Chapter 12
Cipriana
After I mouthwash out a hot load from a hot man, I stare at myself in the mirror.
Well, that didn’t quite go as planned.
I wanted to tease Trino and show him how sexy I could be since he’s forcing me to act like a freakin’ stripper.
Now look!
My God, that orgasm was incredible though. It’s like my body was holding out for twenty-five years to find a sinner.
Dammit. I just sucked off a mobster.
I grimace looking at my reflection, then nearly swoon when rehashing his forceful sexual energy. Like a king. A confident, giving king.
There’s a little bit of room to be proud, I guess.
I didn’t fuck him. That’s a small win. Jacky would’ve folded into a pretzel as soon as she glimpsed that monster he has hiding in his pants.
Yeah… I did okay given the circumstances.
I’ve learned from my past relationships not to give it up too soon.
The sex was always fruitless for me, and add insult to injury, pretty much every guy changed their behavior afterward.
Distant, crass. I don’t care that he’s my husband…
I’m not making the situation worse than it has to be.
Enough of your woes, Capri. Just get through the night…
“Capri, let’s go. We’re eating in the car,” Trino calls from downstairs, his grumpy tone resuming like nothing transpired between us.
Boo. I thought it’d be different now.
Story of my life.
I adjust my breasts in the mirror and drape the chic covering he gave me over my shoulders.
It’s black and see- through enough for my hot pink lace to peek through.
The outfit is tantalizing. I’ll give credit where it’s due.
Anyone would look like a goddess in it. Or a slut, depending on your perspective.
The thought makes me huff. How the hell am I supposed to survive this? Me , on stage? A different kind of dissertation, that’s for sure. At least no one would recognize me with this makeup and hair. I look like a different person.
Flashes of Trino’s naked body makes me perspire. His deep V lines leading to his penis… wow . The skull tattoos inked from the seventh layer of hell. His O face. It’s like I just sucked off a demon. A hot, bad boy, demon.
“Capri,” he growls. “How long does it take to get fuckin’ ready?”
“Coming, Daddy!” I taunt him in the most sarcastic way possible. Does it make me nuts that my thighs tingle whenever I call him that though? Oof, my secret freakiness runs deep I’m afraid.
Welp. I’m ready to face the awkwardness. To staying alive, I guess.
My sexy covering sways as I walk down the steps. Yeah, I see you staring, Trino. He’s like a dog with a bone.
“Finally. It’s like waiting for Congress to pass a bill with you.” Trino grabs the keys and our food.
“You know what Congress is?” I put my hand to my chest in mock shock.
“Says the stripper,” he growls, and we both smirk.
As we stroll to the car – my clear heels clacking all the way – nerves start to tickle my belly. I’m supposed to meet his whole crew half naked, pretending to be someone I’m not? Kind of a bummer, considering he’s supposed to be my husband tomorrow and all.
I glance at him as we drop into our seats. It’s like he’s a different person every time I look at him. Rabid animal to stoic protector, to moody bitch.
“If you spill one fucking drop of sauce on the new leather—”
“My God, okay Mussolini. Relax .” I frown and take a careful twist of spaghetti into my mouth. I’m scared to eat too much because of nerves, but I need something if I’m going to be up all night.
“Wait, how long is my shift?” I ask, only to be ignored. Oh, now he’s far away in thought? “Earth to Trino. Weeo, weeo,” I make siren noises to be a little extra.
“Yo, cut it. I’m trying to keep all of tonight’s plans moving in my head. I’m not used to having a plus-one around.”
I roll my eyes. “You can only do one thing at a time, huh?”
“You weren’t complaining before.” He shifts gears and pulls out, making me scramble to keep my spaghetti from falling all over.
We drive for twenty minutes or so. He’s serious most of the way, which gives me regrets about sucking him off.
Actually, my real regret is that he took my orgasm virginity.
I know it’s a little nuts, but I kind of want to wrap around his arm right now.
Never in my life have I been clingy. Never ever.
“A girl could use a little comfort, you know.” I shrug.
He side-eyes me, then looks ahead to the road for a good few seconds.
Boo.
When I least expect it, he puts his massive arm on my lap and tilts his palm upward, offering his hand. My heart melts into a warm gooey blanket that swaddles my belly, and when our skin touches, I’m ready for a post-pasta nap.
“What’s it like at Star Dust?” I dare to ask. “Give me some deets so I don’t go in blind as a bat.”
“No time. We’re here.”
“What?”
I expected the dirty parts of Jersey. Well, the dirtier parts. Deep alleys in Sayrenville, or Newark. But we’re only twenty minutes from Water’s Edge. I’m not even sure where, but it looks pretty middle class for a strip joint.
Oh, I get it. They’re two warehouses in between. Smart.
The lawyer in me wonders whether he has all his legal licenses current, as well as building ordinances to operate late into the night. I could help him avoid some hassles with the locality, but I’ll keep that in my back pocket for now.
As he parks in the lot of a boxy black-brick establishment with a sparkly yellow sign, my legs start fidgeting.
Channel Misty.
Channel Misty.
I do my best to put on that resting bitch face Trino seemed to like so much, and strut on in behind him. The double doors are guarded by two guys that dwarf even Trino. They both nod into a slight bow while opening the doors like he’s their king.
Bass booms from inside, vibrating through my toes even while I’m still on the parking lot tar. A mix of perfume and sweat wafts into my face as Trino grabs my hand to escort me in.
“You alright?” He dips his head so I can hear him, squeezing my hand in comfort. “You’ll be safe here. That’s the whole point, remember?”
I don’t feel safe.
I sigh, allowing myself to believe him. “I’m okay,” I lie, holding high posture and as much swagger as my dorky lawyer self can manage. Remember, it worked on a high-ranking mobster, it’ll work in here too.
A woman with overdone lip injections and really pretty green eyes stands with her arms folded over a counter. “Hi, Daddy,” she says. “Bruno and Chestnut are waiting for you in VIP left.”
“Thanks, Desdemona. This is Misty,” he introduces me.
Every part of me wants to give her a hug and ask if she’s a fellow Shakespeare enthusiast. My guess is, probably not, considering the character gets smothered by Othello, but a woman can hope!
“Hello,” I act slightly standoffish true to my stripper persona.
“Hi! Call me Des, hunnie. What club did you come from?”
“First gig. Daddy here picked me up for tryouts. Even bought me dinner.”
“Lucky gal.” Des winks at me.
“I know . Wish me luck up there.”
I’m terrible at this. She’s so nice, it’s hard to be mean.
“You’ll do fine, babe.” She beckons me close so Trino doesn’t hear. “Just keep an eye out for Britta. She can be nasty when new girls get some attention. And judging by that shapely ass you got, she gonna be knockin’.”
I try my hardest not to let my persona slip. “Thanks for the tip.”
Trino nods for us to get going, so I follow through the next door, past a metal detector that both gives me a sliver of comfort and scares the shit out of me – how dangerous does this place get?
We’re greeted by another monstrous bouncer. The lights inside are so dim they’re almost like blacklights. All of the strippers’ attire is glowing. Ah! I’m glowing too.
There’s a gigantic wraparound bar in front of us, guarding an elevated stage with three poles attached from floor-to-ceiling. No one’s working them at the moment, but the dancers are everywhere talking to patrons.
From what I can tell, cosmetic surgeries run rampant in here. Fake boobs, manmade butts. The hell am I doing here? Oh good, there’s one or two who are like me – little-to-no work done. Maybe I should gravitate to them. Or maybe they’ll look at me as competition.
All eyes cling to us. Trino is Daddy , after all. And I’m the fresh meat.
Mentally preparing for this moment does absolutely nothing now that I’m in it. All internal systems tell me to jump out of my heels and sprint in the other direction.
Channel Misty, I keep reminding myself.
A pit grows in my belly despite my stoic appearance. It’s like the first day of school all over again. Albeit, a very different, tits out kind of school. But jeez, catty central.
Trino leads us to what I can only assume is Bruno – a stocky gentleman with a receding hairline and a streaky combover – and Chestnut, a tall woman with at least D-sized breasts that I’d love to fall asleep on right about now.
“Evening, Knots.”
“ Belly Stunad ,” he greets back, giving the man a hug.
Doesn’t that mean stupid or something?
“Hi, Daddy.” Chestnut breaks away from Bruno and slowly opens her arms wide to smother him. I’d be lying if the green monster wasn’t rearing its head a bit. His hug is less warm than hers, though. Good boy.
“Chestnut.” He gives her a kiss on the cheek to break the embrace. “Des said you wanted to see me?”
Bruno’s face cracks into a smile, rubbing his hands together.
“Your little marketing stint worked, y’know.
Passing out flyers by the new Eastbound corporate headquarters brought all the suits and ties in to play.
I’m talking accountants, lawyers, day traders.
Hah. This place is going to be the big one for you, hot shot. Flagship baby.” He slaps Trino’s arms.
My whole body tenses at the word ‘lawyers’ though. If someone from J. Witt shows their environmentally friendly face in here, I might die of a heart attack on the spot. Not sure my firm is an affiliate of Eastbound, but you bet your ass I’m going to look it up as soon as I get out of here.