Page 12 of Knot So Damaged

Whipping my loose curls, I slowly begin to crawl and to the front of the stage. I don’t allow myself to meet the eyes of the Alpha again. Instead, I find a younger guy at least a few years younger than my twenty-eight. He is sitting amongst a few of his friends who are nudging and teasing him. Judging by his attire and demeanor, he is clearly on his bachelor night.

His eyes meet mine from where they were locked on my tits that are threatening to spill out of the skimpy bra. His smile widens as I make my way over to him. The moment I reach the end of the stage, I slowly throw my legs off the end of the catwalk. Money from each of his friends is quickly slapped to the man's chest.

He doesn’t lose eye contact with me as I reach him and sit down on his lap. It’s a much bolder move from what I thought I would be able to manage tonight but I don’t dare stop. Especially not when I get a hit of his scent.

Beta.

Thank fuck.

Getting the extra dose of confidence that I need, I spend a good majority of my first song giving the groom-to-be the best lap dance of my career. Once I have well and truly earnt the money safely tucked under my garter, I slip off his lap, giving him one last grin.

The guys around him cheer and I hear slaps on the back and plenty of ‘fuck yeah, that was so hot’ remarks as I step back onto the stage.

The rest of my set goes off without a hitch. With only a glance, I know that I have well and truly made more money than I ever have in a single night.

Ben helps me to collect my earnings with the help of a velvet sack. It is practically a pillow case, not that anyone seems to care. He hands it over, along with my discarded bra.

Making my way back to the dressing room, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Tonight was exactly what I needed. I feel like I am me again.

Well, the new me at least. The me that I want to be. Even with that Alpha from last night's presence that unnerved me for a moment, I feel more powerful. More in control.

After stuffing my money into my locker, I redress and finish reapplying my makeup just as Ben comes through the door of the dressing room.

“Hey, Cherry. You have been booked for a private. Are you ready?”

I snicker under my breath. Hook, line and sinker.

“Sure am.” I fix a final strand of my hair before following him into the private rooms.

Ben is one of the only guys I have been able to give an ounce of my trust to since working here. I know it has a lot to do with the fact thatnot only is Ben a Beta, but also the fact that he is in a very committed marriage. It was a comfort that was cemented even further when I watched the pair get married to each other a few months after I started here.

With a smile and a promise of a catch up when the night is over, Ben opens the door to room five.

Chapter Four

Before I can even step into the room fully, the scent of oakmoss and amber hits me like a ton of bricks.

Snapping my head up, I find the source of the smell.

It's him.

The Alpha from last night who stepped in to stop the creep from succeeding in his threats.

I close my eyes and take a calming breath. A decision that was not one of my finest as the tantalizing smell overcomes my senses.

Instead, I open my eyes and smile at him, just like I do every single private room guest. If I treat this like any other booking, I will make it through … right?

“Hi.” My voice has a sensual edge that I pray isn’t laced with the nervousness that I feel.

“Hi.”

Just like last night, the deep rumble has an immediate effect on me. My knees wobble as I close the distance between us even though I wish that I was currently anywhere but here. I wonder if that groom wants a private dance. Fuck, I would take any of his friends right now just to get out of here.

But I don’t run.

Omegas run.

I am not an Omega.