Courtesan

by S. C. Daiko

  Ah, at last, he slides me up his body, and he kisses me. His tongue moves against mine; his breath becomes my breath. His hand is between my folds, massaging my pearl, re-waking my lust. He tweaks my nub, and I give a yelp. I lower my tied hands around his shaft and guide him into me.

  Nothing feels like being filled by a man. And no two men are alike in this. ’Tis not just the length and breadth of his prick, but so many things. His weight upon me, the sweat and salt of his skin. His scent. His taste. I close my eyes to shut out everything but this man, for truly he does have my heart. He thrusts into me, and my body squeezes tight around him, a tight knot of love.

  Three hard thrusts and I’m shrieking my release, but he keeps on going, fucking, fucking, fucking me and I’m there again, joy cascading through me. His essence fills me, pushing me into even greater spasms.

  He rains warm kisses down my face and neck. I spoon myself around his back, and we lie there, spent.

  Ludovico and Andrew come back to the bed. I feel Marco tense for a moment, and then relax. Ludovico is behind me, spooning around me so that I’m held in a warm embrace between him and Marco. Andrew has no choice but to lie across the bed at our heads. He kisses my damp brow. ‘Good night, sweet Veronica. Sleep well.’

  I feel adored, protected, and vindicated. What a day it has been! I became a warrior and used the weapon of intelligence to slice through Rodolfo’s accusations and face up to the Inquisition. Down with the victimisation of women! ’Tis my fervent hope that, one day, there will be mutual respect and equality between the sexes.

  After extricating myself from the tangle of limbs on the bed I go to my desk, pick up my quill, dip it into the bottle of ink, and write:

  As if suddenly shaken awake from deep sleep, I gained courage from the danger I’d escaped, though a woman, born to trivial tasks; and, weapon in hand, I learned warrior’s skills, so that, by bearing arms, I learned that women by nature are no less able than men...

  I sense Marco at my side. He puts his arm around me. ‘You are without equal on this earth,’ he whispers.

  ‘I love you, Marco. I love you above all others.’

  He holds me close and I lift my chin to receive his kiss.

  The End

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  So many people have helped me along this amazing road of writing novels. I don’t know what I’d have done without my fantastic editor, John Hudspith. Johnny, your suggestions have helped make my courtesans even more captivating, I’m sure. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  I’d also like to thank Jade West, whose advice has helped me while writing and promoting Theodora and Veronica. I’m grateful to Letitia Hasser, my cover designer, for a truly gorgeous design. Also to Tracy Smith Comerford, for her help with introducing Courtesan to the world. Thanks, Tracy, for the promotion packets and thank you, also, to the bloggers who’ve shared them.

  I owe a debt of gratitude to my beta readers Ann Bennett, Nolene Driscoll, Clare Leonard and Fiona Phillips. Thanks, ladies, for reading and commenting on my draft manuscript.

  Thank you also to the members of my Facebook group, Siobhan’s Courtesans, for hanging out with me, sharing my posts and being so lovely.

  Last, but not least, I thank you, dear reader, for downloading this book.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  The romance between Justinian (c. 482 – 14 November 565) and Theodora (c. 500 – 28 June 548) must be one of the greatest love stories of all time. She was a courageous and influential woman. While I have tried to follow historical evidence for details of Theodora’s life, this is a work of fiction and should be read as such. I have relied solely on my own imagination to bring alive her sexual relationship with Justinian. What is certain, however, is that her influence on him was so strong that, after her death, he worked to bring harmony between the two groups of Christians in the Empire, and he kept his promise to protect the little community of religious refugees that she established in the Hormisdas Palace.

  The following books have provided me with information and inspiration:

  Duffy, Stella, Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore, London, 2010

  Hesse, Marié, The Colour of Power: A Story of Theodora, Empress of Byzantium, Kindle edition, 2011

  Thornton, Stephanie, The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora, New York, 2012

  ***

  Veronica Franco was a courtesan who was born in Venice in 1546. My novella is inspired by her life, but it’s a work of fiction not a biography, and should be read as such. When reading her poems and letters, though, I was struck by the force of her personality and I hope I have managed to bring the feisty Veronica to life on the page. I’ve taken the fictional Veronica’s poems from the historical Veronica’s Terze Rime, adapting them for the modern reader. Her lovers’ names are authentic, but the erotic scenes between them spring from my imagination.

  The following books have helped with my research and inspiration:

  Dunant, Sarah, In the Company of the Courtesan, London, 2013.

  Fiorato, Marina, The Venetian Contract, London 2012

  Kimm, Gabrielle, The Courtesan’s Lover, London 2011

  Rosenthal, Margaret F. The Honest Courtesan: Veronica Franco, Citizen and Writer in Sixteenth-Century Venice. Chicago, 1992.

  Jones, Ann Rosalind and Rosenthal, Margaret F. Veronica Franco, Poems and Selected Letters, Chicago, 1998

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  S. C. Daiko is an erotic romance author who loves to talk dirty and write even dirtier.

  When she isn’t bringing her fantasies to life on the page, she enjoys the sweet life of the Veneto in northern Italy – where she lives with her husband and two cats.

  She writes historical fiction under the name Siobhan Daiko.

  Teaser Chapter from “Three: A Menage Erotic Romance” Released May 24 2016

  1

  Lauren

  I kick off my work shoes and flop on the lumpy old couch, stretching my arms above my head to ease the tension in my shoulder muscles. The sound of hip hop reverberates from the bathroom; the door bursts open and my roommate Vicki appears, a towel wrapped around her petite frame. She shakes water from her short, dark hair and sits herself down.

  “Hey, hon. How’d your last day at Seattle Coffee Machines go?” She makes quote marks around the name of my ex-employer with her fingers, like it’s a concept not a real place. Vicki is a grade school teacher and can’t get her head around the fact that I actually find inanimate objects interesting.

  I sigh. “I’m kinda sad to be leaving.”

  “A lil’ late to be having second thoughts, isn’t it?”

  “I’m not having second thoughts. It’s just nerves. I mean, product design is all about teamwork and I’ll need to get used to a new team in a new country.”

  Vicki giggles. “At least you’re already used to the boss man.”

  A flush blooms up my neck. Max Conti is CEO of Conti Coffee in Rome and my mentor, but I doubt I’ll ever fully get ‘used’ to him. I glance at my watch and get to my feet. “He’ll be waiting for me to connect with him online.”

  Vicki laughs. “Don’t think I don’t know what you and Mr Sexy Italian get up to on the internet. Have fun and we’ll have even more fun later. I hope you haven’t forgotten our plan for a night out…”

  “Sure thing, kiddo.” I make an effort to sound enthusiastic. “We’ll hit those bars and get hammered just as soon as I’ve finished with Max.”

  I go to my room. Graced by a single bed, a desk, a low table and a wardrobe, it’s homely and comfortable. I’m glad I’m not moving out completely, and will keep paying my share of the rent while I’m away. I just hope the experience I’ll gain while working on the smart coffeemaker design in Italy will make it easy for me to get another job when I return.

  Butterflies in my tummy, I change into a strapless black lacy bra that pushes up my boobs, and simple black V-string panties. Even though Max and I always start our Skype calls by cybering, I can’t help feeling a little n
ervous each time. He introduced me to the BDSM lifestyle three years ago, and I can’t get enough of it. I can’t get enough of Max either, I’m addicted to him, although I doubt he feels the same way about me.

  After pouring myself a glass from the bottle of wine I bought on the way home, I position a cushion on the floor and place my laptop on the low table next to a couple of wooden clothes pins. Then I kneel, log on to Skype and wait; I don’t have to wait long. The ringtone sounds and, with my heart thudding, I click the answer icon ready for my fix.

  Max appears on the screen and, as usual, he takes my breath away. Almost-black hair that reaches to his collar, close-cropped beard, dark eyes with gold flecks, and a smile to melt hearts. Except, we’re not romantically involved – it’s one of his rules – and that suits me fine, I tell myself. What I feel for Max is lust, pure lust, and I love submitting to him, kinky freak that I am.

  His beautiful eyes burn through cyberspace. “You look absolutely gorgeous, cara.” He’s called me the Italian equivalent of dear for the past couple years and I like it, really like it, even though I’d hate to be called dear in my own language. I also like his sexy Italian accent, especially the way he rolls the letter ‘r’.

  I stare at my image at the bottom of the screen, my lanky light brown hair in need of a re-style, my pale complexion. “Not exactly gorgeous, Max. But thanks, anyway.”

  He smiles and lifts a flute of sparkling wine. “Cheers!”

  “Cheers!” I knock back half my glass; it’ll help get me into the right mood.

  “Are you ready, cara?”

  I nod.

  “Hold your hands behind you and roll back your shoulders.”

  My boosted tits appear at the bottom of the screen. I watch him looking at them, enjoying them for a few moments. “Pop those gorgeous breasts out of the top of your bra, Lauren. You know what to do.”

  I pull down my bra and clip clothes pins onto my already-hardened nipples. The pressure sends delicious sparks to my pussy.

  “Lower your panties.” His voice is a soft purr. “Part your knees and angle the screen so I can see the gap between your thighs and your mound.” He pauses while I get into position. “That’s perfect, Lauren.” My slit is in full view; I always keep it neatly shaved.

  Max’s hands reach up to stroke his beard. God, I want those hands on me. “Can you feel my hungry eyes devouring your pretty pink lips? Imagine I can smell the sweet scent of your tight little pussy.”

  Imagination is all I have for now. That, and my own devices. I can’t wait to be with him in the flesh next week.

  A lustful burn spreads through my wetness and I release a moan.

  He’s studying my pussy with his dazzling dark eyes. “I want you to visualize me touching you. Think about how it would feel if I ran my fingers up the insides of your legs.”

  Goosebumps spread across my body. I bunch my hands into fists and suck in a sharp hiss of breath, heat smoldering between my thighs. “Yes, sir.”

  “Imagine my fingers are higher now, and they’re slipping slowly into you.”

  My hips rock and I let out a soft whimper. “Please, sir.”

  “Please, what?”

  “Tell me to touch myself.”

  “All in good time, cara, all in good time.”

  It’s our usual routine; he makes me wait until I’m beyond desperate. My clit already feels like a throbbing pearl.

  “Tilt the screen so I can see your face again, then open your mouth.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Perfect. Suck in two fingers, and, at the same time imagine my hard cock sliding through your lips and down into the depths of your throat.”

  I slip my fingers past my lips, and curl my tongue around them.

  That’s wonderful, Lauren. I can picture you looking up at me, your beautiful lips wrapped around my cock as you surrender to me.”

  I can only moan.

  “Tilt the screen down again and touch yourself.” Each word is like a caress to my nipples and they stiffen in response.

  “Rub your hard little nub for me, Lauren, and plough your delightful little pussy.”

  Finally!

  I strum my clit, and I’m sure he can hear the sound of my wetness. “I want you to come. I want to watch you lose yourself.” He’s working his cock – I know he is from the tension in his voice.

  I slip two fingers into my cunt and close my eyes. The sensation grows and the tingles build. My hips rock and my hand moves frantically, a mewling sound escaping from the back of my throat. And then I break. On a high-pitched cry, I explode. My whole body judders and an orgasm rocks through me, wave after wave after wave of quivering ecstasy.

  Max’s eyes glint. “That’s beautiful, cara. Now put your fingers in your mouth, suck off your juices, enjoy the taste of your deliciousness.”

  I raise my fingers to my lips and lick them, loving how dirty this makes me feel.

  He smiles. “Delightful.”

  I sit back on my knees. Shall I do it? Ask the forbidden question? Fuck it, why not? “Show me your cock, Max! Show me how you get yourself off! I want to see your cum coating your fingers.”

  And his reaction is just as I expect. “Cazzo, Lauren. I’ve told you before. I am your dom and you, as my submissive, should not try to take charge. If I were with you now I would spank your bottom.”

  I bow my head so he can’t see me smile. “Yes, sir.” Although I’ve chosen to submit to Max, I can’t help pushing the boundaries. And when he cusses in Italian, using the word ‘cazzo’ instead of ‘fuck’ it’s sexy as hell.

  Max strokes his beard. “Good girl. Let’s talk business now.”

  He sure likes to be in control, and sometimes I think I’d like to remove the stick from his ass; but then he wouldn’t be my dom, and that’s what I love about him. So I unclip the pins from my nipples, push my boobs back into my bra, reach for a t-shirt and settle myself on the bed. “Will you meet me at the airport on Monday?”

  “Of course. You’ll have a day to settle in before we are joined by Steve.”

  I’ll be staying at Max’s villa along with Steve Green, who’ll manage software development for the project. “What’s he like?” I’ve googled him, and the pictures of him show a real hottie.

  “He’s brilliant. Kind of crazy, but simpatico. Coincidentally, I saw him play at Explicit in London a while ago. You know that BDSM Club I told you about? I was pleasantly surprised when I found out he had all the right credentials for the project.”

  “That sure was a coincidence. Will he be joining us in your playroom?” My heart skips a beat at the thought. Max knows his shit and has every whip, cane, paddle, dildo, nipple clamp and BDSM device you can think of. He said Steve is simpatico, which means likeable, easy to get on with. Hmm…

  “I doubt he would enjoy our kind of play, cara.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll find out when you meet him. The main thing is that you work well together on the project.”

  Max

  I lie back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. We’re nine hours ahead of Seattle and it’s well past three in the morning. Not that I mind – just the sight of Lauren’s pretty pink pussy has made staying up worthwhile. Cazzo, I long to touch her in the flesh and smell her unique sweetness.

  I slip my hand under the sheet and take hold of my cock. She came so fast I didn’t have time to finish. My fingers itch to spank her for provoking me. Just a game, I know, but Lauren Price can be a tease. I like that about her, her playful side, it entices me to assert my dominance. Thinking about her, I rub my hardness until my balls draw up tight into my body, and spurts of hot cum spill out over my fingers.

  I go for a shower and stand under the jets of warm water, thoughts of the project buzzing through my mind. Since taking over the company from Papà on his retirement from ill-health last year, I’ve been looking for a way to make my mark. My dream of an intelligent appliance designed to enjoy live links to the internet and connect to mobile p
hones was at first only a foolish delusion. Brewing and even storing coffee correctly is highly challenging. So a coffee brewer this advanced would have to be amazingly robotic and use different technology to the drip machines we’ve manufactured to date. And it would have to be affordable. Now we have the know-how to proceed, and I’m relishing the challenge. Steve Green’s software skills along with Lauren’s design capabilities will help me achieve my aim, hopefully, and I can’t wait for the team to assemble.

  What will Lauren make of Steve? Maybe I should’ve told her he’s gay, that I saw him as the bottom in a ‘spit roast’ at Club Explicit, a cock in his mouth and another up his ass while his dominant wielded a flogger down his back. He’s one crazy guy, a couple of years younger than I am, and he has a wicked sense of humor. I close my eyes and remember Giovanni, the friend I grew up with. Steve reminds me of him in so many ways…

  Ah, Lauren. It’s been a pleasure watching her mature into the independent, strong young woman she is today. She was a naïve girl when her university arranged for us to offer her that internship three years ago. God, how she’s matured! When I visited her at the end of last autumn to offer her this job, I was wowed by her. She must be twenty-seven now and the five-year difference in our ages, so obvious when I first met her, is now negligible. Not my usual type by any means – she’s not as showy – I find her absolutely enchanting. And I can’t wait to meet her at the airport and hold her in my arms again.