She narrows her eyes and pushes away from the table. She places her hands down and leans over, speaking quietly. “You can control me at work, Ethan, but you can’t control what I do outside. It’s none of your business.” She picks up her drink and tosses the whole thing back in one swoop. “Thanks for the drink. I’ve got to go.”
She grabs her bag and is out of the restaurant before I have time to blink.
Chapter 13
Addison
What a prick. I can’t believe I let that guy kiss me—twice!I climb into a cab just in time to see him exit the building, and then I pull my phone out.
Me:Change of plans, I will be there tonight.
The cab pulls up outsideRISE.I climb out and walk to the back of the building.Why does that man piss me off so much, yet I want to rip his clothes off and climb him like a tree?I type in the code and push the door open. One of the new-hires gives me a small wave as she fixes her top.
“Are you doing okay, Stephanie?” I ask. She looks nervous, but I think tonight is her first night on the pole. She nods and bites her thumbnail. “You’re going to kill it out there. Lia taught you well.” I offer her a thumbs up, and she finally smiles.
All the girls who come to work for us know this is just a stepping stone. They are using it to get through whatever rough patch put them here, and the four of us girls push them to better themselves. Each girl is required to take self-defense classes, too. We don’t want anyone to be in the type of situations we used to find ourselves in.
I step into the dressing room to change into my outfit for the night. I’ve chosen a sexy little plaid skirt, red lacy bra, and fishnet garters. I swoop my hair up under the red wig and fix it in place before deciding on pigtails.Every man’s wet dream.I intend on getting laid tonight—multiple times if possible—and I want it to be rough. I want to forget Ethan’s touch, his soft lips against my skin.
Closing my eyes, I allow myself to relive it, just for a moment. My hand slides down and over my flat stomach, landing over my throbbing clit. Just the thought of Ethan is making it hard to control my want. I give a few swipes just to keep the fire alive, then pull my hand away, leaving myself on edge.
I finish getting my makeup on and pull the mask over my face as the MC announces me to the stage. My heart beats in my chest, nerves taking over as they do every time I stand on the stage, waiting. Then the lights come up and everything is right with the world. I scan the audience like I do every night I take the stage, looking for my next victim.
The song ends a few minutes later, and the crowd is going wild. I have several men who look like they are interested, and I couldn’t be happier. I fix my bra into place offstage, and one of the girls tells me I have a private dance lined up. I can’t wait to see who the lucky man is going to be. I smooth my skirt just outside my room and open the door.
Ethan.
My blood boils and I clench my jaw to keep myself from screaming at him. I take a deep breath in through my nose and push it out slowly. “Mr. Freeman, how can I help you?”
His lips turn up in a smile, but it’s anything but happy. His eyes burn into mine, and I fight the urge to walk over to him and slap him across the face. “Hello, Ember. I enjoyed your show tonight.” He eye-fucks me, and it makes my insides clench.That’s right, babe. You know you want me.
“Thank you. Are you looking for a private dance, or…?” I trail off, leaving what I really want unsaid. I want to take out all my anger and aggression on him, especially because I can actually use the man who has made me angry in the first place. He doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone.
“Turn around.”
I want to fight him, but I need this so I do so without hesitation. He walks up behind me, presses his chest to my back, and wraps his arm around my waist, holding me against his hard body. His warm fingers graze my skin, eliciting goosebumps. I push out a shaky breath as his lips come down on the back of my neck. The kiss is gentle, but the way my body heats up under his touch is anything but.
He pushes me down, and my hair falls over my shoulders. I’m bent at the waist, my hands on the bed in front of me. “Ethan,” I moan as his hands run up my legs.
“You’ve been a naughty girl, Ember,” he tsks as he slides his hand into the front of my panties. His fingers brush over my clit, and I drop my head forward in pleasure. “You’re soaked. Have you been thinking about fucking me?”
“Yes,” I moan, unable to deny the truth. He grinds his cock into my ass, and I’m about to come standing here.Jesus, this is so much hotter than I thought it would be.I reach back, trying to touch him, but he grips my wrist, holding it against my lower back. “Please let me touch you.”
His thumb slides over the scar on my wrist, and I try to pull away from him, but he’s too strong.
“No,” he gasps. He holds my wrist tighter, examining the scar, then brushes some loose strands of hair off my neck, exposing the phoenix tattoo all us girls have. He spins me around and looks into my eyes, pushing the mask up. I don’t stop him because he’s already figured it out. My face heats in shame. I’m not ashamed of what I do, or the business I own. I’m ashamed that he had to find out this way. “Addison?”
I bite my lower lip as he stumbles away from me in shock. My hand slides up to my wig, and I pull it off to hold in front of me, exposing my natural brown hair. I have never felt as small as I do right now. I can’t even look at him. I keep my eyes trained on his shiny shoes.
“Jesus Christ, Addy. What thefuck?” He steps forward, stopping directly in front of me, his chest grazing mine. “You were going to let me fuck you? Let me think you were someone else entirely?” I stare at his shoes, not sure if I should give him an answer or not. When I don’t offer any response, he snarls, “Fuckinganswer me, Addison.”
I snap my head up, narrow my eyes, and cross my arms under my breasts. His eyes flit down to my breasts as they press up, then back up, giving me his full attention. “When I’m here within these walls, I’m Madam Ember. My mask, my wig, and my outfit are part of a role I play. You came here to fuck Ember.” I shrug my shoulders. “What’s the difference if she turns out to be me?” My response is cold—calculated.
The fire in his eyes dims and he sighs. “Get changed. You’re coming with me. I’m not leaving you here.”
I shake my head. “Ethan, I can’t. I have another set tonight.”
He clenches his hands into fists by his sides, the veins in his forearm bulging with the movement. His face reddens as he clenches his jaw in anger. “Fuck, Addy. Don’t I pay you enough? I see the clothes and the nice shoes you walk around the office in. Is this a side hustle or some shit to afford all that?”
