Page 2 of Truthful Deceptions

“They paid double to have me come to them,” I said.

“This isn't a good idea,” he said.

I agreed with him, but I couldn't say no to the extra wealth.

“I'm sure it'll be fine,” I said, holding up the bag of goodies Maglia gave me. Not everything in the bag was to help clients enjoy their time with Maglia’s workers. “I have a subduer in here.”

“Those won't do much if you can't get to it,” Irga said.

“The client knows I have a contract enforcer,” I said. “If I don't report back, Maglia will bring the station authorities.”

Those words helped me feel better, even if Irga didn't look relieved at all. I stood tall and tried to look confident.

“Everything will be fine,” I said, for both of us.

“Irga!”

The shout made us both turn to see Tegta waving Irga over. “I have time, let me look at the bot.”

“Be safe,” Irga said.

“I will,” I said. “Go get Gilta's bot fixed.”

He was slow to leave but gained speed at Tegta's impatient expression. I watched both of them disappear into her tool room. I didn't have any reason to loiter near the bay doors any longer.

Pulling in a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and marched down the row of ships. I'd had sex in the past. Even if I didn't enjoy my time with this client, it wasn't as if I didn't know what I was getting into. I'd done other jobs I hated. There was no way this could be worse than cleaning out the station's enviro-sump. I'd showered three times to get the stink off my skin and out of my hair after that. Paid intercourse couldn't possibly be that bad.

That thought made me grin as I imagined meeting the client.

Hello, nice to meet you. Sex with you can’t be as stinky and horrible as cleaning an enviro-sump. Let’s get to it.

I snorted. No, I wouldn’t be telling the client that.

My grin disappeared when I found the client’s ship. I stopped at the base of the ramp, trying to figure out if I should walk up the ramp or send the ship a message. I'd brought my information square and could use it to send them a message through the station's comm system. If I sent a message, what would I say? Your prostitute has arrived and is ready to board?

While I dithered about sending messages versus walking up, the hatch at the top of the ramp hissed. I jumped, then felt dumb for being so nervous.

I stepped up onto the ramp, ready to walk up and meet the client only to see a figure rushing down to meet me. I almost turned and ran.

The guy was huge.

He was only wearing pants and a belt, so I could see most of his body. He was heavily muscled and every inch of him was covered in hard keratin plates that made him look tough. Adding to his fierce appearance were the long quills running down the outside of his forearms from his elbows to his wrists.

He was a soft orange color that darkened down his arms, with his wrists and hands a beautiful salmon color. He was scary looking, but also pretty.

He had the basic human shape with two arms, two legs, two eyes, and one mouth, but he lacked visible ears and his nose was almost flat with only two slits. His hands had four digits each, with a second thumb where a human’s smallest finger would be.

Coming to a stop in front of me, he made a sound very similar to a purr.

“You're here,” he said, looking past me. “Did you come alone? No one escorted you?”

He must be used to buying sex from those who couldn't say no. Those individuals would be accompanied by guards to make sure they did their job and were returned in reasonably good condition.

That was gross, but I kept my mouth shut. I almost turned around and left, but no, I didn't have that luxury.

How many showers was I going to have to take before I felt clean after this?

“I'm here alone.” I regretted the words the moment they came out of my mouth. I rushed to add a warning. “Maglia will enforce our contract.”