Page 16 of Wanting Mr Black

I frown, taken aback by the question. “Sorry?”

He nods towards the stage and smirks, but his eyes don’t leave my body. “The pole dancing job.”

I’m not sure whether to be flattered or not. “Erm … no, I’m not.”

His brows lift in surprise, and his eyes finally settle on my face. “Shame. A body like yours could be just what I’m after.”

A strong hand lands on my right shoulder, and I’m grateful when I hear a familiar voice to the left of me say, “She’s with me. And you’re lucky I need you, Jamie; otherwise, I’d knock you the fuck out for a comment like that.”

Jamie’s eyes swing from Art to me and then back again, and he flashes another smile. “I see. No offence meant.”

I’m not sure I believe him.

Art slides his hand down my arm, and his fingers grip mine. I notice Jamie’s eyes follow the movement.

“This is Jamie. He’s the manager.”

He flashes another megawatt smile. “Nice to meet you. So, who’s this lovely lady, Art?”

Does this guy ever stop?

“Sophie,” I reply stiffly.

“I’m showing her round,” says Art, “telling her about the business.”

“We’re sorting out the show for this weekend.” Jamie looks towards the stage. “But we’re experiencing a difference of opinion, let’s say.”

Art tugs at my hand. “Then, we’ll leave you to it.”

He begins to lead me through the tables that were filled with punters when I last came, and his mobile begins to ring. He pulls it from his pocket.

“It’s the hotel.” He gives me an apologetic look. “I’ll be two minutes.”

He disappears off across the other side of the club to take the call, leaving me to hover by the tables close to the front of the stage, feeling totally out of place.

The woman with the red hair glances up from her mobile. “Hi.”

I give her a polite smile. “Hi.”

She pushes her phone into the front pocket of her trousers. “Are you with Art?” she asks, nodding in his general direction.

Unease takes hold of me; I can’t help it. I silently pray the woman’s not someone else who’s got her eye on him. “Yes, I am.”

She pushes herself off the stage and walks over to me. “He’s a good guy.” She folds her arms across her chest. “Not like that cretin.” Bitterness drips from her tone, and for a moment, I’m not sure who she’s referring to. Then, I realise her hazel eyes are narrowing at Jamie, who’s across the room, talking to Big Steve. “He’s a tosser.” Then, just like that, the smile’s back on her face as she looks at me. “But we don’t see Art that often.”

Despite Jamie being in conversation with Big Steve, his eyes are on us.

Even from this distance, he creeps me out, and I focus on the woman instead. She seems nice enough.

“So, what’s it like, working here?”

She swings her hair over one shoulder. “Okay. Better than it was when I first started. It was owned by different management then. It got a bit rough, and the punters could get a little too excited and handsy, if you know what I mean. As soon as Art took over, he dragged it out of the gutter. It’s got a much better reputation now, and it’s a nicer place to work. The girls’ welfare’s paramount. If a guy oversteps the line, they’re out.”

Everything Art’s told me is true. It’s just a business to him. He’s rarely here.

“So, you’ve been doing this for a while?”

“A few years. It’s easy money. Most of the other girls are in the same boat. Some are working to get a deposit on a house; others have got kids and are just trying to make sure they’re fed andclothed. What I make in a couple of nights would’ve taken me a month to earn in my old temp job.”

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