Page 22 of Dancing with the Devil

Sitting at my dressing room vanity, I yanked my drawer open and froze, seeingthreestacks of money with a note. I already knew who it was from without having to even read the note. I sighed and picked it up, nonetheless, trailing my eyes over the piece of paper.

For your performance on the pole, on my lap, and the misunderstanding.

He didn’t sign it, of course.But, misunderstanding? Was he referring to his reaction? Or him not wanting to have sex? Maybe it was the question he had asked me?

I shook away him—and all the thoughts attached to him—and shut the drawer with the money and note inside.

I trailed my eyes over my face in the mirror, and thankfully, the puffiness in my eyes had gone down. With a deep inhale, I got up and made my way to the bar.

“There you are!” Silvia gasped with a smile that stretched ear to ear. “I saw you heading into one of the private rooms last night,” she giggled. “How was it? Did you make lots of money? Was it good? Did he hurt you?” she suddenly shifted her excited tone to concern.

“No, he didn’t hurt me,” I shook my head.At least not physically.

She grinned mischievously. “Was he hot?”

As I opened my mouth to speak, a strong presence—body—stopped behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“And suddenly, I can hear someone calling my name,” Silvia said, slipping away from us.

“Well, was he?”Mr. Jackassasked from behind me, and I spun around, staring straight into his chest.

I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest and met his usual dark gaze. “Didn’t want your money yesterday, don’t want it today.”

“Why were you upset with me?” he asked, and I could almost laugh.

“I wasn’t,” I lied straight through my teeth.

“Yes you were.”

“Look,” I finally said, coming off more agitated than I had anticipated. “As much as I wouldloveto stand here and waste my time with you,” I quipped. “I can’t. I have a job to do. And I really don’t want to speak to you. So, excuse me.”

I passed him, heading behind the bar to start serving my customers. I tried my bestnotto look for him and simply focused on my job.

I spent some time with Giovanni before finding myself back behind the bar.

I glanced around the lively club, spotting a customer who needed me and headed over with a smile. When I reached my second table,hewas already seated there. Of course he was.

Swallowing my pride, I spoke up. “What can I get you?”

“Oh, good. We’re talking again,” he said, calmly locking his hands on the table, and I dropped my shoulders. “Have a seat,” he gestured toward the empty chair in front of him. Although reluctant, I sat down. He was not going to give up.

“I didn’t have sex with you yesterday because that’s not why I paid for a session with you.”

I scoffed. “Trust me, not having sex with you could never bother me as much as you think it could.”

He brushed his tongue on the inside of his cheek before he spoke again. “I handed you your coat because after I made that clear, I assumed the session was over.”

“Great,” I nodded my head. “Glad we cleared that up,” I got up, but he reached for my hand, stopping me.

“Sit,Nirah,” he beckoned, holding onto my hand with a firm grip. I looked down at him and yanked my hand from his hold before sitting down.

“How much?” I asked, referring to the money in my drawer.

“Twenty-five grand,” he answered, and I nodded my head.That’s expected.“Each,” he clarified, and my stomach flipped.

This man just droppedseventy-five grandon me without sex, a blow job, or me even having to take my clothes off.What—

“I wasn’t trying to offend you last night. And, I don’t see you any differently,” he assured me.