Inside a windowless corridor, outside the condo, Jax rings the doorbell, then stands well back. Moments later, the door opens ajar, but I can’t see who is behind it. I look at Jax who gives me an affirmative nod, and I slip inside.
Brody Conway closes the door behind me. I stand and wait as he comes back round to face me.
‘Good evening, Serenity,’ he says, all calm and casual. He’s wearing grey flannel pants and a fitted black polo. ‘How very nice to see you again. Thank you for coming to my side of town.’ He holds out his arm. ‘Can I take your coat?’
For a moment, I don’t move. I resent being here. I resent Kale McCoy for sending me to this slimeball. The way he smirks at me makes my skin crawl.
I untie the belt on the coat, then unfasten the buttons. Pushing it back over my shoulders, Brody steps forward to take it from me, his gaze purposefully travelling the length of my body.
‘That’s much better. Come on in, can I offer you a drink?’
‘No, thank you,’ is my response. ‘You have thirty minutes.’
He tilts his head to one side, making like he’s disappointed. ‘My, my, we’re very down to business this evening.’
I hug my waist. ‘You’re not paying for my courtesy.’
‘Let me show you the apartment. The view is incredible.’
He leads me through into a substantial living area, then through some sliding glass doors, to a sizeable balcony. I’ve never seen Canyon from this high up before.
I remain standing while Brody sits down on the outdoor love seat, placing both hands behind his head.
‘I wanna see the breeze in your hair,’ he says. ‘Lose the wig, Serenity.’
Changing my hair has always made me feel like a different person. Like, when I take it off, I’m not a private dancer anymore. I don’t work in a strip club. I hate that Brody Conway blurs those lines. Slowly, I reach up and slide the lilac wig from my head. I take out the bobby pins and let my real hair fall about my shoulders.
‘Muchbetter,’ he says, then pats the seat next to him. ‘Come,’ he adds. ‘Siddown by me.’
I do as I’m told. I wonder if his new wife knows about this apartment. If it even belongs to him, with its fancy Asian artwork and expensive furniture. I can feel Brody’s eyes on me. He pushes my hair to one side and brings his nose close to my skin.
‘You smell so good,’ he whispers.
His fingers are on my thigh, stroking my skin, edging close to the hemline of my panties.
‘You are exquisite, Serenity. I can’t wait for you to undress for me.’
I push away his fingers. ‘Then come to the club. I don’t do private home visits.’
‘Oh, I think you do. Your boss says you do. I bought you something special to wear just for me. So that I can watch you take it all off.’
‘Does your wife know I’m here?’
Before I know it, his hand has grabbed my chin, those creepy long fingers digging into my jaw, turning my head. ‘Don’t you fucking bring my wife’s name into this.’
Every muscle in my body has gone taut. His grip doesn’t loosen, but his voice goes back to being smooth like silk. ‘Now be a good girl and go get changed for me. You’ll find your outfit in the bedroom.’
I pull away from him, get to my feet and rub my jaw, my galloping heart slamming into my ribcage. I need to be careful here.
I walk back through the apartment to the bedrooms. My body is tense. I’d rather dance naked in front of strangers than satisfy Brody Conway’s needs for another moment. On one of the beds, laid out flat, is a set of red lingerie, sheer lace stockings and a suspender belt, red pumps and a choker chain. My jaw goes slack. I check the label. It’s a high-end brand of underwear.
When I’m dressed, I look at my reflection in the wall-length mirror. Presumably he accessed my staff record to get my measurements – in the same way he’d gotten my phone number – and everything fits like a glove. I think of Jake, how he’d react to seeing me dressed like this, and I feel shame in my actions. A girl like me doesn’t deserve a guy like him.
I make my way back through the apartment. In the living area, Brody is relaxed on the couch. The drapes are now closed.
‘Wait, wait,’ he says as I approach. ‘Walk slow.’
I adjust my pace, my heels hitting the marble floor. I feel Brody’s eyes roaming over my body. He exhales, long and slow. ‘What did I say? Exquisite.’
