Page 2 of In Love and Revenge

I wet my lips.

She nods at the bouncer standing at the entrance to the bank of private rooms, and he unclips a deep ruby-red velvet rope, granting us entry.

Topless table dances in the main bar area are okay. But back here is the inner sanctuary. In each one of these private rooms someone is sitting, indulging in their fantasy of having a beautiful woman completely naked and grinding all over them.

It’s an oasis where nothing is more important than the clients’ complete satisfaction.

The blonde looks at me over her shoulder, giving me an appreciative sweep up and down as she stops in front of an open curtain.

She turns her body towards me, pulling her shoulders back so her nipples push against the fabric of her dress.

‘Is this okay for you?’

She’s asking if the booth meets my approval, but they’re all the same. I’ve been inside each one multiple times, searching for that elusive release which still escapes me.

I lower my gaze to her breasts, not even attempting to be subtle about it.

Perhaps tonight that could all change ...finally.

‘Perfect,’ I say, my blood heating as she tips her head, inviting me to enter first.

I slide past her, noting the way her breath hitches, and she looks at me from beneath thick lashes, her eyes tracing my face and jawline.

She’s not the first stripper to look at me like this. Like they’re actually going to enjoy dancing for me. Like I’m the answer to all their goddamn prayers.

I slide another fifty out of my money clip and hand it to her.

‘You hate me.’

Her brow creases. ‘S-sorry?’

I curl two fingers beneath her chin and tilt her face up. She blinks up at me like she can’t look away, her eyes studying mine, softening as though she can see into my soul.

‘You. Hate. Me,’ I repeat gently, sliding my thumb along the dip beneath her lower lip. It’s glossy and plump ...

Just like hers.

‘I want you to look at me like you despise me. Like you dream about my agonising and brutal death.’

Her brow creases again, her eyes losing their adoration as it’s replaced by confusion.

‘Better,’ I muse. ‘But not quite. Try again.’

She stares at me for a moment before a veil slides over her eyes and she falls into character, a look of distaste crossing her features.

‘There,’ I praise. ‘Good girl.’

I slide my hand from her chin and pull out two more fifties, pressing them into her palm. If she’s capable of what I want from her then there’ll be plenty more of them heading her way.

She glares at me, before baring her teeth.

‘Sit down,’ she spits. ‘I don’t have all night.’

My heart pounds in my chest and blood rushes to my dick as I comply, settling into the centre of the leather seat.

She closes the curtain with force, like she’s angry, sealing us off from the outside world.

Turning to me, she strides over with purpose and forces my knees apart with slender fingers, positioning herself between them.