Then Cruz takes over. I close my eyes, and everything melds into one, with their hands on me, their lips on me and them fucking me in turns. I’m caged between them and feel so adored, so loved. More than I ever thought was possible, more than I ever allowed myself to even imagine could be true. I know it’s just the euphoric high of the oxytocin surging through my body, but nothing will ever beat this. Feeling so cared for and adored by these tough men. Nothing.
Chapter 25
Bad Reputation
Iditchthetiarapinned into my wig and place it in my locker, followed by the wig. Running my hands through my hair, it’s a sweaty mess, and it feels so damn good to have it free from the confines of the wig. I brush it and toss it up in a high ponytail and off my face.
“Princess, are you coming for a drink tonight?” Becky asks as she closes her locker just up from me.
“Why not?” I agree. Truth is, I’m not ready to face the boys back at home. Cruz was mighty pissed when I left for work. I think he thought because we spent the night together, I would now quit my job and hang around the apartment with him all day long. He’sdelusional. I spent most of tonight looking over my shoulder, wondering if he was going to appear and start throwing punches at any innocent man who was unlucky enough to pay for a lap dance from me. But he didn’t. “I’ll catch you out there,” I tell her when I spot Paige coming through the door, her eyes locked on me.
“Great work out there tonight, Becky.” She grins at Becky as the two of them pass each other.
“Thanks, Paige,” Becky says, then she’s out the door.
Paige leans into the locker beside mine. “How was your shift tonight? Sorry I didn’t get to check in earlier. It’s been chaotic.”
“Great.” I beam back at her, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. “I’m so glad I had the guts to walk through the front door of this place to get this job.”
“And we’re glad to have you.”
I strip out of my sparkly bra I had on and back into my lace one I came in here wearing, then throw my dress over the top. “What’s going on? Have I done something wrong?” I ask when Paige gives me a cheeky smirk.
“I don’t know what you’re doing in that private suite, girl, but whatever it is, it must be good. Mystery man wants another night.”
I stare back at her, dumbstruck. What on earth, and why? He knows I know who he is now. Why would I go back into that room with him and play pretend? He wasn’t home when I left for work, and since he fell asleep on the sofa last night, I haven’t been able to talk to him since he kissed me. But I already know that going back into that room with him and giving him all the control again isn’t what I want. Besides, I can’t until my checks all come back clear from the clinic. “You will have to graciously decline for me.”
She pops a brow, and I’m pretty sure I just surprised the shit out of her. “Did something happen last time?”
“No, I’m just not up for it tonight,” I lie, not wanting to get into my now very complicated situation with her. Not when she works for one of them. It just seems inappropriate, and not only that but I have seen how some of the girls here look at me like they hate me, and I’m sure it’s because of the way Asher carries on around me. I don’t want to make it worse.
She stares at me for a beat, then types something into her iPad. “Done.” She keeps watching the screen as I continue to get changed. “You going for a drink with some of the other girls then?”
“Yeah, I think I might. I need to try make an effort,” I say, popping my feet up on the bench to change them one by one, from my stripper heels to my much more comfortable combat boots. I might only be here for a short time, but I want to fit in with the rest of them, maybe even make some friends. Maybe disarm the icy stares.
“Good idea,” she says, still watching her screen. “Ha.” She looks almost confused as she props a hand on her waist and leans into the locker beside me.
“What’s ha?” I ask, worried by her expression.
“He didn’t try to book anyone else.”
I stare back at her, not all that surprised. I kind of knew his sudden reappearance at this club was his not-so-subtle way of trying to control me. Another good reason not to see him in that room again. It might be fun, but at what expense? My dignity? My independence? Because I know every time I go back there with him, I will fall a little further under his spell. I shouldn’t be into the whole dom/sub thing, with the bossy ass controlling my every move. But apparently, I’m a little kinky after all, and the way Jagger dishes out his instructions, pleasure and pain is my personal brand of fuckery.
Her phone rings, and she answers it immediately. “The Raven’s Nest, you’ve got Paige,” she answers, all bright and bubbly. Her eyescome to me as she listens to the caller. She chews her cheek; there is a hint of nervousness clouding her pretty features. “I can try, but something tells me tonight isn’t going to be your lucky night, sir.” She covers the phone. “It’s him. He says he will double what he paid last time,” she whispers, her eyes wide as saucers, and I get the impression that him calling the club is mighty unusual.
I blink back at her, my heart kicking up a beat at the thought he’s that desperate to see little old me. Also, is he kidding? Why on earth does he think this is about the money? “Tell him…” I think on it for a beat, wanting to get this right. “Tell him he can’t buy me again. If he wants to spend the night with me, he needs to learn how to act like a gentleman and ask me on a proper date. No blindfold.” I smirk proudly to myself. I know Jagger’s not going to like it, but screw him. He can’t have everything his way.
Paige gapes back at me, a silly smirk now twisting onto her lips. “You know whoheis, don’t you?”
I shrug carelessly, wishing I could tell her the whole funny story, but I don’t want Asher to get in trouble with Sloane, so I decide its best I keep that part to myself. “Might have worked it out. I’m not his plaything, Paige, you get it, right?”
She bites her lips, smirking as she does. “Are you there, sir? I’m sorry to say Princess is unavailable tonight, but she has asked me to pass on a message. She says you can’t buy her again. If you want to spend the night with her, you need to learn how to act like a gentleman and ask her on a proper date. No blindfold!” She grins back at me as she listens to his response. She’s having way too much fun at Jagger’s expense, and I decide I like her even more. “He says this is your last chance. If you decline, he won’t offer again.” Her brow rises in a challenge to see what I’m willing to do.
I lean into my locker, biting my lip as I work out how to respond. I want to see him again, of course I do, but I won’t give in to his demands, not like this. If he wants me, he will have to pull up his big-boy pants and treat me like a lady. No more games. “Tell him Princess has retired from the private suites, and he just lost his one chance to get what he wants by trying to bully me. I’m not his toy.” A flutter of excitement runs through me as I say it. I know I might have just ensured I never see him again like that, and the truth is, that’s not what I want. But I just stood up for myself, and it feels incredible. Feels like taking back a little control of my life.
Her eyes bug out of her head, and she holds her phone closer to her chest. “I can’t say that, girl.”
I roll my eyes and huff out a sigh. “Just tell him I’m fine with never going back there again.”
