As I danced, the adrenaline quickly flowed in my veins as cash piled up on the edge of the stage. The energy of the room rose with every move I made. This was why I put in the hours and pushed myself so hard. The money was good, but the thrill of commanding a room and being the center of attention was its own high.

I let it drive me as I finished the first song and transitioned into the next.

As I rolled up from the floor and pushed to my feet, I saw him. The alpha sitting right up front was watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. He was big and broad with dark hair that fell over his eyes and a mouth thatlooked like it was made for kissing. Unlike the usual crowd, he was ridiculously handsome. Something about him commanded attention. He wasn’t one of the low-lifes here during the day because they lacked jobs or were hiding from their wives or omegas or both.

I almost lost my rhythm as he watched me, stripping me bare with his gaze alone. I caught myself and quickly recovered as I pushed harder into the routine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was seeing right through me. Witnessing something I didn’t like to show anyone.

After I finished my set, I held my smile through the whistles and catcalls as I scooped up my money. When I headed off stage, my plan was to go straight to the back, but the alpha was waiting for me.

Standing right where the floor met the side of the stage, he looked me in the eye and held up a wad of cash. “Got a few more minutes?”

For you, I’ve got the rest of my life.“Um, I should get changed...” I knew what he wanted, and I kinda wanted it too, but something felt different about him. He wasn’t just a regular trick. Or maybe I didn’t want him to be.

“Come on, sweetheart. You’re breaking my heart.” His grin released two dimples that stood out on his cheeks, making him look more adorable than he deserved.

Cheesy…and kinda cute. And too fucking gorgeous to actually resist.

“Maybe just a few minutes…” I winked and nodded toward one of the back rooms. It was all part of the hustle, and I was about to make a killing.

The heat of the alpha warmed my nearly naked skin as he walked directly behind me. As hard as I tried to play it cool, it was impossible to ignore the way my pulse quickened and my cock hardened.

I never got overly turned on by marks. I let them get off and then collected my cash, all while staying in control. But something about this man made me feel like I was the one being hustled. Like he was using me for more than I was getting out of him.

My ass slicked in anticipation as he followed me into the room and closed the door. “What’s your name, omega?”

I sucked in a deep breath and turned back to face him. “They call me Velvet, cause that’s how I feel wrapped around you.” I placed my hands on his shoulders and gave him a squeeze. His shoulders were wider than I had first thought. He could fit two of me in his arms and still have room.

His gaze roved me up and down. I was used to eyes on me, even when I was completely naked. Shyness never entered the equation. Yet when he looked at me, it was like he saw into my soul.

“Around me where?” His voice was low and raspy, pushing my dick even closer to the edge of my short shorts. If I wasn’t already poking out, that would be a miracle.

“Everywhere, alpha.” I pushed my hand into the V-neck of his shirt, pushing aside the fabric so I could touch his skin. I dragged a finger across his sternum and up his neck. “Every damn where.”

3

CORD

Velvet, huh?Where the fuck had Georgie been hiding this one? He must’ve been new because I would definitely remember if I’d seen him before. The guy was graceful and gorgeous but didn’t appear arrogant. A little sad maybe, but that wasn’t unreasonable. In his line of work, he probably had to deal with a lot of assholes, and that would make anyone sad.

There was a confidence to him I wasn’t used to seeing in the omegas that danced for me. He wasn’t playing coy or shy. He knew what he offered, and more importantly, he knew what I wanted. He held the cards in this interaction and he knew it.

He watched me like he was trying to figure me out. Carefully studying my every move while I studied him. Fuck, I wanted him. This was gonna be even better than I'd hoped.

I put a stack of cash on the table by the door and then leaned forward, getting close enough to kiss him.

No words were exchanged for several long moments. His coal-lined eyes took in whatever was written on my face. He didn’tbeg, didn’t offer promises. He just stood there. He knew his worth.

The silence was heavy as I realized how badly I needed a boy like this. An omega to worship me the way only someone getting a fat wad of cash would and also know the value of the power he held. When I couldn’t resist any longer, I pulled him to my chest and inhaled the sweet scent emanating from his sweaty skin and his slick ass.

Fuck, he wanted me too.

My mouth covered his and I kissed him. I never kissed. In high school, I kissed a few guys here and there, but that was it. It just wasn’t something I wanted to do. But as soon as Velvet opened his mouth to me and groaned, I wanted it more than anything. Almost anything.

He did too. That was obvious in the way he kissed me back.

I forgot about the grimy room we were in and the power I was supposed to exert over the omega when he pressed his body all the way against me. If we were playing poker, I would have folded despite holding the winning cards. I yielded to this omega.

Velvet made an indistinct sound in the back of his throat as I slipped my hand into his hair and gripped him. “What do you want from me, alpha?”