Page 22 of The Grand Duel
She’s silent for a minute, simply watching me. “If it was any other client, then no, I wouldn’t even entertain it. Being who it is.” She worries her lip. “You’d be in safe hands,” she tells me, her gaze reassuring. “You’re twenty-four, aren’t you?”
I nod, surprised she remembers my age.
“You sure you want to do this?” Christian asks.
No, but the fluttering sensation between my legs at the thought of doing what Iona does is saying yes. I turn towards him. “I’m sure.”
“How much have you had to drink tonight?” Bronwyn asks.
“I had a vodka and blackcurrant squash when I first got here.”
Everyone cringes.
“That was your one, Shoes.”
“I can’t have another?”
“You know the rules,” Christian says.
“Come with me, please, Lissie,” Bronwyn says.
She walks down the corridor and into her office. “Sorry, but I’d like some privacy and time with you before you decide on anything, away from the others.” She gestures for me to sit down. “Are you sure this is something you’d like to do? There’s absolutely no pressure.”
“No, I want to,” I tell her, sitting down. “I’ll be honest, I’ve been sort of…intrigued since I first looked around.”
She watches me, nodding. “Do you happen to know when you last had a sexual health check? I’d need written proof for you to work outside of the bar. You’d also need to sign a separate agreement.”
“I get tested…” I wring my hands, trying to think. “The last would have been around two months ago. I see a private doctor every six months which includes a sexual health check. I’d have the email on my phone.”
Her brows rise in surprise. “Okay. I want you to take some time to read over the contract agreements and then a little longer to think about this. Even if you agree, you’ll be in control and safe the entire time, I can assure you of that.”
I swallow, forcing a nervous smile.
What am I doing?
“I need to speak with my client, but I’ll have Christian take you to the dressing rooms. Could you connect your phone to the printer and have your documents printed? You’ll need to have them updated again at the end of this month.”
“Sure.” I pull my phone from my pocket when she leaves and click through my emails.
The printer is almost finished when Christian walks into the office.
I smile at him when he shakes his head at me, my heart pounding.
“What have you gotten yourself into now, Shoes?” He cocks his head towards the door. “Come on.”
He leads me into the changing rooms, somewhere I’ve only ever passed through when using the staff entrance to collect glasses from the private rooms.
I quickly scan my surroundings, seeing it in a different light entirely.
“Do you know the guy?” I ask, suddenly really nervous.
“Yes.”
I frown when he doesn’t elaborate. “And?”
“He’s a longtime member. Popular amongst the girls. He’ll probably want to chat a little first. Get to know you.” He pulls open drawers, looking for something.
“What?”