by Summer Rose
I knew he was going to say something stupid, just by the grin.
“You look like a star!”
Just as I thought, “thanks.”
I walked inside and my mouth dropped to the floor. This place was amazing with fountains and large columns throughout. There was a picture of the inside, of the club posted on the wall. I counted about six stages, three bars, and a restaurant. I knew this was the place for me as I walked up to the counter and asked the host for a manager.
Looking at me through wispy bangs, she smiled. “Hey cutie, you looking for job?”
“Is it that obvious? Do I have that stripper look?”
I was offended, sort of.
“If you mean beautiful, then I guess you do. You’re much too pretty to be a waitress. Hold on and I’ll radio Patrick, he’s the day manager.”
While I waited for Patrick to arrive, I looked around and noticed a sign.
Shirts with collar and dress shoes only
“Wow, what’s that about?” I asked the hostess. “You’re in an upscale club sweetie. We’re only seeking the upscale gentlemen and upscale entertainers.”
Entertainers? Wow, I’ve moved up from dancer to entertainer status.
“I hope I fit the mold, do you think he’ll hire me?” I asked, turning around to show her all views.
She cocked her head to the side, “Have you passed any mirrors lately honey?” Of course, he’ll hire you. His dick will rise when he sees you, guarantee it.”
“Are you talking shit again Amanda?” A deep voice asked.
I turned to see a good-looking man in his late thirties or so. He was tall, dark, and handsome with a smile to drop any woman’s panties.
“Hellooo there.” He approached me with a huge grin on his face and killer dimples. “What can I do for you?
“I’m here to audition for an entertainer position.” I winked.
He looked me up and down. “No need to audition,” he turned and began to walk away.
I was mortified! I felt ugly and not good enough.
What’s wrong with me? Am I fat? Don’t I look just as hot, if not hotter, than some of the other girls? Who does he think…?
“Hello? You coming?” Patrick asked.
“Oh, I thought you weren’t interested in me.” I sobbed. “I was about to leave.”
“Not interested in you? You’re joking right?” he shook his head.
He showed me to the dressing room where there was a make-up artist and a seamstress set up in a corner.
“You got any tattoos?” Patrick asked. “No. Why?”
“No, visible tattoos allowed here. They must be covered.”
That’s why the make-up woman is here. She also does your make-up for twelve dollars. Cover-ups are an additional twenty-five dollars.”
He gave me a tour of the rest of the club, a list of rules to review, and showed me the boutique to shop for gowns if I didn’t have any.
“Wednesdays are lingerie days and Fridays are gown days. No exceptions,” he made himself clear. “Hair and nails must be done. No exceptions.”
“Do you have a hairstylist here?” I asked. They seemed to have everything else.
“No. You have to either go to a salon or do it yourself, but yours look fine,” he pulled one of my curls and watched it spring back.
“Do you have any more questions?”
“None just yet,” I was so excited to be there. “Cool, one more thing. No flashing. Under no circumstances are you allowed to flash. I don’t want to see it, or hear about it. No exceptions. You will be fired immediately. No exc..”
“No exceptions,” I said simultaneously.
“Yes, that’s right,” he laughed as he showed those killer dimples again.
I melted. I was a sucker for dimples and teeth. I wondered if he could feel my attraction to him. I hadn’t seen a man that fine in a long time. I couldn’t believe I was even checking one out. I shook it off. I figured I was just bitter with women because of my recent break-up.
I went back to my room and ordered room service. I was in the mood to celebrate my new job.
I ordered a shrimp and scallop dinner with all the fixings, and a bottle of red wine.
I wasn’t going to work until the next day. I had to get a gown and some lingerie.
My nails stayed done along with a fresh pedicure. My hair was always done. I have naturally curly black hair, which didn’t require a lot of work.
I usually got a weave if my hair wasn’t working for me or if I wanted a different look.
I made a schedule for the next day and laid down to wait for room service to arrive. I laid there recapping my day.
Oh, shit! I completely forgot about Ralph!
I fished in my purse for the card he’d given me.
I need a smaller purse.
I dumped my purse on the bed and scrambled threw my stuff.
Gotcha!
I started to dial his number.
Do I even want to go out with this geezer?
I hung up the phone before he answered. Let me think about this… my phone rang. It’s him! Damn, caller id!
Ever since caller id came into my life, it’s been nothing but trouble!
“Hello?”
“Hi. This is Ralph. I missed your call. Is this Nina?” he asked.
“Uh, yes it is. How did you know it was me?” “Well, I was expecting your call and I recognized that sweet voice.”
“Oh.”
“Are you from Oklahoma?”
“Yes, I am.”
Damn caller id!
“Yeah, I know the area code. I sort of live there too.” He confessed.
“How do you ‘sort of’ live somewhere?”
“Well, I go back and forth. I have a condo there.”
“Oh, okay,” I didn’t pry. “So, what are you doing?”
I changed the subject because I really didn’t care. I was still pissed off about the caller id!
“I’m just looking over some paperwork while I was waiting for your call. Are you ready to get some dinner?”
“I’m a little tired,” I said, trying to get out of it. “Maybe we can do this another time.” Besides, I’ve already ordered room service and wine.
“Oh, you don’t want that crap! How does a lobster and crab dinner with a bottle of Moet sound?”
“Ummm. Good. You are tempting me,” I was really considering that meal.
“Okay, then let’s add a chocolate mousse dessert with strawberries and crème brulee’?
“Ummm, yes,” I’m cancelling room service! “Great! I’ll pick up in…say twenty minutes?”
I thought we were going to meet.
“Nina?”
“Okay, that’s fine,” I answered nervously. “What hotel are you staying?”
If he turns out to be a psycho, I’ll just change my hotel.
Twenty minutes to the second, he called to let me know he was downstairs. He wanted to come up, but that clearly was his mistake. I stopped at the desk to let them know where I was going and that I would check in once I returned. I made sure they could see the car I was going in, so they could have a lead for the police if they needed one.
“Better safe than sorry. Right?” I told the desk clerk.
“Absolutely. You gotta be careful like that now days. There are a lot of sicko’s out there.”
I walked outside to Ralph’s car. He quickly jumped out to open my door.
“Hi Nina. You look fantastic!” He got out of the car and hurried over to open my door.
I spun around. “Thank you.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked referring to my pit stop at the desk.
“Yes, everything’s fine, I just wanted to put in a wake-up call for tomorrow morning in case I forgot to when I got in”, I lied.
“Oh, I thought you were giving them my tag number.” He teased.
I would’ve if I had it. This is going to be a long night!
Lesson #6
Be careful who yo
u meet.
They may not be who they say they are.
Chapter 15
Perfect Gentleman?
I was awakened by a loud knock at the door and nearly fell out of bed.
I need to stop drinking! I know housekeeping is not at my door this early!
The knock repeated, only this time a voice accompanied it.
“Room service” The voice replied.
Room service? I didn’t order room service.
I opened the door, but before I could say anything, someone shoved a huge vase at me. There were at least three dozen red roses in it.
“Who sent these?” I hoped he didn’t say “Tina.” “The gentleman sent this ma’am, along with breakfast. Would you like me to set the table?” “What gentleman, and how did he know what room to send all this to?”
I was flattered, yet somewhat scared. How would anyone know what room I was in? I didn’t give permission to the hotel to give out my information.
“The gentleman called for room service and a flower delivery person dropped the roses at the concierge.”
“What gentleman!” He was starting to get on my nerves with all this gentleman crap! “Perhaps you should read the card and maybe it will shed some light madam.”
Madam?
I open the card, and my heart melted.
Dearest Nina,
Never have I had such a fairy-tale night.
If I were to die now, there’s no doubt I would
float away to heaven.
Please honor my day with lunch and your smile.
I hope you enjoy breakfast
As much as it will enjoy your lips
Ciao for now,
Ralph
I smiled and looked down at the table, which was beautifully prepared. I was so impressed.
There were strawberries, kiwi, passion fruit, mango, and melon. The other tray had Belgian waffles, eggs, and turkey bacon.
There was also orange juice, coffee, and champagne. I had never been so swept off my feet by another man before.
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t even notice that the room attendant was standing there watching me until I heard him clearing his throat.
“Will there be anything else madam?”
“No everything looks great.”
I went to get my purse to give him a tip. When I tried to give him the money, he refused.
“That was also covered by the gentleman and most generously, too.”
He had such a big grin on his face; I wanted to ask him how much.
I thought that would be inappropriate since he was so formal with the ‘gentleman’ and ‘madam’ remarks.
I sat at the table and started my breakfast. I reminisced about my previous night of dinner, dancing, more dancing and more dancing. I think we danced the night away. He was a great dancer and I didn’t feel nervous or bored. I had a great time with Ralph. He was the perfect gentleman and I felt like Cinderella.
When the bill came for dinner, he handed me a wad of cash.
“I need to go to the little boy’s room.” he blushed. “Can you take care of the bill and I’ll be back shortly?”
“OK”
I opened the wad because it looked like way to much cash for dinner. I paid the bill, which came out to two- hundred and eighty dollars. There was still about four hundred dollars left.
When Ralph returned, I told him the bill was paid and held out the remainder of the money.
“Can you hang on to that for me, love? I hate carrying large sums of cash in small bills.”
“Sure, just remind me to give it to you when we get back to my hotel.”
“Very well, shall we?”
He took me back to my hotel and raved about our night. When I tried to give him his money, he declined and told me to make use of it because he’ll just lose it.
I found it strange that before he told me that he just didn’t like carrying around a large sum of small bills. This time it was that he might lose it. I didn’t question it. My mother didn’t raise a fool. I put it back in my purse, thanked him for dinner, and went to my room. He offered to walk me to my room, but I wasn’t having that. We weren’t there yet.
I still didn’t know him, but I did trust him a little more, just a little more.
I smiled at the thought of my night again, and finished my breakfast. I was just about to get in the shower when the phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Just the sound of your voice makes me shiver!” the voice said in a low, but sexy tone.
“Ralph. What a pleasant surprise! Thank you for the roses, breakfast and don’t let me forget the champagne.”
“You’re welcome darling! I wanted you to toast our evening together.”
“Thank you. I had a great time.”
“I did, too. What do you have planned today?” he asked excitedly.
“Well I was about to get started for work and…”
“Spend the day with me. I’m taking off today and I would love to spend it with you.”
“Well I do have some extra cash, thanks to you. I think I could get out of work.”
“Great! I’ll pick you up in about an hour, ok?”
“Ok, but what are we going to do?”
“It’s a surprise, get ready. Bye love.”
I hurried into the shower. Thankfully, my hair was in tack and still looking good. I pulled on a pair of my sexiest jeans and a slinky top that pushed the twins up perfectly. Even though I didn’t need the lift, it was nicer to keep them at salute. I chose a gold pair of stilettos and changed my purse to match. Just before I was about to spray on my perfume, the phone rang.
No surprise who it is.
“Nina, I’m downstairs hon. We had better get a move on.”
“Ok, be right down.” I hung the phone up and ran to the elevator.
I wonder what the rush is.
When I got downstairs, I looked around for his car. I just saw a stretched-limo and the driver standing outside.
I was about to call him when the driver called my name.
“Are you Ms. Waltz?” he asked. “Uh… yes?”
“Mr. McGhee is waiting for you.”
I looked in the car and saw Ralph with a champagne glass in his hand.
“Mimosa?” he asked smiling.
I got in the car, took the glass, and smiled at how thoughtful he was.
“Mr. McGhee, you’re full of surprises.” I smiled. “Are you ready for your next surprise?
I raised my brow. “I think so, what is it?” “Vegas, baby!”
“What? No! You’re joking, right?” I couldn’t believe it.
“No, we’re on our way to the airport. I have two round-trip tickets ready to have our names filled in. I hope you brought your id.”
“Yes, I have it. Are you serious? I’m freaking out over here!”
He laughed and held his glass up for a toast. “To Vegas”
“To Vegas” I said, still in disbelief.
We made it to Vegas and I was drunk before we got off the plane. I had so many glasses of wine. I had never flown first-class before, so I didn’t know how to turn down free drinks.
The lunch they served was good too, but Ralph didn’t want me to eat too much because he wanted to take me out to dinner.
Ralph was good to me and I was trying to figure out if he was just trying to get me into bed.
I was contemplating if I should tell him I was a dancer or not. I wasn’t sure if he could handle that. He seemed to have such a high opinion of me.
However, he hadn’t told me what he did. His business card didn’t tell it either.
Well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Vegas was beautiful and there were lights and slot machines everywhere! We got into the limo and Ralph had the driver take the tour route to our hotel.
People were everywhere, walking in and out of the casinos and enjoying the free shows the hotels gave. There was a water show at Bellagio, and a pirate show at Tr
easure Island. I knew that Vegas was the place for me instantly.
I was very apprehensive about staying with Ralph in a hotel room.
He did ask me on the plane if I wanted my own suite, but assured me that the suite he reserved had plenty of floor space and promised to behave himself.
We arrived at the hotel an hour later and my mouth nearly hit the floor. The hotel was magnificent! It looked like a city of gold.
Venetian
The room was huge and had any and everything you could think of. I opened the drapes and screamed. Loud.
“Wow! Look at this view! I love Vegas!”
Ralph just watched and laughed. He thought I was like a kid in a candy store, and I was.
He loved my enthusiasm as he watched me jump up and down at the window.
After a few minutes of admiring me, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
He told me he had something to take care of and to order anything I wanted and he would meet me back in the room in a few hours.
I was exhausted and decided to take a bath in our spa tub. It was the largest bathroom I’d ever seen and I was going to take advantage of it.
I filled the tub and poured in the lavender bubble bath the hotel supplied. It was pure relaxation.
I turned on the jets, laid back in the tub, and enjoyed a drink that I made from the bar.
I could get use to this.
Finally finishing my bath, I put on the same clothes that I came in. I would’ve at least grabbed a change of clothes had I known I would be going to Vegas.
Who cares? I’m in Vegas!
There was a knock at the door just as I was about to make another drink. I opened the door; it was Ralph with a package in his hand.
I started jumping up and down again. “Oh my God! What is this?”
“It’s just a little something I thought you might need.”
I grabbed the package and ran to the couch to open it. The package turned out to have more packages inside.
“More?” I looked up at Ralph.
“What are you waiting for? Open them.” he ordered.
I opened the first package; it was a beautiful silk and lace gown. I couldn’t believe the price tag, size 2, $700!
I sat there in shock. I couldn’t believe that such a man existed.
“Nina, are you going to open the rest of the packages?”