Page 106 of The Price of Forever

I had barely made it off the steps before Eli’s commanding gaze distracted me. He tipped his head in the direction of the VIP room, already impatient. I followed his quick strides, blowing kisses to some of my admirers as I breezed past. Nights like these, I did feel like a celebrity—in high demand, leaving behind a trail of heartbroken fans who wouldn’t get their turn.

I liked to feel wanted, desired, lauded. Especially after a lifetime of feeling the opposite.

“You liked the show?” I asked breathlessly once we breezed into the VIP room. I shut the door, spotting Seven along the wall right outside.

“You’re the best stripper on the East Coast,” Eli said. “And you know it.”

“So I’ll take that as a yes,” I purred, strutting toward the pole in the center of the room while Eli sank onto the couch. “Did you order any drinks? What can I get for you?”

“Just you. For now.” Eli reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick wad of bills. Something else tumbled out along with it, a little baggie.

“Oh, you dropped your—” I started.

He seemed to notice the extra item at the same time I spoke. He smirked, stuffing it back into his pocket. “That wasn’t supposed to come out. Unless you want some?”

That’s when I caught the slight slur in his words. He was probably drunk as hell. Which meant he needed whatever was in that baggie to continue functioning. Cocaine would account for his strange energy. I swore half the city’s elite snorted coke on a daily basis, based on what I saw in the shadows of the club. I shook my head, starting a slow spin around the pole.

“I’m good, thanks.”

He huffed with a little laugh, returning to the wad of bills. “So. Sapphire.” He thumbed through them, almost lazily. “Why didn’t you call me after the weekend?”

I blinked a few times, calculating my response. I opted for the truth. “That’s against stripper code.”

His gaze snapped up to mine. “Oh come on. I’m not dumb.”

“Well, would you be back here for me already if I’d texted?” I wanted to sound coy, not annoyed like I actually was. “You know girls worth their shit don’t text or call back on the first try.” I accentuated my statement with a slow, sexy drop down the pole, gripping it above my head.

He seemed pleased by this response—and maybe distracted by the view. He nodded to himself, lacing his fingers together. “Come over here, gorgeous. Let me look at you.”

“You sure you don’t want a show?” I came down until I was practically squatting, opening up my knees as far to the sides as I could, giving him a full-frontal view. He leaned back on the couch.

“We need to start getting to know each other a little better,” he said.

“I’d like that.” Lie flashed through my head.

“Then come over here.”

I strutted toward him slowly, taking extra time to assess my game plan. I didn’t think Eli was the type I’d need to use the panic button for—and I was relieved that Seven was right outside the door—but he had an undercurrent that was hard to grab onto and understand. His mood seemed like a riptide, invisible and powerful, with the potential to pull me under if things went sideways.

When I was within arm’s reach, he grabbed my thighs. I tutted, stepping away. “We don’t touch in here.”

“Come on,” he groaned.

“Club rules. Every girl will tell you the same.”

“How much money do you want to change the rules?” He lifted his brow, clearly challenging me.

“No amount. I like my job and I intend to keep it.” I pushed at his chest, sending him into a reclined position. “And if you let me do my job, you won’t even need to touch me. Let me take care of things.”

I started a sexy lap dance, making sure to brush and tease extra hard. He was the type who wanted more and didn’t take well to hearing no. Again, not unheard of. Eli kept his hands to himself while I danced, letting out a satisfied noise once I returned to the pole to continue dancing.

“How did you get this sexy?”

“I swore to the witch I wouldn’t share the secret with mortals,” I retorted.

He hefted with a laugh, his gaze darkening. “So if I leave my number again, will you call?”

I shrugged.

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