Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,39

laugh harder.

“Okay!” I finally succumbed after I could see her getting annoyed. “I may have gotten a ‘promotion’ of sorts tonight.” Ara still looked confused. “Think about it, Ara,” I sighed, rolling my eyes. How many areas could you possibly be promoted to in a brothel?

“No!” She gasped, the realization hitting her full force in the face. She clasped her hands over her mouth and fell off the side of the sofa, giggling. Laughing, I helped her up.

“Kait! No way!” She grinned, wide eyed and ready to listen. “Tell me everything!” I giggled, getting the feeling that the long distance thing was making Ara a little antsy.

“Missing Luke, are we?”

“This has nothing to do with Luke, and everything to do with my best friend being a dirty little whore!”

“Shh!” I put my hand over her mouth and nudge my head to the closed bedrooms of the kids.

“Okay. There’s more. If you were shocked by that, the next bit will floor you.” I said, smiling. I couldn’t wait to tell her who my client was.

“What?” She was practically hanging off me. She was like a seagull, waiting for me to throw her a chip.

“Okay, so I’d been thinking of asking Mauve about…you know, since the start of the shift.” Ara’s eyes grew wide. “So this was already in my mind. I took in my medical information and everything.” I giggled. “Anyway, I was working away, minding my own business when the door opened…” I paused for effect. Ara reached over and hit me.

“Who was it?” She demanded. I glared at her and rubbed my arm. “Sorry.” She mumbled.

“So anyway, the door opened. And in walked Professor Garland.” Ara’s eyes grew wide, her mouth dropped open in shock.

“No!” She gasped.

“Yes.” I nodded, giggling.

“Kait, he’s so…old!!” I giggled at her reaction. He was old, in his late forties.

“I know, but he is cute. And there is something about his authority that makes him sexy. And the fact that he paid a grand for me…”

“Holy shit!” Ara clapped her hand over her mouth again, wincing at her loudness, “I know, I know.”

“I’m doing this for Neri.” I added, my tone turning serious, “You know she got accepted into some prestigious camp that will guarantee her entry into med school? Full scholarship?”

“That’s awesome news. She is such a smart cookie. What does that have to do with…well, you know…”

“The camp costs ten grand.” Ara sat back, shaking her head.

“You are one hell of a sister, Kait. My sisters’ wouldn’t even lend me a damn sweater.” She grumbled. We both laughed.

I struggled to get to sleep when I finally climbed into bed. I think I had enjoyed my evening with Charlie much more than I wanted to. Not only did that confuse my feelings for Devon, but it also made me doubt my reasons for doing this.

Was I really only doing it for Neri? Or had I wanted this on some other level?

As my alarm sounded at seven, I was so glad I didn’t have to work tonight, not only because I was tired, but I also wasn’t in the mood to see Charlie.

Then I realized I had his class. Shit.

The thought of sitting through an hour lecture with Charlie made me nauseas. I thought about skipping, but this week was the summary for the mid semester test, something I couldn’t miss.

I stopped Neri before she climbed out of the car.

“The camp? When do you need the cash by?” Neri stared at me, confused.

“Three weeks, why?”

I hesitated, “Put your form in. I will find the money somehow.” Neri threw her arms around me tightly.

“Really Kait? I can go?” She pulled back, studying my face, “How are you going to get the money though?” Her pretty features were creased with worry.

It was typical of Neri to think too much about the logistics of things. Teenagers were supposed to jump into things without thinking. Not Neri. She’d analyze, debate, list the pros and cons of going to the toilet before she committed to it.

“Don’t worry Neri, I have some put away.” She immediately looked soothed by my calm voice. She broke out into a smile again. Just like that she was the happy teenager she should be, with nothing to worry about.

“Thank you so much.” She hugged me again. I waved at her as she walked into the building.

Chapter Seventeen

Standing outside my Lit class I was shitting myself.

I couldn’t bring myself to walk in, though I only had minutes before the class began. The longer I waited, the