Ignite (The Disciples 4)

I start my bike and text Jessamine to meet me at the clubhouse. I need her Southern drawl and red lips to relax me.ANTOINETTEMitchell slams the door so hard I sink into the chair—it’s still warm from him. “What have I done?”

I sit for a moment, trying to pull it together. That was a disaster. Did I almost…?

“Oh God,” I groan and cover my face. The makeup I put on earlier is probably a mess and rubbing my face has got to be making it worse. Who cares. I almost… with the hot owner.

Breathing heavily, I bolt up and pace around the room. My eyes catch movement on one of the monitors. It’s him. I watch him like a stalker watches their obsession. He stops for a moment, texts someone, and leaves. Power should be his middle name. He commands everything, including me, I guess. What happened?

My mind goes over the last ten minutes and I want to die of embarrassment. I’m a professional dancer, and this is a job that can save me. Why would I beg him, seduce him with my moves, then freak when he responds?

“Because you’re a virgin and clearly a socially stunted person,” I mumble. Sighing, I look up at the ceiling. That was… I don’t even know what that was. All I know is I wanted him. No, I needed him to touch me. It was like my very life depended on it.

I reach to adjust my G-string. It’s soaked. “Oh God.” I’m so wet that it’s leaked onto my dance shorts. Thank goodness they’re black. “Pull it together, Antoinette. He’s the owner of the club.” Great, I’m talking to myself and my hands are shaking. I rub them up and down my shorts then reach up to check my hair, trying to calm myself.

I should walk out these doors and never come back. Mitchell must think I’m insane. Do I care? Not really. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. Plus, I’m broke and had a moment of weakness. I know for a fact that I have nothing to worry about. It’s not like I’ll be attracted to any other man. Trust me, I’m shocked I responded to Mitchell.

I’m still a virgin. Haven’t found anyone I’ve liked enough to let them do it. And I’m going to stay a virgin since that guy is off limits seeing as he’s about to become my boss. I’m not here for a relationship. I’m here to make rent, pay bills, and eat food.

He said ask Crystal, and Crystal said yes. I take another breath; I can do this. Opening the door, I head toward the stairs to get my bag and confirm this with her.

She’s smoking and laughing with some girls I was auditioning with. I square my shoulders as I approach.

“Crystal?”

She turns, and her eyes narrow. My cheeks flood with heat. I’m being ridiculous. She can’t possibly know what happened.

“Hi.” I smile, but it’s forced. My lip twitches. “So, Mitchell said yes.”

Technically, it’s not a lie. He said to ask Crystal and she said yes. Again, all the girls stop talking and look at each other.

Crystal arches a red brow. “Is that so? Well, if Mitchell said yes, then yes it is.” She inhales and blows smoke up at the ceiling.

Something is up with this woman, but again, it’s not like I have to be best friends with her. I nod, pretending like I don’t notice the other girls whispering and laughing. It’s always like this with me. I never fit in.

“Cookie.” I jump at Crystal’s shrill voice. God, she scared me. She rolls her eyes but continues. “This is Cat, but we’re calling her Frenchie, Roxy, and Sapphire.” She points at each girl. Then she turns to me. “So glad you changed your name to Cookie because at first I was worried about having two Sapphires.”

She smiles and I almost tell her she still has red lipstick on her teeth, but she’s not nice. In fact, she’s a bit of a bitch.

“Now go fill out your application and I want all correct information. If you have to lie, then this is not the place for you.”

“O-kay.” My eyes scan the other girls. They all kind of look the same. There’s a definite theme here. All of them have fake boobs and long hair that looks like they all use too much hair dye. The one named Cat at least smiles at me. The others act like I’m not worthy.

“Here.” She hands me a new application. “And be here tomorrow at three p.m. Don’t be late. If you’re late, I will fire you. Also, I do not put up with drugs or sleeping with customers.” She keeps talking, but I’m the only one who seems to be listening.

At last, she stops and I go to grab my bag. “And Cookie?”