AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rain droplets trailed down the windowpane, creating a hazy backdrop to her profile as she thought. Her nose had an unusual little tilt up at the end.
“Technically, Cavendish is registered as an entertainment business,” she explained, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes as she continued, “It’s the type of entertainment we do thatedgesbetween legal and illegal.”
Ryder chuckled, appreciating her play on words. “Good one. But I’m serious. How do you justify it? As an almost-lawyer, what makes you believe it’s acceptable?”
Nita paused again, her expression more thoughtful, as if she was searching for the right words. Uncertainty flickered across her features, but when she finally responded it was with a question of her own.
“What’s wrong with sex being a legal transaction between consenting adults? Why can’t people with unconventional desires negotiate a sexual encounter, knowing they’ll be in a safe and accepting environment?”
Her response surprised Ryder. He had expected a defensive stance, but Nita posed a valid argument that made him reconsider his own biases. “I hadn’t looked at it that way before,” he admitted, his voice tinged with surprise.
Nita continued, her voice gaining conviction. “I believe in sex positivity and embracing the whole gamut of human desires, even if they’re ones I don’t understand. I also have faith in the technology that Cavendish uses. It’s not just about physical pleasure; it’s about exploring boundaries and fulfilling fantasies within a structured context.”
“You meant the scripted engagements?” he asked.
“Yes. Although scripted as to the surroundings, costumes, and a few keyword prompts as signals to the guests,” she said.
“Keywords. Are those like safe words?” he asked.
“Keywords are prompts to let guests know when different activities are about to happen. Like starting an orgy or ending it,” she explained.
“I never thought my job would include a sentence like that. So safe words aren’t mandatory?”
“The software ensures the clients are matched with consultants that mirror their turn-ons. Everyone is guaranteed satisfaction without the strings or hassles of emotions, but if some of the sex borders on something dangerous and a client or consultant requests it, that’s when we’d assign them safe words,” she said.
“Well thought out,” he admitted, impressed.
“Cavendish has definitely perfected sexual gratification without the confusion of emotions that create miscommunication,” she finished with a flourish of her hands.
Ryder had to agree with the idea of sex without mixed signals. “But isn’t it limited to the wealthy? Only the rich can afford an engagement here.”
Nita nodded, acknowledging his point. “You’re right, and that’s something I struggle with, too. I believe the benefits of the bio-haptics technology should extend beyond the elite clientele. Unfortunately, Cavendish Seattle doesn’t own the technology; they lease it from its original creators. But I’ve heard rumors that the woman who developed it is considering alternative applications.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“Like empathy training for people in law enforcement. But really, anybody could stand to learn how to be more empathetic. Can you imagine a world of people who could put on a headset and immediately feel what other people are feeling? Like… if one of those deadbeat dads could feel the fear of a mom for the wellbeing of her child?”
“Or if a self-centered mom could put on one of those suits and realize a dad actually lived for taking his kid to school every day,” he countered.
She stared at him for a long moment, then nodded, looking back to the road ahead.
“Touché,” she said. “Anyway, sometimes I get caught up in all the good the technology could do, but frustrated because we can’t use the equipment for anything more than sexual behavior data collection. And I see all the good I could do as a lawyer, but holy shit, dealing with the law and the courts can be overwhelming. I always thought the law was black and white, but once you involve people and money and intention, well… sometimes the outcome is not good.”
Ryder listened intently, but his attention wavered. Nita’s passion and energy as she spoke about her conflicting interests transfixed him.
That’s a no-fly zone, buddy,a voice inside him warned. And that voice was right. Getting interested in her ambitions was a dead end. He was two weeks, at most, and out of there. It was better to keep things on a physical level if there was going to be anything else between them other than work.
Which wasn’t an unpleasant place for his mind to wander. Maybe she was too tired to head to her practice.
“Sorry,” she said, and he realized she was giving him an apologetic look.
“For what?” he asked.
“For going on and on. Most people zone out when I get on my high horse,” she explained, then straightened her shoulders. “What did you do while I was stuck handholding the Mod Squad?”
“Well, I reviewed all the video and didn’t see any sign of an intruder. Which is a relief and an annoyance at the same time. I contacted my guy to set up remote monitoring and get me some replacement cameras. More than half are non-functioning. I’ll repair what I can and Kit will let me know right away if anything unusual shows up on the working cameras,” he explained.
“Kit is your guy? Will he be one of your team showing up onsite?”
