by Cynthia Dane
When his host returned, it was with two tall glasses of ale. They stood at the railing overlooking the river and enjoyed their drinks in quiet. Until Zachary couldn’t stand it anymore, anyway.
“So what brings you to our fair city? Investment or hostile takeover?”
Miguel grinned into his drink. “A little bit of both.”
“Bolivar from Miguel… casinos, right?”
“Mostly casinos and resorts, yes.”
“You’ll fit right in here. Lot of real estate moguls around here. Bit of a mecca.”
“Are you in real estate?”
“Hell no. My family considers the time-honored tradition of manufacturing its greatest pursuit.” When Miguel’s interest remained piqued, Zachary continued. “We’re in steel.”
“Ah. Steel is good. We need steel to build those resorts.”
“Indeed you all do.” Zachary finished his drink and put his empty glass aside. “Believe it or not, I’m mostly an artist. Not making me more billions anytime soon, but it’s a good way to spend one’s life.”
“Being an artist on a boat? I would think so.” As a European, Miguel had a lot of respect for the arts. And sailing. Combining the two had never occurred to him before, though. “What’s your medium?”
“A bit of this, a bit of that. I dabble in paint, sculpture, and even woodwork if I fancy it. I bought the apartment right next to mine to turn it into a studio. I’m also a lazy son of a bitch. Most of us useless Americans are.”
“Smart.”
“I know! You Europeans should get on this lazy train.”
This guy’s a trip. A fun trip, but a trip nonetheless. “Your little woman lets you get away with this?”
“Nah, I’m single.” He seemed rather proud of that fact. “Serially single, if you know what I mean.”
Zachary picked up his empty glass so he and Miguel could toast to that statement.
“What about you? Got a woman back in Monaco?”
“Not quite.” There were women in Monaco. Quite a few broken hearts, truth be told. None of them were really Miguel’s type. Too high maintenance. Not willing to have enough fun in the bedroom. Too scared of everything. He liked his women adventurous and willing. Like Judith.
Miguel glanced at the available yacht next door. Was it fate that it was called the St. Jude? Wasn’t that the apostle of lost causes? Like being in a relationship with Judith…
She wants me to become her patron. Having her on call whenever he wanted? Being able to bring her back to his apartment, or take her to Europe for some fun in the Mediterranean sun? Sounded like heaven. Miguel didn’t even mind spoiling her with presents. He had already asked about the Château’s gifting policy, since every house had its own rules. Some were open to anything for anyone, but the Château made it clear that no gifts worth above a certain amount were allowed… unless the man was her patron. Naturally, everything Miguel thought about giving his fair and sexy Judith was well above the limit. Funny. He never would’ve thought that paying for the privilege of gifting expensive items was so appealing.
“There are a lot of beautiful and eligible women around here. Best news? All the rich assholes like us are being scooped up. More women for the rest of us.”
“I had heard such things. Quite a few weddings, isn’t there?”
“There’s a reason the social papers are doing so well right now. Do you know of Ethan Cole? He’s getting married in a couple of months. Big deal.”
“Ah, yes, I know him. I’m actually having dinner with him next week.”
“I’ve only met him a few times. He doesn’t have as much use for steel as the real estate guys.”
They were silent again, Miguel enjoying the last of his beer while Zachary fiddled with some ropes. The way he wove them together with dexterous fingers told of an expert naval officer and artist. There was technique, and then there was style. “Do you know anything about that vessel there?” Miguel pointed to the St. Jude. “I may be in the market for a boat while I’m here.”
“That one? Seems like a nice little thing. Don’t see it out much. The owner doesn’t live around here anymore, so I think that’s why he’s selling.”
“I see.”
“Thinking about grabbing it? Aw, we could be marina neighbors!”
It was not in Miguel’s nature to say “I would like that,” having to be a manly man and all, but he smiled, conveying that he was not opposed to such an idea.
***
“A registered letter came for you while you were gone, Monsieur,” Aimee said over the phone. “I managed to sign for it as I was heading out of the door.”
Miguel relaxed in the elevator as he ascended to his floor. “Merci, Aimee. I’ll take it from here. You go ahead and enjoy the rest of your day off. Tomorrow I’ll need you to make some phone calls about a boat.”
He could practically hear her smile on the other end. “Already getting into the sailing game again, are we, Monsieur?”
“A man needs some comforts of home. Have a good day, Aimee.” He hung up before she could ask more questions.
Sure enough, a letter awaited him on the kitchen counter. While it was addressed to him, the return address was a cryptic LC and nothing more. Nevertheless, Miguel knew what it was right away. What else could LC stand for other than Le Château?
He tore it open, finding one simple piece of rice paper emblazoned with a fleur-de-lyse header.
“You are cordially invited to act as patron to resident Judith,” the letter began. “We will accept starting bids of $30,000 this next week.” There were instructions on how to bid, as well highlights of the perks included with being a patron.
Miss Judith certainly wasn’t cheap, now was she? Miguel was under no illusions. That was a per month fee, not a one-time one. On the other hand, he wouldn’t have to pay for any of her services… and would have a lot more leeway.
Really, he would be paying thirty grand on her over a few months. What was the harm of putting in the starting bid? He would be saving money, and making both him and Judith very happy.
Chapter 13
JUDITH
Judith hadn’t been this nervous since her first week at the Château.
Not that she would ever broadcast that nervousness. Wasn’t good for business, and it wasn’t her style, either. Confident, sexy, and able to take the hits as they came. That was her motto in life.
This, though? This was different. This was her possible future. She hated relying on men like this, but oh well, that was the career she signed up for!
Today I find out who bid on me. Judith paced the floor in front of Monica’s chambers. Her lady-in-waiting peered through a crack in the door, probably debating whether or not to shoo Judith away. Somewhere in that office Monica was going through documents, doing her own hmming and hahing before bringing in Judith and getting her opinions. No one had as much freedom of choice as Judith did at the Château, but at the end of the day, she was still at the madam’s mercy. Please don’t make me be with Nicholas Mills. I don’t care how rich he is. Did Miguel bid? How about Seth? Ha! As if. He hadn’t said anything about it when they were together Sunday afternoon. All they did was talk about growing up, his stint in med school, and the most erogenous zones on the body. That, of course, led to a lot of sex. Funny thing? Judith felt weird about charging him for her services. She always charged for the intercourse and what came with it, because that’s where her big money was – and because Monica would be auditing her for that – but things like a second blowjob or letting him eat her out for twenty minutes straight before he stuck it in? Discounted.
She didn’t know if she did it to keep the miser around, or because she… liked him.
Fuck my fucking life.
The door opened all the way. “The lady will see you now,” Matilda said, prim in her black and white uniform. She was young, but not dangerously so. Out of college, maybe. Younger than Judith and Monica. Regardless of how old she really was, Matilda came off as nothing more than a y
oung teenager trying to make her way through boarding school. Judith often ignored her, as she was meant to be ignored at work. In moments like these? She looked right in Matilda’s brown eyes and asked, “What’s her disposition?”
“Excuse me?” the maid squeaked.
“What’s Monica’s disposition? What’s her mood?”
Matilda looked away while she thought for a moment. “Pregnant.”
“Fuck!” That didn’t tell her anything! Other than she was moody, bitchy, bloated… someone could have bid a hundred thousand dollars on Judith and Monica would still be acting like her world was crumbling from within. Okay, so it is…
She found her boss sitting at her desk and gesturing to the seat in front of her. There were two black boxes on her desk. “Sit down, Judith. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”
Gulp. “What are those?” Judith asked, perched on the edge of her seat. “How many bids did I get?”
“One thing at a time.” Monica finished clearing off her papers and pens, folding her hands on her desk and leveling her gaze at her #1 employee. “First, I want to make sure we’re on the same page. Before we discuss who did or did not bid, I want to ask… what do you want most from working here?”
Judith shifted in her seat. “To make money, of course.”
“Good. Now, what do you want most from your patron?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“Not at all, but it will help me think.”
Always the shrewd businesswoman. Sometimes that didn’t work in Judith’s favor, though. “I want the best balance of money and comfort possible.”
“What do you mean by comfort?”
Judith bit her lip. She didn’t like being this out of sorts in front of Monica. I forget that we’re a business relationship first and foremost. It didn’t matter how much they got along personally. At the end of the day, Judith’s job was to make this millionaire more money. Monica was dedicated to her enterprise… many had expected her to retire and sell the Château when she married. On the contrary, Monica insisted she had no intention of doing so, and kept working even when she became so pregnant she could barely walk without the help of Matilda or someone else at hand. Judith understood. Monica had not grown up with many means. The self-made rich assholes were always the hardest working.
“I want a man I am comfortable with. That I get along with. We don’t have to be a perfect match, but I refuse to accept someone that I dread to see. Mitch wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t totally into him either. I know it’s work, but I like to think I’ve proven myself and earned a bit of fun with a patron.”
“I see. This will be interesting.”
Judith couldn’t take her eyes off the black boxes. “How many bids did I get?” This was either a good sign… or a terrible one.
The edges of Monica’s mouth twitched. Was she smiling? Unamused? Fuck! “So far we have received two bids for the minimum amount.”
Phew! Two was good! If they were both interested, they could get into a bidding war, and Judith would be rich! All I have to do is what I’m already doing with them. Such as entertaining them… and herself.
“So who was it?”
Monica pushed the boxes forward. “See for yourself.”
Oh, no. Judith didn’t like this… whatever game this was that Monica played. It could only go one of two ways… and Judith was not happy with one of those outcomes.
She opened the first box. “I take it these are the gifts that came with the bids?”
Monica leaned back in her seat, hands resting on her stomach. “Indeed. I’ve already inspected them. I want to know what you think.”
The flaps opened on the box. Let’s see what I’ve been gifted. It was customary for prospective patrons to also send a gift along with their bid. Whether Judith accepted their bid or not was beside the point – she got to keep whatever was in these boxes, to do with them as she pleased. Use them, sell them… Mitch had given her a handcrafted crop and paddle set that listed at five thousand dollars.
She did not find such a thing in the first box.
Diamonds glittered in the office light. Gasping, Judith pulled out a large web of sparkling gems, each one more luminescent than the last. I’m blind! So blind that she didn’t realize it was a piece of lingerie until she held it up by two spaghetti straps.
“Holy shit,” she said, in utter awe. “Are they real?”
“I’ll have our gemologist take a look, if for no other reason than to get a quote. But yes, they seem real. Nice quality, too.”
“Fuuuuck.”
“I know. I would tell you to try it on, but…”
“I’m sure you’ll see me wearing this at some point! Who was this from?”
Monica tapped the other box. “Take a look at this first.”
Judith did not want to put the diamond-studded negligee back in its box, but she did so, careful to not let it get caught on anything. Wow. They were already off to a great start.
She tore into the second box. What was it? More jewels? Gold? BDSM equipment that cost thousands of dollars and would take her business to the next level? (Every room had standard equipment included, but any upgrades came out of the inhabitants’ pockets.) Judith couldn’t wait to see…
Herself…
“What the shit?” She pulled out a small canvas. Oil paints in an assortment of colors looked back up at her. “Is this… a painting of me?”
Sure enough, it was. Judith didn’t recognize the pose, so it must have been done from memory. Her, draped across a chaise lounge, her body on full display and her hair coiled on top of her head. She had the confidence of a Greek goddess who chewed up and spat out men as if they were nothing. I am Aphrodite. Goddess of love and sex. A golden girl who took no shit from no man, and used her body as she pleased. Flowers grew all around her, and a halo of rubies sparkled above her head. Only one man could have painted this. The style was unmistakable.
“This is from Seth, isn’t it?”
Monica nodded. “Dr. Christens surprised me. He put in the full bid.”
“Wow.” Judith couldn’t pry her eyes off her painted image. I’m not saying I look fantastic, but… “The negligee?”
Finally, a warm smile. “Your Mr. Bolivar.”
“Shit.” Judith was not expecting this. The two men she wanted most? She didn’t expect them both to bid. If either one of them had bid, she would accept them in an instance. Being Seth’s full-time model and lover wasn’t a bad gig. Being taken on a whirlwind faux-romance with Miguel? Bring it on! She could see the other one on the side, anyway. Such was the nature of her business.
To have the both of them bid on her body and time? It almost felt absurd.
“I will ask you this once,” Monica began, closing the lid on both boxes. “Do you have a huge preference for one man over the other?”
Judith said the first word to come to her mind. “No.”
The madam’s smile broadened. That was the magic word, apparently. Judith could already hear the business gears turning in that brilliant mind. “Good. I have a plan that could make us both very rich.”
“Go on.”
Monica tapped one finger against her desk. “A bid war.”
Judith smiled back at her. “I was hoping you would say that.” There hadn’t been a bid war since Grace acquired her patron. That one didn’t last too long, though. The other guy dropped out without putting up much of a fight.
“Excellent. I will be in contact with Dr. Christens and Mr. Bolivar soon. I will tell them both that you are interested in their patronage. However, another man is interested as well… and would they like to increase their bid?”
“You sly devil.”
“How high do you think this could go? You know them better than I do.”
Judith considered that. “Miguel is absolutely loaded, and he spends money like it’s nothing. He doesn’t even ask for my prices. I don’t think he would be a problem.”
“I figured as much. How about Dr. Christens, our resid
ent artist?”
“Seth?” He was harder to pinpoint. “Obviously he has money, but he’s a penny-pincher. He likes me a lot, I can tell, but I’m not sure how high he would be willing to go. Honestly, if things get too crazy, he will probably drop out.”
“You think he could bid a few more thousand?”
“Definitely.” Judith thought of the way Seth often looked at her. It wasn’t just an artist’s gaze. It often turned lustful, as if he swallowed her whole with that one look. Then he would be on top of her… or behind her, like yesterday. I didn’t know he would feel so good from behind. Judith was constantly amazed at how good their sex was. Seth was unassuming. Usually men who looked and acted like him made love as quickly as possible and then went on their way. Women were tools. Seth didn’t act that way, though. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy pleasuring her and appreciating their time together, whether they had sex or not. Miguel was the same way.
Both men were different. Yet Judith often felt the same level of satisfaction around both.
“You would be happy with either man?”
She shrugged. “Sure. I don’t think we could do much better than either one of them right now. If you want my opinion, that is.”
“I do. This is an exciting prospect, Judith. I will let you know how things continue on my end as I facilitate your incoming bids. Meanwhile, I want you to continue to schmooze these men as they come to visit. When is Dr. Christens coming next?”
“We’ve settled on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for now.”
“So in two days I want you to play up how much you love to be with him and what a convenience becoming your patron would be. He’s already interested enough to pay thirty grand a month for you, regardless of how tight he is with his money.”
