{"id":297,"date":"2014-12-31T00:06:46","date_gmt":"2014-12-31T05:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=297"},"modified":"2014-12-31T00:06:46","modified_gmt":"2014-12-31T05:06:46","slug":"marketplace-the-book-1-of-the-marketplace-by-laura-antoniou","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=297","title":{"rendered":"Marketplace, The (Book 1 of The Marketplace) by Laura Antoniou"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/circlet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/marketplace-cover-FW.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/circlet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/marketplace-cover-iconsize.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>ebook $9.99<br \/>\nISBN 9781885865564<br \/>\npaperback $19.95<br \/>\nISBN 9781885865571<br \/>\n138,660 words; 318 pages<\/p>\n<p>[wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=76]<\/p>\n<p>The ebook edition is also available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/marketplace-laura-antoniou\/1100245279?ean=2940043323866\">Barnes &amp; Noble<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smashwords.com\/books\/view\/17741\">Smashwords<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobobooks.com\/ebook\/The-Marketplace\/book-TL4cGzbyx0S57IJs_55UHA\/page1.html?s=-m_91OFRcEyKiumwb_Qrkw&amp;r=1\">Kobo<\/a>, &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-themarketplacebookoneofthemarketplaceseries-442747-354.html\">AllRomanceEbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"paperback edition\" href=\"https:\/\/www.createspace.com\/5340882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buy the paperback edition<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are very pleased and excited to be bringing back Laura Antoniou\u2019s enchanting series of books about an underground secret society of owners, masters, mistresses, and their property: submissives, maids, butlers, and pleasure slaves. In the first volume, follow the trials and tribulations of four aspiring slaves as they undergo training hoping to be accepted into The Marketplace. Under the firm hand of Grendel, the sharp eye of Alexandra, and the painful leather strap in the hands of Chris, these men and women will find some of their hardest challenges come from within themselves.<\/p>\n<p>The Marketplace is available as an ebook OR in a print-on-demand paperback edition. The ebook contains an all-new bonus story, \u201cFor the Want of a Nail,\u201d in which Grendel and Alexandra decide to host a dinner party, and also includes the text of the bonus story from the Mystic Rose edition of The Marketplace, \u201cA Leash Has Two Ends.\u201d (The paperback has only the text of the novel.)<\/p>\n<p>Fans of Circlet Press may notice one element of these incredible books, though, makes them somewhat different from most Circlet publications: they are not science fiction or fantasy. Thus we are launching a new imprint, Luster Editions, to publish books of alternative sexuality that do not have the sf\/f genre element. These books still fit Circlet\u2019s motto perfectly well: <i>Celebrating the erotic imagination.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Keep reading for a hot excerpt, more information, and purchase links:<br \/>\n<span id=\"more-1299\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About the Author: <\/b>Laura Antoniou is the author of the well known <i>Marketplace<\/i> series of erotic novels. She has also edited the groundbreaking \u201cLeatherwomen\u201d anthologies, and several other collections of fiction and non-fiction. Her work has been translated into Spanish, German, Hebrew, Japanese and Korean. Many examples of her short fiction, articles, essays and rants can be found in the collection titled <i>The Catalyst and Other Tales.<\/i><br \/>\nShe is personally featured in <i>Writing Below the Belt: Conversations with Erotic Authors<\/i> by Michael Rowe and <i>The Burning Pen: Sex Writers on Sex Writing,<\/i> by M.Christian. Laura was also a columnist for <i>Girlfriends<\/i> magazine from 1995-1997, the submissions editor for <i>Badboy<\/i> and <i>Bi-Curious<\/i> magazines from 1995-96, and a regular contributor to<i>The SandMUtopia Guardian<\/i> from 1993-2000.<\/p>\n<p>Ebook versions also available from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111126143329\/https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B003UV989U\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon Kindle Store <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111126143329\/https:\/\/www.fictionwise.com\/servlet\/mw?t=bookpreview&amp;bookid=127953\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">Fictionwise<\/a> (all formats)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111126143329\/https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-themarketplacebookoneofthemarketplaceseries-442747-144.html\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">All Romance eBooks<\/a> (epub, prc, pdf, HTML)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111126143329\/https:\/\/www.smashwords.com\/books\/view\/17741\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">Smashwords<\/a> (mobi, LRF, epub, pdf, HTML)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111126143329\/https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/33675993\/The-Marketplace\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">Scribd<\/a> (PDF, epaper, read online)<\/li>\n<li>Rainbow eBooks (GLBT specialists!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Part One: Chapter One, Excerpt from THE MARKETPLACE by Laura Antoniou<br \/>\n<\/em><br \/>\n\u201cMay I serve you tea, ma\u2019am?\u201d The girl\u2019s body was bent slightly forward in a subtle, exquisite, inquisitive posture. Her small white hands held the china teapot firmly, waiting for an answer. That was excellent, too. An untrained girl might have started pouring as soon as she asked the question.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, of course,\u201d the mistress of the house replied. Her eyes followed the movements of the girl as the liquid poured into the cup. The tea made a distinct sound while it ran into the cup, another perfection. When the cup was three quarters full, the pot was replaced, and the ritual continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWould you like sugar, ma\u2019am?\u201d Then lemon, then cream. Each refusal was met with a slight bowing of the girl\u2019s pretty head. When the options were finished, she backed away from the table, her steps small and carefully placed, barely disturbing the slender golden chain that wound between her white, high-heeled shoes.<\/p>\n<p>She was pretty, small and delicately shaped. She was well suited to the serving ensemble she wore, the tight-corseted bodice and the lightly ruffled apron. Her curly, light brown hair cascaded down her back, the pert lace cap pinning it back. Her deep green eyes were always lowered in humility, long lashes charmingly fluttering. The wisps of hair which seemed to carelessly escape from the cap to frame her heart-shaped face were in fact cunningly arranged to suggest disarray.<\/p>\n<p>Cute, Alexandra Selador thought, as she drank some tea. Far too cute for her own good.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat will be all, Claudia,\u201d Mistress Madeleine said, her voice strong and tightly controlled. Alexandra nodded and her majordomo came forward to leash the girl and remove her from the room. The two women waited until the servants had gone to relax back into their chairs. They laughed together at the conceit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, Alex.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd you, Madeleine. It\u2019s been far too long. You should come out and visit us more often. And Claudia is simply enchanting. It\u2019s rare you see such grace in that form of service these days. At least here in the States.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That comment was answered with a simple but elegant shrug. \u201cYou should come and visit us,\u201d Madeleine insisted. She smiled, her face transforming in a way few of her slaves had ever witnessed. \u201cDid you know that we finished the pool and the deck? It\u2019s beautiful, especially at night. We light torches\u2014it\u2019s very romantic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHm, I bet it is,\u201d Alexandra murmured. \u201cAnd you bring in some extra property? To serve at poolside?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe invite people to bring their own, but of course we try to have someone for everyone. You should have come to the last party we threw! We had some friends in from the Netherlands. They had just bought a pair of twins, big, blonde beauties. We had them dressed in nothing but slender, black chains, wound all around their bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra tried to imagine that, and the image of them standing next to the tall, dark Mistress. She nodded. \u201cThat must have been nice. Boys?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoy and girl. Barely spoke English, actually, but very well trained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra whistled slightly. \u201cVery nice indeed. Twin brother\/sister combinations are very, very hot right now, especially if there\u2019s a strong resemblance.\u201d She waited politely for Madeleine to begin the business discussion. Over such an elegantly served tea, it didn\u2019t feel right to just ask what the woman wanted. Was she interested in a set of twins herself? Alexandra did a quick mental inventory. There was one pair she knew about that might be ready for training, but they were in San Francisco, a continent away, and there was no telling what kind of contracts they wanted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, there was a strong resemblance here, honey.\u201d Madeleine flashed that brilliant smile again. \u201cBoth of them had long hair, shaggy almost. They looked primitive, very\u2026 raw. I told David to have their noses pierced. That would have completed the image. But even without that, they were a great success. Wherever they walked, people admired them. David even got a few offers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She sighed, and finally put her cup down. \u201cShall we get on to business?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt your service, ma\u2019am.\u201d Alexandra reached for her notepad. \u201cWhat can we do for you this time?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want you to take Claudia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra\u2019s eyebrow shot up in surprise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cClaudia?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Madeleine nodded, her smile gone. \u201cI want her trained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra considered for a moment. \u201cI have to be honest with you. I don\u2019t think we\u2019re the ones you want, Madeleine. We\u2019re entry level, undergraduate. Claudia, if I might say so, is already past the level of many of our graduates.\u201d She smiled ruefully. \u201cBut I can put you in contact with one of the master trainers, if you\u2019d like. I think Anderson is accepting new applicants next month.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo, I want you to do it,\u201d came the confident reply. \u201cAnderson is wonderful, her slaves are always perfection, but that\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra waited for the explanation. It was not every day when a client protested that they didn\u2019t want perfection. Her eyes scanned the table. There wasn\u2019t a drop of moisture on a serving utensil nor on the tablecloth. In fact, the teapot, creamer, sugar bowel and everything else seemed to be pleasingly arrayed, something she hadn\u2019t noticed before.<\/p>\n<p>Madeleine stood up, looking toward the door as though she could see her property through the walls. \u201cClaudia was meant for perfection,\u201d she began, walking away from the table. \u201cFrom the first time I saw her, I could tell. It wasn\u2019t just her attitude, you can see she\u2019s a slave to her soul, but the way she devoted herself to being attentive to the slightest details. Adequate was never acceptable to her. Every once in a while, I would find her practicing\u2026 how to move, how to curtsy, how to speak. She would watch herself in the mirror and do something over and over again until it satisfied her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She turned to look at Alexandra. \u201cIt was intoxicating for a while. Of all my slaves, even the Marketplace ones, she had the most desperate drive to be perfect for me. It was worth the challenge to find fault with her. A fray on an inch of lace, a scuff on her shoe, a grain of sugar on the table, it didn\u2019t matter. I punished her heavily for every imperfection.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd the punishments! What else could I do to such a creature but have her bent tightly over a bench and caned until she cried? And she would cry, just like the little girl she is. Every time, early on, but with grace. I taught her to stand for the cane and kiss it prettily when I was done\u2026 they were wonderful sessions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith stripes across her bottom, she was even more perfect.\u201d Madeleine paused. \u201cDo you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI understand that you made a perfect slave,\u201d Alexandra said cautiously.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, and no. I took a perfect slave and made her more perfect. And now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow she bores you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Madeleine nodded, a blush faintly discernible under her dark cheeks.<\/p>\n<p>It was a rare but classic dilemma. Alexandra began to jot down some notes. She had heard of this happening, but had never seen the results. What did happen, owners would ask between themselves, if a slave actually achieved the perfection they were supposed to be searching for? Would master be happy? Or would the slave have surpassed the master in one of those unquantifiable ways that makes people unworthy of each other?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo what do you envision for her?\u201d Alexandra asked when she finished writing. \u201cDo you want her changed into something more challenging?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ah, Alexandra thought, making another note. \u201cSo you\u2019ve already tried.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell of course. As soon as I realized what was wrong, I tried to see if there were some other areas I could explore with her. But she\u2026 resisted me.\u201d Madeleine frowned slightly at the memory. \u201cNot directly, of course, that might have been interesting in itself. But somehow, anything outside of her role would just make her sad, or confused. I love her dearly, but she\u2019s so limited!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Alexandra murmured sympathetically. \u201cYou\u2019ll want her back then?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Madeleine turned back to look at Alexandra, her face composed. \u201cIf she cannot be taken beyond the role she is in now, I will want her sold.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes she know that?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo. I want her to change because she wants to please me, not because she is afraid of the possible results. Besides,\u201d Madeleine waved one hand toward the hallway, \u201ca new owner may be what she needs. After all, I can\u2019t pretend that I had nothing to do with the state she is in. Although she came to me as a novice little maid, I was the one to enhance her training to the level she has achieved. I was the one who decided to seek perfection in this role. Perhaps with someone new, she can break out of it. Be more complete, more useful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alexandra underlined \u2018useful.\u2019 \u201cWe\u2019ll want her for one week of evaluation. After that, we\u2019ll send you a report and you can decide whether to take our recommendations. If you decide to go through the whole program, we suggest four to five more weeks, depending on how intense you want the experience to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Madeleine nodded, came back to sit down. She reached into her bag to draw out her calendar, and began marking down dates.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd you know the rules here,\u201d Alexandra continued. \u201cYou will not be able to call or visit her. And of course, Claudia will have to agree to go to the block. If she undergoes the training and decides not to enter the Marketplace, you lose all the training fees. We\u2019re happy to do this for you, Madeleine, and in the way you like, but you know the risks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s perfectly acceptable. Here is her file.\u201d The folder was filled with sheets of heavy, cream colored paper and photographs. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how much she means to me, Alex. If you can do what I ask and get her back to my house a new girl, I\u2019ll be in your debt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou certainly will,\u201d Alexandra said with a smile.\u201d You\u2019ll get the invoice for the evaluation tomorrow, and an estimate for the training will come with the report. As you know, it\u2019s a business doing pleasure with you.\u201d The two women laughed and finished their tea.<\/p>\n<p>* * * *<\/p>\n<p>Grendel read through the file before him, scanning relevant parts and occasionally glancing at the two photos on the desk. One showed a young, dark-haired man in black leather, looking in what he must have imagined to be a defiant way at the camera. It came off more petulant than angry or proud. The second was a nude shot, the same man standing in a stiff position, his arms at his side. The file wasn\u2019t very long.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, you were right about one thing,\u201d he said lightly, closing the file. \u201cThis is a classic example of raw goods.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The man on the other side of the desk shrugged. \u201cI told him he wasn\u2019t ready.\u201d Paul Sheridan was wearing his own black leather. But in sharp contrast to the picture on the desk, Paul looked as though he lived in his leathers. They were old, well crafted, well formed to his hard body. His only concession to the summer heat was that his shirt had short sleeves. \u201cBut when he decides he wants something, he just keeps asking and asking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow submissive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paul shrugged again. \u201cOh, he can be submissive when the situation is right. But he\u2019s really just a greedy bottom most of the time. A real \u2018stand and model\u2019 type. In fact, that\u2019s where I first saw him. It was at one of those events, you know, Mr. Leather something-or-other.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd this was the best they had to offer?\u201d Grendel waved over the file. \u201cNow I know why those things never interested me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYeah, well it was pretty awful. He wasn\u2019t the best maybe, but he was hot-looking. Also, he had that nice bratty attitude. Made me want to pull him off that stage and spank him \u2019til he cried.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The master of the house nodded, familiar with Paul\u2019s tastes. \u201cSo what do you want us to do with him?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMake something out of him if you can. Break through that bullshit smugness he has, get rid of that \u2018I want, I want\u2019 nonsense. If you can bring out his real submission, I know he can fetch a nice price somewhere.\u201d Paul examined his fingernails for a moment. \u201cAll I\u2019m interested in is the spotters fee.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI bet. You know, we don\u2019t usually work with talent this shallow.\u201d Grendel leaned back, his smile genuine but his voice hardening with business. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ve got market quality here, frankly. Hot leather boys with selfish needs don\u2019t rate very high in value.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s not all like that, Gren. There is something real in him. I\u2019ve seen it, I\u2019ve brought it out. Besides, I\u2019m not asking for three months of real training here, just the basic six weeks. Just enough to fetch a nice starting price. Have I brought you any dogs before?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grendel grinned. \u201cOnly that puppy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight!\u201d Paul pointed at Grendel, emphasizing his words. \u201cAnd he went into a two-year contract right out of training, didn\u2019t he? And traded at a 25% increase out of San Diego last year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo he did.\u201d Grendel flipped open the file again. He looked back at Paul from time to time. The man had a point. Paul had yet to bring someone by who didn\u2019t have some real potential in them. But taking a trainee like this was always an iffy proposition. If he didn\u2019t fetch a high enough price at his first sale, Paul only lost a spotters fee. Grendel and the house stood to lose the cost of training, and the loss of face if the training didn\u2019t last longer than the sale.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou say he\u2019s bisexual,\u201d Grendel said, still thinking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, he says he is. But his preference is men.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes he know that preferences aren\u2019t allowed here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grendel tapped the folder a few times and then reached for the intercom button. \u201cChris? Bring him in, please.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The door opened immediately, and the man from the photos walked in, followed by the majordomo. He strode to Paul\u2019s side and knelt next to his chair, keeping his eyes lowered. He was wearing artfully worn jeans covered with stylishly cut black leather chaps. His chest was bare except for a harness made of silver chain. A matching chain was around his neck, with a silver lock, and small, silver rings adorned his nipples. His hair was shorn boot-camp short, and he wore a black mustache.<\/p>\n<p>No imagination, Grendel thought. \u201cI didn\u2019t tell you that you could kneel,\u201d he said, his voice soft and reasonable.<\/p>\n<p>The man looked up, then toward Paul. Paul groaned and rolled his eyes in frustration. \u201cI warned you not to embarrass me, you scumbag. Get up!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With a jingle of harness, the man did so, and then stood, his arms behind his back and his head lowered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t tell you that you could avert your eyes, either,\u201d Grendel smiled. \u201cPaul, why don\u2019t you introduce me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSure. Grendel Elliot, meet my latest boy, Brian Cohen. Brian, this is Mr. Elliot, the master of this place. If you\u2019re lucky, he\u2019ll accept you for training. But thanks to your spectacularly stupid entrance, he probably thinks you\u2019re nothing more than a cheap, thrill-seeking little leather clone, and he\u2019ll kick both of us out in the next ten minutes. After which you\u2019ll be walking the sixty miles back to Manhattan.\u201d Paul compressed his lips into a smile. He\u2019d do it, too.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUh. Pleased to meet you, sir.\u201d Brian exposed a mouthful of large white teeth and he extended his hand across the desk. His attitude had gone from stylized subservience to game show host in one second. It took him two more to realize that Grendel had no intention of shaking his hand. Awkwardly, he pulled back. Unsure of how to stand, he put his hands behind his back again.<\/p>\n<p>Grendel studied the man before him. He was not particularly stunning, but handsome in a dark, ethnic way. His skin didn\u2019t show evidence of a lot of time out in the sun or at a tanning salon, and his waist showed a lack of time spent in a gym. Grendel\u2019s face didn\u2019t show the slightest spark of interest as he rose and walked around the desk to study Brian a little closer. He looked as though he was dutifully examining an incomprehensible piece of art at the behest of a loved one.<\/p>\n<p>Brian was clearly not used to such dispassionate observation. Within thirty seconds, he began to tense. In another thirty, he began to fidget.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo discipline,\u201d Grendel snapped from behind him. Brian almost jumped, but managed to remain still.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s just shy,\u201d Paul offered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAre you? Shy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, it depends, sir. I\u2019ve competed in contests, and I don\u2019t think I could win if I was really shy. I, um, get nervous sometimes, but I try to get over it as best I can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is not an answer to the question I asked, Mr. Cohen. That is a series of personal observations referring to yourself far too many times in one sentence. Try answering yes or no.\u201d Grendel remained behind Brian, speaking to the back of the man\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUh, no, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grendel raised an eyebrow at Paul, who merely grinned and shrugged again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is not very promising, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, I\u2019m sorry to waste your time, Gren. Listen, I\u2019ll make it up to you, real soon. I\u2018ll find you a muscle stud like you wouldn\u2019t believe, a god. Some guy that would eat this twinkie for breakfast.\u201d Paul started to rise, but Grendel waved him back down. Before he could begin to speak, Brian piped up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease, sir, please reconsider me! I\u2019ll do better! I\u2019ll learn. I can be better, much better. I\u2019m just nervous today, I promise you, I\u2019ll be the best slave you ever trained!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wasn\u2019t speaking to you, Mr. Cohen. And if whining and making impossible promises is any indication of how you plan to be the best anything I\u2019ve ever trained, you are badly, badly mistaken.\u201d Grendel put his hand out and grasped the back of Brian\u2019s neck. The man\u2019s first reaction was to stiffen up, but then he relaxed and leaned backward into the hand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHm. First thing you did right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paul smiled.<\/p>\n<p>Grendel let go and walked back around to his seat. \u201cAll right, Mr. Cohen, I\u2019ll give you one more chance. Tell me what you\u2019re good for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brian looked startled at the question. Although Grendel asked it of all new applicants, many of them didn\u2019t know how to answer. They invariably felt intimidated by the question, some of them afraid of boasting, others simply mystified at the implication that they should know their own capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Brian started to say something, but stopped himself on the first syllable. Some instinct in him told him that \u201cWhatever master wants\u201d wasn\u2019t going to fly here. Not with this man.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, I can take a good beating, sir.\u201d Grendel nodded, and gestured for him to continue. \u201cAnd\u2026 and I can obey orders. I can take care of a man\u2019s leather, polish boots. Um. I can service a man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t be evasive!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can suck cock, sir. And work over a man\u2019s body, I can make love to every part of him, sir.\u201d That came out in a rush. Paul nodded, obviously agreeing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan you? Show me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brian looked startled again, but recovered quickly and looked at Paul. When Paul made no invitation or protest, he glanced at Grendel, and then began to walk around the edge of the desk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot on me, Mr. Cohen. On Chris.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brian turned to the majordomo, who had remained standing inside the door until this time. They had not exchanged a single word in the time that Chris had been watching him, but Brian had plenty of time to study him.<\/p>\n<p>Chris was a very small, compact man. He was dressed in a suit with a crisp, high-collared white shirt and a long, dark jacket, which seemed to emphasize his heavy shoulders and hide his waist and hips. His hair was dark, thick and curly, his eyes shadowed by tinted glasses with heavy steel frames. It was Chris who had answered the door and brought them to this office. After announcing Paul in a mellow tenor voice, Chris had stayed with Brian in the antechamber, silent and watchful.<\/p>\n<p>Blow him? That would be easy. Little guys tended to have undersized dicks too. It would look good for Brian to dive in with enthusiasm. As the majordomo moved forward, unfastening the fly of his pants, Brian slid to his knees and moistened his lips.<\/p>\n<p>He put his hands behind his back as he had been taught, and waited for Chris to pull out his cock. The first indication that things were not as they should be was when Chris\u2019s hand had to actually slide into his fly to grasp it. Maybe he\u2019s not that tiny, Brian considered, giving his lips another swipe. No big deal, I can handle it.<\/p>\n<p>But he couldn\u2019t handle what came out of those pants. For although the size was indeed respectable, it lacked one important element for any devoted cocksucker. His eyes widened as he gazed at it, and without a single cognizant thought, his head snapped back and his hands loosened from behind his back. He heard his own voice echo in the room. Instantly he gasped, and then compressed his lips in trepidation. He screwed his eyes shut for what he knew was coming.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou stinking, good-for-nothing fuck-up!\u201d Paul exploded. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be lucky if anyone ever takes you home as anything but a cheap trick, you lousy son of a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul, Paul, please.\u201d Grendel held up one hand as he jotted one more note down. \u201cNo need to raise your voice. Chris, you may put that away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Still mute, the majordomo did as told, tucking it back into his pants. Brian remained where he was, a deep blush growing at the back of his neck and a trickle of sweat sliding down his back. I screwed up big time, he thought, grinding his teeth. I don\u2019t believe my big, fucking mouth. Oh, that was rich, Brian buddy, just shout it out like this was the first time you ever tried any of this. What\u2019s the big deal if the guy\u2026?<\/p>\n<p>He glanced up at Chris, who seemed entirely unaffected by the exchange. Brian shuddered involuntarily and then ducked his head down again. Whatever this guy was didn\u2019t matter any more. Brian wouldn\u2019t have to worry about ever seeing Chris or Mr. Elliot ever again. Paul would kill him when they got out of here.<\/p>\n<p>It took me four months to get him to admit that he knew about this place, and I blow it in the first ten minutes, he thought in a flurry of self-condemnation. He lowered his chin until it almost touched his chest and didn\u2019t look up as Chris walked away from him.<\/p>\n<p>But Paul was smiling. Grendel hadn\u2019t stopped taking notes, and that was an excellent sign.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is what I\u2019m offering you, Paul,\u201d Grendel finally said. \u201cWe\u2019ll evaluate him as usual. If he passes, and we think he can get better, we\u2019ll take him on as a total novice. Your commission will be cut by fifty percent for our trouble. If he fails and proves to be a loss, you owe us his estimated value on your next find.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paul laughed. \u201cCut the commission only ten percent and I\u2019ll guarantee your choice on the next one. If he fails, I\u2019ll cut my fee fifty percent on whatever I bring you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hate to quibble. Twenty-five, plus our choice on the next one with a ten percent decrease in your fee. No change on the failure, take it or leave it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brian trembled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOK. But only because I know that he\u2019s quality and that you\u2019re the only people in the world who can bring it out. And get a mark-up worth my time.\u201d The two men shook hands over the desk.<\/p>\n<p>Brian was almost in shock as Chris reappeared, bearing a key. The chain around his neck was taken off and returned to Paul. He was so flustered that Paul\u2019s voice had to filter through his confusion gradually, like light coming through a dense fog.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u2026and you do as they say, boy. Did you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ll see, Gren. He\u2019s got the potential.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grendel stood up and closed the file. \u201cWe\u2019ll let you know in one week, Paul. Chris? Take Mr. Cohen to the dorm, please.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brian turned back as he got up. \u201cThank you, sir, you won\u2019t be sorry\u2014\u201d and immediately knew that he had made yet another grave error. Paul\u2019s grimace told him so.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd gag him,\u201d Grendel said softly. The majordomo nodded and pushed Brian out the door. As they were exiting, Grendel turned back to Paul with a devilish glint in his eyes. \u201cOur choice for your next find? How about a pair of twins\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Meet the rest of the cast, including sexpot \u201cpleasure slave\u201d Sharon, six-foot hunk of man Robert (who needs to be trained out of being a french maid), well-hung stableman Jack, insatiable domestic helper Rachel, and many more by downloading your copy of the ebook, or ordering the print edition, today!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[wp_eStore_fancy2 id=76]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ebook $9.99 ISBN 9781885865564 paperback $19.95 ISBN 9781885865571 138,660 words; 318 pages [wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=76] The ebook edition is also available at: Barnes &amp; Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, &amp; AllRomanceEbooks. Buy the paperback edition! We are very pleased and excited to be bringing back Laura Antoniou\u2019s enchanting series of books about an underground secret society of owners, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=297\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Marketplace, The (Book 1 of The Marketplace) by Laura Antoniou<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":1086,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-297","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/297\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}