Chapter 28 Maya
Maya
I know I told Nick I wasn’t some Cinderella, but if my current state of affairs isn’t rags to riches, I’ll be dammed. I’m way out of my league in this swanky club.
Sapphire looks a lot different during the day without partygoers and flashing lights. I was too nervous to appreciate the beauty of it my first time here. Swarovski crystal chandeliers adorned with real sapphires dangle from the custom-lighted, coffered-mirror ceilings.
The bar is to the right with a tank of live smooth-hound sharks swimming in an aquarium behind it. The separate private area for Vade and his guests is to the left. I didn’t notice the curtains next the booth the other night—now open to the strip club in the back.
A huge dance floor is in the middle between the bar and the lounge. Behind it are heavy black drapes where the exotic dancers are. Where I am going to have to go. I gulp, my heart rising to my throat.
It’s empty this time of day, but still. I’ve always preferred to be invisible rather than the center of attention.
Sasha leads me to the back. In the center of the room is a pole with wraparound seating. “You’re going to have to learn some basic moves first, so we will start with a chair.” She brings a high-backed chair to where I’m standing.
“I have no idea how to dance and I’m not very good with walking in high heels either.”
She gapes at me like I have three heads. “Well. You’ve got a lot to learn, Erin.” She looks down at her nails. “Ugh, I need a fill already. I’ll have to ask Nick if I can be a little late for tomorrow’s lesson so I can get them done. Maybe he will forgive me if I get his favorite shade of blue.”
“Emily. My name is Emily.” I know she did that shit to get under my skin. She knows my name, and I’m sure Nick doesn’t give a flying fuck what color her nails are so it shouldn’t piss me off as much as it does.
“Whatever. Go get a pair of your new heels from the car.” She shoos me away like a fucking dog.
I check my phone on the way to the car and smile when I see another text form Marcus.
1:04 p.m. - Hey beautiful, I’m running a little late. I should make it Sapphire around 3:30. Text me if you leave before then. : )
1:04 p.m. - They open at 5, so we have to be out by 4:30. Looking forward to seeing you.
Two and a half hours later, my feet and legs are so sore I can barely walk. I have strutted, spun, twisted, and turned every which way but the right way. If anyone ever looks at one of these kinds of dancers again and says they’re getting off easy, I might have to punch them in the throat.
I have self-defense training tonight and a long ways to go before I’m ready to step in a club and perform. I wish I had another month to train for this.
“We’ve got to practice lap dances, but I think you’ve had enough for now. I’m going to text Nick and update him.” She whips out her phone and walks away from me.
She just can’t help herself. I’ve avoided the subject of him as best as I could and she keeps bringing him up.
“I volunteer to be her practice dummy!” Marcus struts into the room wearing a sleeveless white tank top that shows off his tanned muscles and red gym shorts.
He looks edible and he’s right on time. My intrusive thoughts keep saying to give Sasha a high five. In the face. With a chair.
“Oh great!” Sasha’s face perks up and she saunters over to him. “I’ll give the first demonstration, then Ashley can practice if we have enough time.”
“It’s Emily,” I snap at her. That chair looks mighty tempting.
“I want the honor of being her first dance, so we better let her do it, so we don’t run out of time. I’m sure you can give verbal cues.” He pulls out a wad of cash. “I’m ready whenever you are, princess.” He grins at me.
If looks could kill, I’d be dead. Sasha cannot stand me, and it’s written all over her face.
Maybe Ethan was right, and she is jealous.
I didn’t see it with Nick—still don’t. Ethan is my best friend, and as far as she knows, I am their family, but being turned down by Marcus over me just ruined her whole day.
“Fine, I’ll get some music. Marcus, sit in the chair, and you…whatever your name is,” she points at me, “stand in front of him.” She won’t even use my name. So petty.
Marcus sinks back in the chair and smirks at me as he waves a hundred-dollar bill. He gives me a ‘come here’ motion with his fingers. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I can do this.
This is no different than when I used to manipulate Trevor or Kaleb for a few extra dollars. Focus on the task at hand and put the rest in the back of my mind. “Lights Down Low” by Maejor starts playing through the speakers.
“First, you’ll start by doing a little teasing dance before you start touching. Let him get a full view of you and anticipate what’s coming. Follow my lead.” Sasha comes behind me, her front to my back.
She grabs my hips and starts swaying them side to side to the beat of the music. “That’s good. Now lift your arms over your head while slightly arching your back so your boobs stick out. Then slowly rub your hands over your body.”
I do as I’m told, suddenly feeling insecure about the low-cut halter top and booty shorts. But Marcus doesn’t seem to mind. He licks his lips and his eyes rake over the entire length of my body. “So beautiful.”
“Good now turn around and let him see you from behind.” I turn and face Sasha. “Bend over and run your hands over the back of your thighs. Men are visual creatures and love visualizing about taking a woman from behind.”
She stands so close to my face that when I turn around, if I lean in any farther, she would be within kissing distance. I’d rather kiss a pig. I pull away and do as I’m told.
“Good. Now turn back around and move closer to him, start by putting your hand on his shoulders, then straddle his lap like you’re riding his dick, but don’t let him touch you. The men are supposed to keep their hands to themselves.”
I lean over, letting him get a look down my halter top then slide my legs over his and sit on his lap.
Sasha grips my hips from behind, moving them back and forth keeping her face close to the side of mine so she can give me instructions over the music.
Or maybe she’s trying to get Marcus to notice her too.
“Stroke his face with your hand, then grab him by the back of the head and pull it to your breasts.”
He’s going to be able to hear my heart pounding in my chest. This is so erotic and I’m so nervous. It’s way easier to give a man a blow and go.
Marcus hand skates lightly enough to feel his touch over my hip and tucks the bill in the band of my shorts. I like how realistic he’s making this so I know what to expect later on.
“Good, now grab his shoulders and lean back, letting your head fall back, and push your hips further into his groin.” She pushes me forward and when I rock my hips I feel unmistakable pressure of him against my center. He’s rock hard and, from what I can tell, of decent size.
His hand, covered by another bill, slides over my neck and down my chest. He tucks it in my halter top—right over the top of my breast and another in the front part of my waistband. My nipples harden.
I hope my reaction to him is solely that, my reaction to him.
Not something that’ll happen every time I dance for a man.
I’m banking on the first, I was never attracted to the other men I did favors for.
If not, I’ll have to find another way to relive some of that sexual tension.
By the feel of things, Marcus wouldn’t mind filling that void.
“Now get up and turn around.” I look down when I stand, noting the pre-cum spot on his shorts. He’s really turned on—same here. I want him to be able to put his hands on me.
When I settle back in his lap, I do my best to push my backside as deep in his lap as possible. He slides a fourth bill into my shorts. I mentally note to give him his money back when we are done. Sasha continues to coach me through the end of the song. Someone in the distance claps when I stand.
“I don’t know what the name of this show is, but it’s just become my favorite. Bravo! Well done,” Vade calls from the entryway. “When you’re done going undercover for Nick, you’ve got a job in this club if you want it.”
I was so caught up in the moment, I didn’t realize Nick, Vade, and Ethan have been standing there. My face heats with embarrassment.
“That’ll never fucking happen,” Nick aggressively snaps.
Never fucking happen? Does he think I’m not good enough to work in a swanky club like this? He’s fine with me working in “the shithole down the road” as he calls it.
“I’m just saying, the girl’s got moves. She could pull a lot of clientele and make a great living for herself.” Vade shrugs.
“He’s right, boss. She definitely got a standing ovation from me,” Marcus calls, still sitting in the chair.
Standing ovation? He’s sitting. Oh my god.
He means a standing ovation with his dick.
I snicker to myself. Well, there’s two people who liked my performance.
Marcus and Vade. Two out of three ain’t bad.
Two and a half if we count Marcus Jr. Nick can kiss my ass if he doesn’t like my moves. The majority rules.
“Bring it up again and I’ll snap your fucking neck. That goes for any of you.” Everybody in the room tenses and I swallow hard. Nick’s scary as hell when he’s mad.
I wonder what’s got his panties in a wad so bad that he just threatened to kill his best friend. Probably all the added stress of this operation and how he can’t wait to kick the river rat to the curb.
Vade eyes him with surprise and throws his hands up in defeat. “My bad dude. Chill. She’s going to have to deal with worse men where you’re sending her. We have high standards here.”
“Marcus, take Sasha downstairs,” Nick growls.
They give each other nervous glances but do as they’re told. What’s his fucking problem?
“Here,” I hand the four one-hundred-dollar bills back to Marcus, but he refuses.