Mel backs down first, which is weird. She stands and brushes her dress off. “Fine, but if you mess with her—”
“Yes, you’ll personally carve me a new face. I understand your gang speak. Now go on.” Black uses the most condescending tone I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe Mel doesn’t say anything back, but she doesn’t. Instead, there’s a languid smirk on her face that clearly accompanies the word, BITCH.
Black turns back to me and doesn’t notice, or care. “Well, hurry up!”
I dress quickly and pull on the bra and panty set. Another shelf bra. The underwire cuts into my sides because it’s a size too small. My boobs look like popovers in this thing, which isn’t a look I usually go for. It’s not the 60’s, no one likes cone-shaped boobs anymore. I walk out and Black hands me a little charcoal gray dress. “Uh, Miss Black, this doesn’t fit.”
Her eyes flick up from her desk and she looks me over. “It’s fine. This client will enjoy it. Get the dress on and get out of here.”
Gabe is waiting for me downstairs. The ground looks like a sheet of glass. It’s been raining, which makes the city lights sparkle on the ground. I love the city when it rains, especially since I don’t have to try and catch a cab. I duck into the car and lose a boob as I climb in. It falls out of the too-small bra and peeps out the top of my low-cut neckline. Horrified, I tuck it back into the bra as Gabe walks around the car and lets himself in. He doesn’t say anything.
We drive to another hotel, to meet another client. My stomach is twisting ruthlessly as I cross the lobby. It isn’t until I lift my hand to knock on the door that I realize that I never saw this guy’s picture or caught his name. All the bickering between Black and Mel had me distracted. Just as I raise my fist to knock, the door opens and a hotel employee greets me.
“Good evening, Miss. Your husband said he’d be along shortly and asked me to make some preparations to your room. I hope everything is to your liking. There’s a letter on the desk, from Mr. Charles. He asked that you read it immediately and apologized for his delay.” The young man holds the door open for me and I step inside.
For a second my heart is pounding, but when I glance around the room there are roses everywhere. Some of the jitters float away as I stand there. Then it dawns on me to tip the guy. I stuff twenty bucks into his palm and thank him.
When he leaves, it’s clear that I’m alone. “Well, let’s see where Mr. Charles has gone to...” I can’t believe he made a fuss about me being here and then didn’t show up. I still get paid, so whatever.
After finding the letter, I tear it open and read the note. I stare at it for a second longer than I should, not believing what I’m reading. It can’t be…
My phone chirps and I drop the letter. Grabbing my purse, I yank out my phone and look down at the screen. It’s Sean. A smile softly laces across my face.
There’s a text message.
Avery, are you there?
Yes, I type back with a stupid smile on my face. He really booked me again? Maybe he doesn’t want to let me go and just can’t say it yet. I cradle the phone to my chest like it’s Sean and giggle.
Do you understand what I want us to do? He explained it in his letter. Since he can’t be here, Sean wants to be dirty with me from afar.
Heart pounding, I type back, Sexting, right?
Pretty much. I couldn’t be there, but I had to have you.
Miss Black will have a coronary if she finds out about this. Pictures are discouraged and sexting is strictly forbidden. But it’s Sean... I start to ask him if he cleared it with Black, but erase the message. I want to be with him and if he didn’t, I’d rather not know. As it is, I wonder what Gabe will report since he isn’t going to see Sean walk in or out.
I’m not sure what to do, or what to type. How do we even start something like this? I flat out tell him, I haven’t done this before…
A few seconds pass and he writes back, It’s okay. I’ll tell you what to do and you do it. That’s all. It’s not hard, Avery… Stand in front of the mirror and take a picture of yourself. I want to see what you’re wearing.
I walk to the mirror and click the picture. After I hit send, another message appears.
Remove the dress and send another…
My heart flutters. This is weird. There’s no one to talk to, no one to look at, but I do it anyway. This is what he wants. Besides, I’ve never done it before. Maybe it’s not going to be weird the whole time. Slipping the dress off my shoulders, I take another picture showcasing my cleavage and perky nipples, but it doesn’t feel sexy. I’m too nervous. I click send and glance around the room.