Chapter 6

The tiny piece of material is spread out on my bed. I am sitting on the chair ogling it with only my bathrobe on. My phone buzzes, it is Rayon calling.

"Hello."

"Hey, are you done yet?"

"I can't wear this," I exclaim, nervously biting my nails

"Ann, if you want the story, that's the only way in." I can hear him smirking on the other end of the phone. “Do you need me to help you get dressed?" He asks flirtatiously.

"No!!" I yell and jump out of the chair.

"Okay then, you have thirty minutes before I come up there and dress you myself."

He ends the call. I pull off my bath rope and let it drop to the floor as I glare at my new stripper uniform just. It is a mission to get into my disguise but I manage to pull it on after plundering onto the bed and yanking it. I slip on the black pantyhose and the heels that came with the dress. I ruffle my hair a bit and put on some makeup. Well, if I am doing this I might as well go all in. I glance at the mirror, if my mom saw me now, she would most definitely put me in a nunnery.  

There is a soft knock on the door. "I'm coming in," Rayon announces as he pushes the door open.

"Holy shit!" His eyes widen as he gawks at me.

"What? Too much?" I ask looking back at the full-length mirror.

"No, just enough. I knew you'd look good, but this." He gestures towards me. "Fuck, Hermosa." He bites his lip as he steps closer to me.

"Rayon," I whisper as I slowly step away. "Please." He gently runs his hand down the side of my body as he pulls me to him.

"I can't let you go, Ann. I can't imagine another man's hands all over this sweet body of yours." He whispers against my ear.

"We can't" I murmured and shut my eyes, I dare say, I do enjoy his touch.

"That's not what your body is saying." He gently places a kiss on the nape of my neck, kissing his way up to my ear. "Tell me you don't want this." He pushes up against me, I can feel how hard he is for me. He gently nips my earlobe as he cups my face in his hand and softly strokes my bottom lip.

I open my eyes and lock onto his lustful eyes. "Hermosa, I want you so bad." His breathing is heavy, I can tell he is holding back.

"Rayon," I whisper, damn this man’s Spanish pronunciation is so fucking sexy. 

The air is thick with anticipation. Our eyes spark with desire, igniting a slow burn of passion deep within our bodies. With a tender smile, Rayon reaches out and brushes a strand of hair from my cheek, “Hermosa.” He leans in, his warm breath fanning across my face, I shut my eyes longing for the sweet pressure of his lips on mine. Our mouths meet, and the kiss is soft and gentle yet firm. I wind my arms around his neck, surrendering to the passion.

Rayon pulls me closer to him to deepen the kiss. Our tongues tangle in a slow and sensual dance, each movement fuelling the fire that burns between us. I let out a soft moan, but my subconscious won't let me enjoy this moment any longer, “Clara” I moan, slamming my palms to his chest as I shove him away.    

He takes a step back. "Fuck, Ann." Running his fingers through his sexy blond locks. I let out a long sigh as I calm my body from exploding. He walks to my bed and falls down as he stares at the ceiling. "I'm sorry, Ann." He whispers. I’m a little confused, not sure why his apologizing, I’m at fault here, I should never have allowed it to come to this.

He pushes up on his elbows and looks sincerely at me, with a faint smile on his face. "I know, I've hurt you and I never really got the chance to say how sorry I am. And now this." He gestures towards me as his eyes examine me. "I'm a real jerk." He lets out a soft chuckle and falls back on the bed.

"Yup." Popping the P, I stroll towards the bed and sit next to him. "That you are."

He peeks up from under his arm. "Thanks." I cannot help but giggle at the miserable look on his face. I slap him on the leg and jump to my feet. "Come, we have a story to unravel." I smile sweetly at him as I flip my hair over my shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go do that." He jumps to his feet, takes my coat, and hangs it over my shoulders. "You need to cover up for now." He smiles as he opens the door for me to exit.

***

We drive up to what once was a grand building is now a shadow of its former self, with peeling paint and cracked windows that tell a story of better days gone by. The entrance is shrouded in darkness with only a single bulb illuminating the door, casting an eerie shadow across the pavement.

“Are you sure we are at the right place?” An uneasiness stirs in my core.

“This is what my source said. “He kills the engine and examines the place, “Well, if you want to do sketchy stuff, this place fits the bill, wouldn't you agree?” he slides out of the car and makes his way to my door.

"Here take this." shoving a small bottle of pepper spray in my top between my boobs. He smirks as a blush paints my face. "Don't get all flustered."

"Now, you go in at the back door. If anything happens call me." Rayon looks all serious and worried at me. 

"Okay, thanks." I turn around to make my escape.  As I approach the back door my heart starts to race, I did not sign up for this, I have no idea what awaits me. The door is guarded by a monster of a man, a bold hulk. I gulp and gather all my confidence as I strip out of my coat. I walk up to him. "Hey," I said sweetly. He narrows his eyes at me and scans me up and down not sure what to make of me. He shrugs his shoulders and opens the door for me. That was easy enough.

Greeted by a murky abyss of smoke and neon lights. The air is thick with whiskey and cigar smoke. I peek through the curtains that separate the entertainment from the crowd. The clientele is a motley crew of shady characters, from bearded bikers to slick-suited businessmen, some enjoying a drink at the bar while others play cards at the table, waiting for the next performance to come on. My heart drops to the floor as a man’s voice shouts behind me making me jump   

"Come now my little bunnies!" A pitied build man walks past me. He slams on the brakes and examines me. "Who- are- you?" He asks. "Never mind I like what I see."

"Uh." Confused, I start to walk with him as he grips my wrist pulling me along with him.

"Can you dance?" He asks spinning me around.

"I think so," I mumble.

"Well, that will do. Smile." He smiles brightly at me.

I smile at him and with one shove I am on a stage with a few more girls dressed in black. "What the...." The music starts with a song I recognize, Confident by Demi Lovato. They start swinging their hips. Hypnotizing all the men in the room. I am dumbfounded as I look over my shoulder at where I came from. The pitied man mouth at me, dance.

"Follow me." A beautiful blond whisper. Swinging her hips like there is no tomorrow. I start to follow her lead. I really do feel like a stripper now.

I can feel Rayon’s eyes boring into me as he works the crowd, but I can feel another set of eyes on me. I look up at the second-floor scanning through all the men gawking at the women on stage.

My eyes lock onto the forest green eyes of Lorenzo. He smiles, one of those panty-dropping hot, knee-numbing smiles. Oh, shit I feel my whole body tickle. I froze on the spot. My jaw almost drops to the floor, as my core does backflips.

He starts to chuckle at how fast my body reacts to him. "Shit.", I mumble ripping my gaze away from him. The blond-haired person in front of me starts to giggle. "Girl, that's Lorenzo, every woman in here is after that man." She smiles as the song comes to a stop.

"Come." She hooks onto my arm and pulls me off the stage as the curtains close. That was terrifying, I can't do it again, I have to get out of this place.