Underneath My Skin

Ch. 1

He's like an addiction, when you have him once, you have to have him again.

*This book is AU ( Alternate universe ) so all prostitution is legal in every state*

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1 Month Later

I unpack my last box and sigh. Well it only took me a month to get all moved in to my new apartment in New York City. Its quite spacious. I have a huge living room, kitchen, bathroom, and even bedroom. Sense its only me living here, I only need one bedroom.

My apartment is kept very modern. Its not girly, but you can definitely tell a girl lives here. New York City isn't really what I thought it'd be, but I still love it. I grab a hot pocket out of the freezer and pop it in the microwave.

I managed to find myself a job earlier this week as executive assistant at Putnam Rolling Ladder Company. Yes, a company that literally sells ladders. I'm okay with it, I guess. Its a job, and I'll be getting paid eight hundred dollars week, and basically all I'm going to be doing is scheduling meetings for Mr. Putnam. I start this following Monday, and i'm actually excited because its Friday now.

The microwave beeps, and I pull out the cheesy goodness. I blow on it an take a big bite.

"Those aren't good for you, you know?" Jackson says from behind me.

I jump and turn around. I swallow my food and put my hand over my heart.

"You scared me."

His signature smirk slowly grows on his face. My phone rings on the counter and I pick it up seeing that I have a text message. The text is a reminder that I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. Not just to any doctor but to a psychologist.

"Who is it?" Jackson asks.

"A reminder that i'm going to see a shrink tomorrow."

He scoffs. "You don't need a shrink you are not crazy."

"Yes, I a-"

He cuts me off by disappearing. I really do think I have lost my mind. I mean, how many people do you know that sees their dead best friend? Exactly. That's why I'm going to see a psychologist. I've been seeing Jackson for a month now, and the worst thing about it is I talk back to him. That's what makes me think i'm crazy. But if I ignore him, he will annoy the shit out of me.

I look at the time and see that its nine. Shit, i'm going to be late! I grab my purse and run out of my apartment. Thank goodness I live in the heart of New York City where I don't need a car because literally everything surrounds me.

I take the stairs because its much faster than an elevator would be, and I hurry out of my building. This is the adjustment I will have to get used to. In California at night in June it would be ninety degrees but here in New York its in the low fifties, making me shiver.

I walk fast down the street util I reach Sapphire. I sigh, its Friday night, so its going to be busy. I give the bouncer my i.d card and hurry inside the club.

Once I walk in, the smell of alcohol and smoke fills my nostrils.

"Briella," Jaylee yells from the back of the club while waving her hands in the air.

I chuckle and hurry towards her.

"Hey girl," she says.

"Hey."

"So, you've got a bachelor party tonight. They're scheduled for nine thirty so hurry up and get dressed."

I nod and walk into the dressing room. I have grown very fond of Jaylee. She isn't fake, unlike the rest of my co-workers, and she follows the rules. I know it may seem as if there's no rules for strippers, but there are. There's really only one rule. Do not have sex or involve yourself in oral sex for money. Its gross.