Page 45 of What a Courtesan Wants
“We have a bit of time before Kit and the lads arrive.”
Aubrey avoided his friend’s gaze as he went about his task, pretending to be utterly absorbed with watching little sparks of light flare in each sconce, further illuminating the showroom.
“I realize I might have approached you at the worst possible time the other night,” Benedict began. “And I certainly didn’t mean to eavesdrop … dash it all, Aubrey, will you stop mucking about and look at me? I’m trying to apologize here.”
With a sigh, Aubrey approached one of the counters and leaned against it. “There is nothing to apologize for. You were only doing your job.”
Benedict shook his head. “You are my best friend in the world, and my job comes second to that. And you must know that I don’t only think of you as an avenue of making money. I’ve earned enough of it since we began this agency. I don’t care about the money. I care about you. I just wanted you to know that. Lady Bowery … that woman …”
“I don’t want to talk about her,” he said quickly, smothering the flutter her name caused in his chest before it could grow and swell. “She is my keeper, nothing more.”
Benedict gave Aubrey a look that said he clearly didn’t believe that. “You know, I’ve always believed us to be a lot alike save for one essential difference.”
“What difference is that?”
“You still have a heart. If this enterprise has had a hand in changing that, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“The Gentleman Courtesans saved my business and allowed me to better provide for Lizzy. I am grateful.”
Benedict scratched at the stubble growing along his jaw, his face now clear of the bruising from his last match. He’d have another in a few weeks, after which he might once again turn purple and green.
“Very well. You will let me know if I need to arrange a new contract for you?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I’ll go now, I am certain you have much to do. Dinner and cards at Boodle’s tonight? Dominick has an engagement and Hugh is busy being nauseatingly in love, but David will be there.”
Aubrey opened his mouth to decline because it was Tuesday—a day reserved for Lucinda. But, he reminded himself that he was giving her no more than his cock now, which meant after he was finished slaking his lust with her he would be free to meet his friends. If she even still wanted him. No,he would not go to her until she gave him some inkling how she wished to proceed. She was the one who had changed the rules of their arrangement yet again, so he would wait for her to push or pull him in whatever direction she pleased.
“I would like that. Shall you come for me at the same time as always?”
“Certainly. I’ll see you this evening.”
Benedict left then, passing Kit who was entering the shop with a parcel Aubrey felt certain contained his beloved Chelsea buns. He could conjure no appetite, so when the boys arrived, he urged them to finish off the confections while he immersed himself in his work.
While the morning seemed to drag by, the afternoon and early evening flew past him, and before long the shop lay empty save for him. The sun had begun to set beyond the large front windows. Exhaustion slumping his shoulders, he trudged up the stairs to his private chamber to splash his face with cold water and attempt to rouse himself for an evening out. He wanted to send word to Benedict and David to go on to Boodle’s without him, but did not wish to be alone now that his icy resolve from this morning had begun to melt. As night approached and he found himself alone, it became increasingly difficult for him to maintain his determination.
Insult was added to injury when footsteps on the stairs alerted him to someone’s approach. He sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands as he neglected to investigate the noise. The light footsteps and familiarity of the stride told him who had come.
He felt her presence without looking up, her scent permeating the air as she paused on the threshold. Every hair on his body stood on end, his skin prickling with awareness he could not seem to fight off no matter how hard he tried. His chest ached, his gut twisted, and his pulse pounded with equal parts pain and anticipation.
“Aubrey.”
He flinched as his name on her lips struck him like a whip, despite its softness and the rasp of her tortured voice. Clenching his jaw, he turned his head to look at her, something within him tearing to pieces at the sight she made. He’d never seen a more tragically beautiful person in his life. She wore a dark navy blue that looked nearly black in the low light, a spencer buttoned over a walking dress, a pair of matching gloves. Her skin was pale, her eyes displaying the same exhaustion he felt to his bones.
“My lady,” he ground out, coming slowly to his feet. “What can I do for you this evening?”
Lucinda frowned, her chin trembling as his frigid tone seemed to take her aback for a moment. But then, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin as if prepared to do battle. The only question remained … had she come to fight with him, orforhim?
“Aubrey, please, I …”
No, he could not do this again. He couldn’t stand here while she apologized before returning to treating him like a balm for her pain while inflicting agony. He had to hold firm to his resolve that there could be nothing between them but carnality.
“It’s Mr. Drake if you’ve come to see the draper,” he snapped, hands balling into his fists at his sides. “And, it’s Sir if you’ve come to fuck.”
She blinked, her mouth falling open for a moment before she was able to form words. “I … well, I …”
He approached with slow, measured steps, liquid fire racing through his veins to every corner of his body. His cock pulsed and ached with every step as he allowed his need to swell and overwhelm all else. He became seized with the need to force her compliance, to punish and rule and torment before fucking her within an inch of her life.
