Intensity (4 page)

Mylaynee showed me around her place, an open space concept quadruple the size of my soon to be former apartment. The living areas had tons of natural light pouring in through wall-to-wall sliding glass doors. Out on the balcony, the stunning scenery included a beautiful bay with motorboats and fishing trawlers. I crossed my fingers once again, wishing for the same view.

Back inside, she motioned me to a stool and entered a kitchen decked out with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and cherry wood cabinets. She pulled a jug of tea from the fridge and shook it. “You want some?”

“Sure.” I scanned the living and dining areas. The terra cotta walls and walnut wainscoting made the room warm and homey. Masks with various expressions in a rainbow of colors accented one spot. Two sofas in the living room and the dinette chairs had woven, geometric patterned upholstery. Tables constructed of holey driftwood with dark and light striations gave it a naturalistic vibe. A style Mother Earth would be proud of and might reveal a little about her ethnicity. Her darker complexion, high-angled cheeks, and slim oval eyes resembled Asian or Native American heritage. The overall combination and her classy clothes must drive men crazy.

Before she turned around and gave me one of the full glasses, I realized I’d been staring. To play it off, I looked outside, appreciating the way the sunshine brightened the room. “You have a nice place.”

“Thanks. If you need any help let me know. I love decorating.” She extended a glass to me, while taking a sip from hers. “The interview went well?”

Not wanting to reveal too many personal details, I displayed my best poker face. “Linc said I’d be exclusive. Is that something he does with new escorts?”

Her brows scrunched, and she set her drink on the counter. “
Exclusive?
H-he told you that?”

Crap. Was it code for something illicit in this business? I gripped the counter, bracing for the worst and nodded.

She dashed around the half wall and sat next to me with wide eyes. “Since I’ve been here that’s never happened.” She grabbed my arm and shook it. “Clients can arrange to be with one woman for a specified time, if she agrees.”

I fell back in my seat. “I don’t understand. He said I’m to come to his bed and no one else’s.”

She stared at me. “Hot damn, girl! That means you’re exclusive to
him
.” Her hand on my arm tightened, and she shook me again, this time almost knocking me off the stool.

“But…look at me.” I waved my hand up and down my body. Why would he choose me over the other women?

“I told you when we met. You got
it,
girl.” She shrugged one shoulder. “You’re hired and have something no one else does. So don’t worry about it. Besides, Linc’s a nice guy. He’ll take good care of you.”

Adele’s “Rumour Has It”
played from somewhere in the room. Mylaynee answered the call. A few seconds later she returned to my side. “We need to get to Forté. I’ll drive.”

From what I’d heard about the store, celebrities jetted there to purchase casual, business, or evening wear. They had on-site seamstresses and tailors catering to every whim. Custom-made clothing designed from scratch within a forty-eight hour period guaranteed.

Yesterday Goodwill, today Forté. Amazing how fast a person’s life could change with one decision.

Mylaynee rushed into the store like she owned the place. A woman, about two feet shorter than me with gray hair and wearing a dark blue suit approached us with a huge grin and engulfed her in a hug.

“Mylaynee, my favorite customer, it’s good to see you, dear. I have those new designs you ordered in the back, I’ll get them for you.”

“Liza, this is Serena.” Mylaynee turned toward me and nudged me forward. “Linc sent her. You get to spoil her rotten.”

I extended my hand, but the small woman surprised me when she hugged me too. Tears sprung to my eyes at the welcoming embrace. Her height and tender smile reminded me of Gram. God, I missed her so much. Before Liza released me, I wiped the corner of my eye, hoping neither woman saw the emotion on my face.

She pulled back and observed me head to toe. “You’re gorgeous. I have so many dresses that will look wonderful on your tall frame. Have you done any modeling?”

“No, my gram’s friends used to tell me I should, but…” My voice drifted off and I looked away, memories choking me once again.

She grasped my hand, holding it tight. “Let’s get you in the back and have the girls make a fuss over you. They like that.” She laughed and pulled me along. I glanced at Mylaynee, trailing behind me with a huge grin on her face.

“Smile,” she mouthed.

When I turned back around, we had entered a large room with gold couches on the left and right. In the center sat a raised round platform and behind it a mirror that extended from ceiling to floor.

Good grief.

Mylaynee plopped down on a sofa, stretching her legs in front of her like she planned to be here a while.

Great, just great.

A lady with a clipboard in hand pressed a buzzer and within seconds another woman brought out drinks and finger foods on a silver cart.

You’ve got to be freaking kidding me. Ugh! This was all too much.

Two women entered the room. Both looked younger than me, dressed in gold silk tops and black pants. They could be twins and wore similar, professional expressions that said, “Let’s do this.” Moments later with arms full of clothes, they rushed off to a room behind Mylaynee. I watched it all unfold like the movie,
Pretty Woman
. Ready to pinch myself to make sure I hadn’t been magically transported to the set.

A loud clap broke me out of my trance. “Okay everyone. This is Serena. Lincoln sent her to us. She gets a complete wardrobe. Tricia and Katrina, keep the clothes coming including undergarments, shoes, everything.”

The twins nodded.

“I’ll help her get dressed. The rest of you know what to do.”

They all smiled.

Liza ushered me into a gold-draped dressing room with a couch and dresses galore hanging everywhere. An antique mirror positioned in the corner and classical music filled the small space—tranquil and regal at the same time.

“Serena,” Liza’s voice jolted me. “This may seem a little overwhelming, but we’ll take good care of you.” She squeezed my arm. “Have fun, enjoy it. It’s nice to get all dolled up.” Her sweet smile made my heart pinch, but I returned the gesture.

“Thank you, for everything,” I whispered.

“It’ll be okay. You’ll see.”

Like a hidden message, I could hear Gram’s voice as she said those exact words to me the last three years of her precious life. A huge lump formed in my throat.

Goodness, why were these memories hitting me now?

I sucked in a shuddered breath and looked down at my twisting hands, getting control so I didn’t make an idiot of myself in front of complete strangers.

A dark green dress shimmered in front of me. Thick wide straps darted to a sweetheart neckline. A thin, diamond chain hung around the middle. The length might sit a little above the knee, but I couldn’t tell for sure until I put it on. It looked…modest.

Huh, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Then Liza flipped it around.

My mouth fell open.

The material scooped way down and would no doubt dip to my ass. I guess I should be grateful that wasn’t the front.

“That is the back, right?”

Liza laughed. “It’s going to look amazing with your hair and skin color. Just wait and see. Come on, let’s get you in it.”

I didn’t look in the dressing room mirror after we slipped it on. Instead I kept staring at the silvery mesh stilettos, hoping I didn’t trip on the way out.

“It fits you perfectly, dear. Go out to the platform and let Maria and Kara take a look. They’re the seamstresses and have a great eye. I’m sure they’ll agree though.”

When I entered the room, all eyes darted my way. A chorus of gasps and sighs could be heard throughout the space. One step onto the platform, and I still hadn’t looked in the mirror.
Chicken.

Mylaynee rushed up to me, clasping my hand in hers. “Damn, girl. That color is stunning on you. I got chills. Imagine what Linc will do when he sees you.”

I giggled, and my nerves settled a bit.

Behind me, the seamstresses murmured to each other, tugging and adjusting the fabric.

I winked at Mylaynee. “Thanks.”

“On our way home, I’ll pick up an oxygen mask and a defibrillator for Linc.”

The room swelled with laughter, and the remainder of the afternoon passed by with light-hearted banter as I tried on one outfit after another, complete with shoes and the sexiest lingerie I’d ever seen.

The ladies treated me like a princess
.

All the while the little voice in my head countered, “Fool.”

Promptly at six, I entered the lounge. The enormous room must run the entire length of the building. Walls painted the same platinum color as Linc’s office gave it a chic vibe. When I got to the bar in the back corner, an interesting feature caught my attention. Rather than a wood top, a crystal cover edged in a crisscross pattern provided an unobstructed view of broken liquor bottles, all different sizes and colors scattered on a mirrored base. An amazing serving area and unlike any I’d seen before, the “L” design had to be near thirty foot long and seemed tiny in this large gathering space.

No one else here yet, I decided to get acclimated with the liquor. My former catering job trained and rotated employees from serving tables to tending bar. That way, if anyone ever called off they’d be covered. Since I preferred serving food, I often chose it when they needed a replacement. Either way, the skills would come in handy.

A voice cleared from behind me. I turned around, and the little bit of confidence I’d stored throughout the day took a nosedive.

“I’m B.B. and this is Fallon,” she introduced in a sing-song voice as we shook hands. “You must be Serena, nice to meet you.”

“I was taking a look around. I hope you don’t mind.” Even in the amazing Forté green dress, which accentuated my favorite features, these women made me look like an Oompa Loompa.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s get started,” B.B. said. A classic blonde that could be a modern-day pin-up, she had wavy white-blonde hair that cascaded to her hips. A stark contrast to Fallon standing next to her with auburn locks and a side bang that draped over her left eye. Fallon and I both towered over B.B., who couldn’t be more than five foot five in her stilettos.

The hour went by fast as we discussed various routines, cut garnishes, stocked shelves, and cleaned tables. At seven the doors opened and gorgeous women of all shapes and sizes filled the room. Their scantily clothed bodies on full display, delighting the men following close behind. The clients seemed to range in age from mid-twenties to a refined seventy. Most good- looking and well-dressed, typical white-collar type. But if they paid the prices Mylaynee mentioned, they must be higher up on the corporate chain, or whatever income ladder qualified them to be here.

Similar to other company events, people danced and gathered in groups, talking above the rapid beating rock music. Except in this place, hands roamed all over bodies, and PDA didn’t happen behind closed doors. Hmm, so sex clubs did exist beyond the pages of a book.

B.B. worked alongside me a while. When I handled each order without making any mistakes, she told me to grab her if I needed help and skirted off to the other end of the bar. The three of us covered the constant orders without delay and worked well together.

Ducked into a bottom cabinet, I reached for a whiskey bottle. At that moment a large hand swept the exposed skin along my spine and gripped me around the neck. I bolted upright and came face to face with Linc.

“Nice dress.” His gaze dropped to my lips and lower. He snagged the diamond chain belt and reeled me into him. “How’s it going?” His devilish baritone zinged along my nerves. In a lazy caress, he rubbed his thumb on the silk dress, lengthways along my hipbone.

Even in a crowded room consumed with perfume and cologne, his bold scent took hold and I got lost in his shimmering blue eyes. It took me several seconds before I responded with a husky “Fine,” but it probably came out a gurgle as saliva pooled in my mouth. Yep, real smooth, Serena.