Chapter 3

“Oh, thank you so much for choosing me.” Following her first-ever lineup, Pamela ended the embrace with a potential client and offered her most glittering smile. “I really appreciate it.” She trailed false nails down his arm, leaving sensations in their wake. The gentleman, young and attractive, bounced on his toes in anticipation.

“Dakota? Wow. You’re welcome. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure to meet you too!”

Behind them, Sherilyn, Roxanne, Laterika, Brindle, Blake, and Jackie exited the lap dance room in a perfumed procession. Their movements were fluid, businesslike – a synchronized dance of feigned indifference masking the sting of rejection. Yet as Sherilyn brushed past, her eyes locked onto Pamela, a flash of spite cutting through her carefully crafted façade. The glare lasted only an instant before Sherilyn’s lips curved into a plastic smile, saving face for the watching client.

Either oblivious or choosing to ignore the tension, Pamela leaned inward. “Maybe you’d like to go over to the bar and chat, baby?” Her lips were close to his ear, voice hushed, breath warm. “Might I interest you in a drink?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” Twenty-six-year-old Justin Asher allowed Pamela to guide him by hand back to the parlor. They sauntered over to side-by-side barstools and took a seat. “Wow, honestly ... yeah. I’ve never seen you here before. Are you new?”

“What were you saying?” Pamela again flashed her pearly whites, head wagging back and forth, and grasped his inner thigh. “I’m sorry, I was distracted. I can’t get over how handsome you are.”

Justin snickered behind closed lips. “I was... wow.” He tipped his head to the left. “Say, is it hot in here? Or is it just you? I ... I’m happy you’re here tonight and we might be able to party.”

“Well, yeah.” Her fingernail toyed with his wrist, creating temporary indentations on the delicate skin. “I’m happy too. All the pieces kind of fell together, didn’t they? Tell me, how long are you in town? You a vacationer?”

“I live here. Lived in Flagstone all my life. I just got off work, a ten-hour shift, and I’m looking for a little fun.”

“Oooooh, a hard-working local boy. You deserve to have your fun.” Pamela’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m an industrial medic with The Rattlesnake Ridge Paper Company. The mill on the other side of town.”

“Industrial medic? What exactly does that entail?”

“Basically, I’m the first responder for any accidents or medical emergencies at the mill. Lots of heavy machinery and chemicals there, so things can get dicey. I handle everything from routine safety inspections to minor cuts to more serious injuries until the ambulance arrives. It’s intense sometimes, but I love the challenge.”

“Wow. You sound like a superhero, or something.” Pamela’s eyes danced, her hand moving to his bicep. “A medic? You must really be in shape.”

Mindy slid another glass across the bar.

“Thanks, babe.” Justin nodded at Mindy, then turned back to Pamela. He swirled the foam in his cocktail with a straw, a smile tugging at his lips. “So, I think it’s awesome that you happen to be in town on the same night I visit the brothel for the first time in two months.”

“Yeah.” Hips Don’t Lie, a popular tune by singer-songwriter Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean, bellowed through the speakers. First Pamela’s shoulders undulated, then the rest of her body followed suit as she performed a solitary dance on the barstool. “I love this song!” Her hands traced a sensual path up her sides as she twirled, drawing every eye – including Mindy’s – in the smoky old parlor.

“I can’t ... I mean, actually ... I can’t believe how fucking hot you are.” Justin drained the alcohol in one go, desperate for something to cool the rising heat within.

Pamela pulled back and giggled. “Well, you’ve made a really nice first impression, too, you know.” She ruffled a hand through the hair on the back of Justin’s head, wreaking further havoc on his self-control.

“I’m glad I did. First impressions are important.” He blew out a swoosh of air, his lashes flipped full-open. “I mean, wow, you are incredible. Stunning. Beyond stunning.”

“Stop it! You’re overdoing the compliments.” Amusement careened up Pamela’s throat as she swatted his shoulder. “You’re gonna give me a big head and I’m not gonna be able to fit through the bedroom door with it.”

“Oh, we’ll make it work.” Justin’s laughter ramped up, louder and louder, his hand clutching her bare knee. “Trust me, we’ll figure out a way.”

“Maybe I can help you relax a little bit. Destress ... after such a long day at work.”

Justin’s breath hitched. “That sounds amazing.”

“Yeah? Again, you deserve it.”

“Yes. Very much so.” He shook the cobwebs from his brain, trying to focus. “Umm, you must be new here, right? Mindy told me earlier that you’re eighteen. Have you ever ... have you ever done this sort of thing with a man before? A paying client? Is this your first time?”