Page 23 of The Upgrade

“That tracks.” I’m getting the hang of the system now. “Do guests select from a menu of consorts first, or are consorts assigned to the enchantment?”

“Also an excellent question.” Kora turns back to the laptop. “A few days before arrival, each guest fills out a questionnaire. Personal tastes, special fantasies, hard limits and curiosities. We use that information to assign consorts to each chosen enchantment.” She pulls up a guest’s full profile and nods at the screen. “For example, here’s a guest arriving today. If you look at this field here, you’ll see her list of specific desires.”

I peer at the screen and read off the typed lines of text. There’s basic info like preferred massage pressure—firm—and bathwater temp—between 98 and 100 degrees.There’s a section for sexual adventures she’s tried in the past and would like to sample again—threesomes with two men—plus new things she’d like to explore while she’s here.

It’s a damn impressive list. Whoever this woman is, she’s looking to try lots of things while she’s here.

“I see the guest’s room number, but not her name.” I peer at the top of her profile page. “What do I call the guest if there’s no name attached to the file?”

“Another good question.” Kora toggles to the top of the screen. “Many of our guests have privacy concerns. Trust issues, if you will.”

“Understandable.”

She looks pleased I get it. “They’ve done all the requisite health screening, signed forms, and reviewed our non-disclosure pledge, but they’re still reluctant to disclose personal details.”

That tracks, too. “I guess ‘hey, you’ can do in a pinch?”

Kora gives me a tight smile. “In this case”—she tips her head back toward the monitor—“the guest ticked boxes for ‘ma’am’ or ‘mistress.’ Those are acceptable ways to address her. Others select pseudonyms, or there’s the occasional cheeky guest who chooses honorifics like, ‘your majesty’ or ‘empress.’” Her smile takes on an amused tilt. “Generally speaking, most guests will disclose their real names in a day or two. It’s our job to create a safe space so they feel comfortable sharing.”

“That makes perfect sense.” I watch through the window as a muscular man with a U.S. Marine Corps tattoo on one shoulder strides past the pool deck. He waves to a trio of women gathered poolside, his long, relaxed stride showcasing the goods as he flashes a smile that spells sex. I give the guy mad props for it. All the consorts I’ve observed seem confident and comfortable in their skin.

“I read that all consorts are paid identical wages, but am I remembering correctly that special requests get a bonus?”

“That’s right.” Kora’s smile turns a little bit saucy. “Consorts with particulartalentsget assigned more frequently.”

“Got it.” I already know Crystal Bliss employs more than five-dozen consorts. Not all at once, and some cycle in for only a month or two. There’s another Jilted Brides property somewhere in the Mediterranean, but for now I’m just hired to study this one.

Kora squints at the screen. “Oh, wait.” She taps a few keys. “This guest arrived early. Looks like she caught the first shuttle boat.”

I glance back at the profile we’d been studying. “She’s here?”

“She checked in a few hours ago.” Kora scans through the profile again. “She’s already requested her first service.”

“What is it?” I peer at the laptop, trying to make out the order. “Private outdoor massage?”

“The Bliss Kitty Sensuous Surprise.” She clicks some more keys, then turns to size me up. “You fit her profile nicely. Would you like to make her your first guest?”

A tiny thrill rolls through me. I’m ready for this. Ready to shake off lingering thoughts of Eve’s smooth skin.

“Anything special I should know?”

Kora scans the page. “Looks like dirty talk and praise kink are listed among her turn-ons, but she’s requested no talking for this service.”

“Is that common?”

“Very. Especially when guests first arrive.”

“No talking at all?”

“You can ask if the pressure’s too light or too firm. If she’d prefer music or the sound of the ocean.”

“She just doesn’t want small talk.” That makes sense. Massage is about relaxation.

Massage with a happy ending, though?—

“She’s included some notes about what sort of sexual stimulation she welcomes with this enchantment.” She turns the screen so I can read it better. “Oral’s allowed if she requests it, but no p/v penetration to start. Be sure you review all the file notes.”

“Of course.” I scan through the checkmarks on the screen to make sure I know all her limits.

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