Chapter 1
Chapter One
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Hallelujah,” Haven Edwards exclaimed as she shimmied in the elevator, her well-practiced movements smooth and masterful despite the confined space. “It's been five long years, Elleane. I am ready for it all to be over.”
The elevator dinged its arrival on the ground floor of the law offices of Pearce it came naturally.
Haven looked at the clock on her dashboard, and sighed.
“I’m sorry, Georgie. You know the girls and I have a celebration planned. I would if I could, but I can’t.”
“Aw, come on Haven, I’ll pay you another grand on top of your regular pay and tips. I’ve got a high roller coming in and I want him to have the most delicious of Delicious. Do I have to remind you who gave you all those perks you enjoy?” he sneered into the phone.
She cursed under her breath. “No.”
He liked reminding her she was the only girl at the club who could choose the music, the audience, and the dance.
Unlike other women in her profession, her act always headlined.
Her name in lights, and her pockets lined with cash.
Georgie would often hold “Delicious Lip-Licking Ladies” nights as a way to boost club numbers.
Fliers and word of mouth would bring the customers.
He’d charge admittance for the “special showing,” and she would dance.
Her body. Her choice. No compromises.
Unfortunately, Georgie didn’t care about her personal feelings; he only cared about the bottom line—and the bottoms of the ladies who brought in the money.
She was his biggest moneymaker, but he knew once she had enough to go back to nursing school, she’d get a nursing job, and she’d be out of there for good.
She blew out a heavy breath. “No. Final answer. I have been working my ass off for five years. I deserve one night out on the town to blow off some steam.” She wanted to feel bad for the guy, but couldn’t do it.
The muffled swear on the other end of the line signaled his concession. “Fine, fine. I’ll let you have your evening out.”
Narrowing her eyes Georgie’s patronizing tone, Haven drawled, “How gracious of you.”
Twenty minutes later, after stepping through her apartment door, she let out a tired sigh, closed and locked the door, and threw her keys on the worn wooden table along the wall just inside.
Home.
With a quick glance at the clock, she calculated she had enough time to stream a few episodes of Supernatural before her workout. Hunkering down on the couch, she reached for the remote.
Before she could even turn the TV on, the phone rang, the room filling with the sounds of “Maneater” by Hall & Oates.
“She’s a maneater…watch out boy, she’ll chew you up….”
No need to glance at the caller ID. “Hello, Lanie.”
“Hey, baby doll. You ready to know what we have planned for tonight?” Elleane’s voice held a hint of suppressed excitement.
“All right, hit me.” Haven sat back and smiled.
“We’re taking you to a carnival.”
Her smile wavered. “Uh, Lanie, aren’t we a little old for carnivals?” She didn’t want to be a downer, but the idea of spending an evening dodging twelve-year-olds holding mustard-laden corndogs was a terrible one.
Laughing, Elleane said, “Haven, this carnival isn’t for kids.”
Interesting. “What do you mean?”
“Well, ‘Carlenna’s Carnal-Val’ is for adults only.” She paused and whistled. “I’m assuming from the pictures I'm lookin’ at that a lot of the games and attractions are…uh…X-rated.” Haven heard Elleane lick her lips. “It sounds like just the thing you need to blow off five years of steam.”
Furrowing her brow, Haven sat back, her mind conjuring images of clowns in full make up…but completely nude.
She cringed.
Elleane, probably sensing Haven’s confusion and hesitation, added, “Let’s go be adults. Let’s drink, drool over hot guys, and wallow in the filthy gutters of our minds,” she pleaded.
Haven rolled her eyes, but smiled. “All right, Lanie, I’ll give it a try.”
“Yay! Okay, we’ll meet you at the fairgrounds around four.”
“Sounds good. In the meantime, I'm gonna veg on the couch and drool over Jensen Ackles for a couple hours. I love his dreamy eyes, his deep voice, and those oh-so-kissable lips. My goodness, that man gets me all worked up.” She wiggled in her seat.
Elleane groaned into the receiver. “I don’t blame you, sweetheart. I’d be all over him given half a chance.”
Haven grinned. “Lanie, you’d be all over him given one-sixteenth of a chance.”
“You’re damn right about that. My God, any woman with a pair of eyes would be all over him.” Elleane laughed. “See you at four. Sharp.”
Haven hit the end button on her cell and reached for the TV remote.