I frown, because I’m already under his spell.
“There’s a spa bath and a pool on the rooftop. Whoever you choose is yours to do what you wish with,” she continues.
I swallow nervously.
She turns me back to face the mirror. “Now look at yourself, Ashley.”
I stare at the girl in front of me, and I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of excited. This is so far from anything I could have ever imagined, and I look good. I know I look good… but this catwalk thing is freaking me out.
“I’m just nervous, Eliza. Do I really have to do the walk?”
She thinks for a moment. “What if you come out on stage, but don’t actually do the catwalk?”
“Could I?” I ask hopefully. “It’s just these shoes. I’m not used to them and I don’t want to wobble and make a fool of myself.”
“Fine,” she concedes. “But you will have to learn how to walk properly before the next time.”
I smile. “Okay. Deal.” There won’t be a next time, but she doesn’t have to know that.
She smiles warmly. “Let’s go and get those cocktails.”
I stand at the side of the stage as I watch the girls float up and down the catwalk. Club Exotic has come to a stand still as the crowd watch the Escape Girl show in awe. The bottom level of the club is filled with men, and as I glance out behind the curtain, I realize I can’t see mine.
What if he’s not here?
What if I have to choose someone else?
I glance around nervously as I try to calm down.
He will come… stop it. Of course he will come.
The second track comes on, and I know at the end of this song, on track three, I have to show myself to the men. My heart starts to pound and I close my eyes as I try to block out the fear.
How the fuck did he talk me into this?
Protected environment. How the fuck is this a protected environment?
Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m about to hyperventilate.
“You’re up.”
I glance around to the girl who just tapped me on the shoulder. “What?”
“It’s your turn.”
I close my eyes in horror as the song changes. Candy Shop
The sexy beat blasts through the club.
I’ll take you to the candy shop
I’ll let you lick the lollipop
Go ‘head girl don’t you stop
Keep going ’til you hit the spot
I walk out onto the stage to find all of the girls lined up on the catwalk, and I stand as I put both of my hands on my hips in the center of them.
The men’s eyes hungrily scan my body, and then I see their chins all lift as if accepting the challenge they’ve just been issued. The girls smile sexily as they face me, and in a well-rehearsed move, they all gift me with a welcoming round of applause.
I smile and nod in thanks. Two girls on the end of the catwalk walk up and take my hand to lead me to the end of the catwalk, and the sexy beat blares out as I stand still. Finally, after what seems like an hour, I’m lead from the stage.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “That was bizarre.” I shake my head in disbelief that I actually went through with it.
“You did great.” They all laugh.
“Oh my God, he’s here,” one girl gushes as she peeks around the curtain. “I knew it was him.”
“I didn’t see him,” another girl says.
“Who?” I frown.
“Blake Stevens,” another whispers as she takes her place to spy through the crack of the black velvet curtain.
My eyes widen. “Blake Stevens. The formula one driver?” What the hell? This guy is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. What in the world is he doing here?
He’s gorgeous, too.
“Yes. Oh my God!” The girls all chatter excitedly and practically run back to makeup to reapply their lip gloss.
I didn’t see Cameron, and I’m feeling like I want to run out of here as fast as I can.
“Vivienne,” Eliza calls me from the other room. “You’re needed in here, please?”
I close my eyes as I try to mentally prepare myself. “Okay,” I call.
I walk into the adjoining room to see the girls all in a group near the large, black double doors that go out into the Escape Lounge. They are laughing and jovial, like this is the most fun they have ever had in their lives.
I suppose it would be if you weren’t so nervous that you felt like you were going to throw up.
You can do this, but you need to get over yourself, Ashley.
The double doors are soon opened, and the girls all breeze out into the lounge. I hear the men’s jovial chatter float through from the other room. I stand quietly at the back of the group.
Eliza notices my trepidation and walks up to me. “You doing okay?”
“I’m not sure I can do this,” I whisper. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
She smiles warmly. “Of course you can and you picked exactly the right night to debut. We have some very powerful men here tonight.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “The race car driver?” I whisper.
She leans into me. “We have the president of one of USA’s allies.”
My eyes widen.
“We have two men who are in the wealthiest list.” She smiles knowingly. “We have two famous actors, three well known football players, and we have the head of the United States Marine Corps.” She winks sexily. “All gorgeous. All experienced at bestowing pleasure upon our lucky ladies.”
Holy crap. What about a doctor? Do you have any doctors?
“You get first choice, Vivienne. Decide on the man you want to please you tonight.”
I swallow nervously.
“Come on, dear.” She smiles as she takes my hand in hers and leads me into the other room where I am handed a Margarita. The men’s eyes all fall to me and I nearly slide down onto the floor to hide. I feel like I’m the newest exhibit in a zoo.
I can feel the hungry eyes roam over my body as they imagine what they could do with me.
“Gentlemen.” Eliza smiles as she holds her hands up to me. “I’m sure you have all noticed that we have someone debuting tonight. May I introduce you to the delectable Vivienne Jones.”
I smile and drop my eyes to the ground in embarrassment.
“As you all know, she will be picking first tonight, and will be making her choice in five minutes.” She smiles and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “It will be quite a night for one of you. She has something very special.”
The men fall silent and, without making eye contact with any of them, I sip my drink.
Where’s Cameron? Why can’t I see him?
I down my drink and grab another from a passing tray.
Eliza smiles and the group go silent. “Gentlemen, make your intentions known.”
What does that mean?
Most of the men come and stand in front of me and I instantly feel myself frown. What the hell are they doing? And then, one by one, they introduce themselves. The first two are older, distinguished, and handsome. The next man has longish dark hair and doesn’t take my fancy at all.
The next man is blonde and gorgeous. He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it.
“My name is Blake Stevens.” His lips linger on the back of my hand, and I feel myself flutter. Oh my… I know who you are.
“Nice to meet you, Blake,” I whisper.
The next two men are obviously the gridiron players and are huge and muscular. Holy crap… they could do some damage. Those are some lucky girls who get them tonight.
The next group of men are all gorgeous and well mannered… but where is he? Why isn’t he here?
I start to hear my heartbeat in my ears as I begin to panic.
The next man is a face I know. It’s the man who has followed me around out in the lounge a few times.
Oh no. He picks up my hand and kisses it. “Miss Vivienne, I’m looking forward to our night together.”
“I don’t think so,” a voice snaps, and I turn to see Cameron standing behind me.
I smile with relief. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see someone in my life.
“Hello,” he whispers as our eyes hold each other’s.
I smile softly. “Hello,” I breathe.
He came.
Oh, he’s so beautiful, he’s wearing a dark grey suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie. He looks orgasmic. Standing taller than the other men, I instantly feel myself drawn to him.
“Who will it be, Vivienne?” Eliza smiles.
What… now? I have to choose now? “Oh-” I’m cut off by the man I sort of know from outside in the club.
“I would like to offer a twenty-five thousand dollar tip to Vivienne if she picks me,” he announces.
My face falls. What? Twenty-five thousand dollars?
The girls around me gasp and my eyes flicker to Eliza. She smirks knowingly.
“Fifty thousand,” one of the other men snaps.
My eyes widen as the girls begin to gasp. Is this uncommon? What the hell is going on here? Fifty thousand dollars to spend a night with me? Is this a joke?
“One-hundred thousand,” Blake Steven’s adds.
“One twenty,” the first bidder bites back.
I swallow the lump in my throat as the room begins to spin. That is so much money.
The room falls silent as they all wait for my reply.
“Who will it be, Vivienne?” Eliza asks. “The gentleman are all more than willing to pay a hefty tip to you for your company.”
I look around the room and my eyes find Cameron’s. “What’s your offer, sir?” I ask softly.
“No tip.” A trace of amusement crosses his face. “And no sex.”
The men who have been bidding all burst into laughter. “No sex,” one calls. “Are you fucking mad?”
My heart starts to beat harder and harder.
He gets it.