by Priya Grey
Mr. Starbuck shrugs. “If I’m okay with it, you should be, too.”
Juliette notices a look of sincerity revealed in his eyes. Then Mr. Starbuck says softly, “And plus, I like talking to you.”
“I like talking to you, too,” Juliette blushes. “Can I ask you something, Mr. Starbuck?”
“Sure thing, NaughtyFrenchGirl2020,” he says with a playful smirk.
Juliette takes a deep breath and asks, “Are you married?”
Mr. Starbuck peers into the camera. Juliette feels like his gaze is staring into her soul. “If I were married,” he replies with all seriousness. “I wouldn’t be talking to you like this, or doing the things we did last night.” He takes a breath, then he asks, “Why? Do you have a lot of married clients?”
Juliette nods.
Mr. Starbuck leans back in his chair. “I guess that must turn you off from men somewhat. You probably think we’re all sleaze bags.”
“It does make me wonder if men can be trusted,” Juliette admits.
“Some men can’t be trusted,” Mr. Starbuck replies with a shrug. He adds, “Neither can some women. But not everyone’s shady.”
“I guess you’re right.”
Then Juliette receives a notification on her laptop. Roger wants to have a session with her. She ignores him.
“Do you have to go?” asks Mr. Starbuck.
“No.”
“Good. I wouldn’t mind spending the night with you, like this.” A curious look crosses his face and he admits, “I just realized that sounded really weird when I said it out loud.”
Juliette shakes her head. “It’s not weird at all.” She would like to spend the rest of the evening talking to him as well. But then she realizes that would cost Mr. Starbuck a fortune. “That will definitely cost you a lot of money,” she warns him.
“Don’t worry about that. Money isn’t a problem.”
Juliette senses he’s telling the truth. Apparently, Mr. Starbuck is rich.
“Lucky for you, and for me, I guess,” she replies with a flirtatious smile.
“So, what part of France are you from? I used to vacation there quite a bit in my twenties.”
Juliette tells Mr. Starbuck the name of her town. He hasn’t heard of it, but he is familiar with the region.
“Do you want to go back?”
Juliette shakes her head. “Not if I don’t have to. I really like California, although I spend too much time in this room with my clients. It can get a little… what’s the word I’m looking for… isolating. It can get isolating. I like to be out and about. But it’s not so bad. When I’m not working online, I lay out by the pool. The house I’m staying in has a really amazing view.”
“So, you don’t plan on webcamming your whole life?”
“Gosh no,” replies Juliette firmly. “I just need to make some money to get back on my feet. My ex-boyfriend really screwed me over.”
“If money weren’t an issue, what would you do?”
“As a career?”
“Or for fun?”
“It’s silly,” says Juliette looking down, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“Tell me. I want to know.”
Juliette looks up. Mr. Starbuck is staring at her through the screen. She can’t explain it. But she feels so comfortable with him, even though they are still very much strangers. “I want to have my own cafe,” she confesses. “I like to bake.”
“Really?”
Juliette nods. “Ever since I was a teenager. Before my mom got sick, we would always bake something when I got home from school. If I could have my own cafe, that would make me very happy. A place where people can enjoy themselves and eat my homemade pastries.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Et toi? What about you?”
Mr. Starbuck sighs. Juliette senses the question is one he’s been trying to answer for some time. “I don’t know. And the irony is, I have enough money that I can do almost anything. I have a very successful business that I started from scratch. It takes up much of my time. But this last year, I’ve realized how unfulfilled I am. I’ve achieved everything I’ve wanted in the business world. But something’s still missing. I don’t know what.”
“Maybe you should go on a voyage to find what you’re looking for?”
“Maybe you’re right,” says Mr. Starbuck with a nod. “It would mean leaving my company though, and I have all my employees – not to mention stockholders – counting on me.”
“But if you’re not fulfilled, things will eventually fall apart,” says Juliette. She remembers something her mother always said when she was growing up. “If your heart’s not driving you, the body collapses,” she recites to the camera.
Mr. Starbuck ponders this for a moment. A smile slowly crosses his lips. He stares at Juliette with a look of appreciation. “I never thought about it that way. I’m really glad I found you.”
“Oui, me too.” As they keep staring at each other in silence, Juliette feels her body tingle. A wicked smirk crosses her lips. “You know, Mr. Starbuck, we’ve been talking for over two hours, and you haven’t asked me to take off my clothes. Does that mean you don’t find me attractive anymore?”
“That’s the farthest thing from the truth,” he replies. Mr. Starbuck leans forward, so Juliette can get a really good look at his eyes. She sees a mixture of sincerity and lust. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman on the planet,” he declares in a sexy low voice. “Our last session was so hot, I think it was even better than the real sex I’ve had in my life.”
“I’m glad you said that,” Juliette replies, blushing. “I felt the same way,” she confesses.
“I bet you say that to all your clients.”
Juliette looks into his eyes. “But this is the only time I’ve actually meant it. Do you believe me?”
There’s a long pause as Mr. Starbuck looks at her. He nods slowly.
“I think I do,” he admits.
Juliette breathes a sigh of relief and smiles. She’s so attracted to him that she can’t hold back any longer. “Good. Because if I’m being honest, Mr. Starbuck, I should be paying you for the privilege of talking. After our last session, my body tingled all day. I want to feel that way again. I want you to talk to me like you did last time. Control me with your voice. Command me. I want us to come together.”
After her admission, Juliette feels tiny vibrations between her legs.
A confident gaze and a sexy smirk appear on Mr. Starbuck’s face. He nods. He tells Juliette what she so desperately wants to hear. “I’m glad you said that. Because when I’m done with you tonight, I’m going to become your only client.”
Suddenly, there’s a knock at her door.
Oh Putain! Juliette curses to herself. Who the hell is interrupting her session?
She turns to the computer screen and holds up her finger. “Hold that thought, Mr. Starbuck. I’ll be right back.” She quickly gets up from her bed and walks to the door.
Chapter 30
I wait for Juliette to answer her door. I feel bad interrupting her session. But I’m having a panic attack and need some help.
When she opens the door, Juliette’s eyes narrow as she looks at me. “This better be important, Flo. I’m with the client from heaven.”
“Can you go shopping with me for a bathing suit?” I blurt.
“Seriously, that’s why you interrupted my session?”
“I don’t have a car, and I don’t know what looks good,” I say nervously. “I’m not very good with fashion, as you can tell.” I motion to the jeans and t-shirt I’m wearing – my ensemble practically every day of the week.
Juliette waves me off. “Fine. We’ll go tomorrow,” she says quickly. “Now, can I go back to having my heavenly orgasm?”
“Of course,” I nod. “Thank you so much, I really – ”
But Juliette has already closed the door on my face before I can finish thanking her.
The next day, Juliette and I go shopping for a bathing suit.
Selena asks to join us. She has a lot of free time on her hands since she broke her arm. The three of us go to a small boutique on Melrose.
“Thanks for letting me tag along, guys,” says Selena as we browse the racks.
“Plus on est de fous, plus on rit,” replies Juliette. “The more, the merrier.”
As we scan the clothing racks, Selena says, “I can’t wait to get this cast off and start spinning again.”
“It seems like you’ve been pretty busy with other pursuits though,” jokes Juliette. “I heard you come in late last night.”
Selena sighs then nods. “It’s true. Matt is a really cool guy, and I like spending time with him. The thing is… we’re just so different. He doesn’t drink, and I like to drink a little too much. He’s very spiritual, and I don’t believe in God…”
“Different is good. It keeps things exciting,” replies Juliette.
“I suppose,” says Selena.
I’m ignoring their conversation. Every bathing suit I like is designed for someone ten sizes smaller than me. I finally find one that I think might work. “How about this one?”
I hold up a simple one-piece, black bathing suit.
“Are you a grand-mère? Uhh… grandma?”
I shake my head.
“Then stop shopping like one,” Juliette snaps. “You want something with more color, more attitude, more sex appeal.” She accentuates the words sex appeal in her thick French accent.
My shoulders slump as I look at her. I’m annoyed. “Seriously, the last thing anyone is going to think of is sexy when they see me in a bathing suit.”
“This is nice.” Selena holds up a multicolored flourish tankini.
“I like that,” says Juliette. “I like this one, too.”
Juliette holds up a black and white daisy print one piece with a bubblegum colored bandeau.
“I love that color,” replies Selena. “I think it will look really nice with Flo’s complexion and brown hair.”
“Here. Try these two on,” says Juliette, handing me the two bathing suits. “Now, I’m going to look for something for myself. I promised Mr. Starbuck that I’d do a session by the pool. You guys don’t mind, do you?”
“I don’t care,” I reply. I step inside the changing area, sliding the curtain closed. Selena and Juliette continue going through the racks. I can overhear their conversation.
“I’m fine with it,” says Selena. “As long as you don’t play with yourself while you’re out there. I don’t want our neighbors to report anything.”
“Of course not,” says Juliette. “We don’t just masturbate. Things with Mr. Starbuck go much deeper. We talk quite a bit.”
“Wait a minute, are you falling for one of your clients?” Selena asks.
“I think I might be,” admits Juliette. “That’s terrible, isn’t it? It’s very cliché. I hate being cliché. I know, I’m being foolish.”
“Hey, if it makes you happy, whose to judge?” replies Selena. “Do you think you two could meet in real life? Like Flo and her guy?”
“Je ne sais pas. Maybe. I hope.”
I slide open the curtain and step out of the changing area, wearing the bathing suit Juliette picked out.
“I feel like a whale,” I grumble.
“Stop it. You look very pretty. Don’t you think, Selena?”
Selena nods with a smile. “I really like that color on you.”
“I don’t know…” I say, staring down at my legs. “I just wish my legs weren’t so thick. Look at my knees. You can’t even see them. It’s all just fat.”
“That’s why they invented the wrap,” proclaims Juliette. She pulls a wrap from a nearby rack.
“Voilà! It looks like we found you a bathing suit,” says Juliette with a smile. “Now, I think it’s time we hit the beach. What do you say, ladies?”
I can’t believe I’ve been in LA for two months, and I still haven’t gone to the beach. We all agree it’s a good idea, and Juliette drives us to Santa Monica. As we lay on the sand – with the ocean waves crashing nearby – I tell Juliette and Selena how much I appreciate their help.
“What are roomies for?” says Juliette, squeezing my shoulder.
Selena then takes a selfie of all three of us sitting on the sand.
“Argh, I hate my right side,” complains Juliette when she sees the picture. “Take another one,” she urges. “My left side is much more attractive.” Selena rolls her eyes, but takes another selfie, so Juliette can improve her pose.
“Much better,” says Juliette when she sees the photo.
As she puts away her phone, Selena looks at me and asks, “So, this online boyfriend that you’re finally going to meet face-to-face, what’s he like? What does he do?”
“He works for a real estate company. He likes Prince, which is super important because I can’t be with anyone who doesn’t like Prince. He loves video games as much as I do. And based on our experience in the blue room, he seems very sexual.” Then I admit, “He just makes me feel really wanted… desired, you know?”
“I get it,” nods Selena.
“Well, I hope the real thing is just as good as all the virtual sex you two have been having,” says Juliette.
I blush. “I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”
Juliette and Selena exchange a look.
“Do you mean you’ve never…?” Selena’s voice trails off.
I nod my head.
“That’s so exciting!” exclaims Juliette, clapping her hands together. “I still remember my first time. It was with a butcher, in my home town.”
“That sounds so French,” remarks Selena.
“What? Butcher?” asks Juliette, confused.
“Yeah, having sex with your butcher just seems like a very French thing to do.”
“Well, Miss America,” quips Juliette. “Who was your first lover?”
“My first lover? Gosh, I don’t even want to remember,” Selena admits. “His name was Mark, and it was after our prom.”
“What’s a prom?” Juliette asks.
“A school dance,” I tell her.
“Ah yes. I had much sex after school dances,” Juliette affirms with a nod. Then a glint appears in her eyes, as she remembers her past adventures.
“Well, I had sex in Mark’s car,” Selena sighs. “Very uncomfortable. And not very fun.” She leans forward and looks at me. “But don’t worry, Flo. I’m sure your first time will be much better than ours.”
“Speak for yourself,” snorts Juliette. “I loved my butcher. He was the right blend of rough and tender.”
“If it happens,” I confess nervously. “I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself.”
“The key to sex is to let yourself relax into it,” says Juliette. “Just let it flow, Flo.”
“Oh, it will flow alright,” quips Selena.
Selena and Juliette look at each other and laugh.
“Great. One more thing to worry about,” I remark.
“Stop worrying so much,” says Juliette. “Everything will be fine.”
“I just hope he likes me.”
“That’s the wrong attitude,” says Selena vehemently shaking her head. “What matters first, is if you like him. Never place your priorities or your desires second. You come first. Remember that. I hate it when women don’t recognize their self-worth. It gets me so angry. Men are a dime a dozen. But we women: We’re God’s gift.”
“Preach, sister,” says Juliette in her thick accent.
Wanting to change the topic, I disclose, “I did some research online about Nash. Did you guys know people expected him to go first in the NFL draft? He was bound for football glory. But then he got into a car accident. It completely wrecked his arm. He was never the same after that, and his career was ruined. One reporter said it was a real football tragedy. A career cut short before it could even begin.”
“Maybe that’s why he’s always in a bad mood,” responds Juliette.
“He’s not that bad,” I div
ulge. “He’s really helping me out. He’s even training me for free.”
Juliette nudges me.
“Sounds like Chad might have some competition,” she teases.
I roll my eyes. “Please, Nash and I are from two different worlds.”
“Like me and Matt, the Republican,” replies Selena.
“Except, Matt is actually interested in you that way,” I tell her. “There’s no way Nash would be into me. I’m a gaming geek. He’s probably into the althletic – blonde hair, blue eyes, slim figure – type of woman. And plus, I have Chad. We’ve known each other for a while and have a lot in common. Now, we just need to meet face-to-face.”
As we stare at the ocean waves, Juliette leans back on her towel and says, “You never know, Flo. Sometimes people surprise you.”
Chapter 31
When Nash turned down Cat Carter’s proposal to become her gigolo, he walked away from some serious money. Although he doesn’t mind training Flo for free, the truth is: He desperately could have used the cash. So Nash decides to meet with Kade Turner, the owner of the gym he works at, to discuss getting more clients.
“I’ll send you more clients, if money is a concern,” says Kade, as he leans back in his office chair.
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” says Nash. “I could really use the money.”
“Don’t mention it. I know you’re relatively new here. But I can already tell you’re one of my best trainers. And now that Rodrigo’s gone, that means more work for you and the others.”
Apparently, Rodrigo begged Cat Carter to take him back. Even though she admitted to Nash that she preferred his cock, she agreed to re-employ Rodrigo and signed him to a year contract. Cat is now Rodrigo’s only client. He’s on the clock, 24 hours a day, to satisfy all her needs.
Nash notices a strange look in Kade’s eyes – like he wants to say something, but doesn’t know how to go about it. Then Kade sighs and leans forward, across his desk. “I heard about the try-out for the Rams.”
“I guess word spreads,” mutters Nash.