Page 13 of Unlock My Heart

“Well, I’m not entirely sure how to answer that.” I frown. “I’ve never had sex…”

Jade’s pen skids across the paper.

“It won’t be a problem,” I say in a rush, terrified she’s going to rescind the offer. “I’ll watch porn and read up on all the different positions and kinks⁠—”

“A problem? Sweetie, virginity is the jackpot!” Jade says excitedly. “We’ll set up an auction, and the highest bidder gets first dibs. Look at it this way: if it’s a shit first-time experience, at least you’re getting paid,” she sells me. “And if it’s a memorable one, then you’ll have the experience plus the money.”

“Makes sense to me.” Weirdly, it does. If I don’t have any expectations about my first time, then I can’t be disappointed.

“I’ll go over the logistics of the auction with Mr. D’Amico.”

“Oh,” I say, an uncomfortable feeling washing over me.

“Mr. D’Amico oversees the ‘hostess’ operation,” she explains. “A lot of girls fuck him for free, thinking that’ll give them a leg up. It won’t,” she warns.

“That won’t be a temptation,” I assure her.

“Smart girl. Now, as I said, Mr. D’Amico oversees the hostesses, but I run this ship. Nothing gets by me, so you’d better not be fucking with me about you being a virgin.” She points her bony finger at me.

“I’m not fucking with you,” I promise.

“How is this possible?” She leans back in her chair, examining me.

“I grew up sheltered.” Not that I was trying to uphold the “law of chastity,” but the holier-than-thou boys didn’t do it for me. And with the creepy bishopric interrogations about everyone’s sex life, it was easier for me to simply not have one.

“Oh well. The boys’ loss is our gain.” She rubs her hands together. “So between now and your debut, get your hair blown out. You’re a double-fetish package being a natural redhead,” she muses. “Nails done. Keep up your skincare routine. Get a professional bikini wax, but don’t get any of your pubic hair taken off.”

“The curtains should match the drapes?” That reminds me of the hot drunk guy. I didn’t see him again for the rest of my shift, not that I was looking for him or anything…

“Exactly. And most importantly, keep that cherry unpopped.”

“The last one isn’t a problem; the others will be a bit harder because I don’t have much cash,” I admit. My first paycheck from the hotel doesn’t land until next week, and I’m running dangerously low on my reserve funds.

“It takes money to make money,” she says dismissively. “If you want something bad enough, you’ll figure it out.”

I nod resolutely. “Consider it done.”

“Good. Because we’re talking big bucks here, Sienna. A sixty/forty house split, so you’re looking at making upwards of twenty grand your first night.”

My eyes go wide. “Twenty grand.” That would be enough cash to cover an apartment and the first year of design school.

“Now, don’t get used to those big numbers,” she warns. “But for whatever fucked up reason, men like hymen blood on their cocks. You on birth control?”

“No.”

She reaches into her desk, sliding over a pill box. “Here’s a starter pack to tide you over until you can get into the clinic.” She produces a card, tapping it before sliding it to me. “This doc handles the monthly STD testing for all the girls. Everything’s confidential unless you screen positive for an STD. In which case, I’m notified, and I put you on the reserve list until you’re medically cleared for work.”

I swallow, nodding.

“The testing is just a precautionary measure; clients must always wear condoms. Now, they’ll offer to tip big if you let them go bare.”

“But I thought you said clients must always wear condoms?”

She shrugs. “What two consenting adults do behind closed doors isn’t my business.”

“What about the men? Are they tested as well?” I wonder.

Jade shakes her head. “It doesn’t work like that.”