Emma’s POV
Thinking about the next two months’ rent, food and transport fees, I need more money.
With little professional experience and a bad economy, three months' salary is not enough to support me have a normal life.
Suddenly my phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Emma? Where are you?" Roberta asks me.
“Home. I prepare to go to our coffee shop five hours later.”
"Okay..uh... there's a problem." She pauses. Oh, I know. Every time she feels pity about doing something, she always uses this tone.
I hold my breath, waiting for the bad news.
"Uh... My brother and I had a little accident, he broke his neck and we're at Vegas' hospital."
"What? Where are you? I'll drive my car and be there as fast as I can. Or do you want me to open the coffee shop alone?"
"Whoa, hold on! It's no biggy, I'm fine, just need to take care of my brother tonight."
"And...Emma, my brother and I need you to do something very important. We need your help. He owns a club, and every night he needs to go to the club. But he’s in a coma, and I can’t leave him.”
"Sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can help you with? "
“Yes, I’ve already sent you the address of the club, please work for a few days and my brother will give you a very high salary.”
I check my email and nod my head. “Got it. And what’s the name of this club?”
“Star Stripper: Gentlemen Fantasy Club.” She whispers in a low voice.
Holly shit. It's worse than I expect.
I respond disdainfully, “You want me to be a stripper?”
“No. Not serving customers, nor being a stripper. We need you to keep an eye on things at the club."
Are they crazy? I don't know how to run a stripper club, I am just good at making coffee and saving money in my pocket.
"Such a big club has managers and partners, right? Tell me why." I bite my lips and scratch my hair with my hand.
"They have some private issues, and can't be publicly associated with it."
"Look, Emma. My managers know how to do their jobs, I just need you to write down who gives money to you and what they use it for."
"Oh god, this is Vegas, a stripper club, I'm just a young student, can't you find someone who is more trustworthy?"
"Please, it's only for a couple of days, ten days. You're the only one I trust. And my brother is the owner of the coffee shop, if he gets angry and closes the shop..."
I would lose my job and be a homeless girl again.
"Hell." What should I say? Roberta helps me a lot, she's my friend, a family, and my only source of income. “Okay, I’ll go to the club tonight.”
She laughs, "great, thanks, Emma! My brother and I will give you 10,000 dollars as your salary this month."
She is my only friend in Nevermore, helps me pay my rent, and gives me food to eat. I can’t refuse her request anyway.
After pressing "end" on my phone, I sign and am torn between being disgusted with the new job choices and the kind of thrill that the salary is higher enough to live a normal life.
So this Friday afternoon, when my GPS tells me I'm reaching the right address, I look up at the sign and want to punch my head again.
I sigh again and decide to drive back home. Looking back at the sign again, it's ridiculous of having the words "gentleman" and "stripper" in such close proximity.
But before driving my car, I find out my phone is out of battery and I only have 50 dollars in my wallet. Working at a stripper club is the only choice.
When I walk into my "office room," I have to admit I make the right decision. This room is bigger than my small attic room, with a kitchenette, a wall full of TV screens, a bathroom, and a big refrigerator. I can ask a chef to cook food whatever I want.
I think I can hide out in heaven in my grey sweater, with a cash box and a notebook, and pretend I'm working hard.
It turns out, no such luck.
At nine thirty-eight, one of the managers, James Hope, storms into my office, saying nervously. "Emma, we have a problem."
He paced back and forth across the room, "our top star 'Viper Mistress' didn't show. Normally she should be there by now. She's the main stage at ten."
I glance at the stage full of girls dancing in a short dresses, "it isn't a big deal, choose one of these girls and let her dance on the stage."
He looks at me like I'm an idiot. "no, geeks love her. And Viper Mistress has giant booms and a big round ass. The costume is designed specially, most girls don't fit it."
I suggest to him, "how about making an announcement? She's not here tonight."
"An Announcement?" His jaw clenches, "some of these guys take a chopper and fly across half of the country just to see her. She's a star. She makes them beg for kicking their butts, they want it and need it."
My eyebrows frown, "James-"
"Last time we didn't have Viper Mistress, the club lost half of the customers."
Roberta left me in charge of the money, the one thing I need to take responsibility, and it can go to hell on my first working night.
Not on my plan.
"Tell me what can I do. Tell me her address so I can look for her." I grab my car key.
"Henry did that one hour ago, but he can't find her." He gasps, hitting his palm on the wall.
Suddenly, he narrows his eyes and opens his phone, "wait, your body size and face look like hers."
"Uh-huh?" Is his nerve breaking down?
"Look at this picture," he passes his phone so I can see it clearly.
He looks me up and down as though I'm a real Viper Mistress. "You're hot, young and pretty. Just what men like, put your make-up on and wear her costume."
“I don’t like this jock,” I say awkwardly.
“Emma, the boss trusts you, we all believe you can do it! You have Viper's body type, and with showing your legs and cleavage-”
"No, I won't do that," I say in a firm tone. "I'm a freaking college student, James! I not willing to go out half-naked and dance like a stripper in front of horny weirdos."
He practically cries, "you won't go topless, Roberta will tear me into pieces if I force you to do that. Just a fifteen minutes dance show, Please, we can't close the club, it will ruin our reputation, and rich men won't to our club anymore."
Fùck, fùck, fùck, fùck, fùck! "James, give me her costume and I need a custom lady." I sigh heavily.
****************************************************************
It's a disaster!
I stare at myself in a full-length mirror, my boobs are held up by a band that barely covers my titts, with the double cinnamon bun hairdo in a black G-string and open robe that exposes my full breasts.
"Bow to your Vaper Mistress!" James' voice commands.
I quickly walk towards the state. The mass of dry ice flows out on the state, and the lights crisscross around me.
My right hand holds a whip, I hit it on the ground, then the crowds start to cheer and bow their head.
What the heck?
“Woo-hoo!” Men yell go nuts.
James changes the music - like the soundtrack from a war movie. I lung forward with a massive fire whip which is 180 ft, and tries my best to extinguish fifty candles in one minute.
I keep talking to myself silently "don't burn my clothes and hair", and pretend to be a hot horny Mistress at the same time.
“Jordy, ”
His eyes wander up and down my body, stopping for another look at my mask.
"Emma, there you are. You did a great job, thank you so much!" I hear James sigh in relief behind me. I turn my head to him, he looks scared.
Something doesn't feel right.
"You're welcome." I scan his face with a frown.
"Emma... Uh, a man wants to see you, he is waiting for you in a VIP room. And he sends his bodyguards to bring you to him.”
Two hunk men smile at me and tell me they will lead me to the room.
My eyes widen in horror as I hear "a man", that man must be Jordy. This is bad, really bad.
"James, I don't want to meet any strangers. It's too late now, I need to go home." I grab my swear and pants and decide to leave.
"My boss will speak to the club owner later if needs be. But please, you're coming with us." One man politely speaks to me.
He’s threatening me, telling me they’d force me to see their boss if I reject their suggestion.
"Are you okay, Emma?" James asks in concern, noticing my pale.
I quickly wear a fake smile and ignore my thoughts, "I'm fine, just a bit puzzled. I will meet their boss right now."
He nods before leaving with concerned eyes.
I take a deep breath, pushing myself into a standing position, ignoring my nervousness before walking with these two men.
I grip my costume and open the door, then I hear the voice of footsteps, which tell me this secret customer is striding over to me.
The door closes, the room is dark, and the light turns off.
A man’s hand reaches out, grabbing hold of my bare arm. I feel my skin send an electric crackle down through my body, making me feel like my body might melt.
“Mine!” He growls.
He is so close I can smell the scent of his shaving soap, but all I can think of is the meadow, the smell of the flowers, the lake, and the warmth of his lips upon my skin.
I gasp, trying to push him away, but his right wrap around my waist and the left hand grazes my neck.
"You're mine." He fixes on me possessively, like he can't wait to pounce on me.
What?!
His thumb lift my jaw up, and my eyes meet with a stunning pair of glowing green eyes.
He is Jordy Antonakos!
Emma’s POV"Sorry, I think I wander into the wrong area, this is for VIP customers only," I shout in panic.Instantly I want to run away as my eyes land on him which is way more possessive in person than in front of the stage.My guess is right, that man is Jordy.Only his body moves quickly, cutting off my exit, my wrists are captured by him and can't move an inch. I struggle against his hold and try to grab onto something, rather than stand here helpless."No, baby. I’m waiting for you. I've never seen you here, when did you move to our city?" His finger rubs back and forth on my lips."One...week ago... I was struggling to make ends meet in my hometown, and I'm just a new one here, it's my first day." I lie to him.The next second, Jordy easily pulls me to my feet and I lose my footing, tipping forward and my palm pressing against his rock-hard chest.He is still so hot. I can feel his heartbeat beneath my hands, and it beats faster and faster.“Tell me your name, you smell familia
Emma’s POVI drive home at the midnight, checking the time on my phone... one forty am. I look seeing I have five misses called and one text massage all from Roberta. The last one she sends only one minute ago.I start to read it.Emma, James told me what happened, I'm sorry for that. James shouldn't persuade you to dance like a stripper. I sign and open my envelope, I earn 10,000 dollars in fifteen minutes, and I want to scream, drink beers and celebrate. For the next month, I have enough money to support my normal life.Stopping the car around the coffee shop, I open my car window and look at the sky blankly, wanting to make myself a cup of coffee.Suddenly, I hear several men's voices, I notice some drunk guys hoovering around the shop. Their bodies reek of alcohol, and dirt stains on their jeans and hoodie. Their hair is a big mess.It's a small and silent street, and there's no one around me except them."Hey, chick!" One of the guys finds me, "are you looking for some fun?"Ton
Emma's POVI wake up to the feeling of a strong scent, my eyes open and go around in shock.Austin's sleeping face next to me.I relax a little and allow myself to enjoy looking at him.He's gorgeous like an angel when he's sleeping. Thank god, that his eyes are not open and not concentrate on me, so I can enjoy this moment.I have the sudden urge to run my hands up his smooth jaw and touch it.I lift my hand towards his face, running up his jaw slowly and back behind his neck. I caress his black silky hair at the nape of his neck, and breath his scent deeply.His scent smell like vanilla cinnamon, like homemade cookies, or boy-next-door. My fingers touch his long eyelashes rose to reveal his eyes underneath.Then my head presses against his chest and the sensation of his strong chest molding itself against my ear is irresistible.My eyes are closed."Morning, Emma! Are you satisfied with my body?" His eyebrows frown as he grabs my hand, I can hear happiness in his tone.I open my eye
Emma’s POVFinding out about Austin's condoms shocked me and distressed my heart, I tell myself that he will betray me even if I have a crush on him.I keep on living a normal life and try my best not to think about him. Because my heart hurts so much every time I miss him.Today the fuggy bacon-scented warmth of the coffee shop, the busts of cool air as the door opens and closed. The low murmur of conversation, trading jokes or comments over the mugs of steaming coffee.After the lunchtime rush has ended, and with the coffee shop empty, I wipe my hands on the apron, come out from behind the plate and turn the CLOSED sign to face the street."Roberta, may I ask you a question?" I have to ask, praying to get some truth I want to need."Yes?" She asks, twisting a coffee towel between her hand and looking a bit more uncomfortable than I have ever seen her.I lean over, saying in a low voice, "um... I hear Austin is looking for his second chance mate, what happened about the first one?"A
Emma’s POV"Okay, that will be all for today. No homework and papers. Have a nice weekend." The professor dismisses us all, and we gather our computers and book to leave.It's my first day in Nevermore, and luckily my classmates and professors are very nice.I watch my phone and ready to go to see Roberta after the long day.I rush outside and turn the corner onto the street, and see many luxurious cars outside, which means this place is heaven for rich students, except me."Emma, what are you doing here?" Someone grabs my shoulder and forces me to stop walking.I turn my head and notice Barbara and her friends staring at me. She seems shocked for a short moment but quickly changes her expression."I'm a student."She wears a sarcastic smile, "student? Nevermore is not a suitable place for homeless waitress like you."“What do you intend to do?”She looks so mean that a momentary pang of anger pierced my tough hide."Drop out and leave Nevermore, and stop being a whore," she suggests
Jordy's POVI don't know why I go back to this strip club every night and keep on searching for that secret girl.Something about that stripper's scent bothers me, I want to see her again. To wove into her hair and kiss her not just once, but many times.I have a strange crush on her like she’s my mate, and no werewolf can resist the mate bond.My eyes search around and find a girl sitting on the ground, she looks like that mysterious girl. Does she twist her leg?Worry pass through my heart, I just step forward wanting to check. But the next second, as I grab her shoulder and look at her, this girl turns her head at me and smiles. "Mr. Antonakos?"Wrong girl."Sorry," I turn around stiffly and walk towards the sofa, with this stripper shouting behind me, "I have a special dance tonight, please come and have fun with me!"I ignore her invitation and grab a bottle of icy water from the table and drink it all.The fake image of her face smiling at others makes my head pain, and this del
Emma’s POVHow did I get myself into this situation?I ask myself with angry self-loathing. When Jordy lifts me out of the chair at the car, I do my best to kick up a major fuss but he doesn't care what anybody thought.Now I sit in his car, have no idea where Jordy drives and don't know how to get home again."I want a taxi home," I informed him doggedly. "Right now...""I think you are dying to tell me about your fake name and fake past." He shoots me a polite sentence that I immediately stop shouting."The waitress... really? Last time I saw you, you were a stripper." He teases from the shadows in the car."None of your business," I warn him quietly."I don't have time to talk about your fake past and I won't make time for it either," he says grimly, "You’re a liar and a cheat—""Of course, I'm going to say stuff like that, lie to a stripper club's customer." I shoot back at him."You lied to me and cheated on me, and you never once thought about consequences, did you?" He grits hi
Jordy’s POVI pace the length of the room for a moment, then turn to the desk, dialing Jack, my beta.It takes only two rings for Jack to answer. That doesn’t surprise me."Jack," I pause, "I bring that girl to the castle.""Are you nut, Jordy! You bring a human to a werewolf pack?!" His voice is so sharp it can cut glass."I know it's an exaggeration, but her smell and body satisfy me. I'm talking about emotional satisfaction.""If you mean to imply that your ex-girlfriends didn't satisfy you physically, then I'm going to call you a liar."I huff, "there's more to life than body pleasure. And since I found out my mate, I broke up with all of my girlfriends.""Yes indeed. And she's dead.""There is, in fact, that girl is currently downstairs in my kitchen. I want to date her and try more.”"And you want me to gather all the pack members and let you announce your decision?""Yeah."Emma is a human, obviously, she has no clue about werewolves, so my pack needs to be more careful around