Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
She had to rely on protecting herself if a customer got out of hand. Another reason to get the hell out of The Peach Pit. Even so, she was torn. She needed to either continue dealing with the bullshit or go get a job as a waitress or a sales clerk, or attempt to find a job she was qualified for, which wasn’t much.
Like Mel, Sapphire started stripping not long after graduating high school, discovered she loved it, felt empowered doing it, and decided to keep doing it because the money was good. Then Mel got promoted to club manager and the original club owner promoted Sapphire to hostess shortly afterward.
The reason she and Mel became fast friends, and remained that way, was because they were so much alike. Both loved what they did, and neither were embarrassed about it or had hang-ups about getting naked in front of an audience.
They lifted each other up but also could lean on each other.
They’d been called “two peas in a pod” before and that was definitely not wrong.
“Do you mind doing this?”
“If I did, I’d be in the wrong line of work. That’s like me asking if you mind arresting someone.”
“True.” He chuckled. “I can’t believe tonight was the first time seeing you on stage after all the times my ass has been in those seats.”
She shrugged. “I don’t mind the private dances as much as I do getting up on stage, to be honest. I used to prefer the big stage, but it takes a whole lot more thought and effort. I now prefer the intimacy and one-on-one in the VIP rooms. Better yet, I can just dance. It’s not a whole production. When Mel was manager, I only filled in on stage when there was a need, like if a dancer called off. But due to Taint demoting me from hostess, I really no longer have a choice if I want to keep my job. Of course, with tonight being New Year’s Eve, we’re shorthanded, so I was ordered to take the stage.”
“Well, fuck. You did more than take it, you owned it, Phire. As well as owning every damn person with a dick in that room out there.”
“I’m glad I still have it, then.”
“You definitely still have it. The difference between you and the other dancers is that you treat what you do as an art. It’s easy to see and the proof is in how much more you make in tips.”
“Thank you for noticing how much effort I put into my routines.”
“Sweetheart, it was hard to ignore. Quite literally.”
Heat swirled through her and her eyes automatically dropped to his lap.
“Eyes up here,” he ordered.
When she lifted her gaze, he was grinning.
“I don’t have the luxury of saying that,” she teased.
“I’m more than my dick.”
“I’m more than my tits and ass,” she announced with a smile.
“You’ll get no argument from me about that. So, you didn’t have any New Year’s Eve parties to attend or you didn’t have any plans with someone special to ring in the new year?”
“Didn’t you?” she countered.
“Touché. I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
“I’m glad you are, too. But you never told me how much time you booked. The clock’s been ticking, you know.”
“I don’t care, Phire. I don’t give a fuck if you dance or not. Like you said, you’re more than only T and A. Spoiler, after that whip-cracking routine, I’ve already seen what you have.”
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. No one ever paid her to do anything but entertain them and usually they preferred she didn’t have any clothes on when she did.
“I just wanted to spend some time with you.”
Well, damn, there was a first time for everything.
Her pulse sped up at what he was implying. “You only needed to ask, Rez.”
“You just said yourself that men are always bugging you to go out with them on dates or pestering you to sleep with them.”
She tilted her head in answer.
“I don’t want to be that guy. I know your time is valuable.”
“As is yours since you actually opened your wallet for that time. So, tell me what you want from me for the time you have left.”
Chapter Five
“If I tell you what I really want from you, I’ll be no better than the rest of them.” The deep rumble of Rez’s voice flowed through her like slow-moving lava.
Well then… “I normally don’t say this, but... I’ll be fine with whatever you ask for.”
His Adam’s apple slid slowly up his throat, caught for a second, then plunked back into place. “Just to be clear… Whatever I ask for?”
“Look, we’re like two dogs circling and sniffing each other’s asses right now…”
“I take it you’re a woman who doesn’t like games.”
Similar to his voice, his warm, rich chuckle also did things to her. Like make her clit quiver.