Me
I miss you too.
His reply is swift.
Dameon
I have an offer for you. One you’ll find hard to refuse. And no, not in a “dead horse head in your bed” kind of way. Interested?
Cute, Mr. Hayward. Okay, I’ll bite.
Me
What’s your proposition?
Dameon
Meet me at Eden for Le Jardin tonight.
Not what I was expecting, but I don’t really care where we meet as long as I get to see him.
Me
I’ll be there. x
I slide my phone back into my desk drawer, my shoulders bunching in excitement. Little does he know, I’m already at Eden, sorting through a backlog of applications. Curious, I pull up the member list for Le Jardin tonight and find Dameon’s name on it.When did he get added?He wasn’t on the list this morning when I checked the schedule. I browse through the goddesses’ names and am surprised to find my own name listed there as well.
The office door swings open, and in walks Madame Sophia, her long red hair pulled back into a tight ponytail that sways behind her.
“Oh, good, you’re here already.” She looks me over, and her red lips curl up in a satisfied smile. “Well, well, well. Welcome back, Ms. Mann. Nice to see you’ve rejoined the land of the living.”
I roll my eyes and playfully stick out my tongue at her. Childish, I know, but I’m feeling almost giddy.
“Did you add me to Le Jardin tonight?” I ask.
She nods. “I did. Dameon called in a favor this morning, asking for both of you to be added to the list. You know I don’t make changes to the schedule once it gets locked in, but I can’t stand to see you walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders any longer.” She perches on the corner of my desk and crosses her legs. “You’re totally killing the vibe around here.”
“Sorry to be a bummer,” I drawl.
“Just get back together already and save everyone from witnessing your bleeding heart. It’s depressing as fuck.”
I burst out laughing. I didn’t realize I was such a buzzkill.
“I’ve made sure he’s first up tonight. The last thing we need is for you to be chosen by another client.” Her eyes practically hit the ceiling as she shakes her head.
“Thank you, Sophia. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Of course I do. Why do you think I did it?” She smiles warmly and saunters out of my office with a sway of her hips. I glance at the clock: Two hours until we open, four hours until Le Jardin. I blow out a nervous breath. Waiting is all I seem to be doing lately, and I’m over it. Time has made me her bitch once again. But it ends tonight.
Bring it on.
***
I kneel naked, my spine straight, knees spread, and head lowered. A position of complete submission, just like the other goddesses on stage with me. It’s been well over a year since I took part in Le Jardin. When I first started here, I was eager to participate every week. The pay was good, and it satisfied my needs better than random hook-ups that always left me wanting more. But after a while, the novelty wore off, and I lost interest. I only participated when I knew Dameon was on the list, as he would always choose me. Over time, I preferred to take on an administrative role and help to guide new goddesses in this industry.
That break from the spotlight must be why my heart is hammering now. Nervous anticipation swirls around me, enveloping the entire stage. It’s an addictive sensation. Knowing that Dameon is in the crowd, watching me, adds to the excitement. I hear Madame Sophia stepping onto the stage to take over my role and make the introductions. A few moments later, when she announces the commencement, Dameon’s polished black shoe appears in my line of sight.
“Let’s go, kitten.” The rumble of his voice hits me hard, and it takes everything I have not to burst into tears. It’s been so long since I’ve heard the rough timbre of his voice. How I’ve yearned to hear those words whispered in my ear. He holds out his hand, and I rise from my knees. He links his hand with mine, and we walk off stage together. All I want to do is raise my head and look into his eyes, to search them, to see whether he missed me just as much as I’ve missed him.
