A Stripper's Story

Rewritten - August 14, 2011

Dedicated to InsipidLives for the beautiful cover on the side :)

Chapter One

I twirled myself around the golden pole and landed in a split, earning satisfied murmurs from the crowd. A few men tucked bills into my bikini bottom. Everyone’s attention was focused on me.

I continued the serious of twirls and splits, contorting my body into positions that men found sexy. I had a passion for gymnastics and dance when I was younger, contributing to my flexibility and skill at exotic dancing. When my father was alive, I would have classes every week. After he passed away, my mother made sure I could continue those classes…until she became sick.

When I was a child, I thought I had the perfect family. I didn’t have any siblings, but my parents loved each other and me more than anything in the world. Our house was cute and cozy, and I had everything I could have ever asked for. That all changed when I turned sixteen.

On my sixteenth birthday, my dad was hit by a car. He died immediately. My mother was devastated, but she was determined to get me into a wonderful college and give me the future I dreamed of. I worked as hard as I could in school, and I was rewarded with scholarships to prestigious universities. I never went to any of those colleges.

In my senior year, my mother developed a rare cancer that chained her to a hospital bed. I worked at Starbucks for the rest of the school year, but I couldn’t keep our comforting, familiar house, so I moved into a small apartment. But my job at Starbucks still wasn’t enough. After I graduated, I became a stripper at the Emerald Night Club.

I made a satisfying amount of money as a stripper. I could afford the apartment, bills, food, gas, and, most importantly, my mother’s expenses. With my “talent,” I earned enough to pay for online college classes, studying business.

When I almost tripped on my six inch stilettos, I forced myself back to reality. The ornate clock in the corner announced that my shift was almost over, so I finished my performance and blew a kiss to the audience. I headed backstage and smiled reassuringly at the pretty brunette nervously walking past me to begin her shift.

I was collecting my money when I heard movement behind me.

“Lea, Ethan wants to see you. Hurry up so he doesn’t have to wait long for his toy,” Lexi sneered. I turned and glared at her.

Lexi was the most gorgeous girl that worked here …and the bitchiest. She was jealous of everyone who had something that she didn’t. And what I had was Ethan’s attention.

Ethan was the general manager of the Emerald Night Club. When I started working here, he took it upon himself to take care of me. At first, I thought he treated everyone with care and compassion. But soon, I noticed that he didn’t give the other girls water after their shifts or a blanket when they were cold. I knew he only did this because I was the youngest. But a girl like Lexi couldn’t help but get jealous when smoking hot men treat others with more favor.

Ethan’s brown hair was short and shaggy, and it had a luster that made you want to run your hands through it. His striking emerald orbs were always playful and mischievous. And I’ve seen him shirtless enough times to know that his body was a treat. Lexi literally threw herself at his feet.

I wanted to snap a nasty retort at her, but I couldn’t think of anything clever to say. So I just grabbed my money and headed to Ethan’s office.

When I entered, Ethan stood and pulled me into a hug. I handed him the money I earned.

“Wow,” he breathed, looking up into my eyes. “You’re so talented at dancing, you know? You make so much more than everyone else. Whenever I watch you, I just…you’re amazing at it.” I tried not to blush at the fact that Ethan watched me dance sometimes. Suddenly he frowned. “Are you tired?” he asked. “You look like you’re about to fall asleep.”