Cat Haus - The Complete Story (21 page)

Given his obvious wealth, the hotel should be top of the line. Anything would be an improvement over my room here. A change of scenery was just what I needed. I wouldn't look for John around every corner there, the way I did here. That would be a good thing. Fresh surroundings, a man to occupy me day and night . . . this week away was exactly what I needed.

With a sigh of contentment, I left my room for my final shift before leaving. I wasn't even into the parlor yet when Sahara stopped me in the hallway. "Warning. Tiffany's on a rampage."

I rolled my eyes. "What else is new?"

"Well, yeah, but this one is about you."

Again, I thought what else was new. Tiffany always had an issue with me, from the day I arrived, and that could be the reason. Of all the girls, I had been here the longest, second only to Tiffany, but Gus had always pulled me for the special assignments, and now John treated me special.

Thinking about John twisted my gut but I moved past it and focused back on Sahara. "What's her problem with me today?"

"Your time off."

"What the hell? I can't take one week off after working for the last six months straight?"

Sahara shrugged. "I know. You know her. She just wants to bitch."

"I'll deal with her." I pushed past Sahara and strode my hooker heels down the hall.

I noticed how even as small as my feet were, I could still stomp pretty loudly when I was full of piss and vinegar. I spotted Tiffany in the parlor the same time she saw me. My eyes narrowed and I made a beeline for her. Today, so close to being out of this place, I could muster a mood that would rival even Tiffany's.

"You have a problem, Tiffany?"

Her gaze cut to Sahara behind me. "Your little lapdog tell you that?"

"Since you don't have the guts to tell me yourself . . ." I shrugged. "You know, I think I might be feeling ill. Maybe I'd better get out of here now before I infect anyone with this cold. It might even be the flu." I held the back of my hand to my forehead. "Yup. Definite fever. I'd better go tell Henry I can't work this shift."

Tiffany let out a snort. "Don't matter. You don't pull your weight around here lately anyway."

Truth and logic couldn't win against a bitch like her so I didn't let her jibe get to me. Besides, she didn't know that the Cat Haus was getting half of the obscenely large amount of money Ty had plunked down to spend the week with me. On top of that, I'd cleaned out and stored away all the rest of my personal stuff. Henry could put a part-timer in my room for the week I was gone so the house was really earning from two girls instead of one thanks to my
vacation
.

I wasn't about to tell any of that to Tiffany though. Knowing her, she'd turn me in for my plan to get around the law. So I let her be mad at me, and took a good bit of pleasure in watching her stew over it as I strode down the front hall.

Henry sat at his desk in the office, squinting at the computer screen. He glanced up as I plopped myself into the other chair. "Hey."

He nodded. "Cate. Something I can do for you?"

"Fire Tiffany?"

His brows rose. "Is there a particular reason why?"

"She's a bitch." I didn't really expect him to do anything about Tiffany. It was just nice to vent once in a while.

Henry smiled. "You ready for your vacation tomorrow?"

"Yes, I can't wait for my
vacation
." I over emphasized the word on purpose and got the expected eye roll and indulgent headshake from Henry. He was probably ready for me to leave so he could get back to his computer work. I wasn't. "So, John wasn't real happy with this private gig of mine, I take it."

"I informed him of it. As to his opinions on the matter, he didn't share those with me."

Bullshit. Yes, John had the definition of a poker face when it came to business, but for people who knew him well, like Henry, there were cracks in his façade. But as difficult of a nut to crack as John was, Henry might possibly be harder. It would be a losing battle for me to try to get anything more out of him.

The house phone rang, ending this line of questioning as Henry answered it. I was ready to give up and go back to sparring with Tiffany in the parlor anyway. Standing, I was surprised when he held up one finger to stop me from leaving.

"One moment." Henry held the receiver out. "It's for you."

Me? Of course my first thought was that it was John. Calling to say what, I didn't know. He missed me? That he was on his way back to sweep me off my feet and buy me a condo? Crazy things could swirl through a girl's head sometimes.

I'd heard about some study done somewhere that if you give a rat a lever to press that induced orgasm, the animal would push that thing until it died. I had no idea how or why those scientists conducted that study, which was pretty freaky if you asked me, but I decided to blame my current insanity on my addiction to the orgasms John gave me and leave it at that.

I took the phone and said, "Hello?"

"Hey, girl. It's Ty."

It was a relief when I heard Ty's voice. I truly was an idiot when it came to John so it was far better it wasn't him calling me. "Hi. How are you?"

"I see you tomorrow, so I couldn't be better."

I could hear the smile in his voice, which had me smiling as well. "Aw, thanks."

"I wanted to iron out the details. I'll be in practice from early tomorrow morning. I'm not sure when they'll cut us loose for the day, so I'm sending a car to pick you up there."

"You don't have to send a car. I can drive myself in to the city—"

"Don't be silly. I'm sending a car. Is around eleven-thirty good? I know you work late, so I want you to be able to sleep in."

"Yeah, that's fine. But really, I could drive."

"Just take the damn car, Cate. The team pays for the service. It's one of the perks for the players."

"All right. As long as you don't have to pay for it."

Ty laughed and I guess I did sound silly worrying, given what he was paying for me. "I don't have to pay for it. I promise. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." I handed the phone back to Henry, who was slowly shaking his head at me. I waited until he'd replaced the receiver and then asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"You. When a man offers to send you a car, you take it. The same goes for clothes or jewelry. You smile, say thank you and put it on, whether you hate it or not. You never ever try to give anything back. You bring it home with you because one day, you may need to sell it."

I eyed him. "You sure you've never worked in this kind of business before?"

"Cate, there are whores in every business. You just happen to hold a license for it."

After those words of wisdom, I figured it was time I took my ass back to work. I strutted my heels back to the parlor where I plopped myself next to Sahara.

"Thought you were sick." Tiffany shot me her usual ugly look.

"I suddenly feel much better." I'd just sat when the front bell rang, which had me standing again. "Oh, look. A customer. You girls don't get up. Let me go and greet him. I wouldn't want to not pull my weight around here."

The puss on Tiffany's face as I turned her own words against her was priceless and enough to inspire me to pour on the charm for the man Henry let in the front door.

Call me petty, or competitive or whatever, but I felt great satisfaction when the client basked under the glow of my attention. In my room, he couldn't get his wallet out of his pants, or his pants off his body, fast enough. It was enough to warm a girl's heart.

The rest of my shift progressed pretty much the same way. Me and Tiffany in a pissing contest for the clients while the other girls stood by and tried not to get splashed on. But all things—good and bad—come to an end. Before I knew it, it was morning and time for my departure for my supposed vacation.

The car arrived right on time, and as much as I would have loved to rub it in my nemesis's face that I was being picked up in a limo, I was grateful Tiffany was still in bed. It would have raised too many questions as to why I had a limo for my time off. Though I supposed I could have said I'd booked it to take me to the airport because I was flying home to see the parents. I probably should do that for real . . . one day.

After about a half hour, the driver pulled in front of one of the better hotels in town, and I was glad I'd chosen to wear something nice for the drive over. Didn't want to wear an outfit that screamed
hooker
as I walked through the lobby. First, Ty had a reputation to protect. Second, prostitution was illegal in this particular county. Luckily, I loved two things—clothes and sex. Over the past two years, I'd found that was a good skillset to have in my profession.

The driver handed my suitcase off to the bellman and I stood by helpless. I considered telling them I could handle the single piece of luggage without help. After all, it was on wheels. Then I remembered Henry's advice about accepting things from men. Smile and say thank you. That's exactly what I did. Any other woman who was staying in this hotel wouldn't wrestle her bag out of the bellman's hand. For this week, I was a guest here, or at least a guest of Ty, so I'd better act accordingly.

I followed the man with my bag in and wondered if I had any singles in my purse. I got paid in twenties, fifties, hundreds, but singles—not so much. That was one difference between my profession and those who stripped for a living, but jeez I would truly hate to tip this guy a twenty for wheeling my bag into the lobby.

We reached the front desk and he turned to me. "Checking in?"

"No, actually. I'm visiting a friend who's a guest here. Ty—" As the horrifying reality that I didn't know Ty's last name hit, the woman behind the desk beamed a smile at me.

"Yes, Mr. Beckman is expecting you. Here you go. Suite 1289. Enjoy your stay with us." She slid a keycard across the desk.
 

The bellman scooped it up before I had a chance and I guessed he'd be escorting me up to the suite. I was so happy I hadn't fucked up royally by not thinking to ask Ty's full name I didn't care anymore. Right now I was so grateful I hadn't just outed Ty and myself to the hotel staff, I'd hand over all the cash I had to this man as a tip.

Next time, if there was a next time, I'd be more careful. At least now I knew my host's name—Ty Beckman. I'd have to Google that one day and find out who I was spending the week with.

After a silent elevator ride during which the bellman didn't ask any questions, and I didn't offer any answers, we reached the twelfth floor. He waited for me to step out first, and then followed. He turned toward the left and it was my turn to follow him as he led me to the end of the hall and the door of what had to be Ty's suite. He knocked and waited.

I suppose if Ty wasn't done with practice yet, the bellman would let me in with the key so I could wait inside. It turned out that I didn't have to worry. The door swung wide and I saw Ty, looking fresh from the shower as he sported nothing but sweatpants and water droplets.

He grinned at me. "Hey, darlin'."

"Hi." I couldn't help picturing licking those droplets off that cut chest of his as he stepped back and held the door wide for the bellman and my suitcase.

I moved into the room and then my attention was drawn away from Ty's muscles and to the suite itself. No surprise, it was gorgeous. I could only see the living area, though I suppose I'd be seeing the bedroom soon enough if the look in Ty's eyes was any indication.

Ty reached for his wallet on a table near the door and pulled out cash for a tip. He handed some folded bills to the bellman, closed and locked the door behind him and then we were alone. Ty looked happy for that.

"Nice place." I smiled.
 

He growled as he stepped closer and lifted me like I weighed nothing. "Let me show you the bedroom."

"Okay." I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he carried me through the suite. "Just don't hurt the outfit. It cost me a fortune."

"I'll buy you a new one." We reached the bed and tumbled onto the mattress. "You bring your toys?"

"Yes."

"And those thigh high stockings I like?"

"Yes."

"Good." He crashed his mouth into mine as he worked to open the button on my pants.

And so my week with Ty began . . .

CHAPTER 18

The sound of the door of the suite slamming startled me awake.

I heard the fridge in the kitchen area open and close as I dragged myself out of the haze of sleep. I rolled my head on the pillow and forced my eyes open. It always did seem harder to wake up from a daytime nap than from a night of sleep.

A few days into my week here, I'd fallen into the daily habit of napping while Ty was at his trainings. It was my own fault that I was tired during the day. Ty and I would have sex every night, then he'd fall asleep early because he had to be awake so early for his workout.

That left me at loose ends because never in recent memory had I been asleep at nine at night. In bed, yes. Sleeping? No. So I'd get up, grab my eReader and read until one, two in the morning in the other room. It had been a good opportunity to catch up on all the latest bestsellers I'd missed. I even downloaded one of those new authors no one had ever heard of who'd hit the best seller list. She wrote a story about a girl, not much younger than me, who had to support herself as a waitress to make ends meet. Had this girl asked me, I could have told her hooking paid a lot more than waitressing. I knew that from first hand experience in both jobs. But it was still a good read that had kept me up later than usual.