by Ravenna Tate
“You really pissed her off when you called down here and gave her orders, like this is a restaurant.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Mastema set me straight. Should I apologize to her?”
“Ya think?”
“I’m really sorry. I don’t want her to hate me.”
“You going to eat yours down here, or go back up?”
It would be awkward to go up there and eat with Mastema after everything that had happened. “I’ll eat it here. Do you need any help?”
Natalie smiled. “Ask Legs that question when she gets back. She’s a really nice person, but you have to act like a reasonable one to her. Not treat her like your servant.”
“It was one time.”
“No, not only one.” Natalie gave her a sideways glance. “From what I heard, when she assigned you to laundry duty, you made a fuss about it, saying you didn’t realize you’d be expected to do chores in addition to dancing.”
“Well, I didn’t expect it.”
“But when Rahab hired you, didn’t he explain how things work here?”
“He did, but I guess it didn’t sink in.”
“You’ve been here a couple of weeks now, and I’ve heard complaints about you not pulling your fair share.”
They’re all a bunch of snitches!
“I’ve been settling in and rehearsing, learning new routines and new music. It’s a lot to get used to.”
Both women stopped talking for a moment when Connie, whom the Brothers called Creamy, and Janel, whose nickname was Red, came into the kitchen. They put down the trays they carried and went to work making more food.
“Chloe and I are also dancers,” said Natalie, lowering her voice, “but we all help with the household chores. The guys do things, too. It’s not like we cook, clean, and wash their socks while they do nothing.”
“I know that.” Kayla cut her gaze toward Red and Creamy, but they were talking about something in low voices. It didn’t appear they paid attention to her and Natalie.
“Okay, then,” said Natalie. “Stop acting like such damn a diva, do your work, and don’t expect anyone to cater to you.” She smiled as she said it, but her tone had an edge to it.
Kayla wasn’t hungry any longer. She dumped the uneaten food in the trash and asked Natalie if she should wash the dishes.
“No. The four of us will clean up once the men have all eaten.”
Chloe returned, barely giving Kayla a glance.
“I’m sorry I did that, Chloe. It won’t happen again.”
“Thanks for the apology.”
“Can I help you with anything?”
“No. We’re fine.” Chloe cracked eggs into another pan. How in the hell did four women make breakfast for thirty men? And what the fuck had she gotten herself into here?
“Does Mastema want me back up there?”
“I didn’t ask him.”
“Are you sure I can’t help?”
“I’m sure.”
And that was her cue. Kayla went up to her room and stepped into the shower. As the warm water cascaded down her body, she let the tears that had been threatening come. There was so much she’d never told Rahab about her life before she came here in answer to an ad for a new dancer, because it wasn’t relevant to her being able to dance and grind on a stage.
Maybe she should have told Chloe and Natalie just now? But Kayla didn’t want anyone’s pity. She’d been taking care of herself for a long time, and she could go on doing it while working here.
As for dishes and laundry, she’d done that practically since she could walk. Those four chicks down there knew nothing about her life or what she’d had to do in order to survive. But even as Kayla’s thoughts went there, the other path they went down brought her back to reality.
It was true. She had acted like a diva in asking Chloe to bring them breakfast in bed. And Natalie was right. Rahab had explained to her they don’t hire outside staff to do the domestic chores, so she’d be expected to pitch in and help. But at the time, she’d been so damn happy to have a job at this club, it hadn’t registered what that would mean. It was no biggie, really. She certainly knew how to run a washer and dryer. She’d just have to stop bitching about it and simply do it from now on.
Kayla stepped out of the shower and dried her hair with a towel as she swiped at the last of her tears. It was time to put on her big girl panties and make an effort to get along with the other women who lived here. Because something else Mastema said had really struck home. She wouldn’t be welcome for long if all she did was fuck him and dance. This was a busy club and a house filled with people. She’d already noticed how they all pitched in and got the job done.
And, it was true she hadn’t put her heart into the extra duties, but not because she was lazy or expected others to do it. And saying she’d been concentrating on her dancing wasn’t a valid excuse, because they all did that.
It was out of fear she’d been working so hard on her routines. Would they understand that if she explained? She wanted to be as good as they were so they’d let her stay. It was either that or she’d end up back on the streets, couch surfing and working in shitty bars, and places that called themselves a club.
She didn’t want to return to that life. But neither did she want to end up as the pariah of this bunch. She’d had enough of that shit in school because of her home life. The last thing she wanted to do was fuck it up here, in the club of her dreams. So it was time to grow up and do her fair share.
****
Kayla spent the next few days concentrating on her rehearsals and her laundry duties. She avoided Mastema, not because she didn’t want to have sex with him, but because she was still embarrassed by what had happened with Chloe. Kayla was determined to make things work here. She wasn’t going to blow her chances of staying.
She shared laundry duties with three other women, only one of whom was also a dancer. Because she’d blown this off so much, she hadn’t had a chance to get to know them very well yet, so she made an effort to do that, too.
Wednesday morning, she worked with Philomena Wallenburg, whom the women called “Phil” and the men had dubbed “Nightingale”. Phil used feathers in all her costumes when she danced, but the men had given her the nickname based on the legend. Nightingale was an Athenian princess, Phil had explained, transformed by the gods into a bird to save her from a lecherous king.
It was an awesome story. The first time Phil told it to Kayla, Kayla looked it up on the Internet because she’d never heard it before. She could really relate to the princess in the story. She’d spent a lot of years wishing someone would save her from the unwanted advances of so many men in shitty dive bars.
“You’ve been here how long now?” asked Phil as they worked. “A few weeks?”
“Yes. Almost three now.”
“You’re settling down finally.”
“That’s nice to hear. Thanks.”
“So, you and Mastema are a thing?”
“I’m not sure if we’re a thing or not. Is that what people are saying?”’
“It’s what he’s saying. You could do worse.”
Kayla laughed. “Do I have to choose one to have a thing with?”
“No, of course not. Though from what I’ve heard, you could pretty much have your pick of the men who aren’t already attached.”
Kayla put down the sheet she’d been folding and turned to face Phil. “What do you mean?”
“It means the men here all want to fuck you. What do you think it means?. We’re here for that, too, as much as we are to dance.”
“But they have the sweetbutts for that.”
“Doesn’t matter. They want to fuck all of us, Kayla.”
While she mulled that over, wondering if she’d be expected to have sex with all the men, instead of only Mastema, Phil spoke again, pulling her away from the bad memories that once again threatened.
“I’m dancing tonight, and I still need to rehearse. I’d better work a bit faster.”
“Go on and rehearse. There isn’t much left. I’ll take care of it.”
Phil raised her brows. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m not dancing tonight. Go on.”
“Thanks.” Phil smiled. “That’s really nice of you.”
Kayla said nothing, but she returned the smile. As soon as Phil was gone, Kayla let the tears come. Huge sobs came with them, which she worked hard to stifle. She didn’t want anyone to catch her like this and start asking questions. Phil’s response to Kayla offering to pick up the extra work for her had really touched her heart, but she didn’t understand why her reaction was so over-the-top.
Was it because of what else Phil had said? About all the men wanting to fuck the dancers, too? She was no stranger to how things worked in a club, but Phil’s comment had brought back some horrific memories that Kayla thought she had under control. Apparently, she’d been mistaken.
Everything is fine. She wiped away the tears. Everything was fine. She was pitching in now, and she’d never ask any of them to make her breakfast again. They weren’t going to make her leave. She wouldn’t have to return to her former life. All that was in the past where it belonged. She wouldn’t even have to explain it now. There was no point in doing so. She had admitted her mistake and moved on. Now, they would, too.
Also, she didn’t want their pity, and she didn’t want to make excuses for the way she’d half-assed her laundry duties. From this point forward, she only wanted to show that she could get the work done, like the rest of them. And now that she understood what she needed to do, she was determined to prove her worth.
She was almost finished with the laundry when a voice rang out. “There you are.”
Kayla whirled around to face Mastema, giving him a big smile. But she hadn’t fooled him. The sudden change in his expression confirmed it.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been crying.”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
He was right in front of her, scowling. “You don’t look fine.”
“It’s nothing, really. Phil gave me a nice compliment, and it … I don’t know. Made me realize not everyone thinks of me as a slacker.” It wasn’t the entire truth, but neither was it a lie.
“I try not to listen to gossip, but from what little I’ve heard lately, the women do see a change in you.” He gave her an indulgent grin as he brushed a finger down her face. The gesture sent shivers up and down her spine. “But that’s nothing to cry about. It’s a good thing, right?”
“Yes. A very good thing.”
He grasped her shoulders, and the lust in his eyes smoldered. “I’ve really missed you, Bedroom Eyes.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“So stop avoiding me.”
“I haven’t meant to. I’ve been trying to make sure I pull my fair share, that’s all.”
“Are you almost done with your fair share today?”
“Almost.”
“Good. Then you can take a quick break.” He kissed her, and Kayla’s clit throbbed. She really had missed him a lot. But when he started to back her up against the wall, she released his mouth and put her hands on his chest.
“Not here. Let’s go up to your room.”
He brushed his hands across her breasts. “Remember those rules I told you about? One of them is we’re not shy about fucking in front of other people.”
Oh God… She swallowed hard. “Um, not sure I’m ready for that.”
“No one else is in here. The club will be open soon.” He was right. She could already hear the music as Jinn, their sound engineer, began his nightly checks. “Dancers are rehearsing, Meghan is setting up the bar, no one will bother us.”
Kayla glanced around. “All right, but in the back. Behind the dryers.”
“You are a shy one, aren’t you?”
You have no fucking idea. “Yes.”
“Okay, but only because I want you so fucking badly.”
He led her into the back of the room and pushed her against the wall, pinning her arms overhead while he kissed her rough and hard. She moaned into his open mouth as her arousal grew, but the tiny spark of fear was still there, too.
When he released her mouth, he undid his jeans and took out his dick. It was so damn big and red! She had no clue if he’d fucked anyone else since that night in his room with her, but at this moment, the poor guy looked desperate for it.
“I want you right fucking now, baby. I can’t wait any longer.”
“I want you, too.”
“Turn around and bend over.”
She did as he asked, swallowing hard again. But as soon as he grasped her breasts from behind, through her top, the lust took over and pushed the fear to the very back of her mind.
“Oh, God, I love your tits!”
He shoved his hands under her shirt and kneaded her breasts, sending shockwaves of desire racing through her. When he released them and pulled down her shorts, she cried out in pleasure as he rubbed her clit from behind. The man knew exactly what a woman needed to come.
“You’re so fucking wet for me.”
“I can’t help it. You make me that way.” She heard the sound of a foil wrapper and glanced over her shoulder. “Where was that?”
“Jeans pocket. Always come prepared.”
Kayla laughed as he donned it, but then he kissed her again and clamped a hand over her pussy once more, turning her laughter into loud moans.
“Bend over a bit more. I’m going to fuck your juicy pussy raw.”
She clung to the wall for support as he shoved his cock into her, slamming it in and out. The fucking was so rough and dirty, but she loved it. The harder he thrust, the better it felt.
Being taken like this, by Mastema, was overpowering, but in a good way. Her pussy was sore, but she didn’t care. His grunts and groans were sexy to her ears, and the perfect way he teased her clit sent her desire spiraling to crazy heights.
He grasped her right hip and rammed his dick in further, using his left hand to massage her clit until a strong orgasm tore through her. Only then did he cry out and give in to his own climax.
By the time he withdrew, Kayla was still breathing hard, and the earlier anxiety from having sex where they might be seen had disappeared.
“Damn, Bedroom Eyes. I wish I didn’t have to go to work now.”
“So do I.”
“Fuck it.” He tossed the condom into the trash and pulled up his jeans. “We have a few minutes. Plenty of time for a quick walk. It’s a gorgeous night. Want to go outside and look at the moon with me?”
Kayla adjusted her clothing as she smiled up at him. “Yes. That sounds perfect.”
Chapter Four
Look at the moon with me? Christ. Where the fuck had that come from? He was in deep shit here, but the desire to possess this beautiful girl with the short, dark hair and big, blue eyes was overpowering. He hadn’t felt this way in so fucking long.
“Wow. It’s really gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Truthfully, he didn’t give two shits about the fucking moon, full or otherwise. He only cared about being with Kayla. He should be inside. The music was loud, even out back. The club would be open soon and Gorgon would be looking for him. But a force he didn’t understand compelled him to take Kayla’s hand, lead her further away from the club, and toward the woods.
The land they occupied was over three hundred acres. They’d recently beefed up the security on the perimeter after Chloe’s ex-boyfriend had gained entry so easily. It was the first time they’d had to worry about such bullshit. There was now a fence around the perimeter, including the back entrance through the woods, as well as heavy gates across the driveways that were closed and locked on days the club wasn’t open.
Two Brothers or prospects guarded the area where they parked their bikes at all times, and ever since Brad had broken in, two others patrolled the perimeter. But none of them were armed out here on guard duty. Maybe they needed to rethink that?
Mastema fel
t sick to realize how far on the defensive all this bullshit with Brad, rival Mob bosses, and those damn Outlaw Dogs had put them. Not once in all the years this building had been here had they been forced to worry this much about trespassers. And the property had never been entirely fenced-in as it now was.
As they passed the area where they kept their bikes and other vehicles, Mastema waved to the two prospects on guard duty back there tonight, John Sturbaum and Mark Laddie.
“Bright moon tonight,” said Mark.
“Yeah.”
“It’s so big,” said John, eying Kayla’s tits. Fucking creep. The moon is up there, asshole!
Mark took a long drag on his cigarette, and Mastema tried not to inhale the smell. God, he missed smoking. “You want one?” asked Mark, smirking.
“Fuck you. You know I quit.”
“Yeah, but you look like you want one.”
“Go to hell.” He walked faster, leading Kayla further away from the two, but stopped when he heard a sound he swore was metal on metal.
She frowned up at him. “What was—”
“Shh!” He listened again, tilting his head slightly to try to identify it.
John and Mark must have heard it, too, because the pair were suddenly behind him and Kayla. Mastema turned toward them, addressing Mark in a whisper. “Take her inside and get Gorgon and Tannin. Now.”
Her eyes grew wide with fear. “It’s all right,” he said, gently. “Go.”
Once they were gone, he motioned for John to follow him. The sound was more rhythmic now, and he heard low voices as well. Two distinct ones. Whoever they were, they were at the back of the lot. Before Mastema and John disappeared completely into the woods, Tannin and Gorgon were right behind them, and both men held rifles. Tannin handed Mastema and John each a large flashlight.
“Sad fucking day when we have to break out the weapons,” said Tannin.
“What the fuck is that sound?” asked Mastema.
Gorgon swore under his breath. “Sounds like fucking wire cutters to me.”
“Son of a bitch!” hissed Tannin.
The four took off running through the woods, but when they reached the fence, no one was there. Mastema shone his flashlight slowly along the chain link, and they all spotted the cut diamonds, in an area obscured by heavy brush. “You were right. They tried to use wire cutters to get through.”
