January On Fire: A Firefighter Fake Marriage Romance

by Chase Jackson

  “I think I can do that,” she said.

  4

  Ella

  I didn’t understand there was another floor to this place, and as we walked up the back staircase I could feel my hands shaking in anticipation. I knew there was a main floor and a VIP balcony, but that was it. Where was he taking me? The bouncers in this club had a stark reputation for protecting their performers, so if someone thought I was in trouble they would’ve come to get me.

  Right?

  We stopped at the third floor and he pushed the door open, revealing a decadent room with incredibly low lighting. There was a separate bar with a bartender in a suit as well as leather furniture peppering the main room. There were people on the couches writhing all over one another. One woman was taking off her own shirt while a man sank to his knees in front of her, and I saw another man pull out his dick right there on a leather chair before someone started sucking it!

  “What the hell is this place?” I asked.

  “This is Expose. The Rose Club is where you perform, but this is a secret hideaway that was built above the club and bar itself about ten years ago,” he said.

  I listened and moans and groans filled the room, and I couldn’t help but look away. I caught the bartender’s stare and I could tell his eyes were sizing me up. I felt uncomfortable in the atmosphere with everyone taking off their clothes. I felt Mr. Dobson’s hand lightly descend onto my waist however, and he led me over into a dark corner.

  A corner that was concealed from everyone else.

  “Mr. Dobson, I don’t think-”

  “I’m just going to educate you a bit. I’m not going to touch you if you don’t want me to,” he said.

  “Good, because I’m getting out of here,” I said. “What the hell is this place? Where did you take me?” I asked.

  “It’s Expose, Miss Ella. It’s a secret hideaway that the billionaires of the city donate to in order to keep it open. It runs solely off our donations, which means that bartender back there makes a serious amount of money to keep this secret. It’s where men like myself bring our little playthings for the evening.”

  “Excuse me?” I asked. “Did you just call me a ‘plaything’?”

  Did he really just call me a ‘plaything’? Did he actually think that I was going to get down on my knees and willingly suck his dick in front of other people? There was a man currently cumming down a woman’s throat in the corner while another woman panted and moaned while she chased her own orgasm on another man’s face! I wasn’t staying here a second longer, much less taking my clothes off in it.

  “Mr. Dobson, I don’t know what kind of woman you take me to be-”

  “You’re the kind of woman who knows what she wants,” he said as he ran his hand up and down my arm. “The kind of woman who can toggle between classic, sultry, and innocent depending on the needs of the situation. You’re a talented, vibrant, independent soul who probably secretly enjoys giving over her control to a man who knows what he’s doing. And Miss Ella, I most certainly know what I’m doing,” he said.

  “You’re disgusting.” I shoved him away and headed for the door. My heels hit the floor desperately as I tried to get away, but just as I swung the door open I felt his fingers curl around my hand. His long, thick fingers and hands that boasted of hard work. I could feel the softened callouses of a man who had a history-- a legacy-- and for a split second I wondered what they would feel like traveling up the inside of my thigh.

  “Is that all you wanted me to be?” I asked.

  “It’s all most women want when it comes to me, Miss Ella. You’re lucky, you know. I pick and choose my women with prudish standards. Women experience nights of wining and dining. Women have been known to receive presents from me they can pawn for cash that’ll help them thrive for years after the fact. I change lives, Miss Ella. And I’ve chosen to change yours.”

  I couldn’t believe I’d fallen for the act. What the hell was I thinking? Decent men didn’t come to The Rose Club. Men who were looking for decent women didn’t come anywhere near this place. I couldn’t believe I’d allowed him to convince me that I was somehow special. That I was somehow going to wake up next to this beautiful man and swim in his dark, brooding eyes while we ate pancakes in the morning ass naked in his home.

  Change my life? No man changed my life. I changed my own life the moment I walked off that stage with everyone chanting my name. I didn’t need some man giving me some diamond necklace I could pawn for money. I’d changed my own circumstances with the hard work, dedication, and long hours I’d put in waitressing and living in a one-bedroom apartment with three other people.

  What the fuck was wrong with me? What the hell had I expected?

  I turned my gaze back to him and he dropped my hand. If he thought he’d seen the innocent and the sultry and the whatever else he called me out for, then he was really going to enjoy this side.

  The stone-cold side that could close someone off and never look back.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed the performance tonight, Mr. Dobson,” I said lightly. “I hope you do come back and enjoy the next show.”

  I saw the hesitancy flash behind his eyes just for a second. In that very moment, he recognized the grave mistake he just made and I watched him lean back onto his heels. My eyes stayed hooked onto his while my mysterious stare turned to one of ice. My body went rigid and I held my breath, not wanting the trembling of my limbs to give away how absolutely petrified I was of this entire situation.

  I was never coming back up here so long as I lived.

  Then, when I was sure he was good and turned off, I turned my back and started down the steps.

  5

  Foster

  Even as I was sitting in this meeting, I still couldn’t get my mind off Ella. I should’ve fucking slowed it down with her. I should’ve known from the moment I laid eyes on her that she wasn’t the type of woman that would simply fall into bed with me whenever I crooked my finger. She had style, she had class, she had confidence. She was not the type of woman to simply drop to her knees because I offered her a night of fun and good wine.

  And I couldn’t get her voice out of my head.

  Those sultry notes and the way they fell from her lips. The way her toned legs commanded that stage in those thin little stockings. The way those heels flexed her legs lusciously, beckoning for my fingertips was enough to drive me wild. She was a woman who wasn’t worried about covering up her imperfections, either. I saw the glimmer of a few stretch marks on the outside of her bosom while she was on stage. I saw the little dimples of cellulite on the backs of her thighs.

  I loved those types of imperfections on a woman. They boasted of a life I wanted to get to know. I wanted my body to be another decadent platter to add weight to those breasts and thighs. I wanted to sink my fingertips into the meat of her while those low notes rumbled deep in my ear.

  I fell asleep with her last night on my mind and woke up with a raging erection I couldn’t get to go away. Though this board meeting sure was helping with that issue. I crossed my leg and tried to focus on what my project manager was saying. He’d called yet another board meeting to run down some dumbass piece of property he’d found we could acquire. Yes, the business had the money to take on these projects. Yes, we would make shit-tons of money for everyone sitting around this table.

  But everything was so boring. You could only make condominiums look so different so many ways before they all looked the same. All the facades of the buildings were the same and all the levels were carved out in the same manner. They all had the same number of floors with the same number of condos on each floor. It was like I was stuck in a desperate rerun of a movie I couldn’t get out of.

  “Mr. Dobson, do you have any input?”

  All the board members turned towards me and I cleared my throat. I took a quick look at the chart in front of me before I peeked at the file in my lap, but the only thing I had going for me was my honesty.

  So, I ran with it.

/>   “Dan-”

  “Dave,” he said.

  “Dave. Project manager. You. Why do you keep bringing me these types of projects?” I asked.

  “Because that’s what the company does,” he said.

  “We do all sorts of things. We sell homes, we build rental properties, we own a couple of luxury hotel bungalow things overseas. We have our hands in many different areas. Why do you keep bringing me the same rundown buildings that we outfit and sell? Why can’t you bring me something interesting?”

  “Because we’re all here to make money, Foster,” someone said.

  “We’ve invested our money into these things, too,” another said.

  “Well, you don’t have to. No one’s chaining you to this table,” I said.

  “You have a responsibility to use as your board members to recoup the money we put into your projects,” yet another said.

  “And when have I ever not delivered?”

  They all fell silent and I sat back into my chair. These greedy assholes cared about nothing else but the money that fell into their laps. Money they didn’t have to work for because I returned their investment two-- somethings three-fold. I closed my eyes and saw those ruby red lips pop up into my vision again. It was either deal with this meeting and get her off my mind or keep her there and walk out with a raging dick tenting my pants after this hellacious meeting.

  Holy hell, I should’ve taken it slower with her.

  “The apartment building can be remodeled into midlevel condos. We can sell them for mid-level pricing and the building will be easy for people to maintain. We’ll mitigate costs by selling the condos instead of renting them because you won’t have to hire someone to oversee the building for you, and when someone wants to sell they’ll have to come back to us. We’ll just keep reselling these places over and over and over again,” Dave said.

  “Daniel-”

  “Dave.”

  “Whatever. Isn’t there a-- I don’t know-- rundown theater or opera house somewhere. Maybe a shoddy nightclub that could use a new owner or a cabaret venue we could take on? God, I’d love to do one of those,” I said.

  “You want to branch out into the nightlife business?” someone asked.

  “It’s still retail. We’d own the property, we’d revamp it. We’d bring in people to work and cut them a decent salary then make bank off everything else. Music, girl, booze, live entertainment on the weekends. Sounds like a fun plan to me,” I said.

  “Well, let’s get back to the issue at hand-”

  “There’s no issue at hand, Darwin.”

  “Really? It’s Dave.”

  “Yeah, that. We do these all the time. It’s like playing the same old sappy story all over again. It’s getting old. Come on, this entire table knows about getting old. It’s no fun, right?”

  I could feel their glares on me, but at least I was getting a laugh out of this meeting.

  “Okay, okay, okay. Hypothetically speaking-”

  “There is no hypothetical,” Dave said. “We’re due to put in a bid this afternoon.”

  “Well, when were you going to tell me that, Dirks?”

  “For fuck-... it’s Dave!”

  “The price has to be right. I mean, really right. And by ‘really right’, I mean below the floor. Offer them no more than five-hundred thousand less than what they’re selling it for.”

  “Are you serious? We’ll never acquire the property that way. We’ll lose out on all that money.”

  “Right now, no money’s on the line. The investors haven’t invested, and I still don’t know if I’m on board. If I’m gonna be forced to do something like this because I’m surrounded by money hungry lazy ass men, then I’m gonna do it at a bargain-hunting price. We’ll redo the condos and sell them off as property, just like you said. If they accept the offer, the agents can begin their negotiating process.”

  “It’s got a few guaranteed sales, too. Some of the tenants living there are already interested in purchasing their place once it’s newly renovated.”

  “That’s good news, Drake!”

  “Oh, sweet fuck,” he said.

  “Put in the bid and let me know how it goes. If it goes well, set up the first tenant meeting.”

  “That’s also this afternoon,” Dave said.

  “Well, then you better put that bid in quicker than that,” I said, grinning. “And don’t worry about sending anyone out there to meet with the residents. I’ll go shake their hands. Get a feel for the layout and see what we can do to better their lives with this renovation. I need the distraction anyway.”

  “Rough night?” someone asked.

  “Nah, just itching for something to do. Is that it, Diego?”

  “I hate you.”

  “I pay you, so you love me. Now, get on with your job.”

  I stood up and buttoned my coat before I went to grab the paperwork from Dave. He was fuming, and it was hilarious, but it only stopped my mind whirling about Ella for a few minutes. I was hoping I could use this pathetic project as a way to really distract myself, so I took the paperwork and headed on towards the piece of property we were about to acquire.

  Doing anything at this point was better than sitting in my office and thinking about how wonderful my fingers would’ve filled those divots on the backs of her thighs.

  6

  Ella

  I was glad I’d snagged the job at the club because that meant I could kick my roommates out. Now that I no longer needed their help paying rent, I could dream about the new venture that was about to happen for the complex. Apparently, someone was buying out the entire building and renovating them into luxury apartments. They would repaint and knock out some walls. They’d install a jet bath tub and add terraces to all the bigger suites. My one-bedroom studio would be fused with the room next door to make a massive two-bedroom two-bathroom home with a marvelous view, and the best part was I would be able to afford to buy it.

  I would have my perfect home, and I wouldn’t even have to move to purchase it.

  Yeah, it would require me to find a temporary living space for a few months, but I could figure that out later. Right then, all I wanted to focus on was the fact that my last roommate left for good at four this morning. Right then, all I wanted to focus on was the fact that I could sing in my shower without bothering someone.

  Right then, all I wanted to focus on were all the beautiful things I’d fill my new home with.

  I would have to get new furniture, that much was for certain. The ratty furniture we were using was stuff I found on the street and cleaned. My roommates had been slobs, and I was definitely not spending money for furniture they’d smoke and spill their shit on. I was excited to go walk around and price furniture today. I’d get lots of color palettes going until I knew exactly how this new owner was going to remodel, then I’d start saving up my paychecks to replace everything at once.

  With the remodel taking a few months, I’d be able to save up enough money to completely furnish my home while still staying in a cheap extended stay hotel. I could walk to the club and save on cab fare, eat at the diner across the road to save money on food. I could implement lots of tactics I’d learned over the years to save money just so I could have what I wanted.

  And I would have it all within the year.

  Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. I quickly pulled some clothes on while I continued to towel-dry my hair. Whoever it was would simply have to suffer seeing me without makeup or a bra. I wasn’t expecting company, so they would have to take me as-is.

  But, the moment I opened the door, all I wanted to do was slam it back shut.

  The man from the club-- Mr. Dobson-- was standing at my door. He looked just as shocked as I was as his eyes roamed my body, and I couldn’t help but notice the fact that they stopped briefly at my chest. I took my towel and put it up in front of my body, suddenly embarrassed at how I looked. What the hell was he doing here? How the fuck did he know where I lived?

  Did he follow m
e from the club that night?

  “Miss Ella,” he said. “I didn’t realize you lived in this complex.”

  “You didn’t?” I asked.

  “I’m uh… I’m coming around to all the tenants that have expressed interest in purchasing their condos after they’ve been renovated,” he said.

  Wait, he was the one buying out the building?

  “You’re the one renovating the building?” I asked.

  “Would it be alright if I came in? I’ve got some paperwork I’ll need you to sign in order for your intent to be documented. I’ve also got prices and possible layouts and color schemes, if you’re interested.”

  He held all the information I needed in order to make this transition smooth, but I didn’t want to let him into my apartment. The man tried to get me to fuck him in some secret room above my club, and now he was trying to get into my apartment with some information I wasn’t even sure was true.

  “How do I know you’re not lying to me?” I asked.

  “I’m Foster Dobson,” he said. “I’m the owner of-”

  “Dobson R.E.D.,” I said.

  “I would really enjoy coming in and talking you through all the updates we’re going to be doing in the coming months,” he said.

  “I’m sure you would enjoy stepping through this door,” I said.

  He pulled out a folder and handed it to me. I looked through the papers in it and it held exactly what he said it would: pricing, schematics, possible layouts of bedrooms and bathrooms. There were color tags and places for me to fill in things, then at the very end there was a place to sign.

  “One of the things we’re trying to execute for tenants that want to purchase their condo once we’re finished is giving them some input into how their new place will look,” he said.

  “Seems fair enough.”

  “You’ll get to pick out a few things, like basic layouts and the colors of your walls. That’s what we’ll be discussing today, if you still have an intent to purchase. Nothing will be executed until you give a down payment of some sort, but this is just to solidify everything, so I can get it ordered.”