Page 13 of Highest Bidder

I’d let out a sigh and hung the dress in the garment bag before putting a pair of red come-fuck-me shoes I wore at work in the bottom. “Yeah.”

“Don’t get in your head about this. It’s not like you haven’t hooked up with randos before, but bonus, you’re getting paid to do it this time. And maybe you’ll get a few orgasms out of the deal, too.”

Which was more than I could say for the last guy I’d gone home with from the bar.

“You’re right. I can do this. Hell, I shake my tits onstage on a regular basis.”

But I’d never taken money for actual sex. I’d worried that once I crossed the line, it’d be easy to do it again. Which was why I’d resisted doing it, even when my rent had been overdue.

But this was different. This was my family’s safety. And I’d cross the line for them.

The gorgeous woman who’d been doing the tree pose earlier glanced over at me with a warm smile. “You clean up nice, Blondie.”

“Thanks. First time,” I admitted.

“Welcome to the circus.” She held out a manicured hand. “I’m Cherry.”

“Shit, was I supposed to give a stage name?”

I hadn’t thought about that, and Macy hadn’t mentioned it.

Even Cherry’s laugh was sexy.

“No, believe it or not, that’s my real name. I think my parents were sealing my fate from the get-go.”

“Did you get teased a lot growing up?”

“Not too bad in elementary and middle, but by the time high school came around and I developed tits and guys only thought with their dicks…” She got a far-off look in her eyes and murmured, “Yeah, that was tough.”

She was quiet for a beat, then like the spell was broken, she looked back at me with a smile. “And now I manipulate men with sex and make six figures doing it.”

“That’s a great way to look at it.”

It was the same attitude I took at the club when guys were peeling off fifties and hundreds so I’d come talk to them and sit on their laps.

She touched my arm. “You’re going to be fine. The members here are kinky fucks, some more than others, but at least at the end of the day, you don’t have to worry you’re going to be cut up in little pieces and dumped in the ocean. Instead, you’re going to have a fat stack of cash.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

She gave me a wink. “Aren’t we all, honey.”

~~~~

I zipped my overnight bag and slid it under the dressing bench just as Kit walked in.

“Damn, look at you.” She gave me an approving nod. “Total smoke show. I knew that dress was the one. You’re going to knock ‘em dead.”

I smiled, although I wasn’t as convinced. The women here were super nice, but they were way out of my league. “I’m glad you think so.” I made a point of looking around. “I’m worried they’re going to take one look at me and wonder who allowed the discount date in the lineup.”

Kit rolled her eyes. “Stop it, you’re gorgeous,” then pulled a travel-size bottle of vodka from her purse and handed it to me, saying, “You obviously could use a little liquid courage.”

“I mean, you’re not wrong,” I quipped as I unscrewed the top and took a swig.

Macy appeared in the doorway wearing an all-cream pantsuit that fit her like a glove with matching pointy-toed pumps. It was understated but conveyed she was not only beautiful but also in charge.

“You ladies look amazing! Are you ready?” she asked, glancing down at the tablet in her hand.

There was a chorus of, “Yes” and a few, “Almost,” while last-minute touches to their makeup and hair were made.

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