“We’re entertainers, not whores,” she has said on more than one occasion while chastising someone who broke the rules. “What you do in your spare time is none of my business, but you’ll abide by the rules at The Kitten’s Cream.”
One girl argued that the man who licked her nipple was her boyfriend. It didn’t matter. She was fired, and he was blacklisted.
“Get to work,” she says, satisfied with my responses.
It took some time to get used to the low lights in the club, but I’m a pro with moving about the dimly lit place now. I turn on the small lamps on the tables in my section, an indication to patrons that they’re now allowed to sit there, before heading to the bar to check-in with the bartender.
As I get my night started, I pray for excellent tips, all the while knowing that the real tips are to be made on stage, and until I bite that bullet, I’ll be living with a man I hardly know.
Chapter 18
Finnegan
“I’m telling Momma about this,” Kason threatens as I lift my hand to knock on Wren’s door.
“I’m going to see your momma,” I snip, not at all feeling guilty for adding the same level of attitude to my voice that he just used. Who says a grown man can’t be petty? I’m killing it right now. “She’ll know where you’re at.”
Wren’s door opens, and despite his earlier misgivings, he smiles down at the kids instead of running away like I did the first time I saw little Knox beside his mom.
“Kason, Kayleigh, and this is Knox,” I say, pointing to each of the older kids before pointing at Knox’s back.
He barely woke up when I pulled him from bed to bring him up here, and he’s already back asleep, snuggled against my chest.
“That one can’t party if he’s sleeping. Let me make him some coffee,” Wren says, smiling wider when I glare at him.
“He can’t have coffee!” Kayleigh laughs. “He’s not old enough!”
The twins follow Wren inside, and I follow behind them.
“Where do you want him?” I ask Wren.
“Guest bedroom,” Wren says, already chatting with the other two as they follow him into his kitchen.
I head to Wren’s guest bedroom, noting that it’s in the same spot as one of mine. His condo is a little smaller, but most of the layout is the same.
Knox doesn’t even so much as grumble when I place him on the bed and cover him with the blanket.
I realize I’m going to catch hell from Kendall when I walk into the kitchen to see Kason turning up a huge glass of chocolate milk.
“They’re never going back to sleep,” I mutter.
“You don’t sleep at sleepover parties, Finn. He was looking a little sleepy, so I have to make sure he stays awake.”
Kason turns, giving me a huge chocolate syrup smile. Of course, he would like Wren. The man is about the same age as them maturity wise. I choose to ignore how I acted before Wren opened the door.
“I’m going to head out,” I tell them, wanting to get this over with.
Wren, perfectly in his element, gives me a quick wave. The kids are too focused on what Wren’s going to do next to even notice my departure.
***
“Kendall,” I tell the man as he looks down at the tablet in his hands.
“We don’t have a Kendall,” he says.
Relief washes over me at finding out that Wren was either wrong, or he told me that she works here just to piss me off.
“Okay,” I say, turning back around to leave. I’ve never been a fan of strip clubs. The women are sexy as hell, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m also not one to waste money, and it’s a waste to spend loads of money on women pretending to like you.
“She goes by Ginger.”
I stop in my tracks, all my elation falling to the stained concrete floor at my feet.
“Excuse me?”
“Kendall goes by Ginger.” He frowns when he looks up at my red hair. “Are you going to be trouble?”
“No,” I tell him.
“I don’t want to have to kick your ass because your girlfriend gets hit on by someone else.”
“You won’t,” I assure him. I’m not exactly agreeing not to start trouble, but rather letting him know he couldn’t kick my ass if I was tied to a pole and blindfolded.
He grins, not catching my meaning at all. “What were you wanting?”
“A private dance.”
“Gold or platinum?”
“Platinum,” I answer, wanting to know what each level entails, but my blood pressure just can’t manage hearing it right now. I’ll find out soon enough.
“Can’t,” he says, his meaty finger swiping up the tablet.
“She booked?” It wouldn’t surprise me. I find her the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t fault other guys for feeling the same way even though it makes me want to scream the place down.