Temptation

by Brie Paisley

  “This room is for the VIP clients only. We mainly use this room for big parties. Or for the clients that have a big group of men with them. This room also has to be booked in advance before it can be used. If it’s a large group, then we pick more girls to come dance and entertain them,” she tells me as she unlocks the door and turns on the light.

  Once my eyes adjust to the lighting, I see why this room is used for parties. It’s almost the size of the first floor. The room has one big sectional couch surrounding the entire back wall. There are tables on each side, and one big one in the middle. There’s a stage, although it’s not as big as the one downstairs. It has a pole in the front of the stage mimicking the stage downstairs. There’s also a bar and shelves of liquor behind it to the right of the stage. I have a feeling this room is where most of the money comes in. Margo tells me this room rents for the night starting at fifteen grand. That’s just to rent the room. Then she tells me for each hour the clients are here, the fee rises another five grand.

  I realize there’s a certain affluence with the clientele here. I mean I don’t see any average Joe’s coming in here with that much money to spend. And I wonder how good these girls are knowing how much money they make in just one night. I won’t deny the sudden insecurities that come over me. I don’t know if I’ll be good enough for this kind of money. I haven’t danced in a long time, and not to mention I have never stripped for anyone before.

  Margo senses my unease. She walks over to me and puts her hand on my shoulder as she says, “This first night is always the hardest. Viktor talked about you very highly to me, and I believe him and trust him. I know he wouldn’t have went through the trouble of getting you to work here if he didn’t think you could do it. The best advice I can give you is this; when you go out there tonight, don’t think. Do what you do best. Dance. That’s all you need to do.”

  “Thank you, Margo. I hope Viktor was right about me. To be honest, I still don’t know if I can do this.”

  “You will do fine. Trust me, stop thinking so much and just go with it. Come on. We need to get you ready.”

  I let Margo lead me back to the dressing room and she finds me an empty vanity to use. I’m glad I didn’t have to bring my own makeup. I look at the collection of expensive makeup laying before me and I just sit there staring at it. I’m not even sure what to do with half of it. I hardly ever wear the stuff. This is all foreign to me. Margo leaves me to take care of something, and I literally sit and stare for a few minutes before one of the girls comes over to me.

  “It’s a bit overwhelming isn’t it?” she states.

  “You could say that again.”

  “I’m Trixie by the way. I can help you if you want.”

  I turn toward Trixie as I say, “I would love some help. Please show me what you can do.”

  She laughs and she pulls up a seat beside me. “So, you’re the newbie huh?”

  “Yeah, how could you tell? I’m Scarlet.”

  “Well, you looked a little lost after Margo left you and I thought I would help. I remember my first night. I had a friend help me and I thought I should help you through yours. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I shake my hands to try and dismiss any concern that she’s overstepped any boundaries. “No, I don’t mind at all. Thank you. I really don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come over to recuse me.”

  Trixie laughs and she reaches to grab some of the makeup. I sit and I let her work her magic on me. While she applies my makeup, I listen to her talk about herself and how she became a dancer. Her story isn’t nearly as dramatic as mine. She needed a way to pay for college, but once she finished school, she didn’t want to quit dancing. She has a business degree, but she would rather dance than sit behind a desk all day.

  From first impressions, I really like Trixie. I don’t know if that is her real name or not, but I can see us becoming friends. Even if it’s only at the club. I really like her personality and how upbeat she is about everything she talks about. She continues to do my makeup for me while she talks nonstop. I don’t really say much back to her. My nerves are back and hearing her talk away about nothing helps me from freaking the fuck out and running to the hills.

  “I think I’m finished with your makeup. You want me to do your hair too?”

  “Yes, please. You’re a life-saver, Trixie.”

  “Not a problem, doll. I actually love your hair,” she says as she runs her fingers through my newly styled hair. “Did you go to the salon that boss man recommended?”

  I give her a confused look when I ask, “Boss man? You mean, Viktor?”

  “Of course! Who else would I be talking about? We all call him boss man.”

  “Oh, okay. I’ll have to remember that. Hey, Trixie?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Do all the girls go to the same salon and spa?”

  “You know, I don’t think so. Some of the girls complain about their prices being too high for them to pay. I go, and I can confirm that. But they do such a great job, I feel like it’s worth it.” She tells me as she starts to curl my hair with the curling iron. While she works on my hair I think about what she says.

  “So, Viktor doesn’t pay for that? That’s something the girls, I mean we, have to pay for?”

  “Yep. That’s in the contract. Didn’t you read through yours?”

  “Yeah, I did. I was just making sure.” I tell her. Why would Viktor pay for me to go to the salon and the spa but not anyone else? I assumed he paid for everyone’s by what he said the other day.

  Come to think of it, I don’t remember that part being in my contract at all. I recall the part about going to the salon and spa regularly to keep up with my image, but nowhere did it say I had to cover the costs. I’ll have to remember to check my copy to be sure. Surely Viktor isn’t giving me special treatment. The thought makes me a little uneasy. What if the other girls find out and start treating me differently? I want to fit in here. The last thing I want is to start drama, and cause problems where I’ll be working at for the next two years.

  Trixie continues to style my hair and I wonder what Viktor wants to discuss with me later. I wouldn’t think it would be anything serious. But I can’t help but to worry about seeing him. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act around him here. The Viktor I know, the one that makes my baby girl laugh, is probably not the same man at work, and then there’s the fact that he’s my boss now. This is the perfect reason to keep my private life away from the club. I’m not sure what everyone would think knowing Viktor and I knew each other before tonight.

  “All done! What do you think?” Trixie announces loudly and I feel my cheeks flush when everyone in the dressing room looks over at me.

  I look at myself in the mirror at what Trixie did. “I really like it. Thank you, Trixie.”

  “Now, let’s find you the perfect outfit for tonight!” She tells me excitedly as she pulls me out of the chair I’m sitting in. I let her pull me around the room to the area with the racks of clothes are. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they are clothes. These clothes are very revealing, and holy shit, one is nothing but a string with two petals to cover only someone’s nipples and a triangle shape for the vagina. Oh hell.

  “Trixie, I can’t wear any of this.” I whisper to her as I hold the string piece.

  “Oh, come on! Look, I’ll help you find something sexy but not like that thing you’re holding. I don’t think anyone has ever warn that thing.”

  I toss the string thing to the side and I start to look through all the racks of clothes. It’s probably stupid that I want something not so risky for my first night. I know I’ll take it off anyway once I’m out there. But, I want something that gives the clients something to imagine before I start undressing.

  God, I sound like a stripper already.

  A few moments later, Trixie and I have put together the perfect outfit for me. She pushes me towards a changing room and closes the curtain for me. I’m sure she’s waiting impatiently for me t
o come out and show off our creation. I set the clothes down on the bench inside the room and my reflection in the mirror catches my eyes.

  “You can do this.” I say to myself a few times before I start to undress. Once fully nude, I don’t look at myself any longer in the mirror. I’m still afraid to see how much my body has changed since having Gabbie. I grab the silk thigh high stockings and I put them on my waxed legs. They feel amazing against my skin, and I’ll have to remind myself to get some of these later. They’re actually very comfortable. I put on the black boy shorts panties next and I clip the suspender to my thigh highs. Once I put on the matching see through bra, I grab the red and black corset Trixie found. I put it on, loving how there’s a zipper for the back. It’s long enough that I can reach it easily. Next, I put on the super short and tight skirt I picked out. I like how there’s lace material on the sides and I can still move around in it. Thank God for stretchy material.

  “Scarlet, here are some killer heels that would go perfect with your outfit.” Trixie tells me as she opens the curtain enough to hand me the red and black heels.

  I slip them on and I grab my clothes. I pull the curtain back and I see Trixie standing right outside. When she sees me, her mouth opens. “What? Oh God, do I look that bad?” I avoided the mirror in the dressing room just for this reason alone.

  “What the hell are you talking about? Have you not looked at yourself?”

  Trixie takes my clothes out of my hands and tosses them over by my bag. She grabs my hand and walks me over to the full length mirror that covers the entire side of the wall on one side of the room. She places me right in front of the mirror and when I finally look at myself, my mouth hangs open as well.

  Who I see is not Ava anymore.

  I see Scarlet Rose staring back at me.

  I know this is me staring back with dark smoky eyes. But I don’t look like me anymore. I look at the red lipstick that covers my lips and my eyelashes stand out the most. My hair is in big loose curls that hang softly down my back. The red and black corset with my push-up bra make my boobs look bigger and fuller. They look like they went up a size. The tight short skirt hugs my newly shaped hips and makes my ass look amazing. The black thigh highs and the heels make my legs look longer and more lean than I thought possible.

  I look hot.

  I look sexy.

  “Trixie, this doesn’t look like me,” I tell her softly.

  “That’s the beauty of this job,” she says as she walks over to me. “We can become anyone we want to. We can be anyone we want. No one knows us. This is my favorite part about working here.”

  I nod my head agreeing with her. I can see how this life can become addictive. Seeing how I look right now gives me more confidence I’ve never really had before. Who knew I could look this way. I never thought I would that’s for damn sure. I have to make myself leave the mirror. If I don’t, I will stand there all night looking at the new me.

  Scarlet Rose.

  An hour later, Viktor sends for me. As I make my way to his office, my anxiety spikes again. I’m still a bundle of nerves about tonight, and now that I’m actually dressed and ready to take the stage, I start to feel a little faint thinking about it. I didn’t want to go see him wearing what I am, but Margo told me I need to get used to it. She’s right, but she could’ve at least let me put on a robe or something. I feel naked walking down the hallway to Viktor’s office. I’m not used to showing this much skin. I’m a T-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Not a ‘put it all on display’ gal. I take a deep breath, deciding that I need to push my shyness aside. I’m about to take my clothes off for customers, and I have to get used to being exposed while I’m working.

  I stand by Viktor’s office door and I hesitate longer than I probably should. I still have no idea why he would want to see me. I thought him and I covered everything when we met at the café months ago. I sigh and knock on his door. I hear him tell me to come in and I walk inside. His office is exactly same as the last time I was here. The only difference now, there’s a man that looks identical to Viktor sitting on the couch. The guy looks smaller muscle wise and his face has a boyish charm to it. I wonder if they’re related in some way. Even his eyes are the same deep green as Viktor’s.

  I can feel both men looking at me and I cross my arms over my chest to try and cover all my cleavage showing. Viktor clears his throat and the other guy in the room quickly looks away. He has a grin on his face like he knows he was caught looking.

  Viktor gets up from his chair and he walks in front of his desk. He unbuttons his jacket, and I have to look down at the floor to keep myself from checking him out. The way he commands the room and has that sexy dominating vibe going on makes me want to drool. I do conspicuously wipe my mouth, just in case.

  “Margo tells me you want your stage name to be, Scarlet Rose.”

  I clear my throat as I say, “Yes, that’s right.” I glance up and see him smirk and I think he likes making me feel so intimated by him.

  “I like it. The reason I called you in here was to meet my business partner. This is Sebastian. He coordinates and books all the private rooms as well as the VIP room upstairs.”

  “Viktor, you could at least introduce me as your younger, more stunning, brother. You know how I hate when you tell the new girls that I’m just your business partner.” Sebastian says as he gets up off the couch and walks over to me. This is news to me. Although I’m glad to have another piece of Viktor’s life, I wish he had told me he has a younger brother. It seems strange to me that Viktor knows more about my life and I know nothing of his. I mean, we’ve known each other for going on five months. He knows me in ways that are still embarrassing to think about. “I’m Sebastian,” he says as he reaches his hand out to shake mine. I take his outstretched hand and he holds mine longer than necessary.

  “Nice to meet you.” I say shyly. He continues to hold my hand and when his thumb caresses mine, I jerk my hand away from his. I open my mouth to let him know I don’t appreciate him touching me inappropriately, but Viktor beats me to it.

  “Enough, Sebastian,” Viktor all but growls out to his younger brother. Sebastian doesn’t seemed fazed a bit by Viktor’s hard tone. I wrap my arms around myself again, not liking the vibes Viktor is giving off. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Viktor is ready to rip his brother’s head off.

  “You’ll have to excuse my brother. He’s a bit overprotective it seems,” Sebastian says to me with a huge grin. I feel like I’m missing the joke here. Isn’t he worried about breaking Viktor’s rules?

  “I said, enough. Wait outside, Sebastian. I need to speak with … Scarlet. Alone.”

  I snap my head to Viktor, wondering what he’s thinking. I glance at Sebastian, and he’s shaking his head, but still grinning from ear to ear. I feel my heart starting to race at the thought of being alone with Viktor, but he knows it’s against the rules. I look down at my feet, hating that I feel excited about breaking the rules with him. I shouldn’t want to be alone with him, but I can’t help that I do. This man is getting to me, and I don’t know if I could stop it now even if I wanted to. Sebastian looks me over once more before leaving, taking all the air with him. The room fills with tension, and I have to take in a few deep breaths to calm myself. I slowly gaze up to Viktor, seeing him watching me carefully.

  “Ava,” he starts to say but I hold up my hand stopping him. I don’t want him calling me Ava here. I know we’re alone, but hearing him say my name while I’m supposed to be someone else starts to piss me off.

  “Viktor, you can’t call me that here.”

  His jaw clenches and he pushes himself off the front of his desk. He walks over to me and guides me to the couch to sit with him. My body heats from his touch. I try to move away to put some distance between us, but he grabs my arm and holds me in place. Right where he wants me it seems.

  “Scarlet, then. Why that name?”

  “Can you please let go of my arm? And I don’t know why I chose that name. Seems to fit me
I guess.” He reluctantly lets go of my arm and I quickly move farther away from him.

  “There’s no need to be nervous around me.”

  “I’m not,” I say back. A little too fast I think. Viktor knows he makes me nervous and being near him does things to me that I’d never thought possible if it hadn’t happened to me before when I was around him. I hate that his touch does to me, but I love it at the same time. I’m nervous one second, but then all he as to do is touch me, or talk and I’m instantly calm.

  Viktor leans back against the couch and crosses one leg over his thigh. He places one arm on the back of the couch and the other sits on the arm rest. How can he sit like that and be even sexier than he was standing. I turn my head and start to pick at my nails. I have to concentrate on something else other than Viktor.

  “Do you have any questions about tonight? I assume Margo told you everything you need to know for now. The rest will come once you get used to how things work around here.”

  I nod my head and say, “I don’t have any questions and yes, Margo was very informative. It’s all a bit overwhelming. I don’t feel like me and,” I finally let myself look at him as I say, “I feel like a hooker getting ready to work the streets.” I let out a nervous laugh but it quickly fades as I see the look on Viktor’s face. His eyes darken with the look of lust and hunger in them. His intense gaze takes my breath away and I find I love him staring at me with such want and passion.

  “I think you look stunning. Not like a hooker, as you say.”

  “Wha … You’re just trying to be nice.” I say as I shake my head. I really think he’s trying to be nice and make this night easier for me to handle.

  “No, I would never lie about how you look. If I say something, I mean it.”

  I blink a few times, wondering why it makes my stomach flip knowing how he thinks I look. I turn away from him, and change the subject. “So, you have a brother.”