Life of Sin Book 1

Chapter One

“Excuse me, Onyx right?”

“Who's asking?” I turned around to see a gorgeous woman wearing business attire and a slick smile on her face.

“I can’t believe how beautiful you are,” she mumbled. I continued to stare at her with a confused expression.

“Thank you? But I still don’t know who you are.”

“I’m sorry… my name's Falen. I saw your performance at Ducati's last night. Well, part of it.”

“Oh? And you’ve decided to track me down?” Falen chuckled, shifting her weight.

“Nah, this is more of a coincidence than anything.” An awkward silence fell between us. I didn’t know who this woman was or what she wanted and she wasn’t making it any clearer.

“I know you probably think I’m weird just showing up out of the blue like this but I’d love to get to know you. Maybe over dinner sometime?”

“Sorry but no. I don’t date customers. I have a very strict rule.” I began to walk off and Falen was right behind me.

“Oh I’m not a customer, actually. I was just there dropping off some more of my artwork.” I stopped walking and turned to her. For the first time during this whole conversation my eyes met her unwavering gaze.

“So you’re the artist behind all those paintings.” She smiled humbly, never looking away for a second.

“I am.”

“They’re really good pieces. Think you can paint something for me?” I asked. Her eyes maneuvered along my body and she began to answer my question when a text came in. She read it but didn’t reply then turned her attention back to me.

“Sorry, that was my—” Another text came in. Then another.

“Girlfriend?”

“My boss... I’m running late for a meeting, but my offer for dinner still stands. I’d love to continue this conversation.” Her phone kept buzzing but I could tell she wasn’t leaving until I gave her some sort of an answer.

“Here, put your number in my phone and I’ll text you.” She typed it in, catching my gaze again as she handed my phone back to me.

“I look forward to hearing from you, Onyx.” I blushed but quickly straightened up.

“My name's Devyn. Only people at Ducati's call me Onyx and I prefer to keep it that way.”

“Well Devyn, it’s definitely been a pleasure.” As I watched Falen walk away, I felt my conscience arguing with my heart about whether or not I should even give her the time of day. My heart told me she seemed perfect.

“Yeah bitch, ‘perfect' as in too good to be true. There’s no way a woman that fine doesn’t come with some kind of baggage.” My conscience retorted. Even though it was probably too soon to tell, I could sense a connection. Yet having just ended a relationship, I was skeptical. My anxiety picked up and thousands of “what if” questions popped in and out of my head. As I walked to my car, conversing within myself, I heard someone else call my name.

“Devyn? Girl what you doing out so early? You don’t usually get going till about 3!” I rolled my eyes, laughing with my long-time friend, Janay, who I haven’t seen in months.

“Yeah I know, I needed to get a few things for the apartment. How've you been?”

“I’ve been up and down, but speaking of apartments, you still haven’t invited me over to see yours."

“Things have been hectic the past several weeks, it must've slipped my mind.” I said as I loaded my bags into the trunk.

“Oh yeah, I heard you’re working at Ducati's now. ‘Chasing a bag' and all that.” I could detect a hint of jealousy in her tone. She never did want me to start dancing. In fact, the last time we talked, we argued over the possibility that I might start dancing. Nothing was set in stone but instead of being supportive, she began to distance herself, always talking about how she didn’t want to see me end up like other strippers, “hoed and worn out.”