“Done,” he says, standing and motioning for me to move. His friend doesn’t follow as I lead Finn to one of the VIP rooms. He enters first and I close the door, leaning my forehead against it briefly, reminding myself that this is business. Collect the money, do my thing and get back out there to make more money.
The leather from the couch creaks as he sits down. Moving quickly, I turn the dial on the sound system, bringing in the music that the DJ is currently playing. Every song he spins is meant to evoke sex.
“Five hundred,” I tell Finn and he studies me, his head tilting from side to side. I want to cover my chest, but know that action could piss him off. I hate that he’s looking at me like a piece of meat. He pulls his wallet out and sets the money on the table. I grab it quickly and put it in my clutch.
“Do you have something to cover yourself?”
“Wh-what?” I croak out, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. What kind of freaky shit is he into?
“I want to talk.”
It’s not uncommon for men to pay for a VIP room so they can talk. Sometimes they need someone to talk to and don’t have anyone who will listen or they’re lonely and this is how they find someone to talk to them. Bottom line, they come in here because they won’t be judged and they’re paying us to listen.
Along the wall, the club keeps a robe. Very rarely do we use them, but if the client asks, we do. I cover up, tying the belt in a knot. I don’t know where Finn wants me so I stand there, in front of him, waiting for him to give me instructions.
“How have you been?”
The room is dark so he can’t see my expression. I smile and tell him, “Great.”
“And Vegas is treating you well?”
“Sure. I mean as well as Vegas can treat someone like me.”
Finn sighs and cocks his head to the side. “Come sit down.”
I do as he says, taking the seat next to him. His cologne is the first thing that catches my attention. He smells like fresh spring soap, sand and all man. It’s the type of smell that makes a woman cross and uncross her legs repeatedly, the kind that makes her weak in the knees and the kind that makes her steal his shirt when she sneaks out in the morning so she can smell it later.
“Do you do that often?”
“What? Offer men lap dances? About six to twelve hours a day.” I laugh, but I’m not joking. My days have been long and up until today, worth it.
“Don’t put yourself down.”
I don’t know how to answer him, so I don’t. He senses this and looks away. “You ran away before I could tell you my offer.”
Shaking my head, I pull the robe tighter. I don’t know why considering he’s already seen my boobs, but sitting next to him and knowing that he owns a hotel makes me feel shameful.
“My Porsche was idling in the tow-away zone. I didn’t want a ticket.”
He smiles and chuckles softly. “I don’t remember you being funny.”
“Do you even remember me?”
“Of course I do.” He looks at me and while his gaze is penetrating, I shut my mind off. I’ve seen this look before, not only from him but also from others, and I know what it means.
Again, I find myself without something to say. If I were dancing for him, I’d be more comfortable and not so awkward.
“You lost a lot of money today.”
“I don’t need a reminder.” I’ve spent the past few hours trying to forget, plotting ways to try and make that amount back before my flight at midnight. I know it’s impossible, but thinking that I’m trying is helping me deal with it.
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Right, the proposition.”
“Exactly.” He slides closer and pulls my legs toward him so I’m forced to look at him. “I’m a busy man with a social calendar that I hate. I need someone to accompany me to a couple of fundraisers and a gala this week and I’m willing to pay.”
I shake my head, knowing I can’t stay.
“I’ll double what you lost, in exchange for you being mine for one week.”
My throat swells as I try to swallow. Double what I lost. He’s willing to pay double, but for what?
“What’s the catch?”
“Like I said, I’m a busy man and I want you to be mine for the week, in every aspect. You’ll stay in my penthouse and have access to whatever you want, and in exchange you’re at my beck and call.”
I have to look away and force back the threatening tears. I have never sold myself for sex before. I’ve never stooped that low, but the thought of walking away with twenty thousand dollars is almost too much to pass up. Hell, if he offered me five thousand to sleep with him, I would. I should be grossed out and my fist should be pounding his face, but this is Finn and the crush I had on him years ago is waving her white flag and telling me to jump on this offer before he changes his mind.