“I’ll be right there.” I smile up at him. “Promise.”
“What’s your real name?” he asks, and his face softens just a fraction.
“Heidi. Yours?”
“Reese.”
“I’ll be right there, Reese,” I reassure him. It looks like he’s scared I’m going to change my mind.
“All right,” he finally agrees, releasing me from his hold to step away, taking all his warmth with him. I watch as he heads back toward the private rooms, and I don’t miss the three times he glances over his shoulder back at me.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Benny asks, and I nod, still watching Reese go. “I think you could have gotten five out of him.”
“Seriously?” For a freaking dance? I gape at him.
“Don’t be surprised if he wants more than a dance. I’m sure Marks told you we don’t do that here. You make those plans on your own time,” Benny reminds me before he’s heading back to his perch to watch over the club.
I hate how much the idea of this man offering to pay to have me turns me on. Every other man that’s come in here has creeped me out. I don’t know what it is about Reese that’s different to me.
It’s a thrill that, for some reason, out of everyone in the club, I was able to grab his attention. Out of all these beautiful girls, his focus is on me.
“Did you really agree to a dance?” Kelly asks, rushing over toward me.
“He offered a lot.”
“Not judging.” She holds her hands up. “I just dry humped his cousin and got him all worked up. I’m going to spend the night milking every dollar out of him.” A wicked smile crosses her face.
“You got the bored, hot one?” Cindy is coming over next. “It’s the makeup. What can I say? I do great work.” She winks at me.
“I'm as surprised as you guys. It’s kind of flattering.” I lick my lips.
“Hey.” Kelly’s face grows serious. “Don’t be getting any ideas in your head about good men and him being different or something. These men are here for one thing. Don’t let them play you.”
“We play them,” Cindy adds.
They're both right. I was starting to build up some silly idea about this man in my head. He’s paying me to take some of my clothes off and to watch me dance, but I have no clue who he really is.
“Right.” I shake my head. “He’s going to end up asking for a refund. I have no clue what I’m doing.”
“Trust me. That’s going to work in your favor.” Kelly laughs. “He bought the innocent schoolgirl. That’s what he’s going to get.”
They all really have no idea how true that is.
Chapter Four
Reese
A low bassline thumps as I step into the private room and look around. There’s a long velvet couch against a wall and a table in front of it. There’s a fresh drink waiting for me, and I turn to the guy watching the door.
“Are there cameras in here?” I ask, and he nods. “Do you sit out here the whole time?” He nods again as I pass him my credit card. After he runs it for the two grand, he passes it back, and I place it with the roll of money Tino gave me when we walked in the club. “Any chance you can give us some privacy?”
“It’s time for my break.” He takes the roll and tucks it into his pocket. “And I forgot to tell someone to watch my chair while I’m gone.”
“And the cameras?”
“Damnedest thing.” He reaches over and clicks his computer. “They’ve been acting up all night.” The screen goes black, and I nod.
Without another word, I walk over to the couch and take a seat. I check my watch, wondering how long it’s going to take Heidi to come in here. Heidi, if that’s really her real name. She didn’t look like she’d lie to me, but I can’t forget where I’m at. These women lie for a living to give men the fantasy they want.
It’s fine. If that’s the score, then so be it. But all I know is that I need her like I’ve never needed anything. Not money, not food, not even air is more important than having her straddle me right this fucking second. Reaching up, I jerk on my tie to loosen it from around my neck. I can’t breathe, and I know it’s because I’m getting anxious that she isn’t here with me.
The music gets deeper and slower, and it’s all I can do not to come off this couch and go drag Heidi back in this room. Grabbing the drink, I knock it back in one gulp, then wipe my mouth with the back of my hand as the velvet curtain pulls back and she walks through.
She’s timid as she looks around and lets the curtain fall closed behind her. I run my tongue along my bottom lip, and I can still feel the burn of the alcohol in my throat as I really look her over. She takes a step closer when I place my glass back on the table and then stand up.