An Unexpected Return by Jessica E. Subject Read Free Book Online

this appointment when she’d given her heart to Aris, accepted his marriage proposal and beautiful, hand-made crown? She leaned against the minnica wall in an effort to regain her composure. She couldn’t show up with hunched shoulders and a quivering lip. No, she had to be happy, filled with lust, ready to fulfill her client’s desires. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a bottle of eletin massage oil and rubbed it onto her face. Anything to improve her mood.
    Taking a deep breath, she stood up straight and attempted a smile, one she couldn’t make happen. No ! Do this for Kalara and Jacobus . They’d always been there for her. She had to make them proud.
    Reining in her guilt, she continued down the hall. This was her last appointment. She could do this for her makeshift family. The client hadn’t booked her for the entire night, so she’d be in long enough to give him a massage, release his arousal, and then she’d be done. And if her life didn’t work out with Aris, she could return, become an Adamo Mistress.
    She arrived at the door and retrieved her card from her bag to disengage the lock. But she couldn’t. The man on the other side of that door would not be Aris. She’d already promised him she would be with one man for the rest of her life, a promise she’d break almost immediately if she stayed.
    Aris mattered more to her than anything. He held her future. No, she would have to go back on her word to Jacobus. As she turned to leave, the door opened.
    An older man, covered in scales, stepped from the suite. He wore nothing but a veech towel around his waist. “Are you my Adamo? I’ve been anxiously awaiting your services since my quarantine period ended.”
    A tear trailed down her cheek. She couldn’t leave now. “Yes, sir. Let’s get started.” She followed him inside and set up the massage table.
    The sooner she finished, the sooner she could return to Aris and discover what her future held.
     
    ***
     
    Aris turned the corner as Xia followed an almost naked Mikashe man into his room. The door slid closed behind them.
    He narrowed his eyes. Fire burned through his body. How could Xia keep clients after what they’d shared? After agreeing to return with him? His heart ached as if splitting in two. Would she ever be able to leave this lifestyle behind, or would she continue to service others on Tyto? He couldn’t bear the thought.
    Clenching his fists, he spun around, marched back to his suite, and packed his belongings. He had to leave, to get out. To clear his head, or for good, he wasn’t sure which. Why had he come here anyway? How could he have thought an Adamo would fall in love with him when obviously he’d been just another client to her? He stormed through the halls, down the stairs, and out into the street. The air in the hotel was so thick with eletin, he couldn’t think clearly, and yet his anger still cut through any desire.
    All around him, blissful tourists and Elatian citizens paraded around. Their joy only made him angrier. He had to get away, find some place secluded where he hadn’t shared tender moments with Xia. As he raced through the streets, his heart pounded. Why did she have to betray him? And to think, he’d been willing to give up everything for her, including his parents’ blessing. For they would never accept her as his future wife. Most likely, they already had him betrothed to another.
    Reeling to stop, he sank to the ground. Why hadn’t he thought this through? Xia could end up shunned on Tyto. She’d never forgive him, then. Even if he forgave her first.
    “Hello, handsome.”
    Aris took in miles of blue legs coming to a halt underneath a short, black leather skirt. As he continued his gaze over her flat stomach and barely-covered breasts, he cock stirred. Until he saw her face. “Madelia, what are you doing here?”
    “Having a good time with Ben. You can join us if you’re interested.”
    “No, sorry. I like the outfit, though.”
    She grinned,