Page 8 of Playing By His Rules

“Hmm.” Critical blue eyes slid over Madison, taking in her appearance from her newly disheveled hair to her more practical heels, then back up to her face again. “I do have to say, you’re a very nice addition to the club, though you’ll make a lot more money if you swap out that pink bracelet for lavender or red.”

“She knows. We had that discussion on the way up,” Tammy said, saving Madison from having to defend or explain her choice. “Rebecca is the person with whom you need to check in with when you arrive, and check out with when you leave, especially if you’re with a client. She’ll make sure you get paid for the evening before you leave The Penthouse.”

“Yes, I’m the gate keeper so to speak.” Rebecca took both of their security cards and swiped the strip into her reader to log them in for the evening before handing them back. Once they were processed, she gave them each two tickets and explained before Madison could ask what they were for. “There is a two-drink maximum on alcohol beverages, so you’ll need to give those to the bartender if you order a cocktail.”

Tammy dropped them into her purse, as did Madison, knowing she’d at least have one drink to calm her nerves.

Rebecca folded her hands on the glass topped desk and met Madison’s gaze. “Just so you’re aware, most of the members are well behaved and respect whatever wristband a woman is wearing, but if you encounter anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable at any point in the evening, security is posted throughout the room and you just need to make eye contact with them and lift your hand and they will take care of the client. Even though all members are vetted, the safety of our girls always comes first.”

“Yes, some of the clients can be . . . over-zealous,” Tammy agreed in a wry tone. “Especially when it comes to fresh new faces.”

“Good to know,” Madison murmured, then followed her friend past two heavy double doors that opened to a black marble foyer and beyond that, into the private, exclusive club.

The Penthouse was a huge open area with low lighting and filled with plush couches and chairs, along with hideaway spots for couples who wanted privacy. Floor to ceiling windows framed the perimeter of the huge, cavernous room, providing a stunning view of Las Vegas lit up at night while low music played in the background, enabling men and women to have conversations without having to raise their voices over the din.

Dozens of men and women socialized, laughing and flirting effortlessly, while others paired off for more intimate conversations and illicit touches. As soon as she and Tammy came into view an older gentleman in an expensive looking suit and salt and pepper hair approached them, his bright green eyes on Madison’s friend.

“Tammy!” he exclaimed enthusiastically as he picked up her hand—the one encircled with a red bracelet—and lifted it to his lips to brush a kiss across the back of her knuckles. “You look absolutely ravishing this evening. I’ve been waiting impatiently for you to arrive and I’m going to snatch you up right now so you’re mine for the entire night.”

Tammy smiled and batted her long, fake eyelashes coquettishly, the opposite of her normally bold and direct personality. “You are such a sweet talker, Samuel.”

The other man chuckled, seemingly smitten by Tammy. “Care to have a drink with your favorite client before we head out for more pleasurable pursuits?”

“Of course.” Tammy leaned toward Madison in the pretense of brushing a kiss along her cheek but spoke in her ear instead. “Sorry to bail on you so quickly. Put a seductive smile on your face and go flirt with someone who catches your eye. Relax and try and enjoy yourself.”

As Tammy pulled away, Madison refrained, just barely, from rolling her eyes at her friend’s advice. “I’ll talk to you later.”

While Samuel guided Tammy to a sitting area, Madison made her way to the bar and ordered a glass of champagne. Sipping the bubbly drink, she forced herself to stroll around the room and mingle, in hopes of finding a man willing to settle for just her company for the evening, without any sexual intentions. But that was easier said than done. One look at her pink bracelet and most men gave her a nod and a polite smile and moved on to someone else willing to offer more than just lip service.

It also didn’t help her cause that when compared to the other women in the club who oozed seductive confidence and sexual experience, she was demure in comparison, and they were the ones who attracted the clients. Nearly an hour into her attempts to engage the opposite sex in more than just a brief conversation, and Madison had to admit that she was completely out of her element and sucked at enticing a man.

She sighed, then finished off the last bit of her champagne, certain that at this rate she wasn’t going to make a cent tonight and the only thing she’d be leaving with was aching, sore feet from her uncomfortable shoes that were already crimping her toes.

As she set her empty glass on a passing tray, she caught sight of a nice-looking man with sandy blonde hair approaching her, his dark eyes blatantly raking down the length of her body as if he were taking inventory of her breasts, hips, and legs before he met her gaze. She almost felt stripped bare, and not in a good way especially when she caught sight of the slight smirk on his lips.

“Hi,” he said once he was a few feet away, and extended his hand toward her. “I’m William.”

“Madison,” she replied and slid her hand into his, uneased by the way he held on to it longer than necessary, even when she tried to pull her arm back.

Finally, he released her. “I’ve been watching you work the room tonight. You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “It’s my first night.”

He raised a brow. “You’re quite beautiful, but from what I’ve seen, you’re obviously guileless in the ways of being an escort.”

She laughed and didn’t deny his comment. “You’re not wrong. This evening has been more awkward than I’d anticipated.”

He lifted a hand and skimmed his fingers along her cheek, startling her with his bold touch. It took effort not to jerk away from his unwanted advance, but she didn’t want to make a scene. The caress along her jaw and down the side of her neck was soft, but the look in his was dark and unscrupulous.

He leaned in closer, his smile arrogant. “Lucky for you, I enjoy breaking in the new girls and showing them exactly what a man wants from a paid escort. I like being their first client, before they get too jaded and the whole process of exchanging sex for money becomes a tedious, monotonous job.”

Not caring for the predatory vibes he was giving off, or the insinuation in his tone, she took a small step back to put some space between them. “I’m just offering companionship tonight.” She held up her pink bracelet for proof, wanting him to just go away because he was starting to make her feel uneasy.

He didn’t even glance at her wrist, leading her to believe he’d already noticed her choice for the evening and didn’t care. His next words confirmed it.

“What do I have to do to persuade you to change it to lavender?” he asked, inching closer again. “Or better yet, red, because I’d prefer all limits are off the table once we’re alone and I have you stripped naked.”

She glanced around the room, making note of the nearest security personnel, just in case she needed their assistance. “I’m not interested,” she said firmly.

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