Page 26 of Seven Princes: A Very Dirty Fairtytale

She slipped into a navy green, flouncy baby doll that showed off her legs, and she brushed her hair, so that it fell in loose curls down her back. She swiped on some mascara, a little blusher and red lipstick. She nodded at herself in the mirror and went off down the hallway to make sure the girls were ready for the night.

She found them all huddled in the corner of the room, giggling over something. She walked over to them, feeling a lot like a teacher at a school.

“Ladies, why are you all huddled around here giggling?”

“Claudia, haven’t you heard the news?” Chastity said as she excitedly rubbed her hands together. She could barely keep herself in check as she flounced with excitement. Chastity was one of their more popular girls. With her petite figure, dark hair, and big almond shaped eyes, she was what a lot of men liked to consider a delicate beauty. She was far from it of course, but she knew how to play to her strengths. She was also one of the funniest girls around, and one of the few people Claudia considered to be a friend besides Sauri.

“What news?” Claudia gave all the girls a once over to make sure they were all set, and then she smiled at them and nodded before she turned her attention back to Claudia.

“Archer Paisley is here,” Chastity announced amidst a series of giggles and sighs.

Claudia rolled her eyes and shook her head. Of course, they were sighing over Archer Paisley. She knew him of course. His reputation preceded him everywhere he went. He was notorious for his unusual taste even in such circles, and for leaving a trail of broken hearted women in his wake wherever he ventured.

They said he was a shrewd lawyer, one of the best, that he was as rich as they came, and that he was sexy as hell. He had been to the club before, and he normally perused the women and said nothing, but he did try to hit on Claudia once or twice. She politely turned him down every single time, but he’d still come back and be more persistent than the time before. She felt nothing but pure disdain for this man who thought he was God’s gift to women.

Sure, he was attractive. She’d have to be blind not to see that. He had shaggy brown hair, and he was tall. With his toned physique, defined cheekbones, straight nose and symmetrical lips, he had very striking features. One that could definitely land him on the cover of any major men’s magazine. It was his eyes that she liked best though.

Blue eyes the color of rain after a thunderstorm. She had never seen such eyes before.

Yes, she did find Archer Paisley very attractive, but it was his arrogance that made him decidedly unattractive whenever he was in her vicinity. Usually, she liked to admire him from afar. There was nothing wrong with that after all. However, the second he opened his mouth, and honeyed nothings came pouring forth like a speech he’d rehearsed, she’d immediately feel her revulsion start to kick in, and she’d politely excuse herself.

She had a feeling tonight was not going to be any different.

She really didn’t want to deal with him tonight, but she had no choice. “That’s interesting news, I suppose.”

“You suppose?” Chastity gasped as if she questioned whether or not the sky was blue. “Clo, it’s Archer—THE-Archer Paisley. New York’s most sought after bachelor.”

Claudia pursed her lips. “He’s also New York’s most notorious bachelor. Don’t forget that there are three sides to every story. You ought to remember that, Chas. That goes for you to ladies. I doubt Mr. Paisley is as dreamy as you think he is. Remember what kind of business this is after all.”

She could feel the collective doubt gather and form a cloud above her head. “However, there is no harm in ogling from a distance.”

“Can we picture him naked too?” Leslie, one of the newer girls, a tall brunette asked.

“I’d rather not know that you do, but in theory sure.”

“Can we picture him in a compromising position?” One of the other girls waggled her eyebrows as the rest of the girls laughed.

Claudia began to laugh. “You can do whatever you want, ladies. I just don’t need to hear about it.”

Chapter Three

Claudia tried to keep her head in the game as she focused on getting the girls in and out on time because even though it was a gentleman’s club, they still prided themselves on being able to have at least some semblance of order around here. Generally, they were laid back and easy going, so aside from knowing when your cue was, that’s really all you had to know.

It was pretty simple, but sometimes the ladies were so caught up watching each other or gossiping, so they miss their cue. That’s where Claudia or Madame Sauri came in.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Chastity sidled up to Claudia and looked out at the audience having already finished her part in the show.

“I think they’d cost you a lot more than that,” Claudia responded, very dryly.

Chastity took her hand and slipped something in it. Claudia looked down in surprise only to find a 100 dollar crumbled up note.

“What’s this?” Claudia asked, amusement lacing her tone.

“It’s the thing called money. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. It’s a piece of paper that coined the term monetary value. It has no real use except its baffling ability to make people kill over.”

Claudia cocked her head to the side as she pretended to consider. “I have heard of it, yes. It sounds familiar. It also has high rates in some countries, and low rates in others?”

Chastity snapped her fingers. “Bingo, you’ve got it. You can be taught.”

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