Page 34 of The Toy Maker

His arrogance almost made me smile. "You’re very funny. I forgot something here.”

“Oh?” His cocky demeanor told me he knew exactly what I was missing. “What would that be?”

My pride, dignity, and self-respect,to name a few things.“My outfit for tonight.” I reined in my tongue so I wouldn’t call him out on his bullshit.

Satisfied with my answer, Jason grabbed my lingerie which was apparently waiting just out of sight. “Is this your underwear?” His tone reminded me of an amateur magician.

“Yes.” My response sounded more like a hiss than I intended. I reached for the golden laced bustier before Jason could change his mind.

Our hands brushed against each other in the exchange.

“Thanks.” I didn’t want to imagine what Jade would do if I didn’t have my outfit for the show. I wouldn’t have put it past her to make me spend the whole night stark naked.

Jason nodded and began shutting the door before firing one more quip in my direction, “By the way, you look better without anything on.”

“She lives!”Jade announced as I wandered back into the dressing rooms. “And she brings her lingerie.” Sarah slipped her a five-dollar bill with a sigh.

“Was that really necessary?” I groaned.

“Hey.” Jade wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “It’s not slut-shaming if we’ve all been there,” she reminded me.

Have we? My stomach sank. Jason hadn’t said I was the only Cherry testing the toys, but for some reason, I had assumed I was the only one with his attention.

She added, “Booty-calls before the big event are like pregaming before a football game.”Oh.They thought I had snuck out just to get piped in an alleyway.

The dressing room had nearly all the Cherries preparing for the biggest night of the month. Lipstick and mascara tubes were littered across the floor with lube sample packets.Cherry Calling Cards.

“Suit up.” Jade’s arm slid down from my shoulders to smack my butt. “Measurement time.”

I rolled my eyes and slipped the sheer bottoms on underneath my robe. When it came time to entrap my breasts in golden lace, Jade and Sarah’s focus couldn’t be pried away.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were both in love with me,” I joked while loosening the knot on the robe and dropping it to the floor.

Their whistles were meant to taunt me.

“I wish I had some singles to throw,” Jade teased, and Sarah sent a five-dollar paper airplane flying in my direction.

“Classy,” I mouthed as I shifted everything into position. When I finished, Jade pulled out some measuring tape. By the time the tape made it to my crotch, the events of the morning had caught up to them.

“Honey, I know my hands are magic, but maybe calm down?” Jade laughed.

Sarah took a break from applying her second coat of mascara to check out the growing wet spot. “Where exactly did you leave that outfit again?”

I scanned the room and all the potential gossipers in earshot. “I’m going to plead the fifth.”

Jade twisted her expression, shaking her head. “The truth will come out eventually.”

I pinched my lips together. Despite doing my best to hide there being anything to tell, the memory of being tied to Jason’s bed made it obvious I was hiding something.

FOURTEEN

My alarm pierced the air,and I buried my head underneath a pillow and prayed for the screeching to stop. By the time I gave up on getting any more sleep, I barely had enough time left to strip out of my pajamas and get dressed.

Walking without stopping to almost throw up every five minutes challenged me. A pair of sunglasses shielded me from the sun, but nothing could protect me from the bustling in the dressing rooms at Pink Cherrie.

Three Cherries rammed into me as they tried to get ready for the biggest night of the month. My main goal entailed getting through the next few minutes without spilling my guts on the carpet. My vanity on the opposite side of the room couldn’t be further away to my hungover mind.

Thongs and bras were tossed over me as I attempted to hobble my way to safety. Finally, someone took pity on me and led me the rest of the way.