Chapter Seven
Not that I’d ever been inside a brothel to know what it was like, but the half-dressed girls walking around leading men into rooms was kind of a giveaway. The worst thing was now I was here, I couldn’t just leave. I’d have to sit through this interview, smiling as if I this were my dream job.
Didn’t every little girl grow up dreaming of one day working in a brothel?
In my mind, I wondered how I could’ve read this so wrong. Little things began to add up, like the late night interview, ‘adult establishment’ and Mauve’s questions about my experience. Not to mention the undesirable, hidden exterior. What I had assumed was office experience had obviously been experience of another kind.
“Come with me, Kait.” I followed her into what looked like her office. She motioned toward the seat opposite her own. I watched as she sat down and pressed the intercom. “Claire? Can you make me a coffee please? Drink?” She looked at me expectantly.
“Coffee would be great. White, no sugar, Thanks.” I didn’t really want a coffee, but I felt more relaxed having something to hold onto.
Wait until Ara heard about this. She would die laughing. At least this would give me a good story to tell.
“So Kait. Let me first tell you a little about the job. From your expression, I am thinking this is not what you were expecting?” I flushed, not realizing my surprise had been so obvious.
“I feel like an idiot, but no. I was not expecting a brothel.” I admitted. “I was expecting more of an, uh, hotel.” Mauve smiled at my ignorance. At least she was finding this amusing.
“Brothel is not really the term we like to use. We are more of a high class adult entertainment venue.” I nodded, not really seeing the difference between the two. “Before we go on, I do need to confirm you are over the age of twenty-one?”
I nodded. “Yes, I’m twenty-two next January.”
“Good.” She looked relieved. “Firstly, we’re looking for a receptionist, not an entertainer.”
My ears pricked up. I could handle being a receptionist, but could I handle being a receptionist in a brothel? Why did it have to be any different than being a receptionist in any other business?
“You’d be expected to greet clients and run them through the girls we have available for that evening. You would also be answering phones, booking appointments.” Mauve paused, and looked at me thoughtfully. “For the right girl, Kait, this would be a very rewarding job. We pay extremely well, we are flexible, and we know people have a life and commitments outside of work. We really are like a family, and we like to treat our girls as such.” She stood up. “Can I show you around before you make your decision?”
I followed Mauve out of the office, and down another hallway. One thing was for sure, this place was nice.
Really nice.
Each room was tastefully decorated, and every girl we passed was impeccably dressed (or half dressed). Despite the fact that it was a brothel, it really did feel like a professional and friendly environment.
Oh shit, Kait, what are you doing?
I knew exactly what I was doing. I was convincing myself of the reasons why I should take this job. There were plenty of them too, and they far outweighed the reasons not to take the job. And I had to admit, there was something sexy about working in a brothel, even just as a receptionist. I wasn’t sure I could pass this chance up, or even if I wanted to.
We walked into one of the rooms. It was like that of a five star hotel, but even more luxurious. Everything was perfect. A huge bathroom with a spa, a massive king sized poster bed. I blushed at the whips and chains that hung off the side wall. The attention to detail was impeccable. From the tiny amenities, to the selections of wine and nibbles.
“Each room has a theme.” She explained, smiling at my embarrassment. I nodded meekly, once again my blushing was getting me in trouble. I certainly wasn’t a prude. I’d had more than my share of boyfriends and one night stands. This was on a whole other level though. I’d never been, or even considered getting paid for sex.
“So,” Mauve turned to me, smiling. “Would you like the job?”
I glanced at her, surprised. She was offering me the job? Just like that?
“I’m a good judge of character, Kait. I know you’d be a good fit here.” Her confidence in my ability rubbed off on me.
“Okay. I will give it a go.”
The kids were in bed when I got home. Throwing my keys and bag on the table, I sank into the oversized armchair. Ara, spread out on the couch, a book in hand, looked at me.
“How did it go?” She asked. I chuckled to myself, knowing her semi interest in my interview was about to turn on its head, big time.
“Good. Sort of.” I began, dragging my legs up under my knees. “It was a brothel.”
Just as I thought, Ara shot upright on the couch, her book flying out of her hands. She stared at me, her mouth hanging open in shock.
“A brothel?” She squeaked, her eyes wide.
“Shh.” I gestured toward the kids bedrooms. The last thing I needed was the kids hearing. I could just imagine explaining that to Sam.
“Okay, sorry, sorry.” Ara lowered her voice. “A brothel?” She repeated, literally on the edge of the couch, waiting for an explanation.
“Yes. Is that so shocking?” I joked, knowing it was.
“Uh, yes.” Ara made a face and shook her head. “Wow, you in a brothel is something I’d never have picked.” She shook her head again in amazement.
“Gee thanks.” I protested. Ara waved off my response.
“You know what I mean.” She shook her head and flopped back. “Shit Kait, a brothel?”
“I know, I know, but I’m just the receptionist.” I added, trying to read Ara’s expression. “I think it’s kind of cool.” I confessed, blushing. Ara eyes almost popped out of her head.
“You took it?” She squeaked. “I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it. I’m just surprised. I think it’s great, actually.” Ara giggled. “Imagine the stories you’ll be able to tell me.”
Chuckling, I bit my lip. I was still in shock that I’d actually said yes. And I was nervous as hell. I needed new clothes, a haircut and possibly some new make-up. I ran my hand down my leg. And definitely a wax.
“When do you start?” Ara asked, still dazed from the news.
“Tomorrow night. I work ten to two, four nights a week. Are you positive you’re okay with the kids?”
“For you to work in a brothel? Hell yeah.” She giggled. I glowered at her.
“How long are you going to give me shit for?” I grumbled.
“Till I find something else to give you shit for. Like your det-ect-ive friend.” She sang. I groaned and smothered my face with my hands, as Ara laughed.
“Your life is like a soap opera at the moment, Kait. We have drama, romance, and suspense. Seriously, who needs Bold and the beautiful when you’re around?”
“I’m glad you get such amusement out of my life.” I grumbled, shaking my head as Ara threw herself back on the couch, clutching a cushion, giggling.
The next day after I dropped Neri and Sam off, I went shopping.
It didn’t take long for me to blow another good portion of my savings on some new outfits, shoes and makeup, convincing myself it was an investment. Finally pulling the car into the driveway, I was exhausted.
The car backfired. I guess he was exhausted too. I laughed at my little joke as I let myself inside.
As I opened the fridge, I silently thanked Ara for doing food shopping that morning. Grabbing a can of coke, some string cheese and a handful of crackers, I made myself comfortable for an afternoon on the couch. I flicked through the channels, deciding on the crime network, which was doing a special on missing persons.
My thoughts drifted to mom, a knot forming in my stomach. Though we’d had our differences, I really hoped she was okay. It had taken me so long to get past what happened to me, and not having mom’s support during that was hell. I’d have done anything to have the relationship with mom that I used to.
Growing up, we had been really close. Her taking John’s side over mine had broken my heart. What kind of mother doesn’t believe their own daughter when she confides in her like that? Calling the police had been the only way to stop him, but mom had never forgiven me for that. The role of a mother is to protect her children, and to love them unconditionally, yet she had turned her back on me when I needed her most. That was the thing I struggled to get past.
The doorbell rang. I glanced at my phone. I rarely had visitors, and when I did, they almost always called first. I pulled myself out of the couch cocoon I’d made, and headed for the door.
Salesperson? Mormons? It was times like this I wish we had one of those little spy windows you look through so you can pretend not to be home.
I edged the door open slightly, blocking it on one side with my foot, ready to slam it shut if need be.
Devon smiled back at me with his usual sexy smirk.
“Hey.” He said, amused. “Do you always open the door with such suspicion?” I blushed a little, trying to block the inappropriate thoughts that were filtering through my mind.
This guy was hot. Like mind blowing hot. As in I struggled to concentrate when he was around me kind of hot.
“Hey.” I finally managed, smiling back. “You have to be prepared. You never know when it’s going to be someone selling funeral plans.” He laughed as I moved aside. He squeezed past me, his hand brushing past my own, sending tingles of electricity coursing through my body.
“What brings you here? Any news?” I forced myself to focus on his whole reason for entering my life. Mom.
“No news, sorry. I just thought I’d see how things were going.” He followed me over to the couch, and sat down, his left leg stretched out. I tried unsuccessfully not to stare at him. He wore jeans and a faded blue shirt. A small tattoo peeked out from the bottom of his sleeve. I almost sighed, catching myself just in time. I found tattoos incredibly sexy. He caught me looking at it and rolled it up.
The tattoo, a thorny vine that wrapped around his forearm, made him even more appealing. If I didn’t want to jump him before, I sure as hell did now.
“A moment of stupidity, when I was eighteen.” He made a face.
“Any more?” I raised my eyebrows suggestively. He laughed and shook his head.
“You?” His eyes glistened as he slowly and deliberately ran his eyes over my body. I blushed, feeling naked under his intense stare. “Oh really? Well only fair. You’ve seen mine, after all.”
“I have a small rose in a rather, uh, delicate, position.” I finally announced. He chuckled.
The rose was actually in a very delicate position, on my left butt cheek. Why and how I ended up with a rose was still unbeknown to me. From what I’d heard from Ara, combined with the fragments I actually remembered, I’d stumbled my way into the all hours tattoo parlor begging the very cute tattooist to ‘brand’ me after celebrating passing my finals last year. All I knew was I’d woken up with a very sore bum.
Yes, my mind had gone there too.
“Do I get to see it?” His voice was teasing, and his eyebrows were raised, making me blush even further.
“No. Nobody gets to see it.” I placed emphasis on the word nobody.
“Interesting. No boyfriend, then?” I grinned at his deduction efforts. This boy had skills. No wonder he’d made detective so early. Inside I was swooning at the fact that he cared about whether or not I had a boyfriend.
Did that scream interested, or what?
“Enough about me. Tell me about you, Devon.” I smiled pointedly. He already knew way too much about me.
“Me?” He mused thoughtfully. “Well, you know what I do. I’ve lived in Seattle all my life. I have a younger sister, who is your age. My parents are still married. I live alone.” He emphasized alone. “What do you do, Kait?”
His smile almost had me drooling. I tried to focus on answering his question, rather than succumbing to the very naughty thoughts that were flashing through my mind. I hadn’t realized I was such a pervert.
“I’m studying International Business. My last semester. After that, I have an internship at a firm in here in Seattle. I used to work in a café, but I’ve just gotten a new job which I start today, actually.”
“Wow, congratulations. Where is it?” he asked, genuinely interested.
Shit. It was the most obvious question to be asked, yet I hadn’t been expecting it. What the hell was I going to say? Definitely not the truth.
“Just a hotel. Receptionist. I don’t start until 10pm. Ara will be home for the kids.” I’d never been good at lying, but if I was going to take this job, I needed to get better at it, and fast.
“Ara?” He repeated.
“My housemate and best friend.” I explained, forgetting that he hadn’t met her yesterday. She was going to wet herself when she saw how sexy he was.
“Well good luck with your new job. I hope it all goes well for you.” He stood up and walked to the door, me right behind him. I bit my lip as I sneaked a look at his ass. Wow. No words could describe it, other than wow.
And maybe yummy.
“Well it was lovely to see you again, Kait.” He turned so quickly it caught me off guard. I didn’t have time to redirect my stare. He chuckled as I blushed. He’d caught me staring at his ass, and he was amused.
Every time he said my name I felt my knees buckle, and it frustrated the hell out of me. I was twenty-one, not twelve! I didn’t get this way over guys!
“Right. See you.” I said, all but shutting the door in his face. Leaning against the door, I groaned. Now he thought I was checking him out. Which I was, but that was beside the point. I didn’t need him knowing that.
“See you later Sam. Behave for Ara, okay?” I narrowed my eyes at him. Sam nodded, his little face peering out at me from under his mound of pillows. He had insisted he needed six pillows to sleep, because that’s how many he had when he was at home. I’d learned the hard way that it’s not worth getting into an argument over pillows with a five year old.
I shut off his light and went next door to Neri’s room. Rapping lightly on the door, I waited for her to answer.
“Come in.” I pushed open the door. Neri was sitting up in bed, reading a book. I pointed to it.
“What are you reading?” She blushed and held up the cover. Twilight. I rolled my eyes, making her giggle.
“You’ve never read it?” She asked. Now it was my turn to blush. “Ah hah!” She exclaimed. What could I say? I was a sucker for romance. “Not really a valid argument, Neri. Everyone’s read it once. It’s the people who re-read it you have to worry about.” I smirked as she shot me a dirty look.
“I’m going to work now. If you need anything, you have my number, or Ara is just down the hall.” Neri nodded. “I’m glad you guys are here.” I added, before closing the door. I hadn’t said that to them since they’d arrived. It worried me that they might have thought I didn’t want them here. Neri smiled.
“I’m glad we’re here too.” As I pulled the door shut, I realized how much I loved hearing that. I had missed my siblings.