by Nevea Lane
She’d the whole future ahead of her. She always felt like every day was a gift, until she met Darryl. Now it seemed like every day was a fight to survive. She needed both jobs to save her and Darryl. She wished Darryl was home enough so she could talk about this with him. She wished she could tell him that she was stripping to pay back his debt. Our debt, she chided herself. Remember that girl. He is your husband. Yeah. A husband I wish I could get to come home at a decent hour.
Marise knew her Darryl didn’t used to be the out all night type. Darryl, the smart, handsome sophomore was interested in her at their in college. He charmed his way into her heart with his sense of humor and ambition. Their final year of college, Marise discovered she was pregnant.
When Darryl proposed, she should’ve been skeptical then. Marise winced at the thought.
She should’ve known something was off when he produced a ring from his pocket; sans the box she thought all rings came in. The smooth talker that he was, Darryl told her not to have any worries. Marise tried to help him with his plans to be the best entertainment agent around and his promises have them set for life, and she believed in him. They married in a quiet ceremony at the county courthouse and everything seemed to be on its way to that dream life. Sighing and rubbing the almond oil from body, Marise tried to shake off the haunting memories that always made her faint.
Too late, Marise bit the inside of her cheek as she remembered miscarrying seven months into the pregnancy. Every time she remembered seeing the small form taken from her body, she felt fresh pain. She could never stop the one tear that escaped her eye when she remembered. And she could never stave off the anger she felt at Darryl for not being there. But that is another reason that she was doing this stripping thing. Perhaps I’m atoning for this marriage. If I do this right, maybe just maybe this marriage will be more of a marriage. After the miscarriage, Marise wanted to throw herself into getting her graduate degree, but Darryl disagreed. He told her she must wait until he signed the next big star, because they would need two incomes. Marise 12 | P a g e
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reluctantly agreed and after bouncing from job to job for two years, she found an opening at Montgomery Enterprises.
She was the assistant to the CEO and partner, Kasen Montgomery. Now, that same CEO had just seen her mostly naked. A small shred of hope started in her stomach, as she muttered to herself “Maybe he didn’t recognize me,” so the room full of changing women didn’t hear her.
Several women that had the same mocha colored skin as hers, and a few had on blue wigs and green wigs done in the same bob hairstyle. There were at least fifteen girls working tonight. It is possible that he didn’t even know. That hope started to die when she heard Fatima, the infamous house mother and lady pimp clicking down the stairs in her light-up platform shoes.
She snapped her fruit flavored gum in a motion that always reminded Marise of a cow chewing cud. Fatima scanned the dressing room with her artificially blue eyes. Marise found herself praying, hoping that she would not hear her name. Fatima flicked back her golden weave and put her hands on her hips. Marise could hear her two inch nails tapping against her metal belt.
“Destiny, you got business in the VIP.” Marise swallowed and sighed. So much for him not recognizing her.
“Can’t one of the others do it? I just finished a set.” Marise urged. Her eyes drifted to Fatima’s face. He golden lips were scrunched into a scowl and her ebony toned skin shined almost blue in the bright lights of the dressing room.
Please God, show mercy, Marise thought.
“Hell no. You better get your stuck up ass out there and make that money. He specifically asked for you, Miss high-n-mighty. You betta shake your ass.” Fatima said with a sneer.
Marise shuddered and mentally shook herself off. She wiped her arms and legs free of sweat and slowly reapplied her lipstick. She felt like she was preparing for her own execution. She’d been nibbling on her bottom lip as she contemplated her dilemma. She needed time to think about what to do, but she heard a grunt coming from Fatima. Glancing at the woman, Marise muttered “I’m going.” Marise stood up and stretched. She adjusted the skimpy sheer skirt and 13 | P a g e
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made sure her breasts stood firm in her red bikini top. Each step up the stairs and to the lounge Marise felt like a death row inmate. Dead woman walking.
Every click of her heels sounded like a gun shot in her ears. The lounge might as well have been an executioner’s block. Marise shook as the red velvet curtain to the lounge came into view. It is just another dance. It is no more humiliating than the other dances. You won’t go into work tomorrow…She tried reassuring herself as she inserted her hands into the folds of the curtain to unveil her executioner. She parted the sea of red curtain slowly and stuck her head in. She scanned the room expecting to see a room full of gyrating dancers and drunken grabby men, but it was empty. Except for him. Sitting on the velour couch, like a king on his throne, was Kasen Montgomery. For the first time, Marise was glad the room was only dimly lit with a solitary faux burning candle. He won’t be able to see my body shake, Marise thought as she struggled not to tremble. Fear, she told herself, gave people an advantage over you. She walked towards the reclining lion and tried to appear nonchalant. She knew there was another bouncer watching from the double-sided mirror across from the couch. Kasen could be pegged as a cop if she wasn’t careful.
“What can I do for you Daddy?” Marise said in a pouty voice. Oh God, I’m never going to be able to look at or be around this man again. No need, I’ll quit tomorrow, and at least bow out before he fires me.
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Chapter Four – Leaving the Den
Kasen stood since Marise only came half way into the room before she halted.
“Come here.” Kasen’s brusque tone made Marise jump. Kasen flinched; he didn’t mean to make her freak out. In fact, he’d the very opposite in mind, he wanted to be comforting, but how could comfort Marise she there, dressed in almost nothing, the reality of his fantasies had manifested and Kasen was pissed about it all. How many times had he imagined her like this, damn near naked, her coffee toned skin shining, and only mere inches away from him? But this is not where he thought it would be. It was supposed to be in his lavish condo, not this dump. It took all of his strength not to drag her out of here. He didn’t want to cause a scene, but the desire to throw her over his shoulder and run like hell was so strong, he inadvertently took a step toward her. When Marise began to back away from him, he stopped. Kasen balled his hands into a fist and jammed them into his pockets. He slumped back on the loveseat and waited. The booming music matched the thundering beat of his heart. He kept his arms at his side and watched as she sashayed her hips and walked towards him. Kasen could not tell if she was trying to be seductive or trying not to fall in those damn shoes.
She turned around and her thighs were a mere inch away from his lap when he finally spoke again.
“Stop.”
Marise froze.
“What was that hun?” Marise licked her dry lips as she looked over her bare shoulder. Kasen followed the motion with his eyes and he felt his cock stir. Dammit, he wanted to help her, not fuck her silly on the floor. Kasen swallowed hard to get past the lump in his throat.
“Stop, and turn around.” His baritone voice gave no room for argument. She obeyed. She slowly turned and kept her eyes fixed to the floor.
Fuck, she is somewhat of a submissive too? Damn it all.
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“Look at me.” Kasen commanded, his voice low but authoritative. He could tell Marise was trembling inside by watching her long fingers jerk involuntarily. He knew one wrong move and she would bolt.
Looking her in the eyes, he could see she wasn’t really seeing him, just another paying customer.
He kept h
is hands at his sides as he stared at her slowly spreading her thighs and straddling his lap. Rubbing her hands on his chest, Marise tried avoiding his gaze. What did she think would she see there? Kasen wondered. Disappointment in her choice of a second job or maybe lust?
She looked at the ceiling, gazing at the disco ball as if she could see her future in it. Her gaze fell on his fingers that were clawing the couch. Gyrating her hips on his hips in a back and forth motion, she looked everywhere but at him.
“Marise, quit,” he barked. The heat from her body was feeling like it was burning through his pants. Marise still refused to meet his eyes. It took every ounce of self-control that he possessed to keep his cock from rising. It was painful, but he learned self-control a long time ago.
“I said enough!” Kasen growled, sounding like a wolf ready to kill.
His tone made Marise gasp. His breathing was ragged and her hands ceased rubbing his chest.
She could feel his heart pounding. Finally, her chocolate eyes flew to meet his cerulean gaze.
The feral gleam in Kasen’s eyes was not lust, nor desire, not even a greedy smile of sickening, lecherous thoughts. It was unadulterated anger. Kasen’s eyes glowed icy blue.
“Please,” Marise’s weak voice surprise him and Kasen felt the air rush into his lungs. “Please, don’t say anything.” Marise stopped moving, yet she leaned down low and whispered in his ear.
“I can’t sit still; the bouncers behind the mirrors will get suspicious. Please don’t say anything.” Her husky voice and breath tickled Kasen’s ear.
“How can I not?” Kasen hissed, trying to clamp down on his arousal and his anger. Marise’s eyes darted to the mirror and looked at him, hoping that he comprehended what she was telling him.
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Kasen’s eyes shot to the mirror and returned. He focused top of her forehead. He knew he couldn’t stare at her, and he didn’t want to look anywhere else. Not if he wanted to walk out of Harem with his respect for her intact. Kasen expelled a breath.
“What are you doing here, Marise, this just doesn’t seem like you.”
“I have to do this and you don’t know me.” Marise hissed back, rolling her eyes. She turned and put her back to him again. Kasen clenched and unclenched his fists several times. Why am I so angry? Isn’t this every man’s fantasy? His prim and proper secretary was doing the nasty grind in his lap? No not him and not Marise not like this.
“I think I do know you, and you don’t have to do this. Don’t I pay you enough?” he whispered against her ear.
“Yes, Mr. Montgomery. You pay me quite well, but not enough to pay off my debt.” She whispered. Kasen could almost feel her shame and tried to check his anger.
“Then why didn’t you come to me? We could’ve done something.” His voice low and endearing, he felt like he finally had some control over his sex drive and could get her out of this place.
“No offense, but it is not your problem. I’m almost done with this shit. I just need a little more.” She hissed.
The music quieted. Marise got up off Kasen’s lap, turned, and refused to look into his eyes again.
Out of options of where to stare, she chose to focus on his necktie. Her hands on her hips, she looked as though she couldn’t bear to look at him. She tried to smirk, to seem confident Kasen was sure, but he could tell it was a false show, as false as that awful wig and her smeared beauty mark.
Kasen handed her a fifty-dollar bill. Marise was surprised; he knew a private dance was only twenty bucks thanks to the many women who had approached him earlier. When she reached out to grab it, his fingers curled around hers and he pulled her close.
“Come to work tomorrow, please.” There was a hint of desperation in his voice. “Trust me on this. Just don’t run from me, and don’t come back here tomorrow.” Marise nodded her head in agreement, took the fifty and ran from the lounge.
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She’d a choice to make. Would she take Mr. Montgomery at his word or continue to do this?
She looked around the dressing room. She was due for another set on the stage in a few minutes. What is she going to do? Sitting down on the metal folding chair in front of the long mirror, she weighed her options. It isn’t like Mr. Montgomery came unto her. He could’ve and she couldn’t have done anything about. It was a strip club and after hours. Damn he really could’ve made her beg back there. Marise looked at the crumpled fifty in her hand. He didn’t but that didn’t that he wouldn’t, or won’t tomorrow, if there was a tomorrow. Fatima came clicking into the dressing room again.
“What did I tell your stuck up ass last month? You can’t come down here hiding all the time; you aren’t making any money that way. Get your arrogant flat ass up there and mingle!” Marise sighed as she realized the decision had been made for her. She couldn’t take any more of Fatima calling her stuck up or telling her that she didn’t have an ass.
“You know what Fati, I may be stuck up, but at least I have some damn manners.” Marise took off the high heels and slammed them into the one of the lockers. She pulled the wig off her head and rubbed the lipstick and beauty mark from her face. Marise threw on her sweatpants and a t-shirt and walked up to the prideful pimp and shoved a twenty down the front of her bra.
“There is the house money for tonight. I got a headache, I’m out.” Marise hissed and walked out of the smoky club. She could hear Fatima scream one last thing before the door closed behind her.
“Whatever you aren’t that good or that pretty, that man is going to use you!” As Marise hailed a cab, she prayed that Fatima wasn’t right and that Mr. Montgomery wouldn’t force her to quit. In the back seat, she closed her eyes and tried not to think. Tomorrow is tomorrow, she thought.
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Chapter Five – Decisions, Decisions
Kasen was in his office the next morning, pacing the floor. He could not believe what he saw last night. What could he do to help Marise? She needed his help, obviously, but he knew she would be too proud to take it outright. He’d thought of a myriad of possibilities, most he dismissed because they seemed more demeaning than stripping. An idea had finally smacked him at two a.m. what he would do.
Marise appeared in the adjoining office, right on time. Kasen let out a pent-up breath he didn’t realize he was holding for the past eight hours. He’d been afraid that she would not come to work.
She looked nervous, and he would be too if he was in her shoes. At least she looked like his Marise again. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail with a few spiraling curls framing her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were weary behind her thin wire framed glasses. She was dressed in an all black skirt that touched the floor. Kasen got up from his desk and opened the door a crack.
“Marise, can I see you please,” Kasen said softly. He didn’t want to scare her. Although he saw her shoulders slump, he was not deterred. She probably thought she would face the firing squad.
She walked in with her head bowed and sat down heavily in one of his high-backed leather chairs. Marise sat straight, feet crossed at the ankles. She stared ahead even when he resumed his seat behind his desk. She looked like she was facing an executioner. He leaned back into a reclining position and tried to offer her his smile. Marise told him once when he was nervous about a meeting that he’d a great smile. Kasen’s teeth were white, even and appeared strong. It was the only compliment she’d given him. He tried to use the information to his benefit.
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“Marise, do you want to talk about it?” Kasen said, still speaking softly.
“Not really Mr. Montgomery. It is my problem. I can take care of it.”
* * *
Marise had thought about it all last night, sitting in her bed alone, again. She would
not take Kasen’s money, no matter what. From the men she was exposed to during her life, they always wanted something in return. Nothing was ever done for charity.
“Does your husband know?” Her eyes flew to his face and she shook her head no. Darryl would kill her if he stumbled upon how she was paying off his debt. Would Mr. Montgomery tell?
“Please, Mr. Montgomery, this is none of your concern.”
“How is it not my concern? I watch your face drop and your dimples disappear when the clock strikes five. I want to help.” Since when did he notice that she’d dimples? Marise thought as she stared at him.
“I only have to do it for a little while longer. There is only three thousand left. I can be done in a few months.”
Kasen shook his head and clinched his fist in his lap, almost breaking the skin of his palm with his nails. The hell she would go back to that place.
“No. You aren’t going back.”
Marise’s eyes grew cold, who in the hell was he to tell her what to do? She stared at him.
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“You can’t make that decision for me, Mr. Montgomery.” Kasen sighed. He knew he sounded like a dictator, but he couldn’t allow her to go back to the Harem. “You are right. I can’t order you, but I can make you a better counteroffer.” Marise looked at him and rolled her eyes. Here it comes. He is going to ask you to sleep with him. He is going to blackmail you. Remain strong, Marise, you are no one’s plaything. Marise steeled herself and got ready to tell him to go to hell. Her jaw dropped at his actual proposal. “I want you to dance with me.”
“What? Dance with you?”
“Yes, dance with me. I have a small dance studio at my loft. I’m learning to waltz and do classical dances for my family reunion this summer in France. I need a partner. I have not done these dances since boarding school, but my mother expects me to dance them perfectly.”
