She nods and inhales again, dashing quickly at her cheeks.
“It was hard, but I survived. The thing is that when I hit my teens, my last foster home decided that we weren’t a fit, so I was placed in a group home. Those places can be pretty crazy, as you can imagine, because all the kids there are just struggling to survive.”
I squeeze her hand encouragingly.
“Of course,” is my low tone. “I understand.”
She takes another deep, shuddering breath.
“Well, to make a long story short, I fell in with a group of girls who walked on the wild side, and it was one of the older girls who introduced me to Club Z. She told me about the life, and what I could expect, including the potential earnings. I have to say that I was hooked on the idea because I’d never had even two dimes to rub together.”
I pause for a moment.
“Did this happen before you turned eighteen?” I ask curiously. “No judgment or anything. I’m just wondering.”
Taylor shrugs her narrow shoulders.
“I guess so. I mean, she definitely told me about the club when I was still a minor, but nothing happened. Club Z wouldn’t hire me,” she clarifies. “They’re really above-board when it comes to certain matters, but the day I turned eighteen, it all changed. I was put on payroll immediately, and just in time too because that’s when you leave government care. So yes, in a way I suppose being a hostess saved me.”
I nod.
“Okay. Makes sense. But did you like working for Club Z?”
Taylor’s silent for a moment as she considers her answer. She bites her lip, but then she raises big brown eyes to me, and I know I’m about to get the unvarnished truth.
“Honestly, I loved it, Roman. It may be shameful to say, but I adore pleasing men with my body, and making them come harder than they ever have in their lives. Plus, the tips were more than generous, and for the first time ever, I could actually buy a few things that went beyond the basics. I didn’t have to steal or beg anymore.”
“I get it honey,” is my low growl. “But trust me: you’ll never be in that position again if I have anything to do with it.”
Her beautiful features soften. “I know. You’ve been so good to me, Roman. It’s only been a week, but I feel comfortable being with you. I like this arrangement, even if I was allegedly ‘kidnapped.’”
I grin at her.
“The doors haven’t been locked for a few days now, sweetheart. You’re free to come and go as you like.”
Her cheeks flush red as she looks down.
“I know, but I don’t want to leave. Not just yet,” she amends in a soft voice. My heart expands in my chest and I seize her hand again.
“Good, because you should feel comfortable with me, baby girl.Mi casa es su casafor as long as you need. That whole Missouri punishment thing sounded crazy, and I wouldn’t want to hang out with cows either.”
Taylor tilts her head back and laughs then, revealing the long, graceful column of her throat. To my satisfaction, there’s a slight hickey on the left side that she was unable to fully cover with make-up and I make a mental note to give her more once we’re in bed again.
“Okay, note taken,” she giggles. “But now, I get to ask you a question, Roman. Do you make all of your women feel this way? Especially the ones who are sold, so to say?”
Immediately, I go serious.
“Of course not, baby girl. I’m not in relationships with them, if that’s what you’re asking. They do stay at my home sometimes when they’re in transit, but more often, they stay in furnished suites elsewhere.”
Taylor nods thoughtfully.
“And how do the women feel about all of this? I can’t imagine they’re happy to be taken from their homes in the middle of the night and then whisked away to the United States.”
I chuckle.
“You’ve been watching too many movies, honey, because it’s not like that at all. Actually, you might be surprised to find out that most of our women come voluntarily. Sometimes, they approach us and ask to be placed, believe it or not.”
Taylor’s jaw drops open.