Page 36 of Her Patron
“Well… that’s good.”
“So, what should we do tonight?” June climbed up on the bed, revealing that she wore nothing but her own skin beneath her hotel bathrobe. “I could eat you out. Or I could let you eat me out. How about you lie back, relax, and let me do every bit of work? You’re a hardworking girl, Sette…” June’s finger dropped down and grazed her chest. “You need someone to help you stay relaxed.”
Sette looked askance at her. This was the first time in weeks that June had been so candid about their arrangement. Usually, they started having sex, and Sette was subsequently charged for whatever June felt like charging her for. Sometimes, she charged for everything. Other times, she let certain things slide.
Tonight was different. Everything was different since the wedding.
“You should probably pace yourself this weekend, though. Otherwise, you’ll blow all your cash on me before you can replenish it. Give me a monetary cap for each night we’re together. Or don’t. That works out better for me, I’m sure.”
Sette had no idea what to say. She couldn’t put a cap on being with June anymore. Sette would empty her bank account if asked to! “I want to be with you. Assuming you’ll have me.”
“Honey, I’ll have you every which way to Thursday if that’s what you want. Anal costs five grand, though. Just so you know.”
“That’s not what I had in mind.”
“Need some direction?” June opened her robe. Yup. Totally naked. “How about this: we start with me nibbling on you until you’re begging for more. Then, if you still feel like going, you do whatever you want to get me wet, and we have sex in whatever position strikes your fancy. I’ll charge you the sameregardless. So, all that will run you about ten grand. I’m giving you a discount because you’re a friend. Think of it as a Benefits Package.”
“I was going to say… that’s not how much you usually charge me for all of that.”
“Because, like I said,” June pushed her down on the bed, “I like you and intend to keep you around. Don’t be a dick to my other clients and me, and I’ll be a loyal girl.”
It was far from the romance Sette wanted that weekend, but she would take it. Anything was better than no June at all.
While this wasn’t Sette’s first ever gallery showing, it was the biggest, most advertised one in her art career. From the moment she arrived early in the morning, she struggled to get into the mindset of the artist about to show off her work. Usually, when she came this early to set things up, she was helping someone else, like Zara.
This time, the shoe was on the other foot.
“I’ve got to hand it to you,” Zara said, watching Joy tear into an intern in Cantonese because the idiot kept dropping equipment, “you’re really making it if you’ve got a fancy show in New York.”
“Old hat for you, I know.” How many New York shows of Zara’s had Sette been to?
“Nah, girl, this is really something. You should be proud of yourself.” The first painting came out of its crate. There was June, bright in her ivory and golden colors. Sette’s breath caught in her throat. “You’re going to slay them all tonight.”
“God willing.” Sette stepped forward. “That one gets a green tag!”
Green tag meant she was willing to sell a piece for the right price. Purple meant they were not available, either because they were already sold or because she was simply keeping them. Most of the pieces were purple. I’m not ready to part with most of these pieces yet. She was still reeling from seeing them all together in their golden frames on a fancy gallery wall.
Most of the day was spent unboxing and hanging up the pieces (and their placards) in Sette’s desired arrangement. Gallery personnel assisted with this and prepared for that night’s party as well. Sette overheard Joy repeating a sizable number to someone else. “That many people are expected to come? Really? That’s great!”
Sette wasn’t going to get her hopes up too much. That way led to madness, and Joy coming up halfway through the afternoon to ask if the model was still expected to come didn’t help matters. Not with Zara, anyway.
“Yes, she’s coming. She’s getting ready right now.” Or at least this was her appointment time for her hair and nails. “If she doesn’t show up, then it’s a great shock to me as well.”
As soon as Joy left to coordinate something with one of the interns, Zara sent her best friend an exasperated look. “I was afraid to ask about that. Thought maybe she had dumped you after that kerfuffle at the wedding.”
Sette didn’t respond.
“So… what’s going on there?”
Turning away, Sette said, “Same as always. I lost the silent auction, so I’m a regular client of hers.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Is that a problem?”
Zara held up her hands. “Of course not. Hey, I was the one who took you there to begin with! Why would it be a problem?”
“I know you don’t really approve.”
“Why would I not approve of a place like that?”
“It’s not that, and you know it.” Sette turned again. “You don’t approve of me getting involved. Me. Personally.” Before Zara could reply, Sette continued, “That’s fine. Good thing I’m a grown adult who doesn’t need your approval for such things.”
