Lilac Temptress

Chapter 5

Soft piano music filled Drake's ears as his gaze swept the dwelling, richly-colored in jewel tones, deep reds, gold, rich browns, silk, and velvet fabrics. Flowery wallpaper covered the walls. Heavy damask draperies hid the windows. Rugs from the Orient covered the floor. Several women wearing brassieres, garters, lace stockings, and high-heels were involved in delectable kissing and lewd fondling with men on plush seats and upholstered divans scattered all around him.

When Drake observed women luring men upstairs to private rooms apparently to taste the goods, he realized that he wasn't only in a brothel, but that he'd lost sight of Sierra.

"Hello, handsome. I'm Adrienne Wade, and whom might you be?" A captivating, middle-aged woman, sauntered up to him dressed provocatively in a fitted blue satin dress without the modest confinement of a corset underneath.?

"McCalister." Drake suddenly stilled, noting her confidence and undeniable authority. Even before she'd introduced herself, he knew she was the madam.

"What's your type, honey? I've got all kinds of girls here eager to please you." Adrienne's gaze roamed his sturdy frame, her eyes glossing over, her smile building slowly.

Drake grinned. He hadn't seen this coming and never imagined he'd be standing in a brothel. His inner biases had never allowed him a visit to one, but he considered Sierra a reason to stay.

Adrienne studied him. His deep voice, melodic to her ears, affected her senses.?What a luring man, she thought, dumbstruck. She had known many men in her line of work, but this man's presence was arousing and oddly comforting. He oozed of s*x, charm, and strength.

"May I meet with Sierra?" Drake's face flushed as he spoke. "I'd like her for the night."

Adrienne rolled her eyes and huffed. "She's not working tonight. But I've got other girls that I'm sure can satisfy you. Though, a real looker like yourself doesn't need any help with charming a woman into bed. Not from around here, are you?"

Adrienne gave Drake a longer once-over. He had chiseled features, full lips, and a muscular physique that stood out under his cotton shirt, trousers, and frock coat. She'd lie in bed with him for free if she thought he'd take her up on it.

Men like him didn't come around establishments like hers very often. It probably took a woman like Sierra to lure him there. Sierra was likely the only woman on earth foolish enough to run from such a prize. Adrienne pressed a hand to her temple.

"How much do you want for her?" Drake persisted. He didn't intend to give up easily.

"Keep your money, honey. I told you Sierra ain't working." Adrienne realized with a touch of disappointment that he'd unlikely settle for anyone else.

She began walking away when Drake caught her shoulder gently. She whirled to face him with a severe countenance.

Drake saw a massive man jolt to a stance behind her. The strapping protector was intimidating enough to give most men pause, but Drake had already made up his mind to see Sierra again.

"It's fine, Toby," Adrienne called over her shoulder. The man settled back down into his chair, watching.

Realizing his mistake, Drake removed his hand from the madam's shoulder, composing himself.

"I'm a man who usually gets what he wants, Ms. Wade." Drake reached into his coat pocket for his wallet. "I don't expect to leave here disappointed. What does a girl earn in one night?"?

"Sierra ain't cheap." Adrienne narrowed her eyes.

"I'll pay whatever she makes in a night." Drake had never been more determined to get what he wanted.

"Well, I suppose I can't say no to that kind of money, can I?" Adrienne placed her hands on her hips, waiting for payment.

Glancing toward the staircase, Drake placed bills into her hands until she was satisfied.

"She's upstairs to the left, down the hall and around the corner, the last door," Adrienne instructed with excitement as she recounted the large bills.

Without hesitation, Drake vaulted the stairs in a few quick strides. His belly knotted when he thought about the outrageous amount of money he'd paid to have a night with Sierra.

Women usually flocked to him, vying for his affection. But what else could he have done when he didn't have enough time to pursue Sierra as a gentleman would? Not that being a gentleman would matter to a prostitute.

He walked around the corner and found the door to Sierra's room. He knocked, eager with the expectation of a racy, passionate night.?

His breath caught deep in his chest when she appeared wearing a skimpy violet robe with tiny pastel flowers embroidered around the hem.?

She was even more beautiful out of costume than he'd imagined. Her thick spiraling hair hung loose to her waist; her pale skin glowed against the ambient lighting coming from inside her room. She smelled as clean as the morning breeze. My God, he thought, fighting the impulse to take hold of her.

"What are you doing here?" Sierra gasped, her inner alarm sounding as she shuffled back a step. "I thought I left you downstairs."

"You left me downstairs, but I needed to see you. I'd like to spend more time with you. So, I'm here now." Drake's eyes drifted down her luscious thighs to her calves and ankles, and surprisingly perfect toes - for a stage dancer.

Sierra pulled her skimpy robe tighter around herself. "Do you always pursue women that you know little of like this?" she asked. "Didn't Adrienne tell you I wasn't taking any company?" Her face flushed with color.

"To answer your first question, no. And the second, yes, Ms. Wade did say so. But I paid her well to be with you tonight. I know you had a busy evening, and I can see that my presence bothers you, but I hope that you might reconsider having me."

"Having you? And what services do you require? Do you wish to talk some more, Mr. McCalister?" Sierra crossed her arms.

"Wait here," she demanded and stormed past him, leaving him no time to answer her questions.

It was apparent to Drake that she was vexed instead of flattered by his presence, so he didn't follow her. Instead, he seized the opportunity to enter her bedroom.

Browsing the room, he discovered a tattered copy of Gulliver's Travels placed on the top shelf of a tall bookshelf. He continued to read the titles Alice's Adventures Under Ground, The Iliad, and The Odyssey, among other adventure books. He wondered if she'd read any of these or if she'd only stared at the beautiful pictures.?

Most women of her station couldn't read or write. Seeing these books in the room of a prostitute was more than curious.

* * *

"Adrienne!" Sierra grabbed the Madame's arm and spun her around.

"Relax, honey. What's got you all bent out of shape?"

"Don't trifle with me, Adrienne! Why did you send that man upstairs to my room?" Sierra's heart thundered in her chest, and her temper flared, her natural color giving way to a gush of red.

Adrienne's laughter rang in Sierra's ears. "Honey, I think that man is obsessed with you, though he wouldn't be the first. He gave me more than a girl makes a night in cold hard cash. I can't deny that kind of money. Besides, look at him. He's a fine specimen. I thought I was doing you a favor."

"You have truly gone mad!" Sierra's ground her teeth. Some of the other women in the room giggled at her. "You know I'm not going to sleep with him. Did you tell him that? Did you tell him that he wasted his money?"

"If you sleep with him, I'll give you every last cent. Honest." Adrienne smiled while crossing her heart with her fingertip.

"Every cent should be mine. Don't you think? You shouldn't be mocking me like this. You've handed me over to some stranger. Wil won't like this and - "

"And what Wil doesn't know won't hurt him," Adrienne interrupted, her voice changing from good-humored to pure business. "Sierra, you are a young woman. You have needs and desires just like the rest of us women, and not just the fancies you have about leaving this town. Real needs honey, that call for the talents of a man." Adrienne touched Sierra's cheek.

"It's about time you experience one, and it will be better if he is a handsome stranger and not one of the no-good scoundrels here in this little town who talk too much. Indeed, this McCalister man looks like an amazing lover and hearing that intoxicating voice of his - I got hot, simply talking to him. I wouldn't think twice about bedding him if I were you."

"How dare you suggest it." Sierra's mouth drew together in a tight line as she turned her head from Adrienne, trying to suppress images of Drake's naked body pressed against hers.

"Fine, honey, so don't do anything at all." Adrienne yawned, mimicking boredom. "Entertain him long enough to keep all his money. Don't you need it? I know you've been secretly saving to escape Jadesville." She wrinkled her brows.

"What kind of respectable man would pursue a woman into a whorehouse?" Sierra blinked at Adrienne.

"He looked surprised to be here, honey. I don't think he usually finds his women in this sort of place. Not a man like him," Adrienne breathed. "Not a man who might be God's gift to women," she quipped.

"You've got him all figured out, haven't you? Sierra ranted. "What if he intends to maul me?"

Adrienne roared with laughter despite the anger on Sierra's face. "He will not handle you roughly. He'll respect your wishes. I know men, honey, and I know his type. A type not usually found around here. No doubt he's another one of Morgan's men trying to convince Wil to sell?"?

Sierra nodded, flashing Adrienne a heated look before heading upstairs. "You know I despise you for this?"?

"But I love you, darling." Adrienne fanned bills across her fingertips, wondering how Sierra was going to make it through the night with Mr. McCalister?