Not a single noise apart from the distant thump of the club music is muttered. The girls all look at me with a mixture of horror and anger.
The latter are the ones that I know have also seen some shit in their lives.
“That motherfucker,” Crystal finally mutters. Each of the girls echo their agreement with her.
“I know that some of you girls are okay being a part of the extra deals that Ivan offers, but not all of us have signed up for that.”
Both Misty and Diamond at least have the audacity to look sheepish.
“Just because we are apart of the sex work industry, does not mean that we have consented to everything,” Luna continues as more of the girls agree with her. “So tonight, our girl is going to say fuck you to those that can’t take the word no as final.”
Cheers from the girls instantly boost me as I brace myself to talk out the door.
I pull each of my walls up, cementing them as best as I can.
It's the same ritual that I do every night.
Taking a final breath in, I open my eyes.
I am ready.
The sounds of rowdy men celebrating the end of the current dancer’s set are near-deafening. It's hardly a surprise considering not a single scrap of fabric is currently covering her body. She is a newer dancer—one that I haven’t had the chance to get to know yet— so it's no surprise to me to see her grinning at the attention she is receiving.
It is a little bit like that at the start. The attention becomes addicting. The thrill of men lusting after you is an amazing boost to the ego.
And having them throw their entire paycheck at you just to see a bit of extra skin? Yeah, that keeps you coming back for more.
But once all of that wears off, it simply just becomes a job.
The new girl beams at me carrying her overflowing money bag in her arms. “They are hungry out there tonight! Have fun out there!”
I give her a small smile and a nod before turning back to the runway.
The Cherry persona that I have perfected over the years slides easily into place as the DJ introduces me with his regular speech.
The sounds of the guitar riff from the late eighties hit causes an uproar of the patrons just like I knew it would. I can’t help the devious smile that brightens my face knowing that I already have these men in the palm of my hand. They are begging for it and I haven’t even stepped on stage.
Turning my head, I find Luna grinning at me. Giving her a wink, I turn and walk out onto the stage.
I don’t know how, but the roaring gets impossibly louder. I swing my hips to the beat, taking slow steps towards the pole.
Dollar bills are thrown at me with each step that I take. I have to be careful to not slip on any of the bills. While the black strappy heels are comfortable to walk in, I refuse to make a fool of myself; especially when I am on my redemption dance.
I slide my hands up my body, teasing my fingers over the straps of the top. I spot an Alpha gripping his crotch as he hollers at me. I wink at him, giving him a saucy smile that he goes wild over. My false bravado wins in the end as I watch him throw me a fifty dollar note.
I turn away from him quickly, as I continue to eye off the rest of the crowd gathered around the stage. Reaching out, I grab onto the pole, taking slow steps around it before hooking my leg and giving a slow spin. It gives me another perfect chance to work the crowd over.
The smile remains on my face as I spin a second time. That is until a familiar set of eyes catch mine.
I gasp, my smile drops as the eyes of the man that all but saved me last night look back at me.
His piercing blue eyes feel like they can see straight through me, able to analyze every single one of my secrets from a single glance. The orbs are filled with a hunger that makes the single hand gripping the pole, shake. My stomach does flips as I finally lose eye contact, having spun past the Alpha.
Never in my life have I reacted this way to anyone. Never has a single glance both unsettled and aroused me.
Even though my back is now to him, I can still feel his eyes on me as I come to a stop.
With my back to both the crowd and the pole, I am able to give myself a moment to regather myself. With one hand above my head gripping the pole, I slowly slide down until I am on my knees on the stage.
