Page 14

FOURTEEN

Ashley

“So, what did you expect?” Andy asked me. “You can’t fuck around and expect to not find out. Not with these people” He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms on his chest. “And I don’t understand this sick attraction you have to that man. You do realize he’s an abusive fuck, right?”

We were in the kitchen of our apartment, and I was at the stove making us egg and cheese omelets. “I don’t know. Everything is just so strange right now. Della’s still gone, and I can’t believe I’m not there anymore. It and he became a big part of my life I guess.”

Micha was abusive, Andy was right. I knew I was making excuses. I told myself I hated him, but at the same time, there was something else there that drew me in. It lurked in his gaze, hid in his gentle touch. I didn’t want to articulate it and it both fascinated and horrified me.

What I still couldn’t wrap my mind around was the realization they weren’t even human. Not a one of them denied being a vampire. But they didn’t deny anything I’d accused them of, and it wasn’t like I could do a thing about it.

“I’m not saying any of them are good... people,” I continued. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” I shook my head and carefully folded the egg mixture I had in the pan.

“Even though I’m a guy, I know he’s good looking. Maybe you’re just horny.”

My face flushed. Micha was far beyond just simply good looking. I was obsessed with him. “Ehh, could be. Like I said, I don’t know why I’m so upset.”

I liked him .

A lot, despite his fucked up ways. I was going to miss him always being around me. The more I thought about it, the more obvious it was he went completely out of his way to be near me before the so-called theft took place. It’d become a source of stability for me, and then over time, apparently something more if his absence was affecting me this badly.

Andy grabbed a couple plates from the cabinet as I flipped our breakfast over in the pan. “You shouldn’t even be talking to me about it, from what you’ve told me.”

I nodded, sliding the food onto the plates. “I know. I’m mostly just worried about finding a comparable job. I made good money.” I set the frying pan in the sink and turned on the water.

“And this,” I waved my hands in the air before I sat down. “How are we supposed to pay for this? I’m not filing for unemployment, not after what I went through. Plus, Josiah said they were permanently erasing all record of me having worked there.”

“You’ll find something. At least you’re away from those fuckers.”

It’d been nearly three weeks since I’d stepped foot inside Ipomoea. I’d sent out a ton of resumes but hadn’t gotten a single interview except for the McDonald’s in Times Square. Fast food was not my thing, and neither was it going to pay enough to stop me from being homeless. Andy would’ve never let that happen to me, but I wanted to pull my own weight. It was only right that I did, and I wanted to keep our nice apartment. It was the best one either of us ever had. There was no way I would move to Florida, where my parents had gone for a better life. I wouldn’t be able to deal with the hurricanes and humidity.

I hadn’t heard a word from Della, Micha, or Josiah since that night. Not that I expected the latter to contact me. Micha’s number, which I’d added to my contacts as “asshole” had mysteriously disappeared from my phone. When I noticed it gone, I couldn’t face the fact it filled me with dismay and immediately went back to filling out hundreds of job applications and emailing resumes.

Why did I miss the jerk? Stockholm Syndrome had come up in my thoughts regarding Della’s situation, but I was beginning to wonder if it applied to me, as well.

While traipsing the streets searching for help wanted signs and attending job fairs, in between scouring the internet for opportunities, I’d kept searching for the man. Especially whenever I was in the area of their building. I hadn’t seen anything other than the sleek foreign car I’d ridden in the last night I saw him, idling at the curb. I’d almost stumbled, thinking he’d appear at any moment. Staking it out or loitering would’ve been too obvious, so I didn’t linger, and besides, he had to pretend I didn’t exist.

It was getting to the point I’d started to wonder if my melancholy was indicative of a deeper issue. Was I broken somehow, that’d I want the company of a monster? Reality was, it likely had something to do with my adrenaline addiction. I was hooked on danger and Micha possessed that trait in spades.

Seriously, that had to be all it was. I was hopelessly attracted to danger, and I’d found it in an over six-foot-tall devastatingly sexy package who’d been practically my stalker at one time.

“Good morning sunshine,” Andy said, and I whipped my head around, torn away from my intrusive thoughts. He was greeting a cute blonde who was sauntering down the hall toward us. A pretty girl I hadn’t realized was apparently an overnight guest.

“You’re so rude,” I lectured my friend. “I only made breakfast for two.”

“It's okay,” the woman reassured me. “I don’t eat eggs.”

“Ashley this is Kayla. Kayla, Ashley.” Andy introduced us and I smiled at her.

Opening the refrigerator door, I asked her, “What do you want? We have fruit. Yogurt. Toast?”

Kayla shook her head. “Just coffee is fine.”

I grabbed a mug and handed it to her, directing her to the coffeemaker. “Cream is in the fridge.”

“Did I hear you’re looking for a job? Angels is hiring. They’re always looking for hostesses and dancers. Waitresses. They pay really good, too.” She had my strict attention. “I work there per diem; whenever I want.”

Angels was a higher end strip club and restaurant. A gentleman’s club was probably the best term for what I’d heard about the place. I’d never been inside the burgeoning chain of entertainment venues, but I’d heard they were quality compared to the stereotypical titty bar.

“Oh yeah?” I replied, immediately interested.

“Yeah. I can put in a good word for you if you’d like.”

Andy stared me down until I finally glanced at him and then he dragged a finger across his neck. He was always trying to tell me what to do.

“Yes, please. Wait—am I too old?” At thirty years old, I’d be a senior citizen compared to the eighteen to twenty-one crowd that probably worked there.

Kayla laughed. “No, no of course not. That’s a stereotype. There are people in their eighties working there. As long as you take care of yourself, there’s someone for everyone.”

“You spilled your coffee,” Andy pointed at my T-shirt.

Good thing it’d cooled down enough to almost qualify as iced. Wiping at my shirt, I asked, “Seventy? What the hell? That’s, um, different.”

Kayla shrugged. “You’d be surprised what you see there. I worked in a nursing home a long time ago and those grandmas and grandpas are horny as hell.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Andy cut in. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”

“They’re old, not dead,” Kayla stated, as he wrapped his arms over her shoulders and kissed her hairline.

He shook his head. “The visuals. No thank you.” He pecked Kayla on the cheek. “You want a ride? I gotta head in.”

After saying goodbye to the lovebirds, I headed to my room to get changed, setting a couple outfits on my bed. What should I wear to be considered at a strip club? There was no time to be wasted, the bills were already piling up and I was going to head straight to Angels, without a reference.

It was a wonder I hadn’t thought of this before, working as a dancer. The rushes I’d get from doing something so risqué and teasing men into giving me their money would be amazing. Maybe I’d even let someone put a collar on me. It was crazy I hadn’t thought of this before.

I hadn’t had any more of the waking dreams, though I’d hoped for one. I wanted to ask Micha why he’d just dismiss me the way he had, not even saying goodbye, if he showed up. He didn’t seem like the type to give a farewell, but I would’ve taken a scowl or an insult for the road.

I couldn’t explain it if I tried but I suspected, being a supernatural creature and all, he’d somehow infiltrated my dreams and that had been him in the mansion bedroom. It didn’t make any sense, but what did these days?

Foolish thoughts, wanting to see him, since he cut me out of his life so severely. I didn’t understand what had happened and tried not to think about it, but it was becoming increasingly impossible.

Josiah mentioned plans changing; Kiam had said something about getting paid, and I had no idea what any of those things meant. What plans? What was Kiam going to get paid for? What the hell had Micha been planning on doing to me?

If I met him in my dreams again, I could safely ask. And maybe get some semblance of truth from the man. For example, why was accidentally picking up the wrong item such a major offense? Micha, and then Josiah, had cut me off every time I’d tried to ask. They honestly believed I was a thief, and it was frustrating. The only things I was guilty of was being forgetful and then sneaking around.

I settled on a short, tight red dress that highlighted my boobs and made my butt look good before tossing on some ankle boots. Being that it was a higher-class joint, I didn’t want to come across like I was trying too hard and instead wanted to look comfortable but also like I would fit right in. Since I’d never been inside Angels, this took some guess work, and I had to trust my imagination.

After putting my hair up into a messy-but-not-too-messy bun and slapping some makeup on my face, I drove to the club.

The building was unassuming until one walked indoors. The walls were white and shiny and the ceiling painted sky-blue with poofy material molded into clouds. Neon pink strips of light lined the floors, giving the ceiling a lavender tint in patches. The decor seemed like it should have been tacky, but it was done so well and with such high-quality materials the effect was elegant and understated.

The receptionist that greeted me was wrapped in a white patent leather mini dress, with her long hair pulled back into a super tight ponytail. She was pretty, but brusque when I greeted her and told her why I was there.

“Right this way, ma’am,” the woman said, opening a door. She punched a couple buttons on her tablet and a nearly identical woman stepped out, taking her place.

Silently following her, I tried to take in all the sights as she rushed forward. It was a wonder she could move as fast as she did, stuffed like a sausage into her dress. The material of my skirt was digging into my upper thighs uncomfortably and I didn’t want my first impression to be one full of bruises all over my legs and me limping across the floor.

“Hey, can you slow down a little, I can’t walk that fast,” I called out to her. I swore I always ended up in too tight clothing.

She stopped, glanced at me, and proceeded forward a bit slower. “You have mobility issues?” she inquired, staring at my legs with suspicion. “Are your legs useful or not? You must be able to walk to work here.”

“No! I’m just wearing a tight dress.” I wanted to punch her over the stupid questions. I needed this job and now I was concerned I’d be entering another difficult workspace. They didn’t expect you to be an Olympic runner in five-inch stilettos, did they?

“I get around just fine,” I muttered. “It's not me that’s the problem.”

The woman stepped to the side in front of a thick wooden door. “My name is Lisa, and I was your hostess until this very moment. We have an unexpected guest today—the owner, and he will be interviewing you next.”

I lifted a hand up in confusion and she blinked at me before she turned, opening the door revealing a sumptuous office. “Sir, this is Ashley,” she announced.

“How did you know my name?” I turned to the woman.

“Facial recognition.” Lisa said. “Thank you for allowing me to be of service to you.” She left and I directed my attention forward, happy to be rid of the obnoxious woman.

A massive man covered with ink sat behind an executive style desk, his light blond hair pushed back from his forehead to reveal shaved sides. “Turn around slowly,” he ordered me.

I did as he asked, lifting my arms slightly before dropping them and facing him again.

He lifted an iPad and glanced at the screen. “Ashley Smith, age thirty. Manhattan resident, both parents living in Florida. No siblings. Criminal record.”

Taking a deep breath, I glanced around. His space looked like a lawyer’s office, not the illicit den of a strip club owner, with all the books and artwork. It reminded me of Micha or Josiah’s office.

“I’m Matthew and initially, I’ll give you your assignments. I’m assuming you’ve never worked in a similar establishment?” He continued to eye me. “Don’t mind Lisa, we’re still working out some of the bugs.”

“I haven’t.” His last sentence registered suddenly. “What do you mean?”

He ignored my question. “Why do you want to work here?”

“I need the money and my roommate’s friend suggested it.”

“Her name?” He dragged his finger down the device, scrolling.

“Kayla. I don’t know her last name.”

Matthew sat back, folding his hands together. “You’ve got some balls, coming here for work. I’ll give you that.”

My gaze snapped to his. “I... she just suggested it; I don’t really know her. I’m going to leave,” I mumbled.

As I went to go, he stopped me with his voice. “Ashley, you don’t have to leave. The problem isn’t with her.”

I faced him again. “There’s a problem with me?” I didn’t exercise much, at least not on purpose. Walking around the city so frequently had been enough, I’d thought. Until now. “I’m not going to join a gym just because you don’t like how I look.”

Matthew chuckled and shook his head. “So naive. You’re fine. You remind a little of my wife. Just don’t cause any issues—it's a small community.”

His last sentence gave me pause. There were any number of things he could’ve been referencing. My association with Andy and Vincent, my colorful past, and I would’ve thought even Josiah and Micha, but they’d decided I’d never existed so it couldn’t be that.

He stood up and came around the desk. “We’ll start you as a server and see how our guests respond.”

The man led me through the door and began giving me a tour.

“An important point to remember is to be self-contained. Our clientele is a tad eccentric and sometimes have responses one wouldn’t expect. The trick is to never let them see you sweat, so to speak. Just smile and think positive thoughts, no matter what they say or do. Our bouncers are the best of the best and have a rapid response time so you will be safe, but in the two seconds it may take, it is imperative that you do not respond.”

This sounded like a little more than I wanted to get into but what he was describing was exactly what I’d done with Micha a few times—no response. “I can do that. I’ve had some practice.”

He gazed at me curiously. “I believe you.”

The man seemed like there was something he wanted to say, something he was holding back, but I didn’t want to push. I’d just met him, and he was giving me a chance. I was tempted to ask deeper questions, but facial recognition could’ve brought up my friends and who knew what else. The smart thing to do was keep my mouth shut.

We passed rooms with see-through panels; beautiful women and some men clad in tiny outfits moving sensuously behind the glass with eyes only for each other. It was fully engrossing, watching them move together, in tune with each other’s bodies.

“If you recognize anyone, you are not to acknowledge you know who they are. We value privacy. Some patrons may give false names, fake identities and even professions. You are to respect their wishes.” He glanced down at me.

“I understand, I won’t say anything.” We’d paused by the windows, and I felt myself becoming more hypnotized by the view the longer I watched. Could I do this, move as gracefully and be as beautiful as the entertainers on display? It’d give me such a rush if I could inspire the awe I felt for the dancers in others myself.

Matthew let me lurk for a moment, seeming to know I needed to slowly take it all in. I’d never done work such as this, showcasing my body or placing myself in this type of vulnerable position. I would enter a whole new world by stepping into this business, creating a new life while shedding the old. It was exactly what I needed, and I was starting to get excited.

While there were many people around, there was a feeling of exclusiveness, of being closed off from the rest of the world and sheltered inside the protective bubble of this fantasy business of Matthew’s. While outside these walls it was bright, sunny, noisy and full of pollution, in here everything was clean, intimate and cozy.

“You own this place?” I asked.

He began moving again as he said, “I do.”

We entered another area with a wide, open space and multiple doorways lining the walls. One wall had a bar lined with racks of alcohol and other bottles stacked on the shelves above the back counter.

In the center of the room were circular, high-backed booths arranged facing away from each other for optimal seclusion. I noticed there were unobtrusive cameras everywhere, including a small bank of cameras on the counter behind the bar.

“We take security very seriously,” he stated, noticing my perusal.

“Does anything ever happen?” My first thought was that it wouldn’t, given the slim chances of getting away with anything under such a tight system.

“Infrequently. When and if it does, the situation is handled with discretion, and everything is cleaned up quickly. We have excellent security.”

I gestured toward the multitude of doors. “What do those doors go to?”

“Here, I’ll show you.” I followed him across the room, and he tapped a keypad to the right of a computer screen. The door slid open, revealing what looked like a mini hotel suite.

“Ohhh,” I said, taking a step inside. “Wow.”

It reminded me of the studio apartments inside Ipomoea, only with a more sensual feel. Loads of pillows, towels, blankets, and mirrors covered the surfaces. The moment I’d placed my foot on the floor, low, warm lighting lit up the space. The room seemed designed to lower inhibitions and make one feel instantly comfortable.

“Sometimes our guests need a little more privacy, although they are welcome to do as they wish out there,” he stated, nodding toward the area behind us. “We want it to be a positive experience for anyone who walks through our doors.”

“I’d say you accomplish that, although this is a bit outside of what I had in mind.” It was a sex room, there was no other way to describe it between the bed, stripper pole, and toys neatly arranged on a shelf.

Matthew chuckled. “Never say never.” He motioned for me to come out. “The money involved can change one’s life for the better.”

Was he trying to encourage me to become a sex worker? “I don’t sleep with men for money.”

He laughed. “Rarely is sleeping involved. It's not all about intercourse, there are other activities. But don’t worry, you have a choice. You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

He nodded and we started across the floor. “I’m positive. Any unwanted behavior is recorded and dealt with immediately. There are no second chances. We take security seriously, Ashley. You never have to worry.”

His language was so similar to Micha and Josiah’s company, I’d flinched when he said, “no second chances.”

“Have you had negative experiences in the past?” He asked, appearing genuinely concerned.

There was no way I was going to admit it and therefore incriminate myself. “I think I’m just tired and overwhelmed. This place is fantastic. And I’m glad I get to start by being a server.” I gave him a small smile.

“We change lives for the better, here. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

It almost sounded too good to be true, the way he was talking up his business. But there wasn’t a sad or worried face to be seen. While I was slightly nervous, I was also very excited for a novel experience. The people milling about, the patrons and the workers, no one appeared to be stressed at all, or in fear of anything bad happening.

Especially not the woman who’s face broke out into a bright smile as she glided up to the man by my side. Her hair was styled into long, golden ringlets and she had iridescent glitter scattered along her cheekbones. Her dress was adorable, a short fluffy creation of pearlescent ivory feathers with a matching set of velvety wings springing from her back in the luxury version of a Halloween costume.

“Matthew!” She exclaimed, all effervescent and bubbly as she reached for his cheek and gave him a kiss. She bounced on her heels, stars in her eyes as she gazed up at the man with rapture.

The woman was acting like she’d just met her favorite celebrity, and I stared at her in disbelief. My shock must’ve been overly obvious because she backed away slightly, giving me a furtive glance before recovering quickly.

Matthew kissed her on the cheek gently and said, “Lily, this is Ashley. She’ll be starting out front as a server.”

He reached over and gave my shoulder a little squeeze. “You’ll be in good hands.”

Just like that he left me with the ecstatic fairy. “Come on, let’s get you dressed,” she said, waving her hand for me to follow.

Trailing after her, I tried to take everything in. Lily narrated some of our journey but there was so much to look at, I had a hard time focusing. When we were near the front, I stopped by a stage, mesmerized by what I was witnessing.

Lily sidled up to me as I watched a beautiful woman with pin-straight red hair. She was sitting on a wooden chair running her hands down the bare abdomen of the man standing in front of her. He leaned in closer and closer to her before she opened her mouth to run her tongue down his chest.

Next, he rested on his knees to slowly pushed her skirt up while his other hand rolled down her stockings, one by one. Her eyes closed and her head tilted back before his head darted between her legs.

Lily giggled beside me. “It's shocking at first, but then you come to expect it. You’ll see lots of things like this and then you’ll get to take part in them too—if you want. Only if you want.”

I glanced around the room. The serving area was behind us, with sets of tables and chairs like you’d expect at a restaurant. But then some were booths, and others had leather armchairs with low tables between them that would fit perfectly in place in a library. It was so classy and elegant, a stark contrast to what was going on with the woman alongside me. She reminded me of a cartoon, albeit a fun one.

“Do you do that?” I asked her.

She shrugged. “Once in a while if I want extra money. But I’m super picky who I let touch me. I have my favorites.” She gave me a pointed tilt of her head, as if to emphasize the importance of being choosy.

“What about that guy up there?” I nodded toward the man who was now licking the woman’s crotch with long strokes.

“Oh, he’s a sweetie! He’d be good for your first experience. When he’s done, she’ll go down on him. It's a mutual experience and pays really well.”

“Which one is the employee?”

Lily grinned. “The guy is.”

I rubbed my chin. “Why would an employee pay me for an experience if I’m also an employee?”

She rolled her eyes even though she was still smiling. “Employee perks, silly. We’re exclusive and inclusive.”

Oh.

The man was attractive, and I doubted there was anyone working here who wasn’t. Trying to picture myself where the redhead sat, I shuddered. As much as I’d like to get laid, I didn’t think I’d enjoy doing it publicly.

Would that man shove his cock down my throat and rip my hair from my head? Would he gently wash my body afterward? I shook my head and Lily misinterpreted the action, tugging me by the hand toward the bar. Micha took up way too much space in my head.

If I was going to succeed, I was going to have to leave everything about Ipomoea behind me. Including, most likely, Della. My eyes burned and my heart tripped over itself.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I said, trying to inject enthusiasm into my voice and leave the past behind. “Show me how to be a server.”