Page 7 of Power Play

“When I need to be,” he says, before he finishes his drink.

I feel my cheeks flush instantly at what he’s insinuating. My slutty brain is having a field day with all the images that comment puts in my head. Trevor must notice because I see him holding his drink up, trying to hide a laugh.

“Sawyer, would you grab us a round of Tequila? Top shelf, your pick,” Trevor says with a smile. “Six shots, please.”

“Let’s make it two rounds,” Rex adds.

Snapping back to the conversation, I realize they’re talking to me.

“Of course, I’ll be right back with that,” I say before walking away.

When I get back to the bar, both Molly and Serena are smiling like proud mama bears, making me want to throat punch them for putting me through this.

“How’d it go?” Molly asks with a knowing grin.

“Hey, she didn’t run away screaming or crying or try to hit me yet, so it couldn’t have gone that bad,” Serena says, barely avoiding Molly’s attempt at elbowing her.

“Leave her alone. Besides, this is all your fault. I’m not paying L&I when she hits you at work.” Molly winks at me before going back to making drinks. Looking at Serena, it’s hard to stay mad at her or not laugh at her expression. She looks ready to explode with impatience, but she’s smart enough not to push her luck.

She may drive me crazy, but I love her. Doesn’t mean I won’t actually throat punch her, but I’d do it with love.

“Sooo, how’d it go? Tell me everything,” she finally says when she’s about ready to explode.

“It was fine. They were all nice. The grumpy one was even kind of funny, in a dry sort of way.”

“What’d they say? Did they ask for anything? I’m sorry if I pushed too far.”

“They just asked for another round. Other than that, they talked to me. I think they could tell I was a little out of place.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. They have it in their minds now that if you come back to their table, they get to break you in. You know, be your first table. Show you the ropes. If you know what I mean,” Serena says with a wink.

“Honestly, it’s not a horrible thing in this line of work,” she continues. “What can you really do wrong? It’s not like you’re flipping around on a pole. You’re serving a table. Worst thing that could happen is they ask you to join them in a room; easiest thing, they ask for a lap dance.”

“How the hell is that the easiest thing?”

“This isn’t a normal strip club, you know that. Every member is vetted. You’re not going to get some perv. If they’re here, they understand consent,” Molly says with a smile, like that answers everything.

“I’m still not quite following you.”

“They can be a little more hands on—not groping you or anything, at least not out here—but they can guide you, which makes it a little less intimidating,” she says with a shrug before walking off to help a group of girls who just sat down at the bar.

“Look, I’m serious. If you don’t want to do this, just tell me, but I know you’ve got this. And, I think you’ll enjoy it,” Serena says, sincerity all over her face. “But I’m telling you, men love being able to dirty something up, and with this being your first time? Who better than that group to serve?” She says with a wink.

“I’ll try to play the game, but just for tonight. One table. I’ll finish them up, but that’s it. We can, like, debrief or whatever tomorrow, and I can tell you how much I hated it, okay?” I tell her.

“Deal.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” she singsongs.

I go about grabbing the tequila shots Molly just poured while telling Serena more about the interaction, hating the smirk on her face when I get to the part about Rex.

“Okay, I know you’re totally not this girl, but that grumpy one is super-hot. Plus, they’re usually more fun in bed, all bossy and grumbly, throwing us around a bit. You should play it up a bit with him. Give him a little more attention than the others and see what he does,” Serena says.

“I’m not even remotely interested in flirting with a guy,” I tell her.

“You haven’t dated in how long? And don’t even try to tell me six months ago when you ‘dated’ Brandon. You two were study buddies who hooked up once after the semester ended. It’s time for you to at least flirt with a guy, maybe hop on for a little ride.”

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