Page 2 of Captivated

“It’s okay, honey. I was naïve then. I danced my way out of that naivety real quick.” With a little smirk, Kay finishes lining her lips and then glides a matching red lipstick across her lips. “I can already tell you’re not as naïve as I was. But I’m here if you need anything. We all are. This isn’t a caddy place where we’re all out for our own gain. We look out for one another.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

I go behind the room divider curtains and change into my stage outfit, and when I emerge, Kay leans back in her chair and looks me up and down with a wide grin.

“You were hiding a killer body under those sweats, girl.”

“Thanks, I guess.” I laugh, and sit back down to finish my makeup. I had my base face makeup done, but not my eyes or lips.

When I came in for the job, the manager told me the main stage is where girls make the most money, but they have to earn their place there. I told him I was more comfortable as a side stage dancer anyhow.

On the side stages, I’m able to do my own thing. No one can get close enough to touch me, and I don’t need to take anything off unless I want to. Even if I did take my clothes off to get more tips, this is a titties-only club, which was why I chose it over the others in town. I don’t want to be forced to show more than I’m willing to or am comfortable with.

If I’m being honest, I don’t even want to show my boobs to a room full of strangers, let alone my entire ass and pussy. I’m confident, but not that confident.

For the women who do go full nude, I admire their confidence. Plus, the power they must feel when they have every set of eyes in the club on them must be like nothing else. Admired and desired, yet still untouchable and unattainable.

When I’m finished with my makeup and hair, I stand in front of the mirror. Noticing the slight tremor in my hands, I fist them at my sides and take a deep breath, remembering why I’m doing this.

Just pretend I’m in the studio and having fun.

No one will recognize me.

No one will touch me.

I grab the mask Kay gave me and tie it around my head. I pull out the top layer of my hair and pin the ribbon in place to hide it in my hair and keep it in place.

“I knew it’d look good on you.” Kay gives me a smile and a wink. “Have fun out there, Cassie. Men are easy.”

A laugh I didn’t expect bubbles out of me at that statement. “That they are.”

“Kay, you’re up in 5 minutes,” the house mom says. “Cassie, you’re going out there with Jaylan in 5, too.”

I look around to see who Jaylan is, and Kay points to a girl curling her hair across the room.

“That’s Jay. She’ll be up on the other satellite stage while I’m on the main stage. After I’m done, you’ll stay there for the next two girls while they’re on the main stage as well.”

“Alright.”

“Just vibe to the music and do whatever you want, basically.”

“Got it.”

I’m nervous, but also a little excited now. I barely recognize myself in the mirror, and it helps with my nerves.

I’ve fucking got this.

I’m the bitch who does what she wants.

I’m the bitch who knows she can get whatever she wants.

I’m the bitch who can conquer the damn world if I so well please.

Turing so I can see my reflection from all angles, the sparkles imbedded in my nude fishnet tights twinkle, and I do I few stretches before I slip my feet into my black pleaser heels. Once they’re secured around my ankles, I do a few more stretches and meet Jaylan and Kay by the door.

Jaylan gives me an encouraging smile. “Just look to me if you freeze or need inspiration, okay? I’ve been doing this a while.”

“Okay.” I nod, taking another deep breath.