Page 71 of Captivated

“Thanks,” I mumble, not making eye contact.

“You’re welcome.”

I refresh my lipstick and straighten my mask that got slightly askew during my dance.

“You okay?” the girl next to me asks. “I’m Melanie, by the way. Or, Sweet Melody, to everyone out there.”

“Hi.” I’m able to muster a small smile. “I’m Cassie. And yeah, I think I’m okay. I’m supposed to go to VIP room 3 now, and I’m a little nervous.”

“Don’t be, honey. It’s where the real money is made. They have the money, but you’re in charge. Just smile and talk to them like they’re the most interesting guy in the world. Most of the time that’s all they want. With a little lap dance on the side.” She shrugs.

“Okay.” I nod. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Melanie smiles.

I have to walk through the club to get to the VIP area, and men try and stop me, but I just smile and keep walking.

The security guy standing in front of the hallway doesn’t even say anything to me. He simply removes the clip of the velvet rope to let me pass and reclips it when I do.

Shoulders back.

Confidence.

It’s all a game.

Men are easy.

Take his money and leave.

I repeat those five things in my head until I reach room three.

I don’t know if I’m supposed to knock or not, so I knock once to let him know I’m here and then open the door myself.

The man sitting on the purple velvet couch stands when I enter, with a smile spreading across his face. He’s actually not bad looking. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t a good-looking guy who wanted to pay to spend some time with me.

“Pretty Kitty. I can see why they call you that.” His eyes run down my body and back up – lingering on my chest before meeting my eyes. “Please, have a seat.” He holds his arm out to the couch, and I step around him to sit on the far end of it.

“I can see you’re a shy kitty,” he teases, his tone like he’s talking to a pet rather than a person. “I like that.” He sits down next to me. “You weren’t shy on stage, though. In fact, I’ve never been so transfixed before. I knew I needed to talk to you.”

“That’s sweet, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He smirks. “Are you nervous? You seem nervous. We’re just talking, Kitty.”

I give him a small grin. “I am a little nervous. I’m new to this.”

“Your honesty is refreshing. And don’t worry, we’re just talking. At least, for now.” He reaches towards me to move my hair off my shoulder and I freeze, holding completely still, hoping he doesn’t touch me. “I love your hair. Is it natural?” His eyes dart down to my lap, and it takes everything in me to not flinch away from him and cross my legs.

This feels like cheating.

I’m not with Nico, and I don’t know if I ever was, but this feels like I’m betraying him.

I clear my throat. “It’s natural. So, what’s your name?” I ask, wanting to get off the subject of my hair and the inevitable,does the carpet match the drapes?

He grins. “Brian. But I’ve been called a few other things before.” He winks. “In fact” – he scoots closer to me – “while we’re in this room, I insist you call me something else.”

I swallow hard, my mouth dry as my body is on high-alert and functioning solely on adrenaline. “What do you want me to call you?” it comes out breathy, which he reads as me trying to be sexy about it when really, I’m just nervous, and he flashes me a predatory grin that sheds all his falsities at once.

He grabs his coat from the couch draped behind him and pulls out a stack of cash. He holds it up between us so I can get a good look, and then tosses it on the table in front of us. “Girlslike you always have daddy issues, and that’s good for me,” he says, touching my hair again.

---