My words suddenly fall short as I take in my rescuer. It’s his lips I notice first. Full lips, begging to be touched. Then his eyes, which are dark. I can’t tell the color with all the lights, but I don’t need to see the color to feel the intensity of his gaze. He’s wearing a button-down shirt and vest. They fit him perfectly, and the sleeves are rolled up to show toned forearms with a peek of tattoos underneath. Arms that are still around my waist, holding me firmly to make sure I’m standing. Arms leading to a body that feels rock hard. Damn.
If this is the kind of person that frequents Club Deep, sign me up. Yes, please!
He smiles, slow and easy. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“Good.”
Behind him, I see a waitress passing by and my mind snaps back to why I’m really here. “I’m sorry, I have to go. You don’t happen to know where the employee dressing room is?”
Handsome man lets me go, pointing across the club. “It’s over there, entrance is behind the bar.”
“Thanks.” I wish I had more time to talk to him, but I need this job. Keeping it is more important than flirting. Unfortunately for me.
The club is already busy, the dance floor packed with people under the rotating laser lights. House music vibrates under my feet, and I weave through the crowd of people as quickly as I can. I’m hoping that my drenched state will earn me some sympathy for being late.
I find the entrance exactly where he said it was, and luckily someone is coming out just then. I use the opportunity to push inside the locker room. The sounds of the club fade to almost silence behind me. Soundproofed, then. The locker room is huge and comfortable, and I see a bunch of go-go dancers getting ready for the next shift, and a few waitresses scattered throughout.
A harsh voice cuts across the room. “Are you Andrea?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
A petite blonde woman comes over to me with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m Rosie. I’m your supervisor. We’re a little understaffed tonight so I need to give you the rapid-fire orientation.” She hands me a pile of clothes.
“Okay. I’m really sorry I’m late. There was an accident on the highway, and it’s pouring.”
“Just don’t let it happen again.” She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Come with me.” She leads me over to a locker in the corner and hands me a piece of paper. “This is yours. The combination is on there, along with your personal safe code. Every employee has one so we know each time the safe is opened. If money is missing and your code was the one used, you’re gone. That’s the first thing you need to know. Got it?”
“Got it.” I open the locker and shove my bag inside. “Is it okay if I dress while you talk?”
“Be my guest.”
I peel my soaked shirt over my head, and hang it inside the locker. I’m hoping it dries at least a bit before I head home later. “Keep the cash from customers on you so you can make change. People order drinks from their stations and we bring them. If they haven’t paid by card—and most of them haven’t because they don’t want Club Deep on their billing statements—they’ll give you cash right then. You’ll drop that cash off at the end of the night with your code.
“Rule number two: No sex with clients on the clock. I don’t give a fuck what you do once you’ve punched out, but when you’re working, your time is my time. Number three: keep all the theme rooms stocked with supplies whenever you’re not serving—especially the orgy room. They use up a lot. And don’t interrupt any scenes that are taking place. Number four: wear gloves when you’re cleaning. That’s the down and dirty basics, the rest you can learn on the fly. That all sound good?”
Umm…okay? Why would I have sex at work? She said something about an O.R.G. room. I need to figure out what that stands for later. Gloves, yes. Always smart. I nod, trying to absorb everything. I’ve gotten on the low-slung black pants. They’re so tight that they feel like a second skin. The top is barely more than a bra, black with extra decorative straps that hug across my skin. They did tell me the uniform would be like this, but it’s a little strange now that I have it on. There’s a mirror in the locker and I glance at it. There’s a reason they’ve chosen this. It looks sexy.