5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) (11 page)

“Give me a shot of tequila.”  I wanted to get so drunk that I forget that infuriating man ever existed.   George obviously noticed I was angry because he quickly came back with the shot. 

Kera was at the bar as I got the second shot.  “You okay?”

“Nope.” I threw back the next drink and raised the empty shot glass to her.   I ached between my thighs from Sin’s rough sex, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil going through my mind.

She nodded and ordered us both another round.  We drank them quickly.  My head was spinning.  “I really hate men.” I shook my head, trying to clear it.  The tequila was definitely not one of my brightest ideas.

“One of our V.I.P.’s is asking to talk to you, so can you pretend for a few more minutes they all don’t suck?” She winked and ordered us one more round.

“I might be able to make it that long.  Walk me over to him?”  I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone other than Kera, but I knew that the man was obviously loaded if he had that status. 

We did one more shot before making our way to his table.  “Mr. Fowler this is Lily.”

I was grateful she used my stage name and not my real one, and I attempted my most pleasant smile.  “Nice to meet you, Sir.”

“Please call me Frank, the Sir makes me feel ancient.”

Giving the best acting job of my life I laughed softly.  “Okay Frank.”

He motioned for us to join him at his table, and Kera and I sat down.  The waitress walked over quickly, and he ordered us all a round of tequila.  “I noticed that was your drink of choice at the bar.” He smiled, showing beautifully straight teeth.

Frank was a handsome man, I noticed.  He was also very well dressed.  It was unusual to see a patron in the bar in a designer suit.  I assumed he was some rich executive.  According to Kera they were the ones you wanted to keep on your fan list.

“I’m not normally a drinker.  Tonight was my first night dancing.” I offered that as an excuse.  The truth was I was still infuriated with Sin for his attitude.  He hadn’t even walked out of his office to apologize.  That upset me as much as his earlier actions.

“I find that hard to believe.  You were so incredible on the stage.”  He looked sincere as he smiled at me, and I flushed.  At least someone was happy about my act tonight, I thought to myself.

“I promise it was. But I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I know it’s not polite to bring up another club, but I own one that would be thrilled to have a dancer like you on stage.”  He reached into his back pocket and came back out with his wallet.  Pulling out a card, he handed it to me.  “If you ever decide you want a change of atmosphere, please consider me.”

I was flattered.  The black and gold card looked expensive, and I smiled warmly.  “Thank you so much Frank.  I promise you I’ll think about it if I decide to leave here.”

“I hope you will.  I hate to leave such beautiful company ladies, but I have an early morning.”  He stood, and I was shocked when he lifted my hand, kissing the back of it softly.  “It was a pleasure watching you tonight, Lily.”

Kera’s eyes widened as she watched Frank walk away.  “I’d say you have a new fan.” She grinned, and waggled her eyebrows.

“I might have a new employer.  Sin told me he doesn’t want me to dance here again.”

“He what!” Kera shouted so loud that several heads turned.  She lowered her tone before continuing.  “What is his problem? All the men loved you tonight.”

“I think that ‘was’ the problem.”

Kera looked at me in confusion.  “You’ve lost me.  I think this is a conversation that might be better had at my place.”

I nodded my head.  It was close to closing time at the club so we walked back to the dressing room so I could change back into my street clothes.  I made over a thousand dollars when I counted the bills.  Giving up dancing wasn’t going to happen.  Sin could just kiss my butt!

He didn’t walk out of his office as we closed down and I admit my feelings were hurt.  I drove back to Kera’s and we discussed everything that happened earlier.  She was just as angry as I was when I finished.

“I knew Sin had issues, but I wouldn’t have believed he could be so possessive.  Obviously he wants you, but doesn’t have the balls to really commit.  What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know yet.  I’ve got the rest of the week to think about it.”  I was hoping Sin would call me and take back his demand.  We talked for a little longer before I begged off.  I was exhausted. Mentally and physically.  I fell onto my bed the minute I made it back to the dorms.

chapter seventeen

Change

By Wednesday I’d given up on getting a phone call from Sin.  I knew I had to make a decision.  My thought was if he wasn’t willing to pick up a phone, then I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of calling first.  I decided to call Frank. 

I dialed his number and was shocked when he answered on the first ring. I explained who I was and he acted like he could never forget me. I was sure it was an act, he probably had dozens of women calling him each day.  I told him I was interested in auditioning.

I couldn’t help but smile into the phone when he told me I didn’t need to audition.  He told me if I wanted a job it was mine.  Yes, my ego was a little stroked by his apparent eagerness to have me work for him.  I’d already looked up his club site on the computer, and it appeared to be an exclusive gentleman’s club.

When he said I could start Friday, I was amazed.  I told him I would be there at seven, and we ended our conversation.  Sin’s club didn’t require notice to be given, and even if it had I wouldn’t have cared.  I was still angry and as far as I was concerned, he was being a jerk.

I called Kera and explained that I was taking another job.  She told me to make sure and turn in my uniforms so I would get my last check.  Kera understood that I was doing what I thought was best.  I wasn’t sure that I had any other option.

I finished out my time at the school store that day, and then dropped by Sin’s club.  I knew I needed to get
his keys back to him.  Thankfully I had enough money put back that I could take a cab to Frank’s place until I had enough for a new vehicle. 

I didn’t find out until I arrived at the club that Sin was out of town this week.  George didn’t offer any details, and I wasn’t going to pry.  “I need to turn in my uniforms and could you give Sin’s keys back to him when he returns.”

“You leaving us honey?”

I could see the sincere disappointment in his face and smiled.  “Sin doesn’t want me to dance, and I was offered another job.”  I didn’t feel it was wrong to tell him the truth.  If Sin didn’t want anyone to know, then he should have allowed me do what he trained me for.

There was no guilt on my part about me leaving.  I felt a little sad that is had come down to this, but I wasn’t ready to be someone’s little play toy.  That’s what I felt I’d be if I stayed around Sin. 

“It’s a damn shame.  You really put on a great show.”

“Thanks George.  Frank Fowler offered me a position at the Gent’s Club, it looks like a nice place.”  I really liked this guy.  I realized I was going to miss his friendly face.

“Don’t know much about that place, but I hope you do real well for yourself.”

“I’m graduating soon.  I just hope it pays the bills until then.”  I hoped that I’d find a real career when I had my degree in hand.

“You just finish school and go make something of yourself.  I’m proud of you.”

I hadn’t heard those words in so long it almost brought tears to my eyes.  “You’re going make me all teary eyed.”  I smiled, wanting him to know I appreciated the encouragement.

“None of that now honey.  This is just a means to an end.  You got a good head on your shoulders.  I know from just talking with you.”

I handed him the uniforms, and Sin’s car keys.  “Tell Sin I appreciate the use of the car.”

“You sure you don’t want to wait until he comes back and give them to him?”

“It’s better this way.  He’s got things to do and so have I.”  That was the bitter truth.  Sin didn’t want me fulltime in his life and I was no one’s part time piece on the side.  I had to keep reminding myself of that as I walked out the door.

I made it through the next few days without shedding a tear.  It wasn’t easy.  But crying over a man who obviously didn’t want me was just stupid.  Yes it hurt to know I’d given my virginity to a man who would never love me.  I could only chalk it up to a life experience and remind myself to think about things before jumping again.

chapter eighteen

Gent’s

Walking through the door at Gent’s, that was the name of Frank’s club, was an experience.  The pictures online didn’t do the place justice.  It was really classy. 

Two curving, long flights of stairs spilled down to a center stage that was flooded with soft red lights.  Everything about the place bespoke money and entitlement.  Frank met me at the door and held out his hands, smiling.

“I’m so glad you decided to join us.”

I grinned back.  It felt a little strange, but I walked over and put my hands in his.  The soft squeeze he gave was friendly, and didn’t make me feel awkward.  “Thanks for giving me a job.”

“Sin is crazy to let you go, but I know you’ll feel more at home around my clientele.  You are too beautiful not to be pampered.”

I had no idea what he was talking about, so I just smiled stupidly.  He chuckled and let go of one of my hands.  With the other hand he led me up one of the carpeted brass stair cases.  “This place is really amazing.”  I felt like I’d just walked into some rich guy’s version of paradise as I glanced around.

“We cater to the man with refined tastes.” He continued to guide me.  “You’ll discover that our customers are some of most influential men in the city.”  He stopped outside a gilded door and opened it. 

There were several women inside and they were all beautiful.  For the first time in my life I felt a little dowdy.  These ladies looked like runway models, not strippers.  “Come meet your new family.” He smiled as he glanced around at the dancers.

“Ladies, this is our newest addition.  The sweet Lily, please make her feel welcome tonight.”

There was a strange tone in his voice that didn’t fit with the nice persona he was giving, but I figured it could just be my nerves.  Dancing at Sin’s one night sure didn’t put me in the league to be around these women, I thought.  I hadn’t even watched them perform yet but I instinctively felt there was experience surrounding me in droves just from the way they studied me.

“I’ll take her under my wing Frank.”  A tall, leggy redhead walked toward me extending a perfectly manicured hand. 

“Very good.  I trust you to teach her all she needs to know this weekend, Darcy.” The smirk on Frank’s face was out of place and I felt a small sliver of panic.

I took Darcy’s hand, because it would have been rude not to.  The smile she gave me didn’t meet the emerald depths of her eyes.  “Nice to meet you.”  I wasn’t sure it really was, but I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

“I’ve got this Frank,” Darcy’s perfectly outlined lips raised in what could be considered a smile.  She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and I tried not to tense.  “Lily and I will become the best of friends.”

Frank seemed to take her words to heart, because he nodded.  “I’ll leave you with the ladies.”  Lifting my hand, he kissed it before walking back out the door.

“Frank is enamored with you,” Darcy laughed softly.  “To be young again.” Her laugh was humorless and I didn’t really know how to respond.  I blushed.

She introduced me to the other women.  I was grateful because it broke the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I knew I’d never remember all their names tonight, but I tried to stuff as many of them as I could in my memory.

“We must get you dressed in something more fitting for the night.”  Darcy walked over to a long row of dresses against the back wall.  I was shocked that it consisted of evening gowns that probably cost more than I made in a month.

“Size three, I presume?” Darcy arched an elegant brow at me, her hands stopping on the rack of clothing.

I nodded and she smirked, seemingly amused.  The dress she pulled off the rack was stunning.  My eyes widened as she held it out for me to take.  The white, shimmering silk seemed to flow like hot melted butter.  “It’s beautiful.”

“Frank has good taste.   I’m sure it will whet his appetite seeing you dressed in white.” That humorless laugh again escaped and I honestly didn’t understand what was funny. 

I took the garment then glanced around until I saw a dressing screen.  Her laugh was filled with humor when I stepped behind it to dress.  I got the impression she wasn’t a nice woman.  I know it was wrong to judge someone on sight, but there was something about the way she looked at me.

Darcy was all professionalism when I walked back out among the group.  “Lovely.  The men will adore you.”  Tapping a finger against her lips, she seemed to contemplate.