Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I couldn’t remember anyone like that but to be honest, my time up on stage had been a blur. I could tell that some of the strippers there actually enjoyed their job—they found it sexy and empowering to bare their bodies. And actually, that part of the job I liked. But riding the pole isn’t where you make your money—it’s the lap dances you do and the private performances in the VIP and champagne rooms—those are the real money makers.
Of course, since I was only there to attract Cole’s attention, I had done my best to avoid the “private dances.” But I had to give some lap dances or I wouldn’t have been invited back to dance again. Stripping is all about keeping the customers happy and engaged so they’ll stay longer and spend more money.
The intimacy of a lap dance can be problematic if you’re not really into giving one. Men can get awfully handsy, even if they’re technically not supposed to. And the only man whose hands I wanted on my body was Cole.
I was actually so relieved when he’d finally showed up at the club and I knew I wouldn’t have strip anymore…but now look. Apparently some older Were had seen me and decided he wanted me. And my big brother was just going to hand me over. How could he betray me this way?
I was still alternating between the feelings of anger, betrayal, and sadness that Cole was willing to give me away to some other male, as Kurt and the Alpha guard escorted me up the elevator to a swanky penthouse apartment.
They knocked on the door and then Kurt produced a keycard and unlocked it. The door opened onto darkness lit with only a faint reddish glow from somewhere deep in the apartment. I mean, it was giving serious spooky serial killer vibes.
“Sir—she’s here,” Kurt called. He looked at me. “Go on—get in.”
“Oh no—I’m not going in there!”
I tried to duck under his arm but the Alpha guard was too quick for me. He grabbed me and shoved me into the darkened apartment. Then he slammed the door shut and I heard the lock click back into place.
I yanked on the doorknob, frantically turning it first one way and then the other but I couldn’t get it open.
“Help! Help!” I shouted, banging on the door. “You can’t leave me in here with some guy I don’t even know! He might be a serial killer for all you know! Help!”
“There’s no need to be so frightened, little one.”
The deep, growling voice came from behind me. I whirled around to see an extremely tall man in a black, tailored suit standing there looming over me. He had impossibly broad shoulders and he was wearing a black leather mask that covered his entire head with only slits for his eyes, nose and mouth.
“Oh my God!” I put a hand to my chest like I was trying to keep my heart from jumping out and running away. “You…you scared me! Who are you?”
“Someone who saw your performance…and liked it.” The deep, growling voice sounded faintly familiar—almost like Cole’s, I thought. Also, this guy was extremely tall like my big brother. But no—there was no way this was Cole. Why would he do something like this?
“So…you want me to dance for you?” I asked. “Sorry, but I’m not exactly dressed for it.” I let out a shaky laugh and nodded down at my sweatshirt and yoga pants combo. My fuzzy orange socks were worse for the wear, after walking across the sidewalk outside and through the huge lobby of the apartment building.
“You will be provided with everything you need,” the tall man growled at me. “Come this way.” Not waiting to see if I would follow, he turned and glided away into the darkened apartment.
I hesitated, looking back at the locked door and wondering what to do.
“You will not be harmed in any way tonight,” the deep growling voice informed me, drifting out of the darkness. “You won’t even be touched, if you don’t wish to be.”
“Yeah, but that’s exactly what a serial killer would say to his victim,” I called back, still staying by the door.
The man in the mask came back and looked down at me.
“Do you have any idea what your brother would do to anyone who laid a finger on you?” He asked me and I had the feeling he was frowning under the mask. “Did you see what happened to the drunk who was pawing you the other night?”
I bit my lip—had he been there at The Doll House watching me strip when things got out of hand and Cole intervened? I still couldn’t remember any older Were guy who had been there. Weres can usually tell each other by scent—even I can tell, though I’ve been a dud most of my life. But the only Weres I could remember being there that night were the bouncer and my big brother.