Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons 1)

"I do. Actually, I should be getting to the Millennium. I'm covering a shift this afternoon."

"Maybe later tonight? You and I... We could?"

She grins. "Please. And I have your number now, remember? So, I'll text you when I get off. I'm sure you're going to be out with your brother and his friends anyway, right?"

"Yeah, because I, for one, know the night isn't going to start until I'm hanging out with you."

"You know what I was thinking when you touched my pussy?" she asks, leaning in to whisper.

"What's that, babydoll?"

"I was thinking that I'm so glad I've waited. Remained pure and innocent. Because you are the only man I want to touch me."

"Good, because you’re the only woman I want to please."Chapter EightLucyMy morning with Levi was everything.More than everything. And thankfully, I don't regret anything so far. When I was with him, I felt so beautiful and precious, like I was truly living my best life.

Leaving him is hard, I don't want to go to work. I only want to be with him. But he kisses me gently, cupping my face with both his hands right there on the casino floor, in front of the LBD. I know my coworkers are watching me in utter shock at my public display of affection. But I don't care.

When I walk into the bar, I'm glowing. And not one of them made a rude or snide comment about me changing my ideals. Maybe they saw the way I looked at Levi. Maybe they saw the way he looked at me. Whatever it was, I know they saw something real.

The same thing I feel.

My shift goes quickly, I serve round after round of drinks to rich men and classy women, smiling and nodding as best I can. Clearing tables and offering the best service money can buy.

Then I take my tips and change out of my waitress uniform. There's a lot of daytime left. I still have my second job, working a night shift at Vegas Strippers.

It's the real reason I can afford to take care of Granny.

I don't love the work, men staring at me as I slide up and down a stripper pole, but it isn't about them. It's about the money.

And I can separate it from everything else that I hold dear. It doesn't actually compromise anything. No men are allowed to reach out and touch me when I’m up on stage. And my manager, Carlos, doesn't mind my no-lap dance policy. He says with tits as nice as mine, I can do what I like.

So, I wear a G-string and take off my bra and collect the hundred-dollar bills.

Without this job, there's no way I could pay for Granny's care. Little Black Dress is a good enough job for Vegas, but it isn't enough to afford the facility Granny lives in. And she isn't even in a very nice one.

Maybe if I do this for a few more months, I will have saved enough that I can get Granny into a better place. That's what I focus on as I head to the changing room at the club. I pull on my G-string, apply bronzer and thick eyeliner and false eyelashes.

"You look happy today," Sandra says. She's another waitress at the Little Black Dress and was able to get me this job in the first place.

"Do I?" I shrug, smiling as we sit side by side in front of the bright mirrors, applying lipliner. "I had a morning date."

"A morning date? That's cute. "

"Right? We went to the French restaurant on the Strip. It was romantic."

"Good for you, darling. Goodness knows there's not enough romance in Las Vegas."

"Wouldn't it be nice if there were more of it, though?" I tell her dreamily.

"Well, there's certainly not anything romantic about our job," she says wearily.

"But, it's Saturday night in Las Vegas, the tips are going to make up for the lack of romance."

I begin my shift, focusing on my end goal the entire time I move on stage. Laser-like focus is a job requirement. If I stop thinking about why I'm doing this, I know it will show on my face, and when I am up here I know my job is to sell a fantasy.

So, I push aside my insecurity of dancing on stage. Instead, I lift my chin and I do my routine. Over and over and over again. My shift is almost over, and Carlos gives me a thumb’s up when I go out for my last dance of the night.

The music is bumping, and the club is packed. The stage lights are bright and I'm glad that there is a big crowd out. Lots of groups of men in fancy suits and douchey clubwear. Everyone is looking to get laid tonight.

People are drinking, bottle service is all around, and I begin my routine as the music starts.