hoped to find. Honestly, he was still stunned and humbled that she’d agreed to meet with him, given his questionable lineage.
Clearing his throat, he kept his gaze on her sweet face, and forced himself to ignore the condescension and censure of her broker. “I only have two nights a week free. And only for three to four hours each, not counting the hour it takes to get from my barracks to the condo. So you’d only have to be with me three hours at most on those two nights.” Which probably delighted her to no end. Most patrons required a lot more of their companions.
Uncomfortable, Talyn rubbed at his neck. “I… um… I have a curfew to meet so there wouldn’t be any overnight visitations, unless I’m at liberty. Which is just once a year, and only for a week. I’ve already had this year’s liberty so you don’t have to worry about that for another twelve months. Even then, it’s negotiable. I know you’re still at university and need your days free to attend classes, and most nights to study. I’m good with all that.”
Felicia frowned at what he was telling her. Was he serious? This was more than she’d ever dare to dream. “That’s really it?”
He nodded.
She couldn’t quite wrap her head around her good fortune. Something bad had to be wrong with him.
One possible flaw definitely came to mind.
“And how…” She cringed at the thought of what she needed to ask. But she knew from her mother, and other companions and instructors that she had to ask it before she consented to him. It was the primary concern all females in her profession had. One that maimed and killed a good 10 percent of them a year, and it would explain why such an eligible male was here, looking for one of her ilk and not negotiating for a noble wife.
With a deep breath, she forced the embarrassing question out. “How kinky and violent are you during sex?”
He actually turned bright red. “I would never harm a female off a battlefield, and even then, I wouldn’t do so unless she was armed and after me. Nor would I ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, in any way. We can leave all the details of that up to you.”
“Really?”
Visibly cringing, he nodded.
She sat forward and tried to figure out if he was lying to her. This was really too good to be true. And it wasn’t uncommon for males to lie to get what they wanted. She knew a number of females who’d gotten themselves into scary situations with males who’d seemed sincere and decent, only to find out, too late, they weren’t. “I honestly have to say that I’m a little confused. If that’s all you want, it would be significantly cheaper for you to visit a house of assignation than contract with me.”
He bristled. “I have more than enough money to pay your contract fees, tuition, and upkeep. Believe me. Your broker has crawled my ass and accounts with a subatomic scope.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” she said quickly. “I just don’t understand why you’d ask for so little, given the high cost.” And given how handsome and young he was. To hell with their stringent blood laws. What female wouldn’t do him for free?
Contract or no contract.
This was one male worth a jail sentence.
He glanced to her broker before he spoke. “I want a companion, not a prostitute.”
She was still baffled by this. If that was what he wanted, why not contract for marriage?
But that was none of her business. He was absolutely gorgeous and polite. Sweet, even. She couldn’t have asked for a better patron. And he was definitely better than the last male who’d tried to contract her.
You can’t do any better than this, girl. You know that. This was the kind of male most females prayed to marry. To have one as patron…
Unheard of.
“Very well, then.” Felicia swallowed in trepidation of what was next. “Would you like to inspect me?”
She had to bite back a laugh at how bright his cheeks turned this time. She’d never seen anyone blush so profusely. His caramel skin practically glowed.
And to think, she was the virgin in the room.
Once again, he glanced over to the guard and the broker, then shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you in front of them. I’ve already seen your photos, and that’s not the most important thing to me, anyway.”