Carmen.

I stood in front of him, wearing a white string thong and nothing else. Accompanied by beautiful women on either side of me, I felt confident. Glancing around I could see that Chloe had gone for hot pink, classic Chloe. A sheer low cut and short nightie with fur around the hem and platforms to match. Jasmin was wearing knee high black leather boots and her new body harness that had arrived just this morning, she practically jumped on the postman when he delivered it. A few of the newbies had covered themselves up more, a nice dress or jumpsuit with heels. One of them looked like they had on their school uniform from 6 years ago. Some of the lifers had given her a supportive smile when she walked in, if you can find your style and niche early on you’ve got a much better chance of succeeding. I was happy with my choice. My long sun kissed hair fell in loose curls down to my chest, my nipples peeping through when I moved. And white made me appear more tanned which from the age of 16 is mostly all I aspired to be.

My family had been holidaying in Ibiza, my favourite place. My mom believing and joking that underneath my big rimmed sunglasses I was checking out boys my age, on the beach, around the pool, during the hotel entertainment every night. We were taught to love to talk in my family, about everything, to be open and honest. And so to prevent me from sneaking off behind the burger hut with some local kid to become impregnated, my mom would try and start the conversation at every opportunity. If we were already talking about it then she could prevent it, or at least the pregnant bit, provide me with a condom or take me to the chemist to get the morning after pill. Something she wished her mother would have done for her before she became the only girl in her year to have a baby in the middle of her GCSE’s. But I wasn’t looking at the boys. I was looking at the girls. Their skin glistening, their hair tousled and their demeanour, so carefree. I wanted to be like them. Effortlessly attractive and naturally sexy.

His eyes fell on each one of us in turn. Taking his time looking us up and down and up again. We’d been in there a good 20 minutes, walking towards him so he could take a closer look, turning slowly then walking back to the line on the wooden floor. He must have money to splurge. Choosing a girl for the duration of your stay is usually a fast process. Madam Cherrie hot at your heels, having already summed you up when you registered. No time can be wasted, it’s a business after all and 12 girls off the floor for any amount of time has a big cost attached. But this time she was patiently standing next to his chair, attentive. When he asked for the air conditioning to be switched off, she got it switched it off. When he asked for a refill of his glass of water she had it replaced within seconds. Who was this guy? His hair was dark, short and swept away from his clean shaved face. He was wearing a well tailored dark blue suit with a matching waistcoat and tie. He was attractive. We all thought it. Attractive but indecisive. He asked if he could approach us. ‘Of course darling’ Madam Cherrie replied, ‘but no touching.’

He started the opposite end of the line to me, with Susie and her double D’s. An investment she says she made 24 years ago on her 21st birthday. She calls them the gifts that keep on giving. He took his time, not moving on until he’d taken her all in. Breathing in deeply through his nose and out of his mouth, his nose almost tickling her neck. Madam Cherrie looked a little on edge now, her lips parting as if she was going to command him to back off. He was definitely getting his fill before he had to pick just one. I had to give him credit, normally customers come here quiet, reserved until they’re alone in a private room and a little intimidated. But not this guy. He was half way down the line now, with Chloe giggling at his approach. Most of us watching, then looking at Madam Cherrie then back to him. He liked Chloe, who didn’t? She was the definition of a blonde bombshell. He stayed with her longer than the women previous, enjoying the little smiles she was giving him. Once again he leaned into her neck, then after pausing for a few seconds turns around and sits back down on the chair. After sipping some more of his fresh water, he points at Chloe and says ‘I’d like the company of this lady’.

Chloe beams as Madam Cherrie takes the gentleman off to fill in the remaining paperwork. We’re all thinking it so she doesn’t need to say it but that doesn’t stop her. ‘Dollar dollar bill ya’ll.’

Photo by Pierre Best