Page 60 of Ethan's Sky

I spin around into the chair, leaning out from behind the screen so they can see my face…well, my red mask. I sway my arms to the rhythm of the song, popping one naked leg out, then slowly sliding the thin black nylon thigh high over my foot all the way up to mid-thigh. The screen moves ever so slightly with my movements allowing the full view of my legs to be seen as I continue to drag my fingers feather lightly over my skin while putting the other stocking on, followed by two four-inch black stiletto heels. All the while my body moves with the rhythm of the music. Ever touch, every caress, every article of clothing is applied in time with the song.

When I stand, I’m no longer behind the screen, it’s been removed completely from the stage and all that’s left is my little chair and the pretend vanity.

Turning my body to the side, I gently snap two black gloves I have tucked between my breasts and begin sliding them on one at a time, caressing my arms, chest, and shoulders along the way. The final touch…applying bright red lipstick to my lips, while my eyes connect with Ethan’s from across the room. A silent promise of what’s to come.

After my set on stage, I ask my guard, Santiago, to go to Cash’s table and have his friend in the black button-down shirt escorted to a private room. I was pissed when I first saw Ethan, Hawk, Jake, and Xander all seated at Cash’s table. He’s my bodyguard tonight. Having them here could blow my cover completely. Knowing Cash, he probably told them Walker was with me, knowing he would cover for us.

I listen as Santiago tells one of the stagehands to handle extending the invitation as ‘his job is to protect me not run my errands.’

Grump.

I change my outfit, fluff my wig, and touch up my lips. If I’m going to do this, I want it to be perfect.

Just this once.

I wait outside the door of the private room, listening as Santiago gives Ethan my rules.

“Lady Scarlet invited you to be here. She doesn’t give private dances foranyoneand as such you will follow all her rules, or you will answer to me.” He pauses. I roll my eyes. He’s so fucking dramatic. As if his hulking size stretching the material of his suit to almost breaking point wouldn’t be enough to intimidate anyone. There’s a reason Vincenzo made him my backstage bodyguard and it wasn’t his shining personality.

“The music will start. She’ll dance for thirty minutes. You will not touch her without her express permission, and you will tell no one of this experience or you will not be allowed to return to the club per Mr. Parisi’s orders. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” My eyes close as I exhale to the sound of his agreement.

This is really happening.

Santiago exits the room, closing the door behind him, stopping right in front of me. He lifts my chin with two fingers.

“You sure about this, babe?” I nod. I don’t have the words to explain to him what this means to me or why I must go through with it, but I do.

Santiago brushes a finger down my cheek, dropping a kiss on my forehead.

“I’ll be right outside this door. The cameras are on. Tony is watching. If at any point you change your mind, you call my name or come out this door and I’ll get you out of here. We clear?”

Leaning up on my toes, pressing my hand to his chest, I kiss his cheek.

“Thank you. I’ll be fine, I promise.” He nods, taking a step around me to take his place stationary by the door. “Santiago?” When his eyes meet mine, I tell him, “When the timer ends, I want to leave immediately. Will you take me home?”

“Of course.” As I turn the handle on the door Santiago is already on his phone telling someone to pull a town car around and leave it running.

“Tell Cash privately and he’ll make his way back to the house to meet me.”

Taking one last deep, shaky breath, I open the door and step inside. The room is softly lit. I stand with my back to the door taking in all that is Ethan.

He’s sitting on the kidney-shaped black leather couch, his elbows resting on his knees. He holds a glass of whiskey between his hands. He’s yet to look up at me, focused solely on the ice in his glass as the amber liquid swirls around.

“You don’t do private dances, Scarlet. I know. I’ve been asking for weeks, and you’ve turned me down. So, tell me, what changed your mind?”

“Hmm.” I shrug one shoulder. It’s not an answer, but it’s all I have to offer. I don’t dare tell him the truth or this night will end right now. My fantasy burned up in torrential flames.

You can do this.

I give myself a small pep talk. I need all the encouragement I can get. If he finds out I’m Scarlet. That Scarlet is Skyler, he’ll never forgive me. I guess that’s a price I’m willing to pay for a few minutes to feel his uninhibited desires.

The cotton of his shirt stretches tight against his bulking biceps. His jeans are worn. His dark hair disheveled. When he leans back against the seat, his arms resting over the back of the couch, his shirt pulls taut against his chest giving a hint of the ridges and plains of what I know to be a finely sculpted body. He’s a fighter, making his mark on the world of martial arts. He takes pride in his form.

I must say I’m damn proud of his form myself.

Finally regaining my nerve, remembering who I am in here.

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