Page 50 of Power Play

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Tonight is turning out to be exactly what I needed.

Working behind the bar when it’s a busy night means I don’t even have much downtime, let alone time to sit and sulk. Apparently tonight must be bachelor and bachelorette night, as I’m pretty sure we have five separate groups here celebrating before signing their lives away to someone else.

Oh, well, that’s their problem, not mine.

The only downside of tonight? I wish I actually had a moment to breathe so I could talk to Serena more than just in passing. By midnight, most of the parties have slowed down, and most people are watching the shows on stage, especially with one of the servers giving a personal lap dance to one of the guys from a party.

“Girl, you should try it sometime. It’s invigorating,” a voice says from my side.

Serena sits there at the bar, smirking while she watches me watch Clarissa on stage.

Pouring a couple tequila shots for her table, I roll my eyes. “What? A lap dance? Nah, been there, done that. Thanks to you, of course. I think I’ll pass,” I quip.

“Not just a lap dance but being up on the stage giving a lap dance. It’s nice because you still feel safe and secure since you get to pick your victim.” Serena gives a wink that I know she usually saves for the men tipping her. “But it’s exciting as fuck because everyone is watching you. I’ve honestly never felt sexier than when I’ve danced on stage. Maybe next shift?” she asks, her eyebrows raised in silent question.

“Yeah, that last time didn’t really work out too well for me, not exactly too excited to go for a repeat.”

“What do you mean? From what I remember he had you pressed up against our back hallway before I fucking ruined the moment. Plus, I thought you said that you ended up hanging out with him again after that day,” she says.

She’s not wrong. All of those things happened, yet it still ended shitty.

“I mean, yeah. But we also slept together, and he proceeded to kick me out of his apartment the next day, so not exactly a win in my books,” I say, finishing up another drink for her. “Here, I think this is the last thing you’re missing.

“Oh, girl, we need to talk. I want to know all the details—not just the cliff notes. Let me drop these off then I’ll come back.”

Serena swings her hips as she scurries off to her table. What exactly is there for me to say? There’re just too many strikes against me for him to be willing to hang out again.

I spend the next few minutes catching up on drink after drink while Serena makes her rounds quickly. In a slow moment, I quickly check my phone just to make sure I’m not missing anything, and I see I have a few surprising texts from Rex.

Rex

Hi, Ms. Daniels. Rory mentioned a different kind of dance class for next week. I’m just checking in to see if I need to purchase anything before that class. I want to make sure she comes prepared.

Ms. Daniels? He’s tasted my pussy, but now he wants to go back to formalities. What are we, fifteen again? Yeah, fuck that.

No, Rex. She doesn’t need anything different. It’s actually done barefoot.

Apologies for the late response, I just saw the message.

I feel like a dick sending the message. I just realized it’s after midnight, and he’s probably asleep.

Rex

Not a problem. I’m on the west coast for a game, which you probably already know, so it’s only 9 here.

I actually wasn’t aware. Had you asked, you would know that Max and I don’t speak.

Rex

So, what is it?

Huh? Also, why is he talking to me? He hasn’t seen me once since that day. Always making sure he doesn’t have to see me for drop off or pick up, yet now he wants to talk?

What is what?

Rex

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