Page 2 of Pink Poison

My jaw unhinges, dropping as low as it can before it starts to strain. Words fail to form on my tongue as it grows numb from the hit of adrenaline rushing through my body. “It’s okay if you want to say no,” she says a little too loudly for my liking. “Shit. I mean, it’s okay if you’re not comfortable. At least let me give you a ride outta here.”

I accept the ride with a nod and hope that I can unglue my tongue long enough to accept whatever other help she has offered. She spins on her Louis’ and leads me wordlessly out the main doors of the residence hall. I almost run into heragainthe second we step outside as she stops abruptly. Peeking around her frame, the university’s Dean stands, appearing somewhat surprised by her exit.

“Teegan, I wasn’t aware we had an appointment today,” he gruffs out, patting his cheap tie down with his sausage fingers.

The sweet girl I just met vanishes before me, and in her place is a succubus in the form of a woman who commands respect and deals in sex. “We don’t, I was here on another call.” She giggles, trailing a finger down the man’s chest. “I’m leaving withhernow.”

Wrinkling my face, I hold back a gag as the dean releases something that sounds like a cross between a pig being stuck and a creaky door being closed.Gross.“And who has acquired your services? Would she be open to a third?” he spits quickly—as if he stands a damn chance of weaseling his way in.

Teegan offers a laugh that sounds far too genuine to be fake. Leaning close to the man, her hand slides down his chest to his crotch before grabbing a hold of him tightly. “You see, Raymond. I don’t think Miss Waters wants to see you today. I heard that she was leaving the grounds today,permanently.”

Raymond groans, and not in an unpleasant way with how she handles his groin, making me want to slink away and forget ever meeting this woman. “W-Waters? Y-Yes, she is to leave immediately.”

She clicks her tongue against her teeth as she pulls her hand away, subtly wiping her palm against her leather mini-skirt. “I hate to hear that, Ray. You see, Stephanie is a good friend of mine, and if she’s not allowed to stay…well, I’m not going to seeyouanymore.”

“What?” he snaps sharply, coming out from whatever lust-induced haze he was stuck in. “Teegan, be reasonable. It’s not my fault the girl can’t pay for her education.”

His comment hits hard, cutting my emotional wounds deeper until they pierce beyond my heart. He’s not wrong—it’s not his fault that I can’t pay. Hell, it’s not anyone’s fault but my own. But from the way Teegan is standing firm, I can’t help but feel alittleless alone in the mess that I made.

“I’m sure a powerful man such as yourself could have found a way to make it work. Offer a scholarship, cut your own check,” Teegan snarks, brushing past the man to reveal me standing awkwardly behind her. “It wouldn’t have been the first time you did something charitable, would it, Raymond?”

Ialmostlaugh at the dean’s expression. His eyes bug out from his sweaty, bald head as he fumbles to come up with an excuse to keep Teegan at his beck and call. “We can—Teegan we can work something out,” he stammers, barely holding back from chasing her.

“No, we can’t, Ray!” she shouts, not bothering to look back at the man while she sashays her ass for everyone in the damn courtyard to see. “Come on, Stevie. We have shit to do.”

Snapping back to reality, I rush to catch up to my newfriend,letting my bag bounce against my hip until we reach the parking lot. I have a lot of questions,so many questions,but only one forms over my tongue. “Teegan, are you a pros—”

“Aht, aht,” she cuts me off quickly. “We don’t usethatword while out in public. It’s a legality issue, not a morality one. I’m a stripper, or dancer if you prefer most of the time, and I occasionally offerescortservices for some people.”

Don’t say prostitute in public. Got it.

I open the door of her Shelby Mustang, pausing briefly to admire the vehicle. It screamsbad bitch energy, painted in a stunning, shimmery, candy apple red. The interior matches to aT, accompanied by that brand-new leather car scent. Sliding into the passenger seat without a second thought, I ask, “So you’ve been an escort for Dean Raymond?” I ask.

“Yu—p.” She pops her lips as she enunciates thep. “He tips generously for what he asks for, but I’m nothing if not consistent. If he can’t extend his charitable nature to someone who needs it…no offense—” She looks at me with an apologetic grimace. I shake my head, not minding that she called me out. “Then he doesn’t need access to me.”

Steady hums of vibration shake under my seat as she turns the key in the ignition. She pumps the gas pedal, pulling out of the parking lot faster than I can blink. “So, you can just drop me off somewhere?” I mumble, struggling to situate the seatbelt over my busty chest.

“How about I take you to the club and get you an application instead?”

Pulling my lip between my teeth, I consider her offer. I do need a job, but I never considered being a stripper as an option. I mean, I’m only nineteen and I’m not comfortable with showing off my body the same way that Teegan clearly is. Then again, for the right price, Icouldtell a little lie and learn how to show myself off.

How much money does a pole dancer even make?

“With the right look, an easy couple grand a week,” she responds. Okay, now I’m convinced this girl is a witch, reading my thoughts and shit. “Nope. You said that part out loud, Stevie.”

My heart thumps. One—because I’m embarrassed having spoken my thoughts out loud, and two—that kind of money would be life changing,and God knows I need a changed life.“Did you just say a couple grand?” I choke.

She giggles, playfully and cute. More suitable to her age than the no-nonsense succubus who was ready to take Dean Raymond’s soul from him minutes ago. “Are you interested in hearing me out now?”

The view blurs past as we head onto the frontage road, away from the busy streets of the city. I vaguely remember Mom and Senior driving through this road when they dropped me off last semester. Well, I mostly remember Max being a broody asshole the entire time after insisting to come with.God, he’s such a dick.

Shaking off the thought, I smile. “Yeah, I think I’d like to hear more about it.”

Her shriek of happiness rattles against my eardrum as she steps on the gas pedal, taking us well over the speed limit. “Okay, so the club I work for is pretty low-key, but has a lot of customers: college guys, gangs, motorcycle clubs, and some randos here and there,” she rambles excitedly. “Mama Mo owns the club; she’s an amazing woman.”

“The strip club is owned by a woman?” I’ve heard that these places were owned mainly by men, and rarely if ever good ones.

She snorts. “Yep. Her husband kicked the bucket and left her his pride and joy,Gimme Mo.”

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