One of the main reasons the Belle Boutique was growing in reputation and esteem so quickly was the exquisite attention paid to every last detail. L.B. had torn the former agency apart down to the bedrock in order to build it back up from scratch, and her touch covered everything, from the interviews of the half-dozen women she had on her books to the locations they were permitted to enter, how many clients they were allowed to maintain, the quality of their clothing, even down to the lingerie they wore. It was this meticulous attention to detail that was bringing the Belle Boutique into high demand slowly but surely, and L.B.'s policy of vetting each and every client to a minute level before ever even allowing them to see one of her girls was ensuring a high regard among the other agencies in the city. Today she was dipping her fingers into an accustomed pie. They had two new girls to outfit, and thus Lora Belle had cleared her day to be involved in every last minute of this process. Monique and Clara - now known as Cecily on the books - had endured several hours of their new employer inspecting everything they tried on before announcing it fit or unfit for use. The two young women were exhausted, and Lora was still going strong. The designer was getting more and more frazzled as this part of the day went by; none of his designs for evening wear had passed muster yet.

"I kind of liked that kimono," whispered Monique as she sat in the plush chair just outside of the fitting room. While Lora was looking for something new to try on, she and Cecily were taking a minute's rest. "It was loose, comfortable and there was easy access." Cecily giggled softly into her hand. "But the color was off, Mo. Ms. Belle was right. It'd make something nice to sleep in, but not to entertain in." While this was Cecily's first foray into the world of high class escorting, she seemed to have a head for it. "I just can't wait to see what else she chooses for us. All of the clothes are so pretty and sophisticated."

Lora was audible inside the dressing room, and it didn't take a genius to work out what she was doing. Walking up and down the rails of evening and cocktail dresses, she was flicking through them one by one, the designer walking close behind her. "This in aubergine for Monique ....Cecily looks good in teal, but not that form fitting ....What on earth is that?"

Around twenty minutes later, L.B. stepped out of the fitting room. "All right, ladies, time to dress up again," she told the pair waiting there. "I promise, this is the last round, and then you can go home."

The ladies sat, chatting idly as their employer put the designer through his paces. They giggled a lot, listening to the designer trying to explain this item or that. Neither of them had known that working for Ms. Belle would demand such high standards. When she appeared from the dressing room, Monique was the first to stand. "Alright, Ms. Belle," she smiled eagerly and disappeared into the dressing room. Cecily stood just a moment later and folded her hands in front of her. "Yes, Ms. Belle," she smiled prettily. "Thank you." She bit her lip a bit and considered her employer before disappearing into the dressing room behind Monique.

Lora was used to being towered over by her employees - their clients seemed to prefer the statuesque sort of woman over the petite, and she was prepared to cater to that. Monique's experience in their profession was reassuring; Lora was confident that the woman would take on all the notes she was given and behave appropriately. The moment Cecily took to consider her, however, was a little disconcerting. She was new to the profession, and seemed to think that Scotty's recommendation meant more than it actually did.

"Take your time, ladies," she told them, stepping out of the way. "If you're uncomfortable in the dresses that have been chosen, don't show them to me. Just set them aside. The appropriate lingerie is set out with each outfit." As the two women stepped out of sight, she took a seat, crossing one leg over the other as she settled in to wait.

Cecily's eyes grew round when she entered the dressing room and found Monique already in the lingerie that went with the deep purple dress. "What?" Monique asked, seeing the look upon the girl's face. Regardless, she pulled the thigh high stocking into place and fastened it to the garter. Cecily blushed softly and hurriedly turned to begin shedding her own clothing. Shy to show too much, she took her time while Monique seemed to fly right through without a moment's hesitation or thought. So when she turned back around, the pale blue corset and panties in place, Monique was already in the short dress and sequin lined sandals. "Monique, that's wonderful on you!" Cecily very nearly squealed. Monique let out a laugh. "Thanks, but you'd better get your as$ in gear or you're going to be left behind, Sweetcheeks." And with that, Monique strode proudly out of the dressing room to show her boss the outfit for one last critique.

Listening to what passed for conversation between the two women in the dressing room, Lora smiled to herself, remembering the first time she had been taken in hand by an agency. The plethora of clothing and style, the lessons in behavior and deportment - they had all paid off, and she was simply paying it forward. The more escorts behaved in a certain way and expected a certain level of respect in return, the less likely it was that any client would dare to take advantage of his or her position with them.

As Monique stepped into view, Lora's smile was out of sight once again, her expression impassive as she looked the woman over thoughtfully, rising to her feet as she did so. Her gaze flickered to the designer for a moment. "Raise the hem half an inch. Otherwise ....good." Her smile showed itself again with a nod to Monique. "Very good."

"Thank you, Ms. Belle," Monique smiled widely for her employer, then disappeared back into the changing room to get back into her regular street clothes. She patted Cecily on the behind as she passed her. Cecily jumped when her bottom was smacked, but she was ready to go. With a soft sigh and a squaring of her shoulders to try to hide her nervousness, she lifted her head and strolled out of the dressing room. She felt pretty, and hoped she looked pretty enough. As she turned to wait for Ms. Belle's approval, or lack thereof, she caught her heel on the hem of the dress and with a ripping sound, went down in an awkward sprawl.

To her credit, Lora didn't react with any kind of reprimand or anger, simply moving smoothly to offer Cecily a hand up from the floor. "Let me see those heels," she said quietly, her tone promising dire consequences if they did not conform to the instructions she had already given to the designer.

Gently twitching the long skirt of the gown up, she sighed softly. "These are not the heels I chose. We've already discussed your discomfort in stilettos, Cecily. Until you are comfortable and steady in high heels, you will restrain yourself to kitten heels, wedges, or flats, am I clear?"

Pushing her bag's strap over her shoulder, Cecily nodded with a shy and appreciative smile. "Thank you, Ms. Belle. I'll see you tomorrow." She turned then and slipped from the tiny room. Scotty had come by the designer's boutique to pick up a new watch and pair of cuff links. He had his own designer when it came to his suits and other working garb, but he liked Paulo's flair for the subdued dramatic when it came to jewellery. He overheard the last of the conversation and kept discreetly hidden when Cecily took her leave. He waited, counting to ten, before he stepped out of the shadows and into the dressing room. "Long day, Ms. Belle?"

"Good night, Cecily." Lora watched the girl go, wondering if she'd ever been that innocent. Shaking her head, she turned to tidy up the little dressing room - it was an old habit that Paulo had never tried to break her of, seeming to understand that she liked the quiet time to herself after a busy day. It was a lovely surprise, therefore, to hear Scotty's voice behind her, turning to smile at him as her hands smoothed subconsciously over her hips. "You could say that, Mr. Thomas."

"Still cleaning the dressing rooms, I see." He chuckled and took a lean against the wall beside the doorway. "They do hire people to do that. I think you're trying to show that you can be all things to all people." His brows rose in curiosity as to her response to that.

"Well, naturally I am the center of the universe," she responded with artful sarcasm, one elegant brow rising as she moved toward him. "But I can't help wondering, Mr. Thomas, what exactly you are doing in the ladies' fitting rooms of Paulo's couture boutique?"

"I heard the center of the universe was here and I just had to see her," he chuckled then gazed over her shoulder at a pair of bright pink satin pumps. "And I just have to have those," he pointed, and rushed over as girly like as he could. "Don't you think these are fabulous with my hair?" Far from being gay, Scotty just liked to have a good time and see others laugh.

Glancing back over her shoulder at the pumps, Lora lost what little control she had over her sense of humor in his presence and laughed aloud, turning back to him to reach out one hand in a firm slap against his chest. "And here I thought you came to Paulo for all your lingerie needs."

Scotty looked down at her hand, then back into her eyes. While they secretly shared intimacy, in the public eye she was the one who contracted out his services and nothing more. He canted his head and moved his mouth to say "later" without uttering a sound. "So, how're the new girls working out?"

She removed her hand without needing to be told, the flicker in her grey/blue eyes warning him against drawing attention to seemingly innocent contact between friends. "Cecily will do fine," she nodded to him, stepping around to walk out of the fitting room to collect her clutch. "Monique, I am not so sure of. She has a certain amount of arrogance which might be a good thing, if she can rein it in."

Scotty nodded and followed her from the fitting room. "I think Monique can rein it in, I mean, she seemed to be able to flip a switch when I was with her. Whatever I asked, she did." He shrugged, letting his fingers glide over the different fabrics and textures that hung about the boutique. "Ce-Ce seemed quiet and reserved, but had great ideas on how to please a man."

"Cecily is a lot more innocent than she first seems," Lora mused thoughtfully, bending to lift her bag from the floor by the chairs. "If she survives having the romance of the situation shocked out of her, she'll do very well. I'm reserving judgement on them both, for the time being. I do not need troublemakers on my books."

"Then why do you keep me around?" He chuckled and rubbed his own stubbled chin. "Is it for my dashing good looks, my irresistible charm' My sense of humor" Or did one of the girls tell ya I've got a c*ck the size of a baseball bat?" He waggled his brows and stepped past her, towards the door. "Let's grab a bite before we go back to work. What do you say?"

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Well, I don't know about you, but I am done for the day," she told him with a confident smile, the unconsciously provocative sway in her hips making itself known as she followed him to the door, calling good night to Paulo. "But I will let you buy me dinner."

"How very gracious and magnaminous of you." Scotty smiled and offered his elbow once he stepped out into the warm summer dusk. "And what would the incomparable Ms. Belle like to dine on this evening?" There was a sparkle of mirth in his eyes that showed off his good mood.

Her hand rose to curl into the crook of his elbow, keeping just enough space between them to tell the casual observer that they were work colleagues and nothing more. "I do believe you offered me dinner, therefore you must make the decisions," she countered sweetly, squeezing her fingers about his arm for a moment. "If you are very lucky, I may not hold to the rule and make you pay."

"Alright then, Italian it is." He strolled casually, keeping his arm tight to his abdomen. His pace was a bit slower to allow for her much shorter legs and stride. "I'm paid well enough to afford lasagne and tiramisu, I'm sure. Don't you worry your pretty li'l head none, miss. No dishwashing for you."

"If you ever refer to me as having a pretty li'l anything again, I will make sure it applies to the most prized part of your anatomy," she promised him, her tone only just recognisable as teasing to those who knew her well, one brow high as she looked up at him.

"Then we'd both be losing a hell of a lot of money," and a lot of fun, he laughed. "But if it soothes your inner wild beast, then by all means let me be your next victim, please." This was fun, batting back and forth; laughing with Lora as if they were the best friends in the world. And it was just possible that they were.

"My dear Mr Thomas, you and I both know there is nothing wild or beasty about me," she countered with another sultry flicker of a gaze in his direction as they walked along. "Unless you play the soothing music of money falling into my fingers, of course."

"That is a lovely tune, isn't it?" He smiled and they approached the Italian restaurant of his choice. "The tinkling of coins as they fall into your palm is nearly as soothing as a summer rain storm." He waxed poetic, for a moment and placed a hand over his heart. "One of the true sounds worth living for."

"That isn't my entire pitch," Lora pointed out quietly, well able to hold her own in such a conversation without needing to make use of her looks to influence his decision. It was only a thought, at this point, but she wouldn't force the choice on him in any case. "What I am asking for is that you continue in your capacity as casting agent for us, and choose a weekday during the month to assess the continuing performance of our employees. Naturally, you will not be required to assess every one of them in a single day, but a select group each month. I am offering you two thirds of your current rate on top of what you currently earn, as well as the location and full board."

Now that she'd laid it all on the line, Scotty leaned back in his chair to give the idea some consideration. He was doing the math in his head and everyway he looked at it, he came out on top. As if lost in thought, he remained quiet for a few moments and stared at a space over her shoulder between himself and the window. When he finally came to a decision, he scoot forwards and picked up his fork. Looking at her, he smirked. "I'll give you my answer tomorrow."

His smirk was encouraging, but he was given more of an answer by the look in her eyes. Over breakfast" "Thank you," she smiled, taking up her own cutlery to begin eating. "Now it is your turn to think of polite dinner conversation." How was that for a tease, suggesting that a business discussion was suitable for dinner and flirting wasn't"

Scotty nodded, and his smirk disappeared when he began to eat. Three bites in and he'd decided the polite dinner conversation was going to revolve around their line of work. "Think I can persuade Michelle from TLT to apply for employment with you. She's their top money maker, but not very happy at the moment."

Her brow furrowed thoughtfully at this proferred information. "What is it that's causing her difficulties?" she asked in a soft voice, pausing as she ate to take a sip of her water. "There would be no point in changing agencies if it is the work itself upsetting her."

"You set a high standard, as you know." He paused to change from fork to spoon to eat his soup with. After a bite, he put the spoon down and looked at her from across the table. "And as you know, TLT is about cutting corners to give the illusion of high standards. They're forcing her to share a room and threatening to slash her wages. She only stays instead of retiring because of the management."

"That is ridiculous." Lora shook her head, her jaw clenching for a moment in protest at the way TLT were still treating their girls. "How on earth can they expect ..." She cut herself off, a deeper frown making itself known. "What do you mean, because of the management' What are they holding over her?"

To this he shrugged, taking another bite of the creamy soup. After a swallow he spoke. "They found anti-depressants in her room. They weren't hers. But can you blame her" With the way they treat her and pay her, how can she afford the happiness in a bottle" She's not getting it any other way."

The spoon clattered into her bowl, sudden fury making itself known on her face before she drew a thin veneer over the expression. Her lips thinned, her eyes icy at the news he had just handed her. It was a moment before she could trust herself to speak coherently and calmly. "Excuse me a moment. I'll be right back." Pushing herself to her feet, the diminuitive woman made her way briskly to the bathrooms, needing a minute or two out of the public eye to express herself in less than lady-like terms.

Scotty could see the clouds in her eyes as she processed the information. He nodded and shoved his chair back to stand briefly when she left the table. "Of course," he murmured softly and then sat back down, waiting for her to come back.

It was a little more than five minutes later when Lora returned to the table, her temper back in check and fully under her control. Resuming her seat, she offered Scotty a calm smile. "Tell her to come and see me as soon as she's able," she said quietly. "I am not going to allow that sort of thing to continue if I can help it."

"I've already done as much," he smiled when she sat back down. "I didn't think you'd put up with that sort of thing in your town." He flicked a brow in her direction, then scooped the last of his soup.

"It isn't my town," she refuted quietly, laying her own spoon aside. She hadn't eaten much more than half, but she knew her own appetite. The man had ordered three courses; she didn't want to be full before the second course had arrived. "But I have been where she is."

This caused Scotty to frown as he looked at her. It explained why she was so driven to do the best, be the best and have the best. "I'm sorry," he murmured knowing that those words couldn't make better the sore spot in her soul. He felt she needed to hear it, even if it weren't from the person that had caused her pain. "We'll put them out, together."

It wasn't a story she had ever shared with anyone, not deeming it necessary for anyone to know about some of the seedier companies she had worked for on her way up the business ladder. "I know we will," she agreed quietly, leaning back as the waiter returned to whisk their bowls away. "I've had an offer from one of your own, by the way. She's suggesting that I could sell her product on a one-time only footing, given that she has never sold before. I believe her name is Isabella?" The unspoken question was ....what should I do with her"

At the mention of one of his own, he narrowed his eyes slightly and then his cousin's name poured from Lora's mouth and it took all of Scotty's self control to keep from doing anything more than opening his eyes wide in surprise. He gave her the you've got to be kidding me! look, then settled back in his chair. "I can't....I mean....I don't know if you have other scouts but you know I can't be objective with my own cousin."

"I'm not asking you to assess her or audition her," Lora said calmly, shaking her head. "I'm simply asking for a little advice. You've not mentioned her before, so I assume she isn't one you are close to. I would like your opinion on whether or not I should entertain the prospect of auctioning her ..." She groped for a polite, public friendly description. "....her unblemished product to my clients."

Scotty nodded again and their main course was delivered. "Thank you," he smiled charmingly to their server before picking up his fork. He then turned his attention back to Lora. "Well, she's beautiful, but isn't really known for interpersonal skills. She'd rather read a book than talk to somebody." He idly wondered what the family would think if they ever found out that 'Icy Bella' was interested in escorting. "But she takes good care of herself," he pondered this for a minute. "May fit right in, for the right price."

It was another one of those moments when he had to struggle to keep his jaw from dropping. Her offer was very generous and would more than double his income. "We'll discuss the details, later." In private. He smiled widely and offered his hand across the table. "But consider me your partner. I'll turn in my resignations later today."

Her brow rose, lips finding that sensual curve once again in appreciation of how quickly he came to a decision which would have taken most people several days to consider. As the waiter whisked their plates away, she leaned forward, sliding her smaller hand into his to seal the bargain with a shake and a squeeze. "Make that tomorrow. I want to seal the deal before you can be talked out of it."

He took her hand and shook it firmly, but gently. "I doubt I can be talked out of that kind of deal. Nobody else would make that kind of offer." He retrieved his hand and sat back just in time for the tiramisu to be delivered. He looked at the dessert, then up to the waiter. "This part to go, thanks."

Again, Lora's brows rose, not surprised by his wish to move their discussion to a different location but by his open indication to anyone who might be paying attention to them that there was more going on here than a simple business meal. "To go where?" she murmured softly, just loud enough for him to hear her.

"The negotiation table," he answered with a straight face, just as quiet as she in his response. "We've got quite a bit to discuss, don't we?" It had been a very informative dinner and he was looking forwards to a little private time with Lora. He knew there'd be a little tension about his reaction to men working for Lora, but even that wasn't enough to sway him. "You ready?"

"Certainly." She'd been thinking about the negotiation table for most of the day, in fact, whenever she had a moment to herself. Rising to her feet, she twitched her suit jacket back onto her arms and shoulders, closing the button as she looked over to him. "I assume there is a car this time?"

"You don't like my motorcycle?" He chuckled and rose from his seat. There was enough cash left on the table to pay for the meals and a generous tip. Leading the way to the door, he picked up the bag of goodies at the hostess' station. "Of course there is a car," he finally admitted as he pushed his way backwards out of the door. And true to his word, a dark blue Mercedes Benz sat waiting for them at the curb.

She chuckled quietly, falling into step behind him as he led the way out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk outside, gasping softly as the heat of the evening hit her. "Chaffeur driven, now?" she commented softly, her tone just this side of teasing once again as she let her gaze sweep over the vehicle. "My, my, we are growing generous with our spending, aren't we?"

He couldn't help but laugh as the door was held for them and he held her hand to help her into the vehicle. He then slid in behind her and sat the bag upon the carpeted floor. "It's not mine. The family has a few that are used on special occasions. To me, a special occasion is I want to be driven around like the spoiled brats that are most of my cousins."

She laughed with him as he helped her into the car, sliding along the seat automatically as he lowered himself in to sit beside her. She was used to the higher end of the market by now, but the sheer spaciousness of the back seat made her smile. "Evidently a special occasion is one that requires a lot of luxury in your family."

"Have you seen the size of my family, or been to Willow Manor?" He grinned crookedly. Within the confines of the car with its near black window tint, he dared to put his arm around her shoulders. "I've only been there once, but it was enough for me to know what I wanted in life."

The arm was all they could allow, even behind tinted windows, given that there was a driver fully aware of antics in his back seat, but Lora smiled, feeling her body relax a little under the warm weight of Scott's arm. "I am aware of the size of your family," she pointed out with a faint smirk. "I've serviced a few of them. They always tip well." Her lips twitched into a teasing grin as she looked up at him, daring him to object.

He lifted a brow to look down at her teasing. He could only think of a couple of cousins from his own generation that would venture into the world he lived in. The rest were older. "Not Junior, I hope." He grimaced and then shuddered. "And I'm glad they tip well, or I'd have to find out who they were and break into their trust funds."

"I never share the names of my clients, Scott, you know that." She chuckled softly at his grimace, lifting a hand to touch his cheek fondly. Her gaze flickered to the scenery passing by the window and a flicker of a smirk reappeared on her full lips. "It is just as well I am not expected in the office tomorrow, isn't it?" she commented mildly, deeply amused. "The walk of shame during working hours might be a little much to explain."

"Why aren't you expected tomorrow" You never take a day off." He looked at her curiously. "And nobody knows, so there's no shame, Lora." He spoke quietly as he gazed down at her. The urge to kiss her was growing stronger by the moment.

She chuckled, nodding toward the buildings passing by. "We're heading away from my apartment, that's where the walk comes in," she pointed out with a smile. It wasn't that she didn't want to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her, but she was a little better at controlling the urge. "I take one day off a week, Scott. I've decided that tomorrow is that day."

"Oh." He shrugged then, not knowing what else to say. Blood was quickly flowing to the smaller head and his usual normal wit was draining away with it. "So where are we going?" He didn't want to take her to the tiny hotel room, but if she wanted to see where he stayed, he had little choice in the matter.

"I don't mind," she admitted, feeling the impatience beginning to radiate from him and ignite her own. She swallowed quickly, her breath growing a little more shallow. "Where is closest?"

"Hotel's around the corner," he murmured, then lifted his head to relay to the driver where to go. He was finding it incredibly difficult to maintain any distance, so he removed his arm from around Lora's shoulders and crossed his legs at the knees. "Should be there, soon."

"Trust me, it's for the good. I'll start at fifteen and when the money really starts rolling in, we'll negotiate again. Okay' I'm sure about this, Lora." He smiled then and reached to gently touch her bottom lip. "And I'm not losing money either. You've been attracting so many of the finer clientele with the fatter wallets that the other services were struggling to pay my fees."

"My client list isn't so long as people assume," she chuckled softly, not making any attempt to argue further, touching her mouth tenderly to the pad of his thumb as he caressed her lip. "With only six girls, I don't dare expand too far. I will not work them into the ground, and I will not employ just anyone."

He replaced his thumb with his mouth to kiss her tenderly. "Then it's a done deal. Sealed with a kiss, as it were." He chuckled and let his arm fall to the bed, his head now cushioned upon his shoulder. "From the moment you took over, I knew big things were going to happen at the Boutique. You're something special, Lora."

"I'm not special," she argued, tracing her fingertips gently up and down the definition of his chest and stomach, covering each line of each muscle with knowingly affectionate caresses. "I'm determined. I was spoiled by my first mentor, and I thought the whole profession was that way. It nearly broke me when I found out it wasn't. But it should be."

Scotty closed his eyes and sighed. Her fingertip against his chest was soothing. "Unfortunately, there are too many bad seeds in this line of work." Opening his eyes, he turned to look at her thoughtfully. "Tell me about your mentor."

She smiled faintly, the expression touched with sadness for some tragedy he did not yet know about, her body nestling close to his as she began to speak. "His name was George Radcliffe," she told him quietly. "He was the original owner of The Bunnies. A good head for business, but he had a perfect eye for anyone who could make a success in his profession. He picked me out of a bar the first night I dared to go out with my fake ID." She laughed to herself, the sound quiet but merry. "Seventeen years old, and he spent four months teaching me how to please a man before ever even broaching the subject of payment. Certainly thorough."

"Did you love him?" His voice was oddly quiet, thoughtful. The sadness that painted her eyes did not go unnoticed and he pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to."

"I don't know," she admitted with a light shrug of one shoulder. "He always told me not to fall for him, that the worst thing I could possibly do was fall in love with an escort. But at the same time, he taught me how stupid it was to feel jealous of the others he slept with and serviced and trained. It was just ....poor luck that some of his other lovers couldn't learn that lesson."

Scotty blew out a breath, then kissed her once again. He knew, more or less, how the story went from there and it saddened him every time. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Lora. He sounds like he knew what he was doing." There was a soft snort that could almost be a laugh. "What we do is ignore the fact that the clients are humans, with feelings and psychoses. We try so hard to please them to get that money, that they turn into money signs."

"I know," she confessed softly. "And there were a lot of things he did wrong, things that I've learned not to do myself over the years. But without George, I wouldn't have survived that first year. I was allowed to grow into a role I would never have chosen for myself but that I am very good at. I would like to be able to do the same for other people just entering this world."

"What would you have chosen, if you hadn't met George?"

He continued to give her soft, encouraging kisses and caresses as she sighed against him, content to talk even as he gently urged her away from thinking and back into the thrill of feeling once more. And yet every word she said, he remembered, filed away in some place where he would always be able to find it. He was interested, very interested, in learning all there was to know about Lora Belle.

((Fantabulous, humungus, splendiflorious thanks to Scotty's player for this scene!))