Page 23 of Judge Me Not

The line goes silent, and I walk to the glass. Star glances my way. I open the door and motion for her to come in.

She steps inside. "What can I do for you, Colton?"

"Where did you find Jasmine?"

She hesitates then says, "Working at the makeup counter at Claudio's."

"And what do you know about her?"

Star smirks. "I know you haven't shown much interest in the girls, but do I need to refresh you on the rules?"

Rule twenty. Any details about the women's personal lives are private unless they offer to tell you about it.

I put on my negotiator's face and add in the charm I've perfected. "I think everything has a price, don't you?"

Star does the opposite of what I thought she would. Her face falls. She's never glared at me before, but I want to crawl into a hole, it's so vicious. "There is no amount of money you can give me to break the trust or confidence my girls put in me. If you think you're the first member to try, you're wrong. And I'm giving you a pass since you typically stay in the bar. But next time, I'm putting you on warning, Colton. I will not have any member of this club break the rules."

I hold my hands in the air. "All right. Point taken. Sorry I asked."

Star glances out the window. She says in a low voice, "I don't know your intentions with her, but all I'm going to tell you is this."

"What?"

She faces me. "Every woman has their own reasons for being here. They are all important to them. Some have more heart-wrenching issues than others. Don't do anything to screw her over."

"I'm not. I wouldn't."

She smiles and pats me on the shoulder. "Good. I'm going to hold you to it." She leaves my suite.

The conversation does nothing to make my obsession with Jasmine diminish. I leave, go home, and hardly sleep. I can't stop wondering why she needs the money, and the guilt about crossing this line churns in my gut.

6

Jasmine

All night,I review the insurance policy. Like Colton stated, it covers almost everything on earth. Unlike my employer, who is always cutting benefits to drive the cost down, Colton's policy has to cost a fortune.

Relieved I won't have to worry about preexisting conditions, cancer treatment, or other issues I experienced with past insurances, my silent tears fall onto my pillow until I finally drift to sleep.

My alarm rings. I start to drag myself out of bed, exhausted as always, but a notification pops up on my phone with the contract. I sit on the edge of the bed and open it.

I'm relieved to see it's only one page. The language is easy to understand and clear. I'm not an attorney, but I don't see anything that could harm me. And it came from his lawyer, so I assume it's legal.

I'm his beck-and-call stripper. Is it legal?

Stripping isn't illegal. Is it?

No.

But is this arrangement?

It says I'm his personal assistant. Is that what all rich guys call their personal strippers?

I push my thoughts away.Think of Abby.

I sign it electronically and send it back. I put my feet on the ground, and my phone chimes with a text.

Colton:Good morning.

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