Someone his own age might be nice

Kelly sees the way Alex eyes light up at the suggestion of someone closer to his own age and smiles knowingly. “Of course. Why would you waste your youthful vigor on someone old enough to be your — well — older sister?” She laughs and beckons for him to follow her out of the office.

As they return to the main room of the establishment, Kelly gets the attention of a young woman who is just saying goodbye to a departing customer. Alex looks at her as she approaches. She has a slender build, long black hair, and olive-colored skin that suggests that she might not be from these parts.

“Jasmine, this is Alex,” says Kelly. “I thought the two of you might want to meet. Why don’t you take him up to #6? I think it is available.” Jasmine smiles at Alex and is about to lead the way, when Kelly leans in and whispers something in her ear. Jasmine smiles broadly at whatever she heard and takes Alex by the hand.

“So delighted to make acquaintance,” she says with a peculiar accent.

Alex follows her up the stairs and down a hallway, lined with rooms, each door bearing a number. Activity is evident in most rooms, judging from the sounds of moans, groans, and thumps. As they passed one room, Alex thought he heard chains rattling.

At the door with a large “6” painted on the top, Jasmine turned the knob and led Alex inside. The room was sparse, with nothing more than a bed and a small table with a wash basin and some towels.

“Well, Handsome?” she says, with her hands on her hips and an alluring smile on her face. “How are we going to do this?”