Page 17 of The Toy Maker (The Pink Cherrie #1)

FIFTEEN

The dreaded hour arrived when Kitty marched back into the room. Her meetings with Jason almost always left her agitated and ready to rumble, unlike me who leaves naked, shaky, and covered in my own arousal.

“Showtime, bitches!” Kitty whipped her powder-puff pink hair behind her exposed ivory back and led us to the wolves with a skip in her step.

The opening number went off without a hitch.

Every step, every movement, had been drilled into my body until it was second nature.

Four hours of practice a day ensured that I could follow Kitty’s lead without thinking, letting muscle memory take over as the music pulsed through the speakers.

The lights bathed us in sultry reds and deep blues, shadows flickering across the stage as we moved in perfect sync.

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 already thin 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.

Beside me, Ethan leaned in, his voice barely audible over the noise. “Is that good or bad?”

I didn’t answer.

I wasn’t sure… yet.

Moments later, Kitty appeared on stage and whispered into Jason’s ear.

“Sorry about the confusion,” he rumbled, “Jamie is unfortunately not here tonight to help us, but we’ll pick one more time to get someone who is.” He shook the bowl and dipped his hand back inside. He hesitated for a split second before announcing the new volunteer, “Satara Holloway.”

My heart hit my spine, and I dreamt of fading into the background. I lied to myself, said I wouldn’t be chosen, and still, there I was, having a heart attack. The crowd clapped around me as they motioned me toward the looming toy.

In a flash, the sheet was pulled off, and I stared at my undoing.

Listen, I generally considered myself to be a good person; I ate vegetables, gave the extra dollar to children’s cancer research, and I didn’t disown my parents on my eighteenth birthday. So why, I asked myself, did he have to choose me?

The next few minutes flew by in a blur as Jason explained the functions of his masterpiece. He made a pun about being wet that earned several snickers from the crowd.

Ethan gave me a reassuring smile as I approached the massage table lookalike.

I cast a questioning glance to Jason, but his expression remained carefully blank. The men in the crowd whistled at my ass as I began to climb on top of the table.

Jason finally spoke up, “Strip.” I nearly cringed.

One word made the crowd cheer for his royal douchiness.

I shot Jason a look of pure venom, mouthing a silent, “Go fuck yourself,” before reaching behind my neck. My fingers found the thin strings of my top, and I pulled them loose, feeling the fabric slacken against my skin.

Jason’s face didn’t change, but something in his expression darkened when I let the garment slip down my arms, baring my chest to the room.

I inhaled sharply, keeping my chin high as I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of my panties, dragging them down my hips in one slow, fluid motion. When the thin scrap of fabric hit the floor, my pulse roared in my ears.

I laid back, every nerve on fire, every cell in my body painfully aware of the hundreds of eyes drinking me in. Jason moved then, his hands finding my wrists with surprising care. The gentleness unsettled me more than anything else.

“Seem familiar yet?” he whispered after my wrists were secured, then addressed the room full of high-power men. “Satara is going to help me demonstrate how this toy will leave any woman screaming in pleasure.”

The announcement earned another fit of dirty chants from the crowd.

Another round of cheers. Filthy, hungry.

My skin burned, but I clenched my jaw and braced myself.

“Eyes open,” Jason said low enough for me to hear. “I want to see your eyes roll back when the first orgasm hits you.”

The sheer arrogance of his words should have fueled my hatred, but instead, something low in my stomach clenched, a warmth pooling between my legs that I hadn’t expected.

A soft hum started below the table, and my exposed body faced the crowd. I reminded myself to breathe.

“This table comes with multiple attachments that vary in size, texture, and shape.” Jason continued with his sales pitch as I waited for him to get on with it. “But tonight, I say we go big.” A devious smirk replaced his neutral expression.

Placed in a position where I couldn’t see his hands, I waited in anticipation. I swallowed down a whimper when Jason ran his fingers over my clit.

“Beg,” Jason said under his breath.

“What?” I gasped.

“Do it.” He motioned to the audience. My stomach dropped. He wanted me to play along, to help sell this.

Shame and arousal warred inside me, but Jason’s fingers didn’t stop their torturous strokes. My body was already pliant, already trembling, and I hated him for it.

“Please, fuck me,” I moaned, the words spilling out before I could overthink them.

Jason stilled, his touch retreating. The disappointment came fast, my body aching from the sudden absence.

Then he reached for something just out of sight.

It wasn’t long before Jason introduced another feature. “With the push of a button, a door slides open to give you complete access.”

A soft mechanical hiss sounded beneath me.

Before I could process what was happening, a cool, slick tip pressed against my entrance.

I tensed, shifting instinctively, but the lube coating the toy made its descent effortless.

A slow, steady push filled me, stretching me just enough to draw a sharp inhale from my lips.

Heat prickled over my skin as the clamps latched onto my nipples, the dual sensations sending a sharp spike of pleasure through me. My body arched against the table, muscles tightening as the teasing built to an unbearable peak. My breaths turned ragged, and my voice was raw with desperation.

“Please—” My plea broke off in a whimper, my fingers curling into useless fists above my head.

Jason took pity on me. Or maybe he was just ready for the real show to begin.

With another push of a button, the toy came to life. It plunged into me with a rhythmic force, matching the pulsing beat of the music that pounded through the room. Every thrust sent waves of pleasure crashing through my body, my heart hammering in time with the movement.

Jason’s grin widened as he watched the expression of pure, unfiltered euphoria spread across my face. His violet eyes gleamed under the stage lights, soaking in every shudder, every moan.

I let go.

The energy in the room was electric, feeding into my body like a current, and I surrendered to the ecstasy building inside me.

The name perched on the edge of my tongue almost escaped, but the moment swallowed it whole as my orgasm shattered through me. My back arched off the table, my moans ripping through the air, echoing over the hungry crowd.

The cheers grew louder. Demands for more, for harder, for faster.

It wasn’t until Jason’s eyes locked onto mine that I realized I was the one begging They were dark, amused, and watching me.

“Please.” The whimper was by far the most pitiful noise to ever come out of my mouth. His eyes engulfed my body and watched me squirm on the dildo.

My arousal dripped down my thighs and began to form a small puddle on the floor below me. I rolled my hips to trigger another round of bliss, but Jason cut off the machine before I could bring myself to satisfaction.

His eyes never left mine until he remembered he should be addressing the crowd. “This toy will make any woman beg. Money back guarantee.” When the audience cheered their hearts out and went back to playing in pairs, it was just me and the Toy Maker.

I breathed heavily when he turned to look at me; my chest heaved up and down for his enjoyment, but there wasn’t a smirk across his lips.

“Why didn’t you keep going?” I broke the silent staring contest.

His lips nearly kissed my ear as he spoke, “When I fuck you, I won’t rely on a toy to make you scream.” His voice was low, sincere, and it sent another involuntary jolt of heat through my already spent body.

But before I could muster a response, before I could even pretend to regain control, he straightened, gave me one last lingering look, and turned away.

I yanked at my restraints, my wrists aching as frustration bubbled beneath my skin. Damn him . I cursed myself for ever playing into his game.

The crowd still buzzed with excitement, their attention slowly shifting to the next spectacle. Of course, he would leave me like this.

Minutes passed, nearly an eternity of humiliation, before a familiar presence approached.

Ethan found me not long after Jason disappeared into the crowd. He gave me a soft smile and released me from the device.

My legs morphed into Jell-O the second they touched the ground; I would have been on the floor if not for Ethan’s quick reaction time. Once feeling returned to my extremities, he loosened his grip.

“Are you alright?” He hesitated to pull his arm away.

I shook myself back to reality. “I’m fine,” I stammered.

Ethan’s nodded, and his focus shifted to my naked body pressed against his. I followed his gaze and realized where we were.

“I’m sorry, you paid for the night with me. I’m sure there are some open toys around here,” I tried to lead him into the crowd, but he laughed and pulled me back.

“I wasn’t thinking about fucking you, Tara. I was wondering if you were cold.” His smile revealed soft dimples. What type of man had a naked woman pressed against him without wanting to fuck her?

“Are you gay?” The question came out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

Ethan chuckled and pushed his crotch into mine. I could feel the outline of his hard-on beneath the fabric. “If I am, I must be very confused right now.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I backed away from his embrace. “We shouldn’t be touching.”

Ethan complied, and we stood in silence. Well, silence being the moans of other Cherries being fucked by toys into oblivion.

“So,” he finally said, “you want to go for some coffee?”

It was a strange offer, and probably not a smart one, but more than anything, I wanted to get away from Jason for the night.

I looked down at my naked body, and Ethan followed my gaze. “Like this?”

“No,” he laughed. “We don’t want to get arrested today.”

“So, I should go put something on.” I bent over to grab my outfit from the floor and pretended not to feel his eyes following me. When I turned around, he pulled out his phone and pretended he never glanced in my direction.

“I’ll be right back,” I said with a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

He looked up and returned the grin. “I’ll wait by the door.”