Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Then she sobers, her eyes locked on mine. "You gonna be here long tonight? I can always come back up after I’m done with my session."
As much as I adore her for offering, I need some space to clear my head.
To figure out what the hell I'm doing with Allegra, with Viper, with everything.
"Nah, I'm good. I think I'm gonna stay late and catch up on some paperwork." I shrug, smiling wryly. "The glamorous life, am I right?"
"Damn straight." She grins. "But seriously, you need anything..."
"I know. I promise."
She blows me a kiss as she saunters out the door, all swaying hips and jiggling curves.
That ass puts money in all our bank accounts, I swear to god.
The moment she's gone, I slump back in my seat, exhaling heavily.
Crisis averted for now.
But Melody's family emergency is a stark reminder that we need more girls.
What people have yet to realize is that even though Tinsel Creek is a family oriented town… the desires residing within the men and women want to be tapped into.
We have to hire more girls if we’re going to keep up with the demand, and soon.
Anything can change in a heartbeat.
Including whatever this crackling, forbidden relationship is between me and Viper.
What the hell am I doing?
Risking everything for a few weeks of mind-blowing sex and soul-searing connection?
My phone buzzes with an incoming text, making my heart lurch into my throat. Allegra.
Hey stranger, you alive? Starting to think you're avoiding me.
Guilt churns in my stomach, souring the Thai noodles I had for lunch.
I stare at the screen, trying to formulate a response that doesn't reek of awkward avoidance.
But the truth is, I have been avoiding her.
Every time I look at her sweet, innocent face on my contact list, I remember the wicked things I've done with her father.
The boundaries a best friend should never cross.
The betrayal she can never, ever know about.
God, if she does, it’ll shatter her trust in both of us.
My fingers hover over the keypad, my pulse throbbing in my temples.
Finally, I settle on:
Hey girl, I'm so sorry. Work has just been insane lately. I miss you loads! We need to have a video chat girls night where we drink too much wine.
I hit send before I can second guess myself.
It's not exactly a lie.
I do miss her.
I miss when things were simple between us.
When I wasn't screwing her dad six ways to Sunday.
The lies are piling up faster than I can shovel them out of the way.
How long can I keep this charade going before it all comes crashing down around me?
But I can't think about that now.
I have a show to get ready for, and a man to drive out of his ever-loving mind with lust.
I push back from my desk and stand up, my heels clicking on the hardwood floor as I head for the door.
Jade falls into step beside me, her expression curious.
"Where you off to in such a hurry?" she asks, arching a perfectly sculpted brow.
I flash her a devious grin, my eyes glinting with mischief. "It's showtime, baby. And tonight, I'm the star of the show."
Jade laughs and shakes her head as we make our way out of the Desire House and into the cool night. "Girl, you're nuts. You know that, right? Didn’t you quit performing for a reason?"
I just shrug, still grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Maybe. But a girl loves attention every once in a while. You’re performing too, right?”
Jade nods, “Yeah, I was just about to leave.”
“Get in, I’ll give you a lift.” We climb into my little red Miata and tear off down the street, singing along to Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas album at the top of our lungs.
For a few blissful minutes, I let myself forget about the tangled web I've woven and just enjoy the moment, the rush of anticipation thrumming through my veins.
We pull into the parking lot of Satin Dreams and I cut the engine, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.
This is it.
I follow Jade inside and head straight for the dressing rooms, ignoring the appreciative looks and catcalls from the regulars as we pass.
Jade stares at me for a long moment, then bursts out laughing. "Viper’s going to lose his mind when he sees you up there.”
"That's the plan," I purr, winking at her as I sashay past and into the dressing room.
The other girls are already in various states of undress, donning skimpy Santa-inspired lingerie and touching up their makeup.
They all turn to stare as I walk in, some with envy, others with grudging respect.
They know I'm not just another pretty face here to shake my ass for tips.
I'm the boss, and I'm about to show them all how it's done.
I strip down to my black lace thong and matching bra, then start rifling through the racks of costumes, looking for something that will make Viper's pulse race.