Love For Sale by Linda Nightingale

Author:Linda Nightingale [Nightingale, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Futuristic/Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2015-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Liz hovered close—uncomfortably so—behind Christian as he examined one of the costumes he’d wear on stage. The black thong had a strap circling his neck and a small silver buckle at his navel. He longed to be able to indulge in second thoughts, but he was determined to succeed at something. Neither of his professions seemed willing to accept what they considered an inexperienced newbie requiring months, if not years, of training. This morning’s call to Mayfair New York produced merely another promise that the work permit was being handled as expeditiously as possible.

With the toe of his shoe, he ruffled the leather pants and vest that would be worn over a thong for his first performance. “I’ve never worn a thong.” And never planned to. He turned, almost kissing Liz’s nose. “Oh.”

“I don’t bite.” She laughed at his retreat. “You’ll look great in that little black number. And Mr. Christian, you should be pretty proud of yourself. Randy gave you the tuxedo solo and this is your first night. That’s the highlight of the whole evening, so he must think you’re as good as I do.”

“I’m not exactly Jean-Mickel.” Christian had watched the other model practice. “He can dance. I feel like a frog in a blender.”

“If a witch turns you into a frog, I’ll kiss you and turn you back into the handsome prince.” She patted his cheek. “And Jean-Mickel’s real name is Earl. No wonder the fancy name, huh? You’re the best looking, even if you’re not the best dancer yet. Women don’t really care how well you dance. They’re focused on looks and sexy. Hon, you’ve got no problem in either department.”

If I access my pleasure droid programming… And study other dancers’ performances before I’m on stage.

Christian flashed back to seven o’clock that morning, the exact time his decision was made. A mere eleven hours ago…

****

Monday, Monday…can’t trust that day… The line from the classic Peter, Paul and Mary song scrolled through his head as he’d knocked on Liz’s door.

Today, a Monday, after March left for work, unaware he’d reached a turning point, Christian descended the winding staircase into another life.

As the smiling Liz opened the sliding glass door to her apartment, his heart dived thirty thousand feet, crashing on the cobbles.

“Is it a cold day in hell?” She smirked. “Should I be flattered?”

His jaw tightened. It took every ounce of his being to resist turning around and walking back up March’s stairs.

Liz swept a sexy hand through her hair. “Sorry about being snarky. Let’s start over. Well, hello there, come in. Coffee?”

“No, thanks.” Could he really take that fatal step over her threshold?

Every program, every circuit screamed no. But what choice had he? He could no longer stand the humiliation, rejection, and final knowledge that he was, more or less, a liability to March. Staring at his damnation, he cursed the encoding ripping him apart. It choked him like a collar, throttling him and rooting him in place.

Apparently, his hesitation didn’t register on Liz.

A low whistle fluttered her full lips.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.