Page 94 of The Toy Maker

No response.

My shoulders finally relaxed. “What’s up with her?” I kept my voice low; the last thing I needed was to be on her hit list.

Jade shrugged. “She’s just in a mood.”

Sarah nodded. “It’ll pass once she works it off,” she reassured.

I prayed they were right. Because whatever this was, it was starting to feel personal.

After we reported to the stage like good little soldiers, Kitty seemed to ease up. Her sharp tone softened, her tense shoulders relaxed, and for the first time since I arrived, I thought her rage was over.

That was until Jason decided to watch our rehearsal.

Kitty’s entire body stiffened. And when she turned to face him, her voice was like ice. “What do you want?” Kitty snarled.

Jason didn’t even flinch. “I want to see the progress of the main event,” he explained.

This was averydifferent Jason than the one I had been with just a little while earlier, eating pizza and shopping for future rendezvous.

Now, he was acting cold, distant, and calculated in a way I hadn’t missed.

Kitty scoffed. “Don’t you have some dildos to make?”

A collective hush fell over the Cherries.Damn.Our eyes widened with astonishment.

He chuckled, unbothered and ignoring our shock. “Don’t you have a dick to choke on?”

More gasps echoed through the group.

Kitty clenched her jaw so hard I thought she might actually lunge at him. But instead, she turned on her heel and barked at us to start the routine.

The music kicked in, and we moved into position.

I tried to focus. But several times during the risqué dance, I found my gaze wandering over to where Jason stood. It seemed that whenever I would, he was always fascinated with a girl in the other direction.

Until I had the first of many wardrobe malfunctions.

“Tara, please try to keep your tits in your bra until after the show?” Kitty’s voice rang through the speakers, sending giggles rippling across the room. Heat flooded my cheeks.

Before I could rebutton my top, Jason spoke.

“I like it,” he mused, loud enough for everyone to hear. “It gives the show what it’s been lacking.”

Kitty turned to him, unimpressed. “And what exactly is it lacking?”

His eyes met mine. “Excitement.” Something flickered across his face. Something that made my heart skip.

There was no way to respond to Jason’s sudden passion for our performance or an explanation for what Kitty said next.

“Then you get up here and dance with us.”

My heart was in my throat as I watched him consider the offer and then strut onto the stage.

Kitty tried to give him the rundown of the steps, but he cut her off, “I’ve got this.”

My mind raced as the intro to the music started; Jason had taken a place next to Wendy, the redhaired, long-legged goddess.

Within a few moments, Jason pulled Wendy away from the group and started his very own performance in front of us,in front of me.