Page 23 of Ace

By the end of the song, he has stripped fully naked, and now he's leaving no doubt just howreadyhe is for more than a little dancing. I follow the arc of his shiny underwear as he tosses it across the small stage, finding my attention locked on it. That's better than staring at this naked man who seems right at home, stroking the length of his penis right in front of me.

But then again, who am I fooling? This is exactly what I paid for, isn't it?

This is a transaction. I paid, and he's performing. It makes my skin itch as his shadow dances on the wall, all hip rolls and sensual movements.

This is no way even close to fun like it was in my twenties. When he inches forward, I dart my eyes in his direction but thenI have tolook away because my cheeks are on fire. This is so damned awkward.

"I was wondering how long you've worked here," I say, my gaze on the far wall.

"Listen, lady, I'm just here to pay my way through college. It's just a job."

I snap my eyes to him, and I can see the immediate regret in his. But it isn't regret for what he's doing, just that he responded the way he did just now.

I hold my hands up when he tries to come closer to me, as if he needs to apologize or get me to understand his reasoning.

"I'm so sorry. I know you only ordered 3a but I can throw in 3b if you don't tell anyone I lost my shit."

I watch in horror as he dips two fingers into his mouth and holds them out to me. My thighs clamp closed as I scoot back further into my chair. 3b is not something I'm interested in from this young man.

"I'm fast," he insists. "I can make you come faster than anyone has ever before."

"No thank you," I tell him. "That'll be all, Ben."

"There's an assortment of toys if you'd like a few moments alone after I leave," he says in an even voice as if he's reading from a script.

He pleads with sad eyes as he gathers his things. He gives me one more final look over his shoulder before he leaves the room.

I don't even bother to look in the direction he indicated because I don't want to know what he thinks I'll be doing after he leaves.

He's just trying to get through college? It was too familiar of a reminder about my younger brother Christopher.

How lucky were we that we didn't have to resort to such things to get through school? I imagine there were people on scholarships who had to work through college, but there wasn't anyone like that in my circle of friends. We allhad trust funds and enough money that student loans weren't even a thing. I knew then how lucky I was, but when people mentioned having to work through college, I imagined they did what I did and helped a family member in whatever organization they ran. I helped my mom with Chapter One, the literacy program she started right after my dad was elected as senator to his first term.

Are people really having to sell their bodies for an education?

Maybe Chapter One isn't the best place for me to focus my energies. Maybe a program to help college students would be better.

"Did you enjoy your time with us?"

I snap my head in the direction of the door, finding the woman who escorted me here standing in the doorway.

"It was lovely. How do I tip Ben for his wonderful performance?"

"Tipping isn't expected, Ms. Preston," she says, leaving no room for argument. "If you'll follow me."

Chapter 11

Ace

I know for a fact that if I weren't as mentally stable as required to be a member of ICE, I'd be in the middle of a PTSD flashback when I open my eyes to the room filled with a flashing red light.

"What the fuck," I mutter, pulling my arm from the woman's torso and using the back of my hand to swipe at my eyes.

"Shit," she snaps as she sits up. "I fell asleep."

"Makes two of us," I mutter, sitting up as well.

I legit fell asleep, holding a woman I don't even know. How does that shit even happen? I'm supposed to be fucking working, not cuddling in a brothel bed.

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