Halfway through the track, when I’m still fully dressed, Brody raises his voice. ‘Come on now, Serenity. Don’t be shy.’
I hate him. My top is first to be cast off, the ‘M’ of Persia’s top still visible when it lands on the marble floor. The leather straps of the underwear trace the shape of my breasts but do nothing to cover them. I keep dancing to the music, and Brody licks his lips the moment I lower my fly. Soon, I’m dancing in nothing but the underwear and Persia’s standard-issue CMC boots.
When the track comes to an end, Brody beckons me over. I haven’t removed the underwear. Quite frankly, it makes no difference to my modesty if I remove it or not.
‘Come,’ Brody says. ‘Dance in my lap.’
I hesitate. I have no idea how much Brody has paid Kale for tonight. I feel thrown to the wolves. Even Jaxon has abandoned me. What I wouldn’t give for Jake to come here and throw a punch at Brody’s self-satisfied-looking face. Because, even after the events of last night, he hasn’t yelled at me or rejected me. Not yet anyway. There’s still a tiny flicker of hope inside me that Jake can forgive the choices I’ve made.
‘Sit on your hands,’ I command.
Brody pauses, then does as he’s told.
‘No touching,’ I remind him. ‘At all. Not during, not after.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ he says, before removing one hand to grab his phone and start the music, then replaces his hand under his thigh.
I don’t recognize the track. The tempo is slow, but not too slow. I exhale, and lower myself down on him, facing him. I can feel his arousal swelling up through the taut material of his suit pants.
Inside me, I pull the invisible rip cord. The rip cord to my emotions. The one that allows me to do this night after night with men who have wives and girlfriends and children.
The only thing I think about is Jake. What I can say to him to earn back his trust.
I almost make it to the end, too. Until the track begins to fade and Brody frees his hands from underneath his thighs. His hands go to my waist, pulling me hard against him.
‘God, you’re so beautiful,’ he rasps, and I squeal, writhing to extricate myself from his firm grasp. ‘Spend the night with me.’
‘Get off me!’ I shriek, my arms flailing. ‘No!’
One hand goes to the back of my head, and I feel the pressure of his long fingers that pen me in, even as I struggle. ‘Yes, Serenity,’ he breathes. ‘I want all of you. This isn’t enough.’
‘Get off me! Get off! Let me go!’
I twist in his lap and fall to the floor. I scramble, working my arms to crawl across the smooth marble, but he grabs one of my ankles and yanks me back. The dancer in me rotates my hips sharply and I’m able to flip onto my back, supported by my elbows, at the same time kicking out with my legs.
‘You asshole!’ I holler. I fight hard as I back up, scrambling away from him. He gets to his feet and looms over me.
‘I’m serious, Serenity,’ he says. ‘Kale told me about the deal he made with you. What you’re doing for your father. I swear to you, spend one night with me and I can make it all go away.’
I lose balance. In shock, I fall flat on my back, the air pushed from my lungs. I gasp for breath. For a moment, I can’t move.
Above me, Brody Conway offers me one hand. I don’t take it. Instead, I get to my feet unaided. My emotions running high, I suddenly feel very naked in his presence. I shake my head, the words taking some time to form in my mind. How dare Kale share with Brody Conway the details of our arrangement?
‘That’s not what I do,’ I stutter. ‘I’m not that kind of girl. I’m sure you can find somebody else who does that kind of thing to satisfy you.’
‘That’s just it. Nobody satisfies me like you do, Serenity.’
‘It’s all just an act! Do you think this is all real? You think I want to be here? Well, I don’t!’
‘You’re so desirable when you’re all riled up.’
‘Kale had no business telling you about my father’s debt.’
Heat rises to my cheeks. I turn to walk back to the bedroom to get changed. I feel his fingers grab mine and he’s yanking me back.
‘One night,’ he whispers. He pulls me close, so that my back is pressed into his chest. I feel his hot breath against my ear, and I can smell liquor there. ‘Imagine. You’d never have to work in that redneck titty bar ever again. Just think about it. All I’d ask in return is you submit to me. Let me live out my fantasy with you. Satisfy my need for you fully. I’d satisfy your needs too. And in the morning, your father’s debt would be paid. You’d be free.’
I’ve been dancing at Surly’s for so long, I’ve forgotten what freedom is.
