Rhapsody (Butcher and Violinist 1)

“I want you to play for me. How much?”

I tucked the money and message in my bra. I had to think about it. If he wanted me to play for him, then when and where? How much would I charge? And was that all he wanted?

Should I even consider this?

Shalimar returned.

Grabbing my case and tip hat, I enjoyed my break at the table with the Chef’s delicious dishes. Once my break ended, I returned to the stage.

New people entered and exited throughout the night. Many continued to tip. Others danced. The later it got, the wilder it became. By the last hour, I literally played Mozart while an orgy erupted right in front of me. It was ten women and four men, licking and lapping, sucking and thrusting. Grunting and fake moaning.

I guess sex isn’t limited to the rooms.

Through it all, I smiled and played. Money filled the tip hat. The $1,000 dollar bill stayed tucked in my bra. And with each song, I became more curious about the possibility of playing for Jean-Pierre.

If he’s going to tip big, then he’ll pay big too.

A waitress came over after I played my last song for the evening. “Mr. Fabron would like to have dinner with you.”

“Who?”

She gestured toward Jean-Pierre.

I almost stuttered. “Dinner with him?”

“Yes.”

I thought about Aunt Celina’s warning to never talk to any of the clients here. “Please tell him thank you, but I have another engagement.”

She nodded and went over to him.

Good move. He’s hot, but off-limits. Keep it cool, Eden.

Packing Eros up, I headed to the exit.

To my shock, Jean-Pierre stood in front of the door.

My heartbeat increased.

O-kay.

I took my time walking toward him.

That French accent rode each word. “Do you have a boyfriend or husband?”

“No.” I tried to step around him.

He didn’t move and remained in the way. “I only want to eat with you. Nothing more.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Nothing more?”

“Only conversation.” He gestured to the table.

I glanced that way and tapped my fingers against the violin case. “I…I have strict instructions to not talk to anyone here. I’m only supposed to play.”

“I’m aware of those instructions. I can talk to your aunt.”

“I would rather you not.” I smiled at him. “Good night, Mr. Fabron.”

“Au revoir.” His voice slipped along my skin, as I forced myself to move forward.

Working at the Candy Shop was about making money, not flirting with men.

But damn he’s fine.

When I left and made it to my apartment, I was three thousand dollars richer.

My roommate Leo had a guy over in his room. The bed’s headboard banged against the wall like a bow in the midst of jeté—the French word for thrown. With this stroke, the bow bounced over and over the strings into two to six ricochets in a row. And that was what the bed did to the foundation.

Go, Leo.

Rock music played over their grunts. It meant that Leo had picked someone up from a bar. When it was more than a one night stand, he fucked to jazz.

I’ll have to tell you the good news, Leo.

Leo must’ve kicked Vibrato out. The cat lounged on the couch licking between her legs.

“Come on, V. You know Leo will kill you if he sees you on that couch.” Exhausted, I headed to my room.

V trotted behind me and hopped onto my windowsill. I’d placed two fluffy blankets up there, since she preferred to sleep there at night.

“Mama came home with some money.” I closed the door behind me and twisted my hips when I walked over to the bed. “I did my thing, girl!”

I made the rent for this month. We still had to make up for the past payments, but something was better than nothing. I could cover Eros’s insurance too, if his benefactor let me continue to use it after these two weeks.

I breathed in a sigh of relief.

Keep your head in the game, and this will pass.

There was always next month’s bills. Other nights might not be as lucky as this evening, but I hoped that more surprises would come.

This is going to work. I’m going to be okay.

Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre remained on my mind when I finally went to bed and closed my eyes.

Chapter 3

Anatomy

Eden

My phone woke me up.

Yawning, I checked the screen.

Aunt Celina: Heard you had a good night.

Me: I made a huge amount of tips. Thanks for the opportunity.

Aunt Celina: Then, you’ll be there tonight?

Me: Definitely!

Aunt Celina: Good! I knew it would work. Your auntie is brilliant.

Me: Yes! She is.

I wore a red dress that night, feeling sexy and in a lighter mood. The Uber™ brought me to the Candy Shop on time. At this point, I was a pro, stepping inside, and nodding as the bouncers buzzed me into the main room.

Shalimar met me at the door. She wore her hair up. Somehow, she’d wrapped those beautiful long stands around two onyx sticks with pearls at the tips. A red silk dress hugged her frame. “Welcome back.”