"Madame Liat, the new boarder is here."
Deke's voice echoed up the winding staircase. My houseman, he had a unique way of shouting without his voice growing shrill or allowing a demanding tone slip unto it.
The heart-shaped face in the mirror was creamy and smooth. Pale jade eyes vanished and reappeared behind long dark lashes. Beneath a retroussรฉ nose, I applied dark firebrick red lipstick to soft, sensual lips. White teeth gleamed as I checked them for accidental color.
I swept silky curls from behind my ears into a clip behind my head, letting it hold my hair in place without the severity of a pulled back style. Rich russet cascaded over my bare shoulders, covering large, full breasts.
"Liat?" Deke shouted his plea. A good servant.
I grabbed my green silk kimono from the back of the chair. Wrapping it around my curvaceous form, I tied it closed with a loose yellow sash and reached for the door.
Barefoot I descended each step in slow, precise movements. My first impression was vital to the bonds formed between myself and those who paid well to live in my home. The boy's parents had paid me for the full nine months of his first college year. Away from home, in a new environment, they wanted him staying with someone and not partying in a run-down apartment with half a dozen other kids.
The foyer came into sight. Deke was no where to be seen. The boy had his back to me. He wore the latest style in pants-that-don't-fit. The waistband of his jeans exposing his checkered boxers and a glimpse of high ass cheeks. The back of his T-shirt announced "I fuck with you, bitch." A black rubber band held his blond, stringy hair in a ponytail.
"Raff?" Demurely flirtatious.
When he turned it took all my self-control not to stand there slack-jawed, staring at him. My breasts tightened as I looked on the most cherubic face I had ever seen. Innocence personified. Full ripe lips of a girl, complimented by rosy cheekbones. Intense icy blue eyes looked at me with little reaction.
"Yeah," Raff said sullenly. "Where do I put my things?"
I smiled, ignoring the knot in my belly.
"Deke will care for them. Come."
With cat-like grace I moved from the staircase into the parlor. The room was decorated with Victorian color and style. A small teapoy stand had recently been placed between two wing chairs and the chaise lounge. It stood complete with silver tea service, steam rising from the spout of the pot and two delicate teacups with matching scalloped saucers.
"Sit," I said, arranging myself on the chaise.
I watched his face as I let the silk kimono reveal creamy thighs. Nothing.
"You're eighteen?" I asked.
"Nineteen," Raff stated coldly. "Traveled the country last year instead of school."
I nodded and silence crept over the room. I watched Raff fidget. He shifted his weight to one side, long fingers entwining and twisting with each other.
"Tea?" I asked.
"No." Raffโs voice was still high pitched. Puberty hadn't changed it into deep masculinity.
I leaned forward to pour myself a cup of mint tea. The aroma filled the room. I dropped one cube of sugar into the tea and stirred leisurely.
Raff eyed the room. A painting on the back wall. A vase in the corner. The gold tassels holding back the drapes. Never did his eyes linger on my body. Every time they returned to me, it was to meet my eyes.
โMom says you run an exclusive, menโs club.โ Not a question. Bold child.
"The Rosebud is... " I searched for a word. "Eccentric."
"Sounds like some socialite club."
I just smiled.
The Rosebud nothing like a Society Club. The Rosebud was a nightclub of an even higher class. Only those with a paid Membership could obtain admittance. Men of wealth and power who held a taste for the pleasures found only in the dark recesses of society.
I rang the tiny silver bell that was a part of the tea service. Deke emerged from the kitchen immediately.
He was dress conservatively in a slimming white tuxedo, in honor of our latest arrival. His blue cumber bund and bow tie brightened the blue of his eyes. His ebony face was chiseled with high cheekbones, a squared chin and an aquiline nose. His mustache and goatee were neatly trimmed and his head was shaven clean of all hair. Well kept to my liking.
He stood near the chaise lounge, hands clasped behind his back.
"Yes, Madame."
Raff finally showed a reaction. He shot flitting glances up and down Deke's body. His gaze lingering for the briefest moments on the Deke's crotch. With that outfit it was possible to get a glimpse of the bulge I knew resided there.
I watched. Raff lick his lips subconsciously. His breathing had quickened. His eyes smoldered with lust.
Deke was mine, but Raff would be perfect for The Rosebud.
"Did you care for the boy's luggage?" I demanded.
"Yes, Madame."
I stood. I no longer wasted my efforts watching Raff for his reaction to my kimono revealing even more milky flesh. I beamed when I heard Deke's deep intake of breath.
"Get the Cadillac. I'll get dressed. We're visiting The Rosebud tonight."
*****
Raff sat beside me in silence the entire drive. His clothes had proven inappropriate for The Rosebud. He'd complained emphatically about changing, but a few promising looks from Deke had motivated him. He was now dressed jeans and a plain white T-shirt. The jeans were tight, showing the curves of his ass nicely. He wouldn't fit in with the Members or the dancers, but he was dressed to blend in with the backstage staff.
I did get one tiny reaction from him when I stepped into the car in a mini skirt, stiff corset and spike-heeled boots that covered my knees and more. The whole outfit was black leather with silver star-shaped studs. He had blushed and turned away.
The Rosebud was located on the top three floors of an office building I owned. I rented the first six floors to computer companies and other nine-to-five businesses. Their employees rarely noticed the heightened security and never saw the nightlife.
On the of chance that The Rosebud's parties lasted well into the next business day, there was a private express elevator. There was also an unmarked floor between The Rosebud and the regular businesses, that was used only for storage. I found it an effective insulation for the noise.
We pulled into the underground parking garage.