Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

That night I had walked back to Ethan's at three in the morning and immediately sculled down some vodka and rubbed my self down raw in the shower.

There's just something about that place that makes you feel dirty just to be in there. Either all the sweat, dust and humidity building in the air or the continuous stream of stares burning at your chest and ass. Either way the days counting down to when it's my shift to go on stage was making my insides churn uncomfortably.

But I'll just get used to it right? I'll have to.

***

Five more shifts it took until I was supposed to hit the stage. Over the past few days I've been watching the others and taking mental notes of what to do, what gets the most tips and what pleases the crowd of rowdy guys.

All the things seemed to get buried away as I looked down at myself in the black and purple lacy lingerie cover by nothing but a short see through top.

I breathed in heavily to calm my racing heart as people rushed around me back stage and the boss walked past me, winking.

Ok Annabelle. Just get a grip. It's not the worst thing in the world. Your just acting like a little fridget virgin. Your far from it.

I sighed and peeked out through the thick black curtains, watching the men stare and drool at the girl dancing slowly around the pole, almost naked.

She was almost done so I slipped on the shiny dark purple stilettos and made my mind go blank.

I would not stuff this up. Not now. I need to do this.

The girl on now, I think her name was Tara, made a final twirl and swayed herself off stage, giving me an encouraging look as I walked past and emerged into bright spotlight.

I made sure to sway my hips seductively and bit my lip lightly. Some of the hidden faces whistled but otherwise stayed quiet.

All attention was on me as I grabbed hold of the cold metal pole and swayed myself to the music that started up in the background.

Looking over the sea of faces I mentally cursed when I remembered I would have to start shedding what little I had on but I just closed my eyes for a second and lost myself in the music, imagining that the eyes weren't on me as I slightly grinded on the pole and swayed down a little, doing a twirl and gripped the hem of my top lightly, slowly and teasingly stripping it from my body.

I heard a few more whistles and cheers as they started to get excited and smirked slightly.

I twisted around the pole a few more times and once again slowly reached back for the clasp of the bra, unclipping it before throwing it to the ground.

Cheers erupted through the men and some younger ones clapped hands with the people next to them, laughing playfully before drawing their eyes back to the stage.

I danced and grinded against the pole for a few more moments before hooking my thumb along the edge of the last piece of lacy lingerie and watched as the eyes followed my movements intently.

Some were on the edges of there seats with wide eyes just waiting for me to strip myself fully.

I took in one more deep breath before slowly sliding the thin material down my legs and around my shoes, throwing it to the floor before swaying back towards the pole and danced for a few moments, in only my heels while the men's greedy eyes basically devoured my body as they cheered and gawked.

I saw the boss slipping open one of the back doors and motion for me to take my leave as my time was up.

I made a few last turns and swayed off stage, much like Tara, as they continued to whistle and watch my back while I picked up the loose shirt and chucked it over my body, dipping behind the curtains.

I sighed in relief and headed towards the dressing room I think I shared with the little bar tender girl. She only put her things in here while she works, she doesn't strip or waitress so she doesn't really need it as a dressing room.

I bumped into the boss on the way and he congratulated me in doing so well and handed my first paycheck over. I just smiled and thanked him before slipping into the dressing room and immediately took off those god forsaken stilettos.

I started to get changed into my normal clothes and looked over at the clock. 12:00am.

The whole thing wasn't as bad as I imagined. I must have just hyped myself up but as always it made me feel dirty and sleazy. Even more then usual. Nothing I can't handle though.

***

Two more whole weeks had past and all together I had made around $1,800.

All of which I reluctantly handed over to Ethan and he used it for the bills and of course the drugs he sometimes shares.

I would have to say though, it's the most comfortable I've lived for a very long time, maybe ever.

Although the water was still brown and the house was falling to our feet, we actually had food in the cupboards and enough power to run the heater at night. And even though I still get slapped now and then, it's nothing like it used to be because I need to be bruise free for work or I would get no tips and less money overall. So whenever ethan gets angry he just takes it out on a wall, which was almost destroyed.

I'm used to my job now, even when my stage shift comes. I'll never be comfortable with it and I'll always feel dirty but at least my life seems to be better off and I'm still alive. That's all that counts.

At the moment.