Chapter 13
Need You Tonight
Musicpulsesthroughme,and just like last night, my body knows what to do even if my brain has gone numb as soon as I walked onto the stage. Two songs in and my confidence is building again. I can do this. I can’t let Cruz’s words seep under my skin. Asher has put in place new safety procedures, with signs up all over the changerooms advising all woman not to leave the club without a security escort to their car. Rumors were flying as to why, but I kept to myself while I got ready. I knew if I got up on stage again without the fear taking over, I could keep going. Turns out I can. I won’t let one out-of-control drunk stop me from moving forward with my new life. Ican make decent money doing this job, and I’m blatantly aware that I probably have three months tops, as I’m only here on a tourist visa, so I intend to dance for as long as I can.
I smile seductively at the man who just tucked a bill into my G-string. He grins back.
Over the man’s shoulder, dark blue eyes lock with mine. I falter and lose concentration for just a split second, then I refocus and get back in time with the music, doing everything I can not to look back in his direction. What the hell is Cruz doing here? I thought after last night, security wouldn’t have let him back in this room.
I move through the dance moves until my song ends, and I rush off the stage, my stomach tied up in knots knowing he’s here and probably about to cause more trouble for me.
Asher greets me at the bottom of the stairs, a charming smile plastered on his face like it always is around me.
“What is your brother doing here, Ash?” I ask, my heart racing faster than it should be.
“What, is he?”
I glance past him and find Cruz glaring in my direction. “Please get rid of him, I can’t work with him around.”
Cruz was finally asleep when Ash and I snuck out of the apartment this afternoon. I felt guilty at the time, but I wasn’t letting him lock me up in that place twenty-four seven.
“Don’t worry, I’ll deal with him.” He strides away in Cruz’s direction. He’s in full support of me still dancing if that’s what I want to do. True to his word, he also hasn’t left my side all night, watching over me from hair and make-up then following me backstage as well.
I feel the brush of a hand on my shoulder and spin around to find Paige. “You looked great up there again.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, distracted watching Asher and Cruz.
She looks me over. “Everything okay, girl?”
“Cruz is here again.” I sigh heavily, my stomach twisted up in knots.
She looks in their direction right as he shoves at Asher. “Oh, and you’re worried he will cause a scene again.”
“He’s definitely going to cause trouble, Paige. He doesn’t want me working here.”
She smiles softly, her pretty face lighting up, and I know at least my job is safe. “I might have a solution for you then, if you want to get off the floor for the night but still make some cash.”
“What?” I mutter, still distracted with the boys. Sloane is also now walking through the VIP lounge in their direction. Shit!
“You have had a special request for the private suites, if you’re up for it?”
My brow rises. I hadn’t considered going into the suites, well, not really. “Who with?” I ask, not sure about anything anymore.
“He’s a platinum member but likes to remain anonymous. I can tell you he will pay generously and is one of our most trusted clients.”
“I don’t know.” I sigh heavily, still out of sorts after last night. I’m not sure I’m in the right frame of mind to make such a big decision.
She grins cheekily. “If it was me, girl, I know I’d be taking the money for a fun night. Any girl who has, hasn’t been disappointed. I hear he has a magic tongue, and his favorite delicacy is pussy.” Her laugh fills the backstage space, drawing the attention of a couple of other dancers.
“Should I do it? He’s not married, is he?” I have no idea why I’m considering this. After the mess that was last night, I should be running in the opposite direction, but a small insane part of me wants to prove Cruz wrong. Wants to make a point that this is my life and Ican do what I want with it. Not only that, but the money would really be helpful.
“It’s totally up to you, but it would get you off the floor for the night.” She flicks her attention to Cruz, Asher, and Sloane. “And no, not married.”
I feel my cheeks glow with heat at the idea of getting paid to have some guy pleasure me. I’m not even sure what that would feel like. There was no way in hell Valentine would have done anything that was about my pleasure. Normally I wouldn’t even consider it, even for the money, but Cruz has really just pissed me off turning up here again. Why does he think he has any say in my life at all? I understand what Jagger said about their mother, and after what happened last night, I get his insecurities, but I can’t make them mine. If anything, I need to prove to myself that last night didn’t break me. That I’m okay and can handle this. In that room, things might be set up to pleasure the man and whatever he wants, but we have the power to say no to anything we’re not comfortable with, and security is standing by if things get out of hand. I also need Cruz to know he doesn’t own me in any way. This is my life, and I’m going to do what I want with it. “Why not?”
She grins at me. “Let’s get you ready. You’re about to have the night of your life.”
I smile back at her, half excited and half nervous, adrenaline surging through me in a way I haven’t felt before. Or I just made the biggest mistake of my life. Either way, at least now I’m living my life, not one dictated for me by a man.
