by Carina Adams
“I can't practice in it,” I cried at the absurd idea. “I don’t want to ruin it.”
His lips twitched, either trying not to laugh or to keep himself from yelling. He sighed again as if I had a lot left to learn.
“Go try it on, Cady D.”
I wrinkled my nose sassily, lifted the hanger from his fingers and rushed into the locker-room like dressing area. I stripped out of my sweaty clothes and slipped into the surprisingly comfortable garment as fast as I could. I’d expected more buttons, but considering the fact it had been created to take off quickly, it made sense that only three eye-hooks held me in and a few ties kept it all together.
On my way out, I stole a quick glance in the large mirror and did a double-take. A crazy lady stared back at me, a perplexed scowl on her face, a rat’s nest piled high on her head, and dark smudges resided under each eye. She would never sell a sexy fantasy but she’d definitely scare the customers away, not bring them back for more.
Unless dark was their thing. Burlesque was full of fun and flirty personas; I could be the first to take it to another level. The Black Baroness. Princess Horrora.
Princess Horrora was perfect. I could wear all black costumes, an eye mask, and carry a whip. I'd never have to worry about make-up or hair. All the patrons would be so terrified of me spanking them if they got out of line I wouldn’t have to worry about missing steps. In fact, I'd just walk slowly around the room, glare at them, and throw in a shimmy or two.
The thought cracked me up. I laughed uncontrollably as I pulled open the door. I paused, attempting to catch my breath, when I heard voices at the end of the hall.
Still giggling, I sprinted into the costume room, not wanting anyone else to see me. As soon as I closed his door, I regrouped. I walked toward Randy as I made sure my hips swung with each step. When I stood a few feet away from him, I shimmied my shoulders, counted to eight in my head, then slid a foot in a wide arc and launched into part of my routine. I turned sideways and let my fingers linger on the softness of the velvet as I caressed up the length of my body and back down before my hands settled on my knees and I bent over, pushed out my butt so he'd be sure to see the best part of the costume.
“Well, look at you,” he chuckled. “You’re on fire.”
“It’s all the costume,” I assured him with a wink as I stood, shaking my hips so the tulle would sway. “I’m nothing without the ruffles.”
“Why Ms. Cady D,” he drawled with a thick, fake southern accent, “I do believe I’m going to start calling you…,” he paused dramatically, “Ruffles McGee.”
I laughed as I twirled again, arms in the air, the bustle bouncing against my backside, ready to tell him my plan for Princess Horrora.
“Ruffles McGee?” A deep voice from doorway startled us both and my head snapped around to peer over my shoulder. “I didn’t think she had a stage name yet.”
I forgot to breath.
The man’s brooding presence always seemed to catch me off guard. I couldn't tell if he’d been born with the resting jackass face that automatically gave people pause or if he truly was just pissed off at the world. My heart began to beat wildly, sensing danger, and the little warning bells in the back of mind told me to turn and flea.
I lowered my arms and smiled warmly in a pitiful attempt at greeting my new boss. He didn’t smile back. His dangerously dark eyes narrowed slightly as they swept over me, taking in my messy hair, the costume, and my bare feet before his scowl deepened.
Goosebumps erupted over my skin as a shiver ran down my spine. Embarrassment followed as I realized I was standing in front of Roman in nothing but a thin layer of velvet and tulle. I twisted awkwardly, and took a few steps backward, hoping to reach my friend and use his body to hide mine.
I’d been so focused on the intruder I hadn’t realized Randy had moved closer to me. When my heel landed on his toe, my body jerked in surprise and attempted to leap to the side. Instead, I tripped over the tulle, and stumbled backward. My feet got tangled in the long ruffles, and I lost my balance. Randy reached out and caught me, moments before I crashed to the floor.
“Lessons are going well, I see.” Clearly unimpressed, Roman leaned a muscular shoulder against the door frame, propped one foot over the other, and lifted his chin, a scowl etched on his face. “So incredibly graceful. At this rate, she might be ready to perform next year.”
My cheeks burned and I dropped my gaze to the floor. There were so many things I wanted to say, to tell him right where he could shove his opinions, but I kept quiet. I’d worked too hard for him to fire me already.
“She’s made great progress,” Randy explained as he steadied me and continued to talk about me as if I wasn’t there. “I’m impressed with her. And, the name is actually perfect. Ruffles are soft and feminine. McGee, on the other hand, means fire. Our Cady is the perfect combination of sweet and spice.” He patted me on the backside in a playful way that seemed more supportive than anything.
“Hmmm,” Roman’s eyes narrowed and he didn’t seem convinced.
I’d only met him once at the cafe. He didn’t know me. Yet, in the fantastic few minutes we’d spent together, he’d managed to make me feel like the dirt on the bottom of his shoe more than once.
He hadn’t been at Soiree all week, at least not while I’d been there. He hadn’t seen my routines. Boss or not, he had no right to condemn me with so little information any more than I had any right to judge him solely on our first meeting.
When I finally lifted my eyes to peek in his direction, I found him staring down at me, nostrils flared in annoyance as irritation oozed off him in waves. I hadn’t realized it until that moment, but I was glad he hadn’t been around. I didn’t need constant criticism from a pain in the ass like him. I had the feeling nothing I did would ever make him happy.
I lived by the philosophy that one shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. I would have skipped the novels I loved most if I’d paid any attention to the artwork on the front. People were no different. I was a hell of a lot more than what most saw at first glance and if I deserved a closer look, they did, too.
However, I also knew that if people showed you who they were you needed to believe them. This man had been a jerk to me when he thought I was nothing more than a coffee-shop waitress, so that was strike one. He’d been an utter ass to me even after he’d found out who I was, strike two. And here he was again, being a dick for no reason.
I didn’t care what my friends said. I didn’t see the person they did. In fact, my dislike for the man in front of me was so strong I was afraid I’d grow to hate him if I had to spend any time with him.
I’d bite my tongue and deal with him when I had to. It would be difficult but everyone did things they didn’t want to. Not many people actually liked their job. It only seemed fair that since I loved mine, I didn’t like my boss.
As I stepped away from Randy and toward the devil in disguise, I sent up a silent prayer of thanks I didn’t have to see Roman on a regular basis. His square jaw seemed to tighten as I neared him, dark brown eyebrows knitted in confusion, and hooded eyes the color of a storm-warning sky watched my every move as if he expected me to do something unpredictable. Many women in the world might have found him attractive, or been intrigued by his moody demeanor, but all of him annoyed me.
When he didn’t move out of the door, I cleared my throat. A single eyebrow cocked, but the rest of him didn’t budge. He wasn’t an overly large man, maybe six-one, a hundred-and-ninety pounds, yet his shoulders were so wide they took up most of the opening.
I gritted my teeth. “Excuse me.”
The only part of him that moved was his gaze, from my face to my hair. “You know the point of this is to turn the clients on, not scare them away, right?”
Laughter bubbled up from deep inside me and I almost let it escape. I opened my mouth to tell him about my plan, but closed it when I didn’t see any amusement on his face. So serious.
He didn’t wait for me to answer. “
You ready?”
The question took me by surprise. I glanced at Randy hoping he’d step in and explain. He appeared to be just as confused.
I turned back to the Roman. “Ready for what?”
Roman’s jaw ticked, another sign I annoyed him. I put my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes. The feeling’s mutual, buck-o.
“It’s Thursday.”
Yes, because that explained it all.
He sucked on his teeth, body tense, as his deep gray orbs bore into mine. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he tore his eyes away and snarled at the man behind me. “No one told her I was coming?”
Randy hurried across the room before my mind had a chance to process Roman’s words. He draped an arm over my shoulders and tugged me close, lending me his body heat.
“We’ve been busy.” His cold tone said more than I understood. “It never crossed my mind.”
Roman chuckled humorlessly. When he looked at me again, the intense agitation in his eyes made me want to shrink back. “Thursday nights I come to check in, make sure everything is set for the weekend, preview the new routines. Tonight, you’re my only concern. I need to make sure you’re ready.” He dropped his arms, pushed himself off the frame, and turned into the hall. “I’ll be in the studio. Don’t keep me waiting, kid.”
I watched him walk away and turn the corner before I pulled away and gaped at Randy. “So, he’s here to talk to me?”
“No. He’s here to watch.”
“Watch?” I hissed, terrified. “I’m not ready for that.”
“You have a party in two days.” Randy hurried in the other direction, snatching things off surfaces nervously. “You are.”
“No. Ugh-uh. Nope.” My entire body shook. “You don’t understand. I just learned the routine. I haven’t put it all together more than a few times. I can’t do it in front of a stranger! I”
“Acadia.” He didn’t yell, but his tone had so much authority I stopped mid sentence and looked at him.
Angry tears flooded my eyes and made him blur. He wasn’t listening. If he was, he wasn’t hearing me. “Randy, I’m not ready. He hates me. I don’t like him. I can’t dance for anyone, especially not him.”
That stopped him cold. “You can. You will. You’re not going to like the men you perform for. Some of them will disgust you. Others will make you feel like a million dollars. They’re the ones you need to focus on.”
“He,” I pointed at the door, “is just waiting for me to mess up.”
Randy ignored me. “Let’s fix you a bit. Then, you’re going out there and blow that boy away.”
He ushered me across the hall and pushed me down into a small chair in front of the mirror. He fussed over me, clicking his tongue as he worked. In no time at all, he spun me around so I could see.
“Good as new.”
No. It was better than I’d looked in a long time. I wasn’t sure how he’d done it, but the man had performed miracles of epic proportions in no time at all.
“You look so pretty!” Livie squealed as she squeezed through the door. She was trying to be kind, but there was worry etched into her forehead.
I swallowed hard. “I could look like a movie star and it wouldn’t matter. Roman’s in there and he’s–,”
“Here to make sure you’re ready,” she finished for me. “That’s it. Don’t let him intimidate you.”
“He can be a miserable jerk sometimes,” Violet added, as she and Peaches forced their way into the tiny room. “He doesn’t realize it.”
“He’s worried about you. You're going to go out there, show him everything you’ve learned, then tell him to back the fuck off.” Peaches waved her hand in the air. “But do it with class, because you’re a lady.”
Vi nodded. “Exactly.”
“He’s been so preoccupied and stressed lately, I didn't think he’d come. Or I would have told you.” Livie pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
Violet twisted her lips. “I talked to him yesterday and he asked how things were going, but he never said a word about checking in.” She stepped closer to me and dropped into a crouch, getting on my level. “It doesn’t matter. Think of this as a live dress rehearsal. The music will start, you’ll smile and do your routine. When it’s over, he’ll have to admit how fantastic you are. When he’s gone, we’ll work on any weak spots. All you need to do is breathe, count, and have fun.”
I let out a breath and tried to settle the nerves in my stomach as I eyed the door, far too nervous to have fun.
“You might not believe it,” Violet spoke softly. “He’s a really great guy. Rough around the edges, yeah. And sometimes he comes across as gruff. But, he’s the most supportive boss I’ve ever had. You’ll grow to love him.”
I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, that’ll never happen. He makes me nervous as hell. I just want to get through tonight so I never have to dance around him again.”
I didn’t miss the way Vi’s forehead wrinkled into a frown. Or the puzzled expression Peaches sent Livie. I ignored them. I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid Roman forever, but I sure as hell was going to try.
I didn’t have to tell them how much I needed this job. They knew. I was terrified that with one mistake, I’d screw it all up and he’d send me packing.
Livie checked her watch and opened the door. “I’ll go get the music set up.” She winked in my direction. “You’re amazing.”
Violet walked next to me on the way to the studio. “We’ll go in the order we’ve rehearsed. Two quick numbers and you’re out of there.”
“Wait for the music.” Peaches reminded me. “If you mess up, hold position and start the count over. Slow down. Drag your moves out. We’re the only ones that’ll know you’re switching routine.”
I listened to their last minute instructions, but didn’t hear any of them. It was all things they’d drilled into me already. If I didn’t know it by now, I never would remember it as I faced down Roman.
“If I screw this up, he’s not going to let me work this weekend, is he?”
Violet hugged me quickly. “Don’t think about anything other than dancing and having fun. He is here to help.” She started to walk away but stopped mid step and turned back to me. “Come shimmy and shake for me, beautiful.” With a flirty wink and the blow of a kiss, she disappeared.
Peaches chuckled at her friend before her expression turned serious. “He’s just one man, Cady. Next time there’ll be a room full of ‘em.” My stomach dropped at the idea. “Roman isn’t special, don’t make him more important in your mind. This job is about having fun, learning who you are, and owning it. What others think doesn’t matter. Only your opinion does.”
As the familiar beginning beat of Marian Hill’s “Got It” started to play, Randy put a hand on my back and shoved me gently. “Go.”
My first steps didn’t come easy. My hand shook as I ran them over my body as seductively as I could, swaying to the beat. I didn’t want to look at Roman, but my eyes found him almost immediately, as if drawn to him.
I pretended he wasn’t there, let the music take me away, and fell into my routine like it was second nature. My brain refused to ignore the man, though, and every time I started to get too comfortable, I remembered he was watching. Each time I did, I screwed up.
I moved left when I was supposed to slide right. I lost count more than once. And since I hadn’t practiced in my costume before, I had no idea when I was supposed to start stripping, so I left it on.
I was half-way into the routine when the music stopped abruptly. Roman crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at me. Everyone else stood awkwardly, glancing between the two of us.
“What in the hell are you doing?”
“My routine.”
His eyebrows rose. “Give us the room.”
No one moved, as if they weren’t sure who he was talking to. The air thickened with tension.
“Guys,” Roman snapped grumpily as his eyes roamed over the others. “Leave. Now.”
With worried glances in my direction, Vi, Peaches, and Randy abandoned ship.
Roman turned all his attention on Liv. “You, too.”
“No.” She stepped closer to him, head back to meet his eyes, hands braced on her hips. “What is your problem?”
“What's yours? You don’t even work here anymore. Remember?” Roman sneered as he leaned toward her.
I wasn’t close to them, yet the fire in her eyes was as clear as day. I wondered if she’d reached her breaking point, if I was going to witness her lose control. The fact it was toward a man twice her size was hilarious to me.
“I need to talk to my employee alone.” When he spoke again, the bite was gone but the authoritative tone wasn’t. “Go.”
Finally, she sighed. “Cady?”
I didn’t miss the way Roman’s face hardened when she asked my permission. Probably a blow to his precious ego to find he wasn’t the one in control. It made me smirk.
“It’s okay.”
It was. I wasn’t afraid of him. He pissed me off and I couldn’t stand him, and I sure as hell didn’t want to dance for him, but that was it.
Livie left, but not without hissing a warning I couldn’t hear.
“Close the damn door.” He called after her.
Roman waited until Liv was gone and the door shut tight, then he shrugged out of his leather coat and dropped it to the floor. He tipped his head slightly, surveying me before he spoke.
“Have they taken any videos to show you? Of your routine or of you dancing at all?”
I shook my head.
He grabbed the stereo remote. “Start again.”
I nodded. This was how it had been all week. Peaches and Violet had stopped the music, or started it, at the drop of a hat, and made me begin from the top or pick up in the middle, critiquing as I went. This I could do.
The music stopped again. “That. Right there.” Roman pointed at me. “Tell me what you're doing.”
“Shimmying?”
“You might be. And it could be great. I can’t tell because all I can see is the look on your face.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you’d rather be anywhere but here. When you hip bump, you look like you’re in physical pain. When you dip and pop, you look constipated.”
