Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“You’re clinging to me. No one is going to harm you.”
I release my hands from the tight hold I realize I have on his expensive suit.
“I think I was worried you would drop me,” I admit. The embarrassment that had started to fade away comes rushing back. Why the heck did I have to say that?
“I’ll never drop you. But I think it would be better to keep you off the stage.”
“You’re firing me?” My stomach drops. “Please don’t. I’m sorry. I’ll do better. I swear it. I need this job,” I beg. Of course he is. I was on the stage for all of two seconds, and I grossed out a customer. It’s the exact opposite of what I was supposed to be doing.
I’d heard about this place from one of the girls at the shelter I’ve been staying at. I’ve been trying to find a job for a few weeks now. All I know is dance. I was sure it was crazy to even ponder the idea of stripping, but I thought some men enjoyed curvy girls.
When I’d asked a few girls about some of the strip clubs in town, this was the first place they recommended. They said it was a classy establishment. That I could make good money here, but more than anything, the girls are protected. I need that more than anything right now.
“No, not firing you,” he grunts. He lifts his hand, and I flinch. His hand pauses for a moment before he slowly goes forward and brushes a piece of my hair out of my face.
“Oh, thank goodness.” I sniffle, fighting tears. “I need this job.”
“You won’t be dancing on the stage anymore, though.” Right. Of course not.
“You want me to serve? Did you forget you had to save me from face planting?” The idea of carrying a tray around full of drinks already has my anxiety growing.
“You’ll assist me.” His fingers start to drift up and down my arm, gently caressing me. I swallow, wondering what assisting him entails.
“Aren’t you the owner, Mr. Harrigan?”
The ladies backstage had gone on and on about him. Not only that he’s a good boss but that he’s damn good looking too. One of them had been whining about how he never sleeps with anyone that works for him.
I chastise myself for thinking he was about to try to pay for sex. As if he has to pay for it. There is a beautiful girl in the dressing room right now that would jump him for free. She might have gone into a few details of what she thought it would be like.
“Call me Devlin.”
“Devlin.” His name rolls off my tongue. It suits him.
His eyes drop to my mouth. I lick my lips, wondering if I have food on them. I ate a small snack before I got on stage hoping it would help calm me. I’m about to ask him if I still have something on my mouth when the room floods with music from the club.
The same man who hired me comes walking in with my big bag in his hand.
Oh noes! “Mama!” I try to get up. Devlin doesn't let his hold of me go. The door falls closed.
A loud meow comes from my bag as it starts to wiggle around. “Don’t hold it that way.” I push on Devlin’s chest to let him know I want to get up. Finally, he lets me go. I rush over, taking my bag from Malone’s hand to check on Mama. She stops moving around when I open the top of the bag wide and look down at her. I can see her relax once she knows I have her.
“You brought a cat to work,” the man says dryly. “Not exactly the kind of pussy that’s wanted around here.”
“Malone.” Devlin growls at the man.
Malone’s right, but what was I supposed to do? Mama went and got herself knocked up. I'm not even supposed to have a cat at the shelter. Let alone a bunch of kittens. Part of the reason I need a job is so I can get us a place of our own before they try to make me give her up. I won’t let that happen. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my fur baby.
“She’s fat,” Malone mutters.
I gasp. Oh no, he didn’t just call my baby fat.
I don’t know what comes over me. Before I know what I’m doing my hand is in motion. I smack him right across the face.
Oops.
3
Devlin
I can’t hold in my laughter.
Malone looks utterly shocked, and the girl puts her hand to her mouth as if she’s horrified about what she’s done.
“I-I-” She backs away and puts a hand up defensively.
I stop laughing. “You’ve been hit before, haven’t you?” I spin her around so she’s facing me.
Malone glowers at me over her shoulder.