Page 124 of Ewan

Of course he has.

How else could he know I was here?

Oh, crap.

My cheeks burn.

This is not how I wanted him to see me. I guess it’s too late for that.

I hold my hand out.

“I want my money first. And you won’t hear another word from me.”

He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out one of the money rolls.

“You’ll get the rest when you leave.”

I’m sure he won’t dare to take his word back if Ewan is involved.

“I could keep that for you,” he offers, in a more helpful disposition.

“I’m fine. I don’t need your help. You can go fuck yourself,” I say, tucking it between my boobs and moving away from him, going straight to the stage.

His crude laughter echoes behind me.

“I’ll surely do that. Going to my office and jerking off at the idea of you straddling him, you little…”

I flip him the bird without looking back and put my smile on for my next performance.

SCARLETT

Everything I dofrom the moment I walk on stage has to do with him being present in the room.

I’m no longer alone, a woman wearing sexy shorts and a bra, showing her moves on a stage in front of a bunch of customers.

I’m the woman who kissed this man.

And also the woman who followed him into that hotel.

The one who questioned him and pulled away from him.

I feel guilty. I’m anxious. And for sure, I don’t know what to expect.

We’ll probably have a talk. Most likely we’ll argue.

We could’ve done that for free. He didn’t have to pay for my time.

Maybe he wanted to send a message. To point out my moral compass if broken.

I feel ashamed. And then I’m angry because I feel ashamed. I shouldn’t be remorseful for something that has nothing to do with him.

I didn’t hurt anyone and kept this a secret. Sammy is the only person who knows what I’m doing because she’s doing it herself.

Somehow, I go through the motions.

I dance. I smile. I tease.

I appeared unfazed.

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