Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
He doesn’t look too happy about getting up. Maybe he’s the type that likes to sleep in, and I understand, because I enjoy that, too. In fact, being able to sleep in has been one of the perks of my job at Club Red.
Zane slides to the edge of the bed and puts a leg down on the floor, and I purposely look away so I won’t be tempted by his magnificent body. When I turn back, he’s pulling on his pants. Guess that’s a no to the shower, and I’m glad, because I didn’t want to have to think about him getting all lathered up in my bathroom.
I should probably offer him coffee, but now that the ball’s rolling, it will be best to keep things moving along.
“I had a really great time. Thank you,” I tell him once he’s fully dressed. “I hope you enjoy your time here on the island.” He starts to say something, but in case he’s about to ask for my number, I cut him off. “Maybe I’ll see you at Rusty’s again sometime.”
I might come off as rude, but I need to protect myself, and from what I know of men, they don’t typically enjoy sticking around for chitchat, so I’m doing him a favor by sending him on his way.
He turns to look back at me once he’s out the door, and I take another mental picture. Such a handsome man. Such a wonderful night. And on top of that, I have an exciting day ahead of me.
Things are looking more positive than they have in a long time.
5
BRITTANY
After a leisurely breakfast, a brief text conversation with my sister, and some light cleaning, I finally take a shower. I’d typically shower right after sex, but I have to confess that I enjoyed the smell of Zane on my skin, and I’m a little bit sad when I wash it away.
I have other things to focus on, though. My meeting today is all about my new job responsibilities. I was originally hired at Club Red to work the front desk, but the Stanton brothers, who own the club, recently offered me a promotion, and my new position is starting in a couple of days.
Business at the club has been booming, and there’s so much demand that they’re going to send a group of dancers on tour around the region. I’ve been promoted to manage the new tours.
For years, I worked at the small grocery store on the island, and even when my sister encouraged me to find a better job, I stayed there. Part of it was loyalty, but looking back, I realize that I wasn’t sure I was qualified for anything better. On a complete whim, I applied for a job at Club Red when I heard they were coming to town. It wasn’t the male dancers that appealed to me — most of them annoy the shit out of me with their ridiculously cocky behavior, to be honest — but the idea of working at a strip club made me laugh. I didn’t expect to actually get hired, and not only did they hire me, they’ve now promoted me, not even six months later.
I’m excited about the travel — even though I’ll be with some of those annoying dancers — and the increased responsibility will be a nice challenge. Most of all, of course, I’m excited about the pay raise I’ll be getting.
I’ve been in my tiny apartment for more years than I want to count. Since working at Club Red, I’ve been able to start saving, and I’ve had my eye on a cute little cottage in a quiet neighborhood not far from here. Amazingly, the place has been on the market for a while, and now that my wages are increasing, I’ve taken the big step of putting in an offer on it. Everything is still pending, but my realtor says that things look hopeful.
And hopeful is how I’m feeling as I head into Club Red.
“Brittany, how are you?”
Chase Stanton is a good-looking man. I’ve never been interested in him, and he is now, in fact, loved up with a very nice woman, but I’ve always thought he was attractive. I’m surprised to realize that he doesn’t sparkle quite so much when compared to memories of Zane, which are still fresh in my mind.
His younger brother Maddox is in the office with him today. These two and their brothers, Diesel and Dodge, used to dance here every night, in addition to owning and running the club, but they’ve been scaling back their performances and spending more time behind the scenes as the business grows. I’m in on a secret that they’ll be giving a very special farewell performance later this week that will involve their girlfriend, Jade, but my lips are sealed about that.