by T L Swan
I smile. “Okay. Deal.” There won’t be a next time, but she doesn’t have to know that.
She smiles warmly. “Let’s go and get those cocktails.”
* * *
I stand at the side of the stage as I watch the girls float up and down the catwalk. Club Exotic has come to a stand still as the crowd watch the Escape Girl show in awe. The bottom level of the club is filled with men, and as I glance out behind the curtain, I realize I can’t see mine.
What if he’s not here?
What if I have to choose someone else?
I glance around nervously as I try to calm down.
He will come… stop it. Of course he will come.
The second track comes on, and I know at the end of this song, on track three, I have to show myself to the men. My heart starts to pound and I close my eyes as I try to block out the fear.
How the fuck did he talk me into this?
Protected environment. How the fuck is this a protected environment?
Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m about to hyperventilate.
“You’re up.”
I glance around to the girl who just tapped me on the shoulder. “What?”
“It’s your turn.”
I close my eyes in horror as the song changes. Candy Shop
The sexy beat blasts through the club.
I'll take you to the candy shop
I'll let you lick the lollipop
Go 'head girl don't you stop
Keep going 'til you hit the spot
I walk out onto the stage to find all of the girls lined up on the catwalk, and I stand as I put both of my hands on my hips in the center of them.
The men’s eyes hungrily scan my body, and then I see their chins all lift as if accepting the challenge they’ve just been issued. The girls smile sexily as they face me, and in a well-rehearsed move, they all gift me with a welcoming round of applause.
I smile and nod in thanks. Two girls on the end of the catwalk walk up and take my hand to lead me to the end of the catwalk, and the sexy beat blares out as I stand still. Finally, after what seems like an hour, I’m lead from the stage.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “That was bizarre.” I shake my head in disbelief that I actually went through with it.
“You did great.” They all laugh.
“Oh my God, he’s here,” one girl gushes as she peeks around the curtain. “I knew it was him.”
“I didn’t see him,” another girl says.
“Who?” I frown.
“Blake Stevens,” another whispers as she takes her place to spy through the crack of the black velvet curtain.
My eyes widen. “Blake Stevens. The formula one driver?” What the hell? This guy is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. What in the world is he doing here?
He’s gorgeous, too.
“Yes. Oh my God!” The girls all chatter excitedly and practically run back to makeup to reapply their lip gloss.
I didn’t see Cameron, and I’m feeling like I want to run out of here as fast as I can.
“Vivienne,” Eliza calls me from the other room. “You’re needed in here, please?”
I close my eyes as I try to mentally prepare myself. “Okay,” I call.
I walk into the adjoining room to see the girls all in a group near the large, black double doors that go out into the Escape Lounge. They are laughing and jovial, like this is the most fun they have ever had in their lives.
I suppose it would be if you weren’t so nervous that you felt like you were going to throw up.
You can do this, but you need to get over yourself, Ashley.
The double doors are soon opened, and the girls all breeze out into the lounge. I hear the men’s jovial chatter float through from the other room. I stand quietly at the back of the group.
Eliza notices my trepidation and walks up to me. “You doing okay?”
“I’m not sure I can do this,” I whisper. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
She smiles warmly. “Of course you can and you picked exactly the right night to debut. We have some very powerful men here tonight.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “The race car driver?” I whisper.
She leans into me. “We have the president of one of USA’s allies.”
My eyes widen.
“We have two men who are in the wealthiest list.” She smiles knowingly. “We have two famous actors, three well known football players, and we have the head of the United States Marine Corps.” She winks sexily. “All gorgeous. All experienced at bestowing pleasure upon our lucky ladies.”
Holy crap. What about a doctor? Do you have any doctors?
“You get first choice, Vivienne. Decide on the man you want to please you tonight.”
I swallow nervously.
“Come on, dear.” She smiles as she takes my hand in hers and leads me into the other room where I am handed a Margarita. The men’s eyes all fall to me and I nearly slide down onto the floor to hide. I feel like I’m the newest exhibit in a zoo.
I can feel the hungry eyes roam over my body as they imagine what they could do with me.
“Gentlemen.” Eliza smiles as she holds her hands up to me. “I’m sure you have all noticed that we have someone debuting tonight. May I introduce you to the delectable Vivienne Jones.”
I smile and drop my eyes to the ground in embarrassment.
“As you all know, she will be picking first tonight, and will be making her choice in five minutes.” She smiles and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “It will be quite a night for one of you. She has something very special.”
The men fall silent and, without making eye contact with any of them, I sip my drink.
Where’s Cameron? Why can’t I see him?
I down my drink and grab another from a passing tray.
Eliza smiles and the group go silent. “Gentlemen, make your intentions known.”
What does that mean?
Most of the men come and stand in front of me and I instantly feel myself frown. What the hell are they doing? And then, one by one, they introduce themselves. The first two are older, distinguished, and handsome. The next man has longish dark hair and doesn’t take my fancy at all.
The next man is blonde and gorgeous. He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it.
“My name is Blake Stevens.” His lips linger on the back of my hand, and I feel myself flutter. Oh my… I know who you are.
“Nice to meet you, Blake,” I whisper.
The next two men are obviously the gridiron players and are huge and muscular. Holy crap… they could do some damage. Those are some lucky girls who get them tonight.
The next group of men are all gorgeous and well mannered… but where is he? Why isn’t he here?
I start to hear my heartbeat in my ears as I begin to panic.
The next man is a face I know. It’s the man who has followed me around out in the lounge a few times.
Oh no. He picks up my hand and kisses it. “Miss Vivienne, I’m looking forward to our night together.”
“I don’t think so,” a voice snaps, and I turn to see Cameron standing behind me.
I smile with relief. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see someone in my life.
“Hello,” he whispers as our eyes hold each other’s.
I smile softly. “Hello,” I breathe.
He came.
Oh, he’s so beautiful, he’s wearing a dark grey suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie. He looks orgasmic. Standing taller than the other men, I instantly feel myself drawn to him.
“Who will it be, Vivienne?” Eliza smiles.
What… now? I have to choose now? “Oh—” I’m cut off by the man I sort of know from outside in the club.
“I would like to offer a twenty-five thousand dollar tip to Vivienne if she picks me,” he announces.
My face falls. What? Twenty-five thousand dollars?
The girls around me gasp and my eyes flicker to Eliza
. She smirks knowingly.
“Fifty thousand,” one of the other men snaps.
My eyes widen as the girls begin to gasp. Is this uncommon? What the hell is going on here? Fifty thousand dollars to spend a night with me? Is this a joke?
“One-hundred thousand,” Blake Steven’s adds.
“One twenty,” the first bidder bites back.
I swallow the lump in my throat as the room begins to spin. That is so much money.
The room falls silent as they all wait for my reply.
“Who will it be, Vivienne?” Eliza asks. “The gentleman are all more than willing to pay a hefty tip to you for your company.”
I look around the room and my eyes find Cameron’s. “What’s your offer, sir?” I ask softly.
“No tip.” A trace of amusement crosses his face. “And no sex.”
The men who have been bidding all burst into laughter. “No sex,” one calls. “Are you fucking mad?”
My heart starts to beat harder and harder.
He gets it.
This isn’t about the sex or the money.
I slowly walk closer and stand before him as the room falls silent again.
“Are you a betting man, sir?” I ask him.
He raises a brow. “I am.”
I pick up his tie and gently run it between my fingers. “I would like to bet you fifty dollars that I can get you to do whatever I want tonight.”
He smirks. “I think we both know that that’s a bet you have already won.”
I smile softly as emotion overcomes me. “I pick you,” I whisper
“I pick you, too.” He carefully lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. Our eyes are locked on each other and I can hardly breathe. Suddenly, we remember where we are and he takes my hand in his before he leads me out of the room, while the other men move their attention to the next girl. We stand and wait in silence for the elevator to arrive to take us to our room. The electricity running between us is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I look up at him and he smiles softly down on me.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers as his eyes drop to my lips.
“So do you,” I breathe.
The elevator doors open and he leads me in. I turn to face the door and he stands behind me. The door slowly shuts and he pushes my hair to one side as his lips drop to my neck. My eyes close instantly. The feel of his lips gently kissing my skin is so damn good.
He kisses my neck, softly at first, again and again and then, as if losing control, he bites me hard and I whimper. He grabs my hipbone and pulls me back so I can feel how hard he is behind me.
“You have no idea how badly I want you,” he whispers in my ear causing goosebumps to erupt, and whether it’s his breath on my skin or the sound of his words that nearly make me convulse, I will never know.
He sucks my skin as my knees nearly buckle from underneath me. “Cameron,” I whimper.
I’ve never had this—had a man that is so in tune with my body before. It’s as if he knows exactly what to do, exactly where to touch me, and exactly what to say.
The door of the elevator opens and he snaps out of his daydream, takes my hand, and retrieves the key to the room from his pocket.
I frown as a sense of sadness swipes through me that he knows the drill here.
How many times has he done this before? Has he slept with any women that were downstairs with me?
“What’s wrong?” he asks, sensing my disapproval.
Get a grip of yourself. He doesn’t need to explain his past. God knows you haven’t even scratched the surface of yours, I remind myself.
I fake a smile. “Nothing.”
He watches me for a moment. “Just say it.”
I shrug, embarrassed.
“What?”
“How many times have you been here before, Cameron?”
He shrugs and rolls his lips as he contemplates his answer.
“It doesn’t matter,” I whisper. “Sorry for asking. I know it doesn’t matter.”
“Does it matter to you?”
I drop my eyes to the carpet in front of me. “It shouldn’t.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
He’s got me. I nod softly.
He cups my face with his hand and lifts it so that our eyes meet. “I only wanted to meet you here because I knew you needed the money.”
I frown.
“This is the last place on Earth I want to see you.”
A lump forms in my throat.
“You belong in my home.” He pauses and kisses me gently. “In my bed.”
Of all the things he could have said, that’s what I needed to hear the most.
“I don’t want you to judge me because I work here,” I murmur.
“I won’t.”
“I’m not here for the money tonight,” I whisper as he kisses me softly. “I’m here for you.”
He stills for a moment and looks up the hall toward our room, and then back down on me. “I don’t want you staying here.”
I frown.
“Come home with me.”
“What? I can’t. I’ll get into trouble.” I frown.
“Nobody will know. There’s a separate exit.”
“Cam…”
“If we stay here...” He frowns as he thinks. “This is always where our first date will be.”
I smile softly. Why does he insist on getting better and better? I put both of my arms around his neck and lean in to kiss him gently. “I like how you think,” I whisper through a smile.
He smirks against my lips and drops his hand to my ass. “I like you more. Now let’s get out of here.”
12
Ashley
Cameron sits behind the wheel of his luxury car and pulls into the wide circular driveway of his mansion. I sit quietly in the passenger seat and I think I may have just done the stupidest thing in my life so far. I’ve let him make me hope for something more.
The club was safe. The club was just fucking.
This feels raw, intimate, and very much like he’ll soon have the ability to hurt me.
Run. Now.
He appeared to be deep in thought all the way to his home.
Cameron parks the car and we sit in the darkness for a moment, as if lost in our own thoughts while my heart hammers in my chest.
Eventually, he climbs out and opens my door to help me out. He takes my hand in his as we walk in silence to his front door.
“Is that you, Mr. Stanton?” a male voice calls from around the side of the house. I can hear the gravel crunching under his feet as he approaches us.
“Yes, Steve,” he replies.
A man appears from around the side of the house with a flashlight in his hand, and his eyes flicker between us. Upon realizing it is, in fact, Cameron, he smiles and disappears back to where he came from.
“Who’s that?’
“My security guard.”
“Why do you have a security guard?” I whisper.
“Joshua’s insistence.”
“Who’s Joshua?”
“My brother.”
“Oh.” That’s weird. “Is this a bad neighborhood?” I ask.
He lets out a deep, permeating, perfect chuckle, and I find myself smiling broadly.
“Does it look like a bad neighborhood?”
I glance around at the opulence and wealth around me. “Sort of.” I smirk. “Rich people are creepy sometimes.”
He laughs again as he opens the door, and we are quickly transported into his luxurious world. The foyer is dimly lit and he takes my hand to lead me toward the kitchen, turning the lights on as we walk past them.
“Would you like a glass of wine or champagne?” he asks.
“Whatever, I’m easy,” I answer as I look around. I can’t believe this is his house.
He walks me out to a room that has a large bar, and he glances through the glass door of the drink fridge. He frowns. “I wasn’t expecting company and haven’t got any good stuff chilled. Hang
on a sec, I’ll go get some.”
He takes off toward the kitchen and I follow him without thinking. Where is he going? He opens a door and disappears down a set of stairs. What the hell? A wine cellar? He has a fucking wine cellar? I frown as I follow him, and my eyes widen as I approach the bottom of the stairs.
It’s a huge room lined with shelves creating aisles, and the walls and floors are sandstone. The air is crisp and cold down here. Wow. This is something else.
He walks along the aisle looking for the wine he wants. “Champagne or wine?”
I shake my head and his eyes rise to meet mine. “What?” he asks.
“You have a wine cellar…” I frown, this is just ridiculous.
“Yes.” He smirks. “I have a wine cellar.”
I shake my head and blow out a breath.
“What?” He frowns.
“Where did you get all this money, Cameron?”
“Champagne?” he asks, distracted.
I nod.
He takes two bottles of champagne from a rack and comes back to me. “Well, that’s a hard question to answer.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “I had a trust fund from my father, and then my brother became an app developer and hit it big,” he replies nonchalantly.
I frown. “Who is your brother again?”
“Joshua Stanton.”
I nod. That name sounds familiar somehow. “So, this is their money?” I ask.
“Yes and no.”
I raise my eyebrows. “No?”
“I have an extensive property portfolio from my own investments, so what started out as their money is now money I make for myself. I could probably pay them back now.”
“And this house…?” I ask.
“… was a thirtieth birthday present from my brother.”
I roll my eyes, unimpressed. A birthday present? Are you fucking kidding me? I glance around again. This house must be worth an absolute bomb.
“What’s with the eye roll?” he asks
“Money doesn’t do it for me, Cameron.”
“Money doesn’t do it for me, either. Why do you think I’m a doctor? Just so I can have the title before my name?” He pauses for a moment. “But, I’m accustomed to a certain lifestyle now and I’m not going to apologize for that.” He smiles sexily. “And besides, having no money limits your choices.”
I smirk. That’s true. “Don’t I know it…”