Page 13 of Judge Me Not

"I do, but I only have specific men I dance for. They pay me extra to be exclusive to them."

"What does Jasmine get for your ten percent?"

Star laughs. "She gets my guidance and support. She gets my protection. And no one comes through the door without paying the house.Iam the house."

I take a sip of the drink.

Could I do it?

There are so many men.

I survey the room again. The diversity of women surprises me. All sizes, shapes, and ethnicities are represented.

Star leans forward. "I suggest you always negotiate for your gentleman to pay me my fee. Then you don't get a cut."

"They will pay more?"

She snorts. "What they pay us is pocket change. It's hard to comprehend but the truth. Always negotiate higher. Always have them pay my fee."

"And that's why she makes the big bucks," Cee Cee teases.

I lock eyes with her. "What do you think?"

Cee Cee shakes her head. "I can't make this decision for you."

"But if you were me?"

She says nothing. I already know the answer. There is no choice. My daughter needs to live and stop being sick all the time. This is the answer to my money problems.

I turn to Star and put on a brave smile. "Okay. I'll do it. But I'm not sleeping with any of them."

She rises. "Come with me. It's time for your first job."

"Tonight?"

She tilts her head and squints. "You don't want to make money tonight?"

"I... I wasn't... I'm not even wearing anything sexy."

Star nods to the window. Colton is still staring at us, and I wonder if he's looked anywhere else while we've been talking. "I don't think it matters what you wear. I suggest you take his money while he's interested. The one thing Colton Ash doesn't do is come back here unless he's entertaining business associates. So if you've caught his eye, I'd cash in on that while you can."

4

Jasmine

Star dropsme off at Colton's suite and leaves. My stomach flips faster.

Colton's cocky expression does nothing to cool the heat burning between my legs. "Are you going to come in or stand by the door the entire time?"

I twist my fingers.Think about Abby.I manage a smile. "Should I sit?"

"Do you want to sit?" he asks in a teasing tone.

I tighten the grip on my hands. "I...um... I'm not..." I glance out the window. Cee Cee is sitting at the table with Star, watching me.

What am I doing here?

Colton steps forward, and his scent wafts in my nose. "Why don't we sit down and talk."

---