with you," I said, smiling up at him. "Let's find somewhere out of the way, shall we?"

He grinned, instantly recovering his composure and taking me into the club. The nearest booth was empty and he led me inside. I pulled the curtain shut behind us. As I looked at him, he seemed to hesitate again. Then he pointed to my purse.

"Uhhh, how much do you want, I mean..."

"Oh, Silly me. I keep forgetting that part. It's always such a distraction from the more fun element," I said, hoping my words eased the awkwardness as I pulled out my tablet. After selecting the next two hours I handed it back to him, letting him decide what to pay me.

"I'm not as wealthy as Keaton, but I've given you twenty percent above your average. That okay?"

"Oh you're a darling. That's just fine. Don't ever feel like you're not worth enough. Now with that bit out of the way, where were we?"

I smiled again as I stepped in closer and pressed my lips to his. It seemed to break the ice and within seconds he had me up against the wall of the booth, his manhood pressed against my stomach. Moaning his hands roamed my skin, feeling my breasts.

"I love how this paint just feels like your soft skin yet you're covered in it," he said. I grinned, enjoying being so stroked and touched in a way a lot of them other men didn't. I had a feeling I was going to genuinely enjoy being with Eric for a little while.

"Even your nipples feel good," he added, bending slightly to take one in his mouth. This time I moaned, the sensation sending heat rushing through me to pool between my legs. Having expected to be fucked repeatedly that morning, I was more than a little eager, and was soon wet. Hoping he would oblige I reached for his trousers and undid them, freeing his erection.

"Fuck me, please," I said, the words coming out unbidden, as truthful as they sounded.

"Gladly," he replied, the delight on his face lighting up his eyes. Within seconds he was deep inside me, screwing me against the wall, his hands pinning mine back and acting as a little support. I moaned as I reached my peak quickly, and it seemed to spur him on. Pushing faster and faster into me, he orgasmed a fraction before I did.

We both slowly came down together, our bodies cooling as we separated for a moment.

"That was amazing," Eric said. "I can understand why Keaton wanted to have you here every day."

"You were pretty good yourself. Not everyone I spend time with wants to make it fun for me to. Why don't we sit and cuddle for a bit, and get to know each other better?" I asked, actually appreciating the idea. Eric seemed eager to please, sitting down and pulling me down beside him. I leaned into him and settled my head against his shoulder and chest.

I inhaled, taking in the scnet of his cologne and body wash. His chest was also toned. Given how rich he also was, there were a lot of courtesans who would have loved having him as a companion.

"Why don't you have a courtesan of your own?" I asked, hoping it wasn't a rude question to ask. "You're attractive, wealthy, and you clearly know your way around a woman."

"I... I find it hard to know what to say. There's something different about being with a courtesan Keaton has already chosen. I don't feel pressured to do or say anything. And it doesn't matter if I can only afford something like this now and then. I also can't afford the gifts most courtesans expect. So... I guess I never bothered trying to get one to like me."

"I like you," I said, instantly feeling sorry for him. "And it sounds like you've had a courtesan take advantage of you. I've not had any companions buy me any gifts yet. Only Keaton getting me more paint before my unveiling because he wanted me to wear a new design for him."

"That's something incredibly valuable you know."

"Is it?"

"Yeah. The company gave him a discount, but it's what got him into trouble with his father. He was meant to be spending it on his new business venture."

I blinked, trying to take everything Eric had said in. Although I hadn't intended to talk about Keaton, I appreciated the revelation. And it made me cherish the paint I already had all the more. It sounded like I had underestimated how much it had cost.

"Well, what I'm trying to say is, if you'd like to be a special companion of mine, you've already won me over. Gifts or not, it doesn't bother me. There's more to life than trinkets and clothing. I like you, Eric."

A smile lit up his face as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine. It was one of the sweetest most gentle kisses I'd ever had, and it almost broke my heart to know he wasn't truly rich enough to be someone I spent a lot of time with. Why was it that all the good guys were broke, not interested in sharing me, or wanted nothing to do with the courtesan way of life?

"Tell me about your life before you were frozen," Eric said. "I've seen you do some amazing things the last few days. You must have done some fun stuff before you got sick."

"There's not a lot to tell. I had a lot of friends, but not much more than that. I was a fairly average person. My parents had a reasonable amount of money," I lied. "But I don't like talking about it. It just makes me feel sad. I miss them. For me, I was with them only four weeks ago and now they're all gone."

"I'm sorry. I just... This is why I'm not good with courtesans. I say all the wrong things."

"Oh, no, I'm not offended or anything. And it's natural to be curious. I think in time I'll be happy to talk about it. Just... not yet." Not till I've worked out what story I want to tell people.

Eric sighed and looked away, clearly not convinced by my words. After frowning I tried to think of something else to say.

"Why don't you tell me what you do for money," I said, also curious and hoping a change in subject would help him open up. "There must be so many different ways now."

"I don't do a lot of work. Don't have to. I inherited a nest egg from an elderly uncle I used to go see. Before we could all get these cell shots that keep us so much younger. It was too late for him, and it didn't work so well on the older generations anyway. I invested a lot of what he left me in the cell shots, Felt it was only right to see it made cheaper for everyone to have, but we're not all the way there yet."

"Oh, not everyone stays young for ages then?"

"No," Eric shook his head. "It's not cheap. And it only works so well, you know. There's still a few things it can't work against. The humans who work in the mines still slowly deteriorate. Although it can slow even that. I'm working on making it cheaper, and more effective, but... Not everyone agrees it should even exist."

"Well, I'm grateful it does," I replied. "It's going to take me about a hundred years to pay back my debt. I'd be dead before that if it wasn't for these cell shots, so thank you."

He smiled at me again. "I'm sure you'll be free and have it paid back sooner. And that's if you don't have some rich person fall in love with you, buy out your debt and set you free."

"While a girl can dream, I ought to be practical as well. Either way, I'm grateful to people like you, who care. Keep going, Eric and don't give up or let the bad things that happen in the world stop you."

Sighing, he leaned forward for another kiss. This one was filled with passion and his hands began to roam as well, stroking up my sides, towards my breasts until he cupped one in each hand.

Gently, bit by bit he reawakened the fire inside me, making me once again aware of my own increased desires. After only a week of being an unveiled courtesan I was starting to get used to the levels of daily sex and I was more than a little hungry for it, especially when it was with someone I was genuinely attracted to and stimulated by.

Eric continued to use his hands to good effect, running his thumbs over each nipple as he gently massaged both breasts. I moaned against him as I grew wetter and hotter, hungry for him. Slowly I reached for him as well, running my hands down his shirt and feeling the contours of his body underneath. It made him groan against me and reach down to free himself again.

As he presented his hard manhood, I eased myself onto it, making him groan again. Our mouths still finding each other to kiss, I rocked back and forth on his lap, pleasuring us both while he sat and enjoyed himself.

Although I'd not been a fan of this position before being frozen, I loved it now. It gave me power and felt as if I was rewarding my companion when I made love to them like this. It was one of the few positions where I was almost entirely in control and able to take it at the pace I wanted.

I increased my speed slowly, instead focusing on the depth, and making sure Eric was as deep as I could get him. As I did his breathing became more and more ragged, until he was clearly near his peak. I stopped for a moment, adjusting to please myself even more and then carried on, stoking my own fire as well as his.

Before he could orgasm again, I managed to drive myself toward my own climax, and the extra tightness soon brought him with me. His hands went to my hips pulling me down onto him and holding me there as he filled me with his seed again.

This time as we came back down we cleaned up and I helped him sort out his clothes and neaten himself again.

"See you tomorrow, Auralia," he said, giving me another quick kiss. For a moment I couldn't move. He was one of the first companions to just use my name. To everyone else I was pet, or babes, or princess. Most called me courtesan, as if I should love my occupation so much I wanted to identify with it all the time.

Smiling, I watched him leave.

"Where to now, princess," Edward said, bringing me back to reality. I sighed, not sure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do.

"I'm hungry," I said, deciding to be completely honest. "And I've not got any definite engagements until I go see Tomichii later."

"Let's go to the restaurant then. Maybe James will be around," Edward said. "He's bound to want you eventually."

I nodded. It was a good idea for the most part even if I didn't agree that James would want me. Not that I expected to see him. He'd been strangely absent from the usual locations since my unveiling. I could only hope it wasn't on my account.

"See, princess," Edward said when we arrived. "James is here and celebrating."

"You knew, didn't you?" I asked, as my eyes found him. He was sitting at a booth, another courtesan hanging off his every word, a bottle of champagne at the table in front of him. Jack sat opposite, clearly interested in the courtesan as well.

"I'd heard. Your talent scout has offered him his big break. They'll both be leaving town together in a few days."

"And I wasn't invited to the party." I frowned.

"Since when should that stop you. Go on, go over. At worst he doesn't bite and you have lunch with me."

I sighed, but did as Edward suggested, walking over to see if I could get James' attention. I was still a few feet away when Jack spotted me.

"And oh look, another courtesan to celebrate with us. I understand you two know each other already," Jack said.

"That we do, but I didn't realise she knew you."

"We met a few nights ago. Jack here looked lonely and I wasn't sleepy yet," I replied. "I didn't know the two of you knew each other, however."

"You didn't?" James asked, seeming to relax a little. "Jack here has just offered me a job. I'm going to California to make a new movie."

"California? I asked. Is that still where all the good movies are made?"

Jack laughed and nodded, but before anyone could say anything else, the courtesan picked up the champagne bottle and offered both men more to drink.

There were three glasses on the table and one had clearly been hers. As Jack said no, and she turned to James to see him still looking at me, she shot me a look that made it clear she was angry I was there. No doubt she was worried I was going to take her paying job.

"Well, I'm ready for a celebration of another kind. Melanie, isn't it?" he asked the other woman. She nodded as he took her hand. "Why don't you come with me, and we'll find somewhere more comfortable."

She was only too happy to oblige and was soon trying to lead him away, but he turned back to us.

"James, invite this gorgeous courtesan to join the party as well. On me."

"No, it's okay, you don't-"

"I insist," Jack said, cutting James off. "She can charge it to me, she has my details. As long as you want."

Before Jack could wait to see if we took him up on his offer, Melanie finally managed to pull on his arm enough to drag him away, and I was left with an awkward situation, still standing beside James' table, my mind desperate for something to say.

"Sorry, he's pretty insistent I enjoy myself today," James said.

"I can tell," I replied, "But it's okay, you don't have to include me. I understand. If you're off to California soon anyway..."

James sighed and looked away, clearly struggling to speak. My stomach rumbling broke the silence.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asked. I shook my head.

"Then why don't you sit, I'll get you lunch and he can pay you to take a break and talk to me at least." James gave me a wan smile as he motioned to the seat Jack had just got up from.

"That sounds lovely," I replied, sitting.

Within a few minutes I had the best mac and cheese in front of me I'd ever tasted and James was telling me about his new movie.

It wasn't how I'd expected my day to go, but once again I found myself relaxing and having a genuine conversation with a man I liked a lot.