Page 26 of Lovers Fate

She knows, I mean, if they fuck the girls who work here.

“Some of them. Like the two seated next to the tall one in the center. Sometimes, they fuck Gina and Jade. But when you ask them about it, they get defensive and bitchy. Like they don’t want us to know something we shouldn’t. Maybe they are afraid they will lose interest in them or something.”

“How about him?” I nudged my head at the tall one who has my attention. “Who does…”

“He touches but doesn’t fuck.” She interrupts, squinting when the overhead lights shift. She interrupts, squinting as the overhead lights shift.

One woman has fire engine red hair, and the other has white hair the color of snow. They are both exotic and beautiful. Their costume makeup is flawless.

“What makes you guys think that?” It wouldn’t make sense. Why come here at all?

“Why pay to fuck us when he can have them?”

My stomach flips, and my nipples harden under the small pieces of black-and-white fabric covering my nipples; I imagine how his strong, powerful thighs beneath mine would feel if I straddled his lap. I wonder if he would let me.

The overhead lights shift again, giving me a glimpse of his arms and chest and how, underneath, they fill his long black coat. I can tell he is fit. His biceps fill out the black sleeves, hischest bare and tattooed to the top of his right arm, holding a staff with a gold tip at the end.

“Has anyone given him a lap dance?” Hoping for some reason he hasn’t.

“I don’t think any of us have the courage to ask. I mean, look at him. Something about him makes him beautiful and scary, not his costume. His height and the way his thighs fill out his pants. Powerful arms. All those tattoos. There is no question he’s pure muscle and strength underneath. Hmm, not to mention the way his crotch is stretched so tight when he widens his legs.”

I laugh through my nose and play dumb. “What do you mean by his crotch?”

“Girl, he’s packing a monster in those pants.”

I stifle a laugh and then ask, “How would you know?”

She gives me a sidelong glance, the corner of her mouth lifting in a grin. “Girl, I know. That man will rip a pussy to shreds. It’s probably why he needs two women to get him off and comes in here to find his next victim.”

I am relieved that she hasn’t slept with him for some reason, but it’s obvious she wants to fuck him, and for some reason, I hate her for it. I think I would have a hate relationship with every woman who has.

“And the others?” I ask quizzically, trying not to sound interested in just him.

“They’re entertaining and generous. To them, it’s a game. But the one with the top hat seems unaffected by anything. I would be scared to try. My guess is, if he wants you, you’ll know.”

“Maybe someone should,” I say with determination, “dance for him.”

She shakes her head, as if I’ve lost my mind. “Be careful. No one knows who they really are, but we all assume they’re with the Circle of Freaks.”

“Don’t worry, Jules. You know I don’t take doggy bags home.”

She laughs. Then the overhead lights shift to yellow, it’s time for me to go out on stage, and I’m nervous. The crowd is bigger and for the first time, I want to make an impression.

As I make my way onto the stage, the neon light shifts, the DJ knowing what to play. The opening strains of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” shiver through my body. The classic song pulses through the darkly illuminated club. I can feel the audience staring at me, but I can’t take my gaze off him.

The spotlight shines on the pole as I step boldly underneath, feeling the cool metal as I find my grip.

My dance outfit glistens and sparkles with each twirl. When I land firmly on the sleek floor, a surge of strength washes over me, and my body moves like I’ve done this countless times. I look over at the throng of people, but my eyes are only for him. When his gaze locks with mine, the world around us temporarily disappears, and it’s like I’m going back in time. The effervescence of the lights mixed with the heat of his gaze plays with mine. A swell of excitement coats my skin, tightening my hold on the pole once again before I start to spin. A small smile plays on my lips as I spin faster; the lights swiftly pass by. The crowd changes to people without masks or costumes. The stage changes to mirrors underneath, reflecting the orange and red glow of fire, causing a wave of heat to flow between my legs.

The whisper of a man’s voice in my ear makes my heart race faster. “I would die for you.”

A laugh bubbles out of me, but I don’t recognize the sound. I don’t recognize my voice when I reply, “Would you?”

The sensation of heat skims my neck, followed by soft kisses. “You’re lovely when you dance. Of course I would,” the man says, his mouth ghosting my ear.

I blink and refocus on the crown to find obsidian eyes watching me from the crowd. My eyes fall to his lips that lift in a knowing smile. “When I look at you, it reminds me of the flames from a fire,” the man whispers “Beautiful. Dangerous. Deadly when touched.”

I keep my gaze fixed on the man as I spin. Everything else is spinning, except him. The man with the top grins. His makeup causes his mouth to appear wider than usual. I must be imagining it. There is no way he is talking to me. That’s simply not possible. Crazy.

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