Courtesan Boot Camp

By D.L. Jackson

And courtesan boot camp starts now...

When Shay lands on Elatia, she knows she has one shot to be chosen as courtesan for a king and queen. Mess up—everything she was born to be, all she’s trained her entire life to become—will be lost. The alternative is unthinkable.

What a pampered priss.

Dayne’s first impression isn’t a good one, but he’s determined to turn the spoiled beauty into the next royal courtesan at any cost. As a Dominus, a master of all things sexual, he agrees to help a friend, his sovereign, and promises to do nothing to compromise her future.

Except the promise may cause him to question his loyalty, friendship and honor. All he knows is on the line...when he falls in love with a woman who can never be his.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: Jun 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781613333266

Book preview

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Courtesan Boot Camp

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by D.L. Jackson

ISBN: 978-1-61333-326-6

Cover art by Mina Carter

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Look for us online at:

www.decadentpublishing.com

Decadent Publishing Sci-Fi Romance

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Also by D.L. Jackson

The Edge

Carnality Series

Carnal Desires

Carnal Attraction

Carnal Denial

1Night Stand Stories

Cinderella Wore Combat Boots

Seducing Liberty

This Endris Night

My Boogie Woogie Bugle Guy

Rebel Souls

Courtesan Boot Camp

Elatia Series

By

D.L. Jackson

Prologue

Shay sat in the tree and stared down into the garden. Custos would kick her butt if she caught her barefoot, climbing in the orchard and scratching up her skin, possibly scarring it, but the lure of warm starlight beaming down from the first day of Ruellan spring proved to be too irresistible.

Well, that and the laughter of young men engaged in a heated match. The prince had brought a friend today, the first time she’d seen him. They practiced archery, firing starbolts into a mobile target, making her sigh with each flex of muscle. Both were tall and handsome. They’d shed their shirts in an attempt to remain cool now that the star had risen mid-sky. The prince and his friend were close to nineteen star-cycles of age. Shay couldn’t resist watching them, even if she’d been forbidden to do so.

Yet another rule she’d broken on the long list of do-nots. What was one more?

Of course, she’d never met the prince. The royals’ wing of the palace was off-limits, but she knew she loved him. She rested her chin on her hand, dreaming about what it would be like to be his someday.

Whatcha doing? A redheaded girl dropped down from the branch above, landing next to her.

Shay startled and flailed. Seconds later, she lay on her back, staring up at the sky.

Hold! the prince cried out and rushed to her side. He kneeled beside her, concern on his face. Strong hands slipped under her shoulders and lifted her to sitting. What are you doing in the garden?

I’m a courtesan. I live here.

He held his hands up. Forgive me. I did not recognize you as one of the trainees. He cast a mischievous glance at his friend. But you do know this part of the garden is off-limits to all except the royal family and our guests.

I meant no harm.

I know that. So, what’s your name?

Shay.

He gave her a heart-stopping smile. I’m Tavin, but I’m sure you already knew that.

She laughed. Of course I knew that. She glanced around. I should probably go.

Probably. His friend meandered over to the tree she’d fallen out of and leaned against it, crossing his arms.

Or… the prince said.

Or what?

The prince’s friend threw his body back against the trunk, causing the tree to jar. With a screech, Rory dropped into his arms. He grinned and set her on her feet. Retrieving his bow, he walked back over to the range and activated the remote target.

Or you and your friend can sit over on the bench and watch from a safer location. We knew you were there. He reached out and pulled a twig from her hair. "Whatever would your custos say?"

Shay grabbed his arm in panic. You’re not going to tell, are you?

He tipped his head back and laughed. Gods, no. We’d never snitch. We don’t mind the company of pretty young ladies.

Rory jerked her head toward the courtesan wing on the palace and mouthed we should go.

Shay shook her head and moved over to the bench. She sank onto the cool stone surface as Rory walked away with a snort. No way would she leave, not when he’d invited her to stay. She pushed her feet into the warm soil, burying her toes, and watched as they took turns striking the target. And every second that passed, Shay fell deeper in love.

Someday she’d be his courtesan. She just knew it.

Chapter One

Ten star cycles later….

Elatia. Shay grabbed the rail inside the lift as it settled onto the dock. The umbilical locked on with a loud clank that jarred her teeth and rattled her bones. She waited, tapping her toe, her heart pounding. A loud hiss filled the cramped space as the pressure stabilized, bringing her closer to meeting her Dominus, and finally attaining her lifelong dream of becoming the Ruellan courtesan.

After thirty hours of quarantine, and what seemed like a million background checks, here she was, standing on the pleasure planet.

Elatian greeting. Let him flip your hand and kiss your wrist. Slight nod as he does, but do not take your eyes from his. And for gods’ sake, Shay, keep your mouth shut unless he addresses you. You can’t afford to offend him. Even though it had been weeks, her custos’s voice still echoed orders in her head. Probably best not to admit that.

Her stomach went through a series of tumbles and Shay swallowed, attempting to dislodge the lump in her throat. Everything she’d consumed for breakfast that morning churned and threatened to come up. Whatever you do, don’t barf on him.

She glanced around to make sure no holo-vids watched, or possibly recorded her behavior, then put her hand up to her mouth and belched to relieve some of the pressure. Custos would kill her if she saw it. As with passing gas or adjusting and picking one’s undergarbacies from one’s ass, belching was strictly forbidden in public. And damn, if her undergarments didn’t take the most inopportune time to bunch. She shifted on her feet and tried to forget about them. It would be her luck the door would open and she’d get caught picking her crack.

Tat, tat, tat, tat. She glanced down at her overactive foot and forced it to remain still. Twitching and fidgeting were also looked upon with great distaste.

In moments, she’d meet him, and she needed to keep herself together, even if her entire future hung on this training. She blew out a breath, putting forth her calmest face while she quivered inside like a land shake. Now is not the time to fall apart, Shay.

Ruellan royal courtesans were born and bred for one purpose, to ensure the royal couple never became dissatisfied with their relationship—or bored. They were, for all intents and purposes, a sexual advisor, a confidant, not a whore as some believed. She would bring so much more than sexual gratification to the royal couple’s marriage—if she made the cut.

Three others were here, training for the same reason she’d come. Only one would be chosen. The others would have to walk away from the only life they knew, what they’d been born to be. Never had her anxiety run so high. This was it. All she did from this moment forward could decide her fate. One mistake and she’d have to figure out her place in the galaxy.

Shay rubbed her palms on the silk pants that peeked from beneath her split skirt, an overdress that looked more eighteenth-century than the one she lived in. The moisture from her skin stained the delicate spider silk. She tugged the overskirt closed over her britches to hide the offending marks.

If her custos, the woman who’d raised her and the closest thing she had to a mother, had witnessed her lack of refinement, she’d have been severely reprimanded. Not one hair should ever be out of place, nor did a Ruellan fret, or appear anything other than flawless in public, a lesson she hadn’t quite mastered after years of intense training. But custos insisted she must if she were to become the Ruellan courtesan to the royal couple.

What had custos said his name was? Her top teeth clamped down on her bottom lip, and she quickly corrected herself. Lines and indents would mar her pout. She tipped her face up and stared out the porthole at the private dock, seeking another distraction.

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