“So happens that’s one of mine as well.”
“And?”
Miquela mused on that. “I’m a yachtswoman. Thinking about purchasing a vessel.”
“A refined woman of the sea. Do you do much of that in Monaco?”
“Of course. It’s a way of life there. You can’t buy a condo or an apartment without a view of the marina. It’s not worth it.”
June gestured to the maze beneath them. “Let’s go for a walk down there. Tell me all about Monaco. I’ve never known someone from there before.”
They put their glasses away before taking a small staircase down to the grounds. June did not touch her as she led Miquela to the entrance of the maze, but she did assure her that she knew it inside and out and would not lead her astray.
Miquela didn’t often get to talk about her homeland. In Europe, everyone she conversed with either knew Monaco intimately or had been there enough times to not need her insider’s opinion on it. Americans didn’t give a shit unless she was talking about Monte Carlo or Formula 1. Occasionally, someone asked about the sailing and shopping, but for the most part, they couldn’t be assed to hear about the culture, the language, how people spoke and acted when compared to neighbors France and Italy. Such people either didn’t care or were ignorant enough to think it was all the same thing.
“You ever see Grace Kelly?” It was such an American thing to ask, but it made Miquela laugh as they turned the first corner in the maze.
“She was before my time,” she said. “I’ve had dinner with various members of royalty many times, though.”
“Really?” June’s shock was real and palpable.
“Yes, really. You have to understand that it’s a way of life in Monaco. It’s a small country and, quite frankly, contains very rich families. We may not be on the same level as royalty, but we have many connections from every corner.”
“And no taxes.”
“There’s that, too.” Miquela grinned. “Although I have properties all over Europe and now in America, so I do pay a good share of taxes to other countries.”
“Good citizen.” June dragged her rose along a hedge, one petal falling to the stonework beneath them. “Think of all the schools and roads your money goes toward.”
“And other things.”
“We don’t discuss the other things around here.” June returned to her, rose hitting the tip of her nose. “Unless you want to.”
“I’d rather not.” Miquela flicked the other side of the rose. “I’d rather talk about other things. Like you.”
“Me?”
Miquela dared to slip an arm around her waist. June let her. The softness of the dress threatened to do Miquela in.When do I get to have you?“Yes, you. Tell me about yourself, June. Tell me the truth, tell me a lie… it doesn’t matter. But if you lie, it better be a good one.”
June’s head cocked to the left before she laughed loudly enough to wake up the neighbors miles away. “I’ll tell you the truth.”
Whether that was a lie, Miquela did not know, but the tale June wove as they walked was certainly fascinating. She didn’t finish a degree. She went straight into the adult industry, where she tried various things until working her way up to the Manoir, and she wasn’t stopping anytime soon. She had traveled to various places around the world, depending on where clients wanted to take her. Mostly Europe, South America, and East Asia. Never Monaco, though. Perhaps she should go someday.Is that prompting me to take you?June would be beyond gorgeous sitting at a café, shopping for designer wear, or blowing on dice for good luck. Taking her out on a yacht would be a highlight of Miquela’s day.I’d love to see that hair blowing in the Monacan breeze.June would have no trouble looking like a girlfriend if they went walking down the street.
Looking like a girlfriend…
What is my problem?Miquela did not bother with such things. Let alone with a…
Whatever she wanted to call her.
“Anyway, I haven’t been anywhere in a few months. My patron took me to Mexico for the holidays, but I’m afraid I’m not going anywhere soon.”
“Why’s that?”
June sat on a stone bench in the crook of a hedge. Miquela remained standing. From her vantage, she saw the moonlight swirling on top of June’s golden head… and in her cleavage. Bless them both. “My patron moved to Dubai. Suffice it to say, I’m single in this world now.”
“Is that so?” Wheels were already spinning in Miquela’s head.So, she is available to a patron?Depending on how tonight went, it might not be a bad idea to put in a bid for her retainer. Miquela did like having one girl on call wherever she went. June was the only one she had auditioned for the part so far, but she couldn’t imagine anyone being much better. In the Manoiralone, there wasn’t anyone else who struck her fancy. Not like June did.
“Uh-huh.” Her fingers danced through strands of hair. “Unfortunate, isn’t it?” She batted her eyelashes at Miquela. Why, was June courting her?
