"Well… uh…"

"Sweetie, don't be embarrassed. You can't help being what you are, not any more than I can. I'm not that way myself, of course. I don't go for the girl-girl stuff, I mean – at least not for my own personal kicks. But if you're interested, it's okay with me. I'm always glad to turn a trick. So if you like my body and want to get a closer whiff of this nice spicy perfume on especially for you darling…"

Her voice twanged upon my taut nerves. I clutched at my purse and marched into the bathroom. For a long moment I peered at my reflection in the mirror, scowling darkly even as my heart increased the pace of its excited thumping. Always glad to turn a trick. The woman was a whore. Business. Money. A common prostitute. Did I want her? Should I stay?

The scowl softened, turning my expression sexy. No wonder she had noticed my lips; they seemed even thicker than usual, almost lewd now, with the suggestion of a pout. I couldn't bear to look into my smoldering eyes. It was all there, a physical manifestation of the mysteries of my mind, all there in the glass.

I tore my gaze away. The woman's clothes were neatly folded on a hanger. I liked that. She was clean, at least. I liked the fact that she had taken a shower for me. And I remembered how her body had looked downstairs in the lobby – those slithery haunches! – en route to the elevator. I remembered the attractive flesh revealed by her rustling negligee, just out of the bathroom. I remembered the coarseness of her, the coarse sensuality. And the memory gave way to a sudden fierce urge, too strong, too powerful, too much for me to control. I undressed hurriedly, avoiding any further contact with the telltale mirror. Naked now, and still carrying my purse, I went back into the bedroom. I fished out two ten-dollar bills and tossed them on the dresser.

Inez's eyes were bright. "So you decided to stay." She stretched seductively. "I'm glad. I was a little worried when you walked off like that."