Page 34 of Broken Warrior
“You were. Own it.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and ushers me back to the dressing room. “I know you said you don’t hear the customers, don’t really even see them, but if you could you would have heard several men moaning out loud and a few blatantly drooling.”
I giggle, put my money in the lockbox I keep in my duffel, and immediately start changing into my floor costume. “Whatever, Elias. It was just another night.”
He smiles when I hand him the key. “Another night, my ass. You just made rent, girlie. I’d—“
The door swings open as Ember rushes in with wide eyes. “Hurry up!”
I frown. “I have fifteen before I need to be out there mingling.”
“I know.” But she’s shaking her head. “Trent wants you, now.”
My stomach drops.
That can’t be good.
“Why does—“
“You have an admirer out there offering to pay double for a lap dance. Trent wants you changed and ready for it.”
“But I... he said...”Shit. I’m not ready for that.
“I know, but he’s not going to pass up that kind of money.”
“Three hundred means that much to him?” That’s chump change for Trent.
Ember shakes her head again and takes a breath. “When this guy asked, Trent told him it’s two-fifty for a lap dance from you, said you aren’t available without a special request in advance.”
Well, I guess that was nice of him.
Hold on.“So this guy offered to payfive hundred dollarsfor me to give him a ten minute lap dance?”
“Fifteen, but yeah.”
“Jesus.” Elias whistles. “Told you tonight was different.”
“And I take it I don’t have a choice?”
Ember shakes her head.
Shit.
“Fine.” I blow out a breath. I knew this was coming, I just didn’t think it was gonna happen so soon. “Let me touch up my makeup and change my shoes. I’ll be right out.”
She reaches out and squeezes my arm. “It’ll be fine, Cordy. Elias will be on you like flies on shit and I’ll keep tabs too. Plus this guy is super hot from what I could see, so at least you’ve got that going for you.”
Five minutes later I’m following the twins out to the main floor, my feet already tired and I’ve barely done anything yet.
Remember how I said I don’t get nervous anymore?
Well, that only applies to dancingonstage.
I haven’t had good experiences with lap dances or VIP rooms, and they make me anxious as hell. I know The Dollhouse is different, but still, the thought of someone touching me with intent, trying to do things despite the rules, that makes my skin crawl and stomach flip.
“Ah, Cordelia,” Trent, the smarmy jerk, croons as I walk over. “Your performance made quite the impression tonight.” He takes my elbow and leans in to whisper, “I know you weren’t ready and I’m sorry but I can’t say no to this man.”
“Nice to know you have a price,” I grumble.
Trent shakes his head and leads me through the tables. “It isn’t that. I upped the cost to deter him but then I realized who he is, who he’s affiliated with, and there is no way I could tell him no.”
