Sex work isn’t a profession that most people aspire towards, it’s often one people find themselves in. Being a prostitute never bothered Vanessa. She had always been good at sex, and she’d been taught that if you’re good at something then you should never do it for free. Sex work managed to pay for a decent flat and her art supplies, and that’s all that really mattered. It also helped that she didn’t find any of her clients remotely attractive; it kept things from getting messy. Men were fine as a concept, but she’d never want to find herself in a long term relationship with one.

She had just finished rebraiding her long, auburn hair into a single plait when Debra knocked on the door to her suite. “One more customer for the evening and then you’re done”.

“Perfect.” She couldn’t wait to go home and take a long, hot bath. Maybe she’d even break out her new paints to experiment on the canvas she’d purchased. “Anything I should know about him?”

“Yeah, actually,” Debra paused, “it’s a woman.”

“W-What?” Vanessa turned to her, dumbfounded. “Do you know how much shit we’d be in if people found out we were servicing women? The city is already trying to criminalize brothels; are you trying to put a bigger target on us?”

Debra rolled her eyes. “There’s no laws against her being here, and I know you don’t mind being with women.” Debra gave her a conspiratorial look, “Plus, you wouldn’t believe how much she’s paying.”

“Does anyone else know about her?”

“No. You’re the only other lesbian, so I figured you’d keep your mouth shut.”

That was true, she would keep her mouth shut. The legality of female relationships did nothing to stop hostile public attitudes. The threat of being deemed mentally ill was enough to keep most women securely in the closet. Of course, that wasn’t why Vanessa was single. She was just a loner by nature. Yes, a girlfriend would be nice, but she was fine on her own. She had friends (well, a friend) and went to Gateways to fulfill her physical needs when she felt like it, though it had been awhile....

Obviously this woman was too afraid to hit up a gay bar. Would it really hurt to show her a good time? Maybe this could be nice. It’d be easier than picking someone up for a one night stand.

“Just how much more is she paying?” Vanessa questioned.

“Triple your normal rate.”

“Triple?” She started reapplying her lipstick. “Should have led with that, Deb. Give me a minute to get ready and send her in.”

Vanessa removed her silk robe and buttoned up her strappy, black lingerie. She toed on her velvet stilettos and leaned against the wall in a seductive fashion.

A light knock could be heard through the door. “Come in,” she purred in a sultry voice. Her coy expression faltered as the other woman entered the room.