Born of Defiance

One possible flaw definitely came to mind.

“And how…” She cringed at the thought of what she needed to ask. But she knew from her mother, and other companions and instructors that she had to ask it before she consented to him. It was the primary concern all females in her profession had. One that maimed and killed a good 10 percent of them a year, and it would explain why such an eligible male was here, looking for one of her ilk and not negotiating for a noble wife.

With a deep breath, she forced the embarrassing question out. “How kinky and violent are you during sex?”

He actually turned bright red. “I would never harm a female off a battlefield, and even then, I wouldn’t do so unless she was armed and after me. Nor would I ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, in any way. We can leave all the details of that up to you.”

“Really?”

Visibly cringing, he nodded.

She sat forward and tried to figure out if he was lying to her. This was really too good to be true. And it wasn’t uncommon for males to lie to get what they wanted. She knew a number of females who’d gotten themselves into scary situations with males who’d seemed sincere and decent, only to find out, too late, they weren’t. “I honestly have to say that I’m a little confused. If that’s all you want, it would be significantly cheaper for you to visit a house of assignation than contract with me.”

He bristled. “I have more than enough money to pay your contract fees, tuition, and upkeep. Believe me. Your broker has crawled my ass and accounts with a subatomic scope.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you,” she said quickly. “I just don’t understand why you’d ask for so little, given the high cost.” And given how handsome and young he was. To hell with their stringent blood laws. What female wouldn’t do him for free?

Contract or no contract.

This was one male worth a jail sentence.

He glanced to her broker before he spoke. “I want a companion, not a prostitute.”

She was still baffled by this. If that was what he wanted, why not contract for marriage?

But that was none of her business. He was absolutely gorgeous and polite. Sweet, even. She couldn’t have asked for a better patron. And he was definitely better than the last male who’d tried to contract her.

You can’t do any better than this, girl. You know that. This was the kind of male most females prayed to marry. To have one as patron…

Unheard of.

“Very well, then.” Felicia swallowed in trepidation of what was next. “Would you like to inspect me?”

She had to bite back a laugh at how bright his cheeks turned this time. She’d never seen anyone blush so profusely. His caramel skin practically glowed.

And to think, she was the virgin in the room.

Once again, he glanced over to the guard and the broker, then shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you in front of them. I’ve already seen your photos, and that’s not the most important thing to me, anyway.”

“May I ask what is?”

“That you were as kind and gentle in person as you seemed to be by your profile answers and photos.”

Her heart swelled at his bashful answer.

She reached across the table and touched his hand before she offered him a smile. “Should we try a standard six-month trial?”

He finally returned her smile. “I should like that. How long do you need to move in?”

“When would you like for me to start?”

“It’s entirely up to you. I have a fully furnished condo within walking distance of your school, as your contract stipulated. All I need to do is have you added to the security and paperwork. Everything for the condo is billed directly to me. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

He was so unexpected. So preciously sweet.

She only hoped he stayed this way.

Please don’t be a lie. She’d had enough of lying bastards in her life.

“Day after tomorrow, then?”

He nodded.

Her broker stepped forward with his e-tablet. “Excellent. I have the papers already drawn up. Read over it and sign them. I’ll post them immediately, and the two of you can be about your business.”

Still a little nervous, Felicia was stunned that her patron hadn’t tried to negotiate anything. Rather, he’d agreed to every term she’d wanted. Right down to giving her all daylight hours so that she could continue with school… and a weekly maid service.

He hadn’t even balked at providing her with a place to live near her school – which was some of the priciest real estate in Eris. A small studio apartment was over four thousand credits a month. For that matter, she couldn’t even afford to live in the university dorms. They were almost as much. All the other patrons she’d considered had flat-out denied that request.