“Well, of course you did,” he said. “You were a fantastic Butterfly. I should know.”
The tension eased from Eden’s shoulders, but she still sighed. “I’m serious. It’s so much money for one weekend’s work.”
“I know it is.”
“You’re not mad, are you?”
“What? That you were invited back? I’d be more annoyed if you didn’t make the cut.”
“I know how some guys can be. Plus, you know what La Mariposa is like.”
“I sure do. And I’ve been there enough times to know that there are a lot of repeat Butterflies getting their bags of cash. They seem to go for a good mix of regulars they can rely on and fresh blood.”
“At least you didn’t sayfresh meat.”
“Eden…” Liam turned to her, arm looping with hers. “If you’re bringing this up like this, I’m assuming that means you’re thinking about it. When is it?”
“May.”
“When do you have to answer by?”
“Not for a while. Why? You think I should do it?”
“I’m not saying whether you should do it or not.”
“I can’t believe I actually brought this up…”
There was that tension again. Was she blushing? Hard to tell with her hair in the way and with her lying so much lower than him.She must be embarrassed.Liam got it, even though he wasn’t a woman. Other men could be jealous. Violently jealous. They hadn’t spoken much about Eden’s dating history outside of her sugar daddies, but Liam was under the impression that there had been a few “winners” she was constantly comparing him and Benson to.
“Is it just the money you want, love?” he asked. “Or did you enjoy the other parts?”
She was blushing so hard that he was almost afraid she might pass out.
“You can’t piss me off in this situation, I promise. I’m not the jealous one.”
He winced after saying that, because he – rightfully – implied that Benson was the more jealous type.He’s the type to definitely want to be involved if his partner is getting some.Situations like these were exceptions. Benson knew Liam, for better or worse.Hey, I almost said some vows like that…
“It’s weird to talk about with your boyfriend,” Eden said. “Dunno why I brought it up.”
“Because you’re thinking about doing it. For the money, at least. Which I can’t blame you. You’ll double your money in a quarter.”
Eden sighed again.
“If it were just up to me, I’d tell you to do it if you wanted. Might be an awkward weekend for your boyfriend, but think of all the stories you’d have…” Oh, who was he kidding? Liam would be more worried. La Mariposa ran the tightest safety ship to ensure the contentment of their employees, but things had happened before. Guests could be wildcards. Sometimes, a girl couldn’t handle what was expected of her or realized that the way she was trying to cope with past trauma didn’t work the way she thought it would.I’ve heard it all before.
“Well, it’s not just up to you,” Eden said.
“Nope. Ben is not going to like it.”
Eden sat up on her rear and wrapped her arms around her bent legs. As she rested her chin against her knees, she said, “I never thought my life would be like this. Not just the romance part of it – which is wild enough as it is – but the whole sex work thing. Even if I do something no-touch like the Salon, it’s still part of that world, isn’t it? I never thought I’d be doing anything like this.”
“Then don’t, if that’s not what you want for your life.”
“But what if I don’t know?” She turned, a more vulnerable visage exposed to him. “Liam, this whole journey started because I needed a job. It was all luck in knowing the right people at the right time. I couldn’t turn down that kind of money. I told myself I’d invest it. I’d figure out a way to launch my own non-erotic business or pay for training in some other industry. But now I’m like… what am I doing? I’ve just been fucking around. Not to say I don’t enjoy my time with you and Ben, but…”
He rested his hand on her back. “It’s okay.”
“I told myself I’d take advantage of my youth and looks while I could.”
