As I walked out of Keaton's areas of the club I tried not to let my emotions show. I'd just been asked to open my legs to who knows how many men at a party for Keaton, and already that morning I'd been screwed by him and one of his friends. I had a feeling that there would be more of the same the following day. It was almost too much to cope with and I felt my heart rate increase and my body wobble, my feet not responding to my need to walk.

Edward reached out surreptitiously and steadied me for half a second before continuing to walk by my side.

The subtle sign of care helped calm me. I had an ally even if he would want to screw me soon as well. He was also my protector as much as he could be, and I'd never forget how he'd stopped other guards taking advantage of me and forcing me to pleasure them by claiming me as his particular courtesan among the court. We'd already spoken of it and he'd turned me down, but instead of let the others hurt me, he'd changed his mind and stepped in.

Since then, he'd been almost constantly by my side in times of need. And he gave me just enough free reign I felt I could trust him.

As we got into the small bubble like car that acted as my transport in this city of the future, I felt calmer still. Mhairi was nowhere to be seen so Edward pulled up the navigation panel, ready to take me somewhere else.

"Where next?" he asked when I stayed sitting on the bench like seat.

"I don't know. I still need to make at least as many credits again, but I'm not booked in to see anyone. Where would you recommend I go?"

"If Rick didn't hate surprises, I'd say there. He clearly has a soft spot for you, but Tomichii and Kioshi are also worthy men to surprise. But, princess, you may find you need to open your legs in a booth and let some men have a round. It's a good way to pick up new regulars in your situation."

I frowned, but nodded. I'd agree to go see Tomichii and Kioshi. The latter part of his suggestion could wait. If no one else wanted me, I'd do it rather than go home with too few credits, but I wasn't that desperate yet. Not by a long way. It helped that Keaton had paid above the recommended amount.

"Did you get any tips today?" Edward asked a moment later, the car on the way to Tomichii's office block.

I nodded, reaching for my small bag where I'd put the different tokens I'd been offered. Until now I hadn't looked at the value of them, but there were two with twenty on them and two with fifty.

"Is that good for four hours," I asked?

"Very," Edward replied nodding. "But Keaton's a good tipper if you've made him happy. Normally you'd expect five to ten percent of your earnings in tips, so ten credit token more often than not, but a fifty is a huge thing."

I nodded, trying to remember which I'd got when. Keaton had pressed two tokens into my hand at the end, and only given me one earlier in the day, but I thought I could remember a fifty on that first one. And then another on the chaise lounge from Trey. Had they tipped more because they were wealthy people? Or had I pleased them both that much? With nothing to compare it to, I had no way of knowing.

Not getting any more time to think about it either, the car pulled up outside Tomichii's office. Already the place felt familiar and inviting, but also scary and full of the unknown. Tomichii clearly didn't have a problem with the courtesan way of life. Nor with enabling the exploitation of courtesans in his relaxation room. I'd seen all sorts of things happen in there in the last few weeks, but this time I'd be one of those women.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I stepped out and walked up the red carpet to the double doors. As soon as I was inside men noticed me, some opening their mouths, others staring and a few already whispering to their colleagues.

I couldn't see Tomichii, but at this time of day I'd not expected to. He'd be somewhere else in the building, no doubt indulging himself in some way. I stepped into the elevator, Edward still close by and pressed the button for the floor with the relaxation room.

Trying to stay calm, I walked out into the area outside the main doors. This area of the building was extra secure and every person who entered had to scan their wrists on the door. Every man at least. This was how the world helped to keep the courtesans safe. Every man who could access these recreational areas had been pre-approved.

It didn't mean they were all nice men, or were going to be great in the sack, but it meant they were clean of anything nasty and had no major criminal convictions. I tried to hang on to these sorts of thoughts. And of course that Tomichii would be there. And I'd already enjoyed more than one encounter with him.

Glancing briefly at Edward, I strode up to the doors. Neither bouncer even hesitated to open them up for me and I continued on inside like I'd been expecting the admission.

I stopped a few steps inside, looking around, but Tomichii spotted me before I could find him, smiling and coming over before I could move.

"Auralia, how lovely to see you again so soon," he said. I gave him a shy smile and bowed.

"I hope you don't mind me coming to visit a day earlier than planned. I felt much better this morning and couldn't stay at the court a moment longer.

"I am delighted you chose to come see us. I'll have someone let Kioshi know you're here."

I smiled, but shook my head. He wouldn't want it. A courtesan was not something he wanted, but I knew Tomichii would need a good reason. "Please, let me surprise him as well in a little while."

Tomichii chuckled and nodded. "As you wish. I'm sure he'll be pleased to see you."

Tomichii slipped my arm over his before I could say or ask anything.

"Come, let me introduce you to an investor of mine. He's new and I know he'll be delighted with your company." Tomichii led me deeper into the room before I could object. Instantly I felt my stomach sink. I knew what he was implying. He wanted to keep his investor happy and I was about to be shown off as a prize, perhaps even propositioned.

Would I say yes? Could I refuse, even if I wanted to?

But as Tomichii walked me closer, my mouth almost fell open. There at another table, two courtesans already sitting close to him, Tomichii's favourite, Katrina, one of them, was the same man who had been at Keaton's. He turned his head my way, as soon as we were close.

"Ahhh, Auralia. So you are the woman I thought you were," he said. I bowed, not quite able to speak.

"You two have met, already?" Tomichii asked, the disappointment at not being able to make the introduction very clear on his face. I knew I needed to both rescue it and ensure I was truthful.

"We've not met as such, but we were within the same room and shared some company not even an hour ago. I knew Keaton would be at the club this afternoon but not where he'd be later and didn't want to miss him today either," I said, hoping the knowledge that I'd visited another companion first wouldn't upset him. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite.

"You've not truly met yet then?" he seemed to ask, trying to sound relaxed about it.

"No. I am at a loss for your name, and know nothing about you other than you seem to be new in the city," I said, giving the gorgeous man my attention. Tomichii beamed as he held out my hand for the man to take.

"Auralia, this is Dante. His father is good friends with Kioshi and Dante is here both on his father's behalf-"

"And in my own right," Dante added, interrupting Kioshi as he stood. He bowed my way. "But I am afraid this is the end of my enjoyment for today. Duty and family strife calls me elsewhere."

"So soon?" Tomichii asked, his tone light but just enough of an edge of disappointment to it, the expectation Dante would explain was clear.

"I am afraid so. But I hope to return soon." He took my hand and bent over it to kiss it. "I will look out for your delightful paint work, Auralia. My friend has told me so much about you."

I bowed again and then tried to look apologetically at Tomichii. I didn't want him to think I'd scared yyy off and it was clear that Tomichii had expected him to stick around a little longer.

Almost immediately Katrina got up and took Tomichii's far arm.

"Come, my dear. We must also hurry if we want to get our usual afternoon seat at Carlinsez's."

"Of course, my dear. I'll be right with you," Tomichii replied, not entirely moving. A moment later, as Katrina sauntered off, Tomichii looked to me.

"I had hoped for a little more time in your presence, my tired little courtesan. I hope you're still ablt to return to us tomorrow.

I nodded enthusiastically and bowed my assent. Internally I was more than a little cross. All the men I'd planned to try and seduce where either gone or busy, and that left me with only one option to earn some money. I needed someone to want to screw me, and that meant only one thing.

As I was left to stand by the table alone, the women and men all moving on, Edward came to my side.

"How does I booth work?" I asked, keeping my voice as low as possible.

"scan your arm and chip over the reader by the entrance, set your beginning amount. I'd recommend one-hundred dead, and then wait for men to want to enjoy you."

I exhaled and inhaled a couple of times, not sure I was ready. This was opening myself up to all sorts of sexual experiences, and I had a feeling I wouldn't get much say on who or how.

What's the worst that could happen, I thought as I took the first step to a nearby empty booth and then the next. At least here I was in the company of a lot of people I'd met, even if only briefly. Almost none of them were entirely strangers.

As I moved closer to a booth there seemed to be a hush creep over the room. I could feel their eyes on me as I removed my bag from my shoulder and reached out my wrist to the scanner. Edward pointed out the control panel surreptitiously and then turned, his back to the booth and his hands clasped together in front of him.

Beside him I set the screen to the hundred credits he'd recommended. Before I could sit down or do anything more than think about what was to come, a man shot up out of a nearby seat, a broad grin on his face. I recognised him, but I smiled even though I wasn't sure where from yet.

"Auralia, isn't it?" he asked, lifting his hand to the scanner as well. The moment he said my name I remembered him. The very first day I'd been here he'd appeared. Tomichii had made some kind of off hand remark to him. Stuart.

"You know Daniel, if I remember correctly," I said. He nodded, clearly pleased I'd remembered him. But he motioned for me to walk into the booth, his hand reaching for the curtain that would give us both some privacy.

Not sure what else to do I stepped inside. Immediately a dim light turned on, and Stuart reached for the controls, setting them a little brighter, but adding a touch of orange to them to make them feel cozy nonetheless.

"I hope you don't mind, but I like to see the courtesan I have the pleasure of," he said, coming closer.

"Not at all," I replied, actually grateful to not feel too in the dark with a stranger. Knowing I needed to create some kind of intimacy and quickly, I gently reached for him. Keeping my eyes on his face and studying him I took his hands and put them on my waist.

"Is there anything in particular you're hungry for?" I asked. Almost immediately he chuckled.

"Oh, don't worry, courtesan. I'll be making sure I'm sated. Why don't you lie back now and let me enjoy having you before me."

"Gladly." I did as I was bid, trying not to think about anything other than how attractive he was. His eyes roved me as I lowered myself onto a soft sort of cushioned table. It was set quite low and Stuart immediately reached down under it. I wondered what he was doing for only a fraction of a second, the table rising until he stepped forward.

No sooner had he done that than he pushed my legs further apart and pulled me to the edge, his erection pressing against my pussy.

"Perfect," he said, flexing his hips and pushing himself against me. I let out a soft moan as if it was exactly what I wanted him to do. Staying mostly upright, he reached out and ran his hands over my body, stopping at my breasts to tug on my nipples. His eyes shone hungrily, like he might devour me at any moment, and I began to worry that I wouldn't enjoy what was about to happen.

But with each slow movement of his hands as they ran over me, he also slowly circled his hips and heat grew within me. By the time he freed himself I was wet and panting. His erection throbbed before me for the briefest moment before he slid himself inside.

I tried to turn my surprise into a moan of pleasure, but I wasn't sure I succeeded. Then I closed my eyes for a moment, trying not to think. A part of me wanted to feel the delicious fullness I was offering, but a part of me was overwhelmed by how strange this felt. I'd never spoken to this man before now, and now he was taking my body for his own pleasure.

Back and forth he moved, setting the pace in much the same way he'd dictated the rest of the events. But before either of us could orgasm there was a quick rap of knuckles on wood, a quiet beep as someone scanned their chip outside my booth and then another man appeared.

"I'm not going to take much longer," Stuart said, clearly talking to the newcomer, who nodded and kept out of his way.

I tried not to show my emotions as fear gripped at my stomach. I'd known this sort of thing might happen, but in reality it was a thousand times different.

One step at a time. One person at a time, I told myself. You can handle this.

And as Stuart continued to thrust within me, stroking my body with his hands still, I began to climb the mountain of my own pleasure.

Perhaps I could even enjoy this.