For the Pleasure of Men by Nora Weaving Page A

Damianos asked of her.
    “Kalliope,” he said hoarsely, coming to her. “I must go away for a few weeks. But I want to know if when I return, I could come to you?”
    “Come to me?” she asked slowly, not quite understanding what Damianos was asking.
    “Yes. To your bed,” he explained.  “Will you take me if I come to the brothel for you?”
    “But,” Kalliope stuttered, “You don’t have to ask. You can have anyone you want when you come to the brothel.”
    Kalliope was confused. The male customers could request whomever they wanted. The women didn’t get to pick and choose whom they would sleep with.
    “Yes, I know. But I want you to want me in your bed. I can’t bear the thought of you taking me to your bedroom if only out of obligation.” His cerulean eyes burned into her, and Kalliope had to look away from the intensity. She didn’t need to think about the question. Her answer was obvious and unwavering.
    “Yes,” she said simply, looking up at him. “I will gladly take you to into my bed.”
    Damianos sighed with pleasure and relief. “If only you were well enough to take me tonight. I’m afraid that I leave first thing in the morning. But I will come back soon, and I promise you that my first night home will find me back here. I shall think of nothing else except what your glorious body looks like unrobed, and the way your soft skin will feel against my flesh.” He brought his mouth to her ear. “I will be hard just thinking about you submitting to me.”
    Kalliope gasped at his words, and hot, liquid desire bubbled up within her. She wanted more than anything to fall before Damianos and let him have his way with her. Damianos smiled a sly, seductive grin before stalking out of the room.
    Kalliope stood there in shock, not quite believing what had just happened. The most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on had just promised to visit her bed once he returned. She wasn’t quite sure how she would survive the next few weeks as she anticipated his return. Nerves got the best of her, and she dropped to her knees, wondering if she could ever live up to his expectations.
    Priska came hurrying in, interrupting her thoughts. “What did he want?” she asked, hustling Kalliope out of the borrowed room.
    “He wanted to check on me since he helped me last evening. He’s going away tomorrow, but he wants to be a customer of mine when he returns.”
    Priska raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. “Well, well, well. The little peasant turns out to be doing quite well for herself. If you keep up like this, you won’t be stuck in that closet of a room for much longer.”
    Kalliope grinned. She hurried off to find Harmena. She had to confide in someone. The anticipation of fucking Damianos was going to make for a long few weeks.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    * * * * *
     
    Running a hand over her wild hair, Kalliope hurried down the hallway to the room that Priska had mentioned. A very wealthy businessman was apparently waiting for Kalliope and he had demanded to be shown to a room while he waited. Word of Kalliope had spread quickly and she could barely keep up with the steady flow of men that were showing up and requesting her services.
    Kalliope stopped before the entryway and straightened the vibrant peplos that had once belonged to Gaia’s mother. She touched the small gold chain at her neck, a simple reminder of her old life. She smoothed her hair one last time, the new bangles around her wrist jingled gently. She had pleased a new customer so well a few days ago that he had sent over a set of beautifully braided bracelets. The bangles were quickly becoming the envy of all the women at Hera Selene.
     Taking a deep breath, Kalliope slipped into the room, ready to submit to the powerful client.
     
    * * *
     
    “So, how was he?” Harmena asked the following morning as she and Kalliope munched on a late breakfast.
    “I don’t know who you mean,” Kalliope said