Page 37 of The Toy Maker

The heat of the stage lights clashed with the cool mist from the water effects, sending shivers down my spine as droplets rained over us. The artificial storm hit its peak just as the final note rang out, soaking our bodies in a way that left nothing to the imagination.

As the last beat echoed through the club, I took a steadying breath, chest heaving as the water clung to my skin. My alreadythin top was now plastered to my body, highlighting every curve, every dip. The air-conditioning sent a fresh wave of goosebumps trailing down my arms, and my stomach twisted at how exposed I felt.

The crowd roared with approval, their voices blending into an overwhelming hum. I forced myself to stay in character, to ignore the way my pulse raced beneath their hungry gazes.

Kitty shot me a grin, her confidence unwavering as she basked in the attention.“That was flawless,”she mouthed to me, then turned.

“Ahoy,” Kitty greeted the crowd with a grin. “Welcome to our Naughty Nautical night!” She went on to explain the rules of Pink Cherrie. Her announcement of Jason’s masterpiece brought an onslaught of cheering.

I tried not to roll my eyes and plastered a smile on my face as Jade taught me.

After the pussywalk, we gathered in the back room for our assignments. Kitty handed me a slip of paper and warned me not to read it until she was finished. I waited while Jade and Sarah discussed the customers who picked them.

“Hey, Sarah, guess who picked me,” Amy chimed. “Lucas. Guess he just likes a girl with a little more class.” She placed her hand on her hip and laughed at Sarah’s stunned expression.

I grabbed Jade before she could claw Amy’s smug face off.

“Down, girl,” Amy teased, her lips curled into a smirk.

“Don’t you have a Lamaze class to get to?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and suddenly Amy was the one storming away.

Not shortly after, Kitty joined us and begged me to open the paper.

“Ethan James.”

Sarah and Jade exchanged a worried look. Sarah cleared her throat, taking a sudden vow of silence.

“Who?” I asked, frowning slightly.

I tried to get an explanation from Kitty, but her expression was unreadable.

The bell rang and suddenly I was sent off with a slap on my ass for good luck. The overcrowded room was filled to the rafters with Cherries and expectant customers.

I wandered through the crowd to find Ethan James, but every man I came across didn’t have the matching name tag. I almost gave up until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun around to look at the man in front of me.

“This is going to sound really douchey, but I’m pretty sure I bought you.” His tousled brown hair fell just shy of messy, framing a face that was undeniably handsome but softened by his awkward smile, one that almost looked apologetic.

He held up a ticket between us, his hand hovering as he cleared his throat, glancing down with a sheepish grin.

“I’m Ethan, by the way.” He was tall, much taller than I was. His dark hazel eyes watched me with an intensity that gave away his nerves, the golden flecks in them catching the light and momentarily distracting me.

I scanned his nervous expression and smiled. “I’m Tara. Pleasure to meet you.”

I held out my hand for him to shake.

“You will be.” Ethan winked before his face fell. “Unless that’s too forward. I’m sorry, this is my first time doing something like this.”

If nothing else, he could be entertaining.

I shrugged, watching the way his shoulders relaxed slightly. “This is my first night, too.”

His lips parted, like he wanted to say something else, but the music cut off before he could. The hum of the club dulled, and my stomach twisted at the sight of Jason stepping onto the stage.

My stomach flipped at the sight of him in a sailor’s outfit; at least he looked the part. I listened to him greet the crowd and smile with so much charm I almost believed it.

“And now what you all have been waiting for.” The lights dimmed, and a drum roll poured over the speakers. Jason grabbed a glass bowl and picked up a single strip of paper. “Jamie Kitt.”

The crowd waited for someone to step forward, but the Cherries remained in place.