Slow Burn(87)

    “You want me to hire you? Doing what?”

    “Stripping, of course,” I said. I could make enough money in a week to get out of here. It was a good idea. It wasn’t exactly a classy idea, but what did I care? I didn’t mind guys looking at me. I was good at being the center of attention. And it would give me a goal. For the first time since the pick pocket took my money, I felt a tiny bit of hope.

    “What do you know about stripping?”

    “What’s to know? I mean, I have to take off my clothes.”

    He considered. “I guess you’re good at that.”

    “Fuck you.”

    He laughed. “So touchy all of the sudden.”

    “Look, you obviously want to see me naked anyway,” I said. “It’s a win-win, isn’t it? I’ll even give you a lap dance.”

    He folded his arms over his chest. “All right. We can try it. There’s generally a fee that girls payout to the club for working, but I’ll front it for you. You pay me back after your first shift. I’ll also front for the clothes you’re going to need. You pay me back for that too.”

    “Of course.”

    He slid his hand behind my neck. “And I am going to want a lap dance.”

    “Okay,” I said. “I’ll make sure I get right on that once I’m working.”

    “No,” he said. “Right now.”

    I shut my eyes.

    “Consider it your audition.”

    I forced myself to smile. “Fine. You got it.” Axel was such a dick. I sort of wished he was dead right now. But I took a deep breath, because if I was going to be a stripper, I was going to have to get used to playing nice with guys I didn’t like.

    Okay, okay. How did you give a lap dance exactly?

    Maybe I didn’t have to start in his lap. Maybe I could work up to that. I backed up against the far wall, my back against the mirrors. I closed my eyes. I could hear the music of the club in the background. This would be like dancing anywhere, right? Just feel the music?

    I started to sway my hips.

    “I’m waiting here,” said Axel. “Thus far, I’m not impressed.”

    I really did hate him. “I’m a little drunk. Give me a second to concentrate.” I leaned my back up against the wall, my legs still out. I swung my hips in a wide circle, so that my butt brushed up against the wall. I closed my eyes again. I didn’t need to see Axel. I needed to get this right.

    “Better,” he said.

    I wished he’d shut up. I reached up and unbuttoned the first button on my shirt.

    I slid down the wall, my back arched, my eyes still closed. When I got all the way down, I opened my eyes and fixed him with my sexiest stare.

    He didn’t laugh. That was saying something.

    I rocked away from the wall and planted my hands on the floor. Languidly, I moved so that I was in a crawling position. Keeping eyes contact, I crawled towards him slowly, like a cat.

    He licked his lips. “Not bad, Leigh.”

    I stopped in front of him. On my knees, I bounced up and down as I unbuttoned the rest of the buttons on my blouse, slowly, watching him the whole time.

    He swallowed, eyeing me with interest.

    I pulled my shirt over my shoulders, leaving it on the floor. I was down to my bra now.

    I climbed up to straddle him, grinding into his pelvis, rubbing my body against his.

    He caressed my hips.

    “I don’t think you’re allowed to touch strippers,” I said.

    He dug his fingers into my skin.

    I pulled away, scrambling to my feet. “That’s enough, Axel.”

    He curled his lip. “You’re not done.”

    “You broke the rules.”

    I swept my shirt off the floor.

    “Hold on,” he said. “Don’t stop. I promise to be good.”

    “Just... do I get the job or not?” I said. “Try and be a decent human being for once in your miserable existence.”

    “Ouch. Babe, that’s harsh,” he said.

    “You deserve it,” I said.