The Lion and the Lamb

From her standpoint, Tatum could see the brightly lit sign right above the front doors. It was a massive lion’s head, its jaw open wide and its teeth lethal-looking. The thick mane of hair surrounding the face looked so realistic, like she could make out each individual piece of hair. The eyes, an eerie blue color, stared straight ahead. One paw poised high above the beast’s head, and its claws were outstretched. She could see where the “lion” came from in the club name but saw no depiction of the “lamb.”

No, honey, the lambs are inside, waiting to get sacrificed.

Kiki led the way through the side entrance, which took them down a long, brightly lit hallway. Several entryways lined the wall on either side of her, their doors closed but the noise of female giggling coming through. It sounded like a group of high school girls were having a slumber party.

“There are several dressing rooms the girls use before and in-between shows.”

Tatum wanted to tell Kiki that information didn’t pertain to her but knew it would be smart to know where everything was located.

“The kitchen is over there.” Kiki pointed to a set of steel double doors once they cleared the hallway. “I’ll take you to Leo, because I’m not sure what he wants you to do.”

They stopped right before they made it into the main floor. The sound of glasses clanking and female and male conversation floated around her. “What do you mean you don’t know what he wants me to do?” Yeah, Leo had explained what her job would entail, but the way Kiki said it had the hair on her arms standing up.

Kiki looked at her and shrugged. “I just mean we’ve never had a hostess before, so I don’t know where you’re supposed report.”

Shock filtered through Tatum. “You’ve never had a hostess before?”

Kiki shook her head and opened her mouth to say something, but another dancer dressed in a few strips of latex called her over. “Listen, I’ve got to go, but we’ll talk after work. I’ll meet you by the employee entrance, okay?”

Tatum nodded and felt her anxiety start to rise. She should be used to working. It wasn’t like this was her first job right out of high school. Squaring her shoulders, she watched Kiki disappear down the hall and behind one of the doors.

“I see you decided to give me a chance.”

She turned to the smooth, deep voice that belonged to Leo. He strode toward her, his hands in the front pockets of his pants, and he held himself like he knew he had swagger. He wore a simple black T-shirt, but it looked expensive and fit over his chest to perfection.

Give him a chance? “Excuse me?” He stopped in front of her, his smile widening as he took in her uniform.

“The club. I’m glad you gave my club a chance.” He ran his thumb and forefinger along the edge of her cardigan, and she forced herself to stand still. The very tip of his finger brushed along her collarbone every once in a while, and the effect it had on her was akin to pouring gasoline on an open fire. “I’m liking this uniform on you.” His voice was low, and she thought she sensed a hint of sexual heat laced through his words.

Forcing herself to swallow so she didn’t make a fool out of herself by drooling down her chin, Tatum nodded. “Yes, I’m liking the uniform too.” She looked into his blue eyes and started to feel herself get lost in them. He smiled slowly, and he looked satisfied as it curved his full lips.

“I feared you’d make me wear a thong and pasties to work,” she teased him, for the most part, but when she heard a low rumble come from Leo, she felt her eyes widen. Pulling his hand back, he lifted it and ran it over his jaw. He cleared his throat and looked around the floor as his staff prepared it for the night.

“I’ll show you where to stand and what to say. This is a very casual position, so don’t worry about screwing it up.” He smiled and gestured for her to precede him toward the front doors. His big hand landed on the small of her back, and she tensed, feeling the heat travel straight through her body. “All you have to do it stand here and greet the patrons as they enter.”

She turned, and his hand fell from her. She didn’t have any training prior to tonight, and she had assumed her first night would be shadowing someone, not diving in by herself. “I haven’t even been trained. I thought tonight I’d just be following someone around.”

“Tatum, I’m not going to throw you to the lions.” His straight, white teeth flashed, and her mouth went dry. “I’m going to have Peaches seat them. So all you have to do is say hello, flash them your gorgeous smile, and lead them over to her.” He turned and pointed to a petite little thing standing a few feet away.