by Laura Morgan
“You’re gonna be good for business, Cassie, I can tell,” Delilah told her at the end of the night, before sending her home in a waiting car with some of the other girls. One of the bouncers accompanied them, dropping each off at her home, as was the protocol to ensure they all arrived there safely. “Lots of good comments on you tonight. You certainly made an impression,” the dominant madam added before waving her goodbye.
Cassie smiled sheepishly. It was very flattering to have the men say nice things about her. She tried her best to give them what she thought they needed and knew now that Hanna had been right. It really was an ego boost to have rich and powerful men lapping up her affection and enjoying her company so openly. There was no pretense of anything more. They all knew where they stood, and before she even got into bed, Cassie made up her mind. She had to admit, she was impressed by the whole setup and felt safe the entire time.
She was already sure she wanted to get booked in for more parties with Cyrene’s.
Chapter 3
“Mrs. Smith, how wonderful to see you again,” said the kind doorman whose name she could never remember. Cassie smiled and returned the compliment, omitting the name as she didn’t want to be rude. He opened the door for her, ushering her inside the timeworn, yet still elegant theater with a graceful bow. She didn’t bother explaining she had now gone back to her maiden name, opting to leave the conversation for another time, if ever. The old theater seemed so grand, so regal, and she couldn’t help but reminisce over the person she used to be while walking these halls and living in this world.
“Hey, honey, he’s just gone for a coffee run,” her old friend, and now up and coming Broadway star, Liam Casterly, said as he caught Cassie making her way toward Jonah’s dressing room.
“Oh, okay. I’ll wait,” Cassie replied, hugging him tightly. It had been far too long. “And don’t call me honey.”
“Well, usually I call everyone a slut, but I know you aren’t one of those.” His camp demeanor seemed to have doubled along with his stage presence, and she grinned. “You look different. Happy and confident or something. Did you get your groove back?” He looked her up and down with an approving gaze.
Cassie’s smile broadened. She had indeed, ‘got her groove back,’ thanks to her inflated confidence after having her company sought after at many a party over the past few weeks. She had gone along to them all, red band firmly in place, and had enjoyed every moment. The array of men she had met was astonishing. She always thought the city seemed so small before, but soon realized that was just her little slice of it, where she had worked the same restaurant almost every day for over a year and knew the regulars like old friends.
The real New York City was a bustling throb of millions of people, most of whom you would never happen upon again even if you went to the same places over and over. Cassie played a different role at each party, relishing in the adoring gazes from the men who were drawn to her warm smile and gentle nature. Her self-esteem was now definitely on the mend.
“I think I have, Liam. I think I have,” she replied, grinning up at the tall, skinny man with an affectionate gaze.
He hugged her tightly again and then dropped the façade. “I’ve missed you, we all have. This place just isn’t the same without you, and he isn’t the same either. We all know why you left, we know he pushed you away, but sometimes I wish it was you who’d stayed and he who went,” he whispered, stroking her cheek gently before kissing it.
Cassie knew Liam had never loved a woman, and he had no idea where to even begin figuring them out. Something about them was different, though, and always had been. Liam had told her once she was the only woman who had even gotten close.
She remembered how he used to tell her stories of his childhood. Liam had known he was gay since he was ten years old, supposedly having begun fantasizing about boys alongside the little girls who swooned over their boyfriends and practiced their anticipated married name in signature. Cassie always knew he didn’t love her that way, but he truly was a close friend, and she missed having him in her life.
“That’s mean, but thanks,” she replied, shrugging. “I miss you too, you slut.”
“Cassie? What are you doing here?” came a voice from behind them. She turned to find her ex-husband staring at her wide-eyed from the doorway, two trays full of paper coffee cups and a bag full of muffins in his hands.
“Can I have a word?” she asked, releasing her grip on Liam. Jonah nodded, setting down the trays and leading her into his dressing room. He went to close the door behind them, but caught the flash of fear in her eyes and seemed to think better of it.
“It’s good to see you. You look amazing,” he said, taking a seat in the corner while Cassie stood, feeling uneasy being alone with him for the first time in over a year.
“I’m not here for pleasantries, Jonah. I need you out of my life for good. I know the agreement included alimony, but I don’t need it anymore. I have a much better job alongside my restaurant work now, and I’m earning more than enough to get by. Please, would you stop the payments? I don’t want your money.” Her entire demeanor was cool, but it was either that or get upset, and Cassie wouldn’t let him see her falter.
“If that’s what you want, honey. I just wanted you to have it so you’ll always be safe, always have a roof over your head,” Jonah replied with a hurt look in his eye.
“Don’t call me honey,” she insisted, her expression now turning icy.
“Sorry. I’m sorry for everything, Cassie. I’ll do as you ask, and you’ll be free of me for good now,” Jonah said, looking down at his hands with a defeated sigh.
“I’ll never be completely free, Jonah. You were the biggest part of my life for such a long time, and then it didn’t just fizzle out like most people’s relationships do.” Cassie began pacing the small room. She hated how rattled he made her. The memories of the monster he had inside of him blocked her from seeing the genuine sadness that deep-down she knew was not a mask. “Our marriage was obliterated in one awful moment after another. I need to live my life now and be me again, whoever that person is. I wish you all the best,” she said, heading out before he could say another word and before the tears that were pricking at her eyes dared to fall.
***
The next morning Cassie had both a night off from the restaurant and as a Cyrene. She intended to grab a DVD and a cheap bottle of wine, change into her pajamas, and become one with her sofa. Hanna had plans with Jamie again, this time at his boss’s house for a small gathering for his many worker bees, but this time Jamie did not seem worried about taking Hanna into the fray.
“He’s been crazy busy lately. I think things have gone sour on a recent deal. He’s just after a distraction tonight, so he’s already ordered in a bunch of green girls to keep him occupied,” he informed them, waiting patiently for his lover to get ready. “I’ve told the other guys I’ve paid up front for Hanna for the whole night, and I ain’t sharing. They know the drill,” he added, smirking.
“If only they knew how many freebies I give you, baby.” Hanna leaned down to give her boyfriend a kiss before turning to Cassie. “You should come. Jamie’s friends are good guys.”
“Nah, babe, they’ll expect more from her. Leo doesn’t have red girls at his parties. No offense, Cassie,” Jamie said.
She shrugged. “None taken. I am intrigued about his house, though. A few of the girls have said it’s beautiful. Maybe next time,” she replied, grabbing her wine and taking a long sip as she nestled herself in the nook of the sofa. Hanna had told Cassie all about the villainous, self-made billionaire boss, and he sounded like the sort of person she never wanted to know. Still, she was intrigued and astounded by the stories Jamie and Hanna had to tell about him. Leo took no prisoners and was a merciless drug-lord, something Cassie hadn’t actually thought still existed off the television screens. Jamie had warned Hanna right from the start not to get too close to his boss during any of his parties, and she had opted to follow his advice.
<
br /> Cassie took comfort in knowing his professional lover always stayed by his side, while the boss-man broke many of their rules and heartlessly worked his way through many of the girls. Hanna had told her Leo was often required to pay some of them off for their silence, thanks to his aggressive sexual preferences.
“Why don’t you say you’ve bought her for the evening, too? We’ll be your girls for the night. Just say you were feeling flush and paid for a threesome with us. We can go along with a little lesbian role-play, can’t we, Cassie?” Hanna offered, one penciled on eyebrow raised. “There might not be a next time. Leo never has parties at his place, does he, Jamie?”
“She’s right, and yeah, if we told people I have already paid for you both, they wouldn’t be allowed to proposition you. You’d have to play it up, though. And, FYI, I’m not against watching the two of you fondle and kiss a little for the maximum effect,” he teased. “It’ll be fun, and if you can’t trust your hooker best friend and her drug-dealer boyfriend-slash-client, who can you trust?” He laughed when Hanna slapped his shoulder in retaliation for the ‘hooker’ comment.
“You’d stay with me the whole time? And no one would try anything?” Cassie asked thoughtfully, genuinely interested.
“Absolutely, we won’t leave each other’s side,” Hanna promised with an enthusiastic smile. “We’ll play it like Jamie’s hired us both for a threesome after the party. We’ll stay with him the entire time and have a bit of fun.”
“Sure, why the hell not?” Cassie sprang from her seat and followed her beaming best friend into the bedroom to start getting ready.
Less than half an hour later, Cassie had changed out of her pajamas and discarded her wine, ready to go and see the big, bad mob-boss’s house. They made their way out of the city and into what seemed like a very normal, suburban area. However, it soon opened out into country roads lined with gated driveways that no doubt led up to mansions with vast grounds and their wealthy owners nestled comfortably inside.
Leo Solomon was no exception to his neighbors in terms of his wealth, and neither was his home. The girls both gasped and watched in awe as Jamie drove them inside the electric gates. Within a few minutes they were led inside, each holding one of Jamie’s arms, and they had to contain their gasps at the lavishly furnished and stunningly decorated home that belonged on a movie set. Cassie took it all in, smiling at the other men and women she made eye contact with, but she kept her body language and affections focused on her supposed client for the evening.
The girls had wanted to go along for the sheer intrigue of the party, but poor Jamie’s funds were running low. Cassie agreed not to take any money from him tonight, seeing the evening as nothing more than three friends going out together to have some fun. They already warned the gentle-natured man they were going to tease him senseless, using their feminine wiles to seduce Jamie and play with his libido before eventually heading off home—Cassie would then retreat to her room and let the pair of them enjoy unwinding their frenzied emotions alone.
“I really think I’m falling for him,” Hanna said back at the apartment when they had a moment alone. “It’s his birthday, and I want to give him tonight as a kind of present. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all. I really like Jamie. He’s always been kind with me, and I already feel like you two are a real couple. I have for ages. He’s my friend, and I know I’m safe with him,” Cassie replied, being honest about the man who was frequently part of her life now. She’d honestly never felt scared or intimidated by him, and was glad Hanna seemed to finally be coming to her senses about Jamie before potentially breaking his heart.
“Good, thanks. I hope you don’t mind, but I told him about you and Jonah. He knows you don’t have sex, but I thought I better let him know the full story so he understands why you’re so careful. Please don’t be mad.” Hanna’s brows furrowed, reflecting her concern.
“I’m not mad, sweetie. It’s better that he knows. He’ll keep me safe, I know it,” she told her, smiling to reassure her friend.
“Absolutely. I’ve already warned him to grab us and take us home if he feels like we might be in trouble. He can make out as if he wants to get his money’s worth or something. I don’t mind. As long as we can go and see this guy’s mansion for a little while, I’ll be one happy girl.”
***
“Champagne?” Jamie led the two ladies over to a small table where a variety of drinks and drugs were on offer to Leo’s guests. Cassie and Hanna each took a glass, but nothing more. Cassie was glad her friend hadn’t had issues with substance abuse. If she did, it would’ve been a deal-breaker right from the offset for them, as she could not be around an addict ever again.
The two of them then went for a lap of the house’s open areas on Jamie’s arm, smiling as they were introduced to his colleagues, but the boss-man himself was nowhere to be seen. Jamie’s co-workers were friendly to the girls, having met Hanna plenty of times, but their attention didn’t linger on them long. These men were not interested in an affectionate ear or a flattering of their egos. They were only interested in sex, so fulfilling their physical needs was the top priority. Cassie stayed quiet, sensing the difference between them and the men she usually entertained at parties.
“Why don’t you two take a seat and amuse yourselves for a few minutes while I talk business with my boys?” Jamie asked them, clearly needing to talk shop out of earshot. Hanna nodded, taking Cassie’s hand and leading her toward a chaise lounge in clear view of the room, but secluded enough for them to be away from most of the partygoers’ gazes.
Looking around at the visually gratifying group of people, Cassie could tell every guy in the room was a drug-dealer or was associated with that business in some way. They may have varied in areas of expertise or the military style rank structure within their boss’s rule, but she knew they were all in the same line of work.
The women, of whom there were at least two to every one man, were all prostitutes. None wore bands or obvious signs of their place in the sex trade, but they were clearly all procured for the enjoyment of the party. They were courtesies, just like the alcohol and drugs, purely for Leo Solomon’s guests to enjoy at their leisure.
“You okay?” Hanna whispered, leaning closer to Cassie so they could talk while maintaining their cool amongst the other partygoers. They had been there over an hour already but were still sipping on their first drinks, careful not to let their hair down while on the job. Cassie was reeling with excitement at being here, trying her best to hide her eagerness.
“I’m fine. This place is amazing,” Cassie whispered back, stroking her hand down her friend’s arm as though they were being flirtatious with one another. They enjoyed playing their roles as Jamie’s upcoming threesome partners and did so with ease because their mutual affection for one another negated the need for any exaggerated deception. Neither one of them was gay, but they were both happy to tease Hanna’s lover and endeavored to give him his tantalizing treats periodically throughout the evening.
“Good to hear.” Hanna tucked a stray lock of hair behind Cassie’s ear.
“Also, I don’t see anyone undressing or doing anything publicly, which is good. They all seem to be taking their partners off to the guest rooms to play,” Cassie added, and Hanna nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, I noticed that too. As long as we stay away from the bedrooms, I think we’ll be okay,” Hanna concurred, brushing her fingertip over Cassie’s top lip and leaning in for a deep, passionate kiss.
Cassie was surprised by her friend’s forwardness at first but went along with it, trusting Hanna not to push her.
She was more than likely only doing it to get Jamie’s attention, so she kissed back just as enthusiastically. Cassie let her tongue delve into Hanna’s mouth, their lips caressing one another’s while their hands stroked each other’s cheeks. When they finally pulled away, they felt eyes on them. They exchanged a grin before turning to look up at the group of men who had silenced their mini-meeti
ng and stopped to watch, evidently enthralled by the action going on before them.
“Boys, if you’ll excuse me,” Jamie said, breaking the quiet that had descended, and the others all headed off in search of a woman or two to enjoy. Jamie slipped down on the chaise between them and placed one hand on each of their cheeks, looking from one to the other with a wicked grin. “Fucking hell, Hanna. Talk about playing on my threesome fantasy,” he joked, making them both smile wider. “Do it again,” he asked, his breath catching with excitement.
Cassie and Hanna obliged, leaning over his lap to kiss again while he watched from just inches away, shuffling in his seat as though his hard-on might already be pressing against his pants uncomfortably.
Chapter 4
“Do you wanna go upstairs?” Jamie whispered, stopping Hanna and Cassie in their tracks. They pulled back from their kiss and eyed him carefully. Cassie could tell Hanna was interested in taking things further. She was flushed and panting after kissing her friend so intimately, and peered longingly at Cassie’s lips, seemingly desperate to taste them again. Cassie knew she was the only thing holding Jamie back from grabbing the two women and leading them upstairs to have his way with them, and she thought it over for a second, the panging in her core driving her toward their shared thrill.
“It’s up to you, sweetie,” Hanna said, stroking her cheek lightly. “We’ll do as much as you feel ready to. You set the boundaries.”
“I won’t try to fuck you, I promise,” Jamie added in a hushed voice, a cheeky grin on his face.
“I should hope not,” Cassie teased, her British accent heavy and seeming far too classy in comparison to the situation at hand. She laughed quietly, but eyed Jamie. She couldn't deny she wanted more, too. “Okay, but I’m out of bounds downstairs,” she whispered, making it clear, and both Hanna and Jamie nodded.