“I won’t say that I don’t have at least some ulterior motives,” Juliann grins. “But you’re talented. We’ve found that dancers really boost the atmosphere in the club. The better dancers we have, the more fun people have, and the more money they spend. I want you working in my club because I think you’re one hell of a dancer, and I think it’s a good business decision.”
I bite my lip, thinking about it. I already told Cosette I wouldn’t take it. How can I now go back and tell her that because I fucked the owner of the club I’m taking the job? I can’t. I shake my head again. “I’m sorry.”
He’s silent for a moment. “Two hundred thousand.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Your salary. Here.”
My jaw drops open? “Are you serious? That’s insane.”
“I’m willing to do it. If you take the job.”
“You have that kind of money to throw at a dancer?”
He smirks. “Do you want it?”
With that kind of money, I could pay off all of my student debt in a year. I could move into a better apartment. I could stop worrying about whether or not I’m going to overdraw my bank account. “Okay.”
His smile is blazing, and I know that it’s because he won. “Perfect. And as for seeing you again, that’s an absolute yes.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket, “Let me have your number.”
I do, though I’m being distracted by the way he’s letting his fingers wander across my skin. The feelings he’s arousing make me want more, make me want to drag him out of this club and back to my dumpy apartment where he can be mine for hours. I hand the phone back to him. “Perfect.” He leads me back into the club, the music suddenly loud and piercing compared to the intimate silence beyond those doors. Julian leans down and gives me a long lingering kiss. It reaches down and stirs something in my chest and something much hotter down below. “I’ll see you soon,” he says, pulling away gently and heading downstairs.
I lean against the wall, catching my breath. I feel like I’ve been through a whirlwind, and in a way I suppose that I have. I head down the stairs, and as soon as I reach the bottom, Cosette practically tackles me from behind. “I’ve been looking all over for you! Where were you?”
Not fucking the boss. “Just wandering,” I say. “Have you seen this place? It’s insane!”
Cosette beams. “It’s amazing. I’m so excited, I start tomorrow!”
“Yeah,” I say, a flush burning across my cheeks. “So do I.”
“What?” Her face falls, and then looks confused.
Anxiety swirls in my gut. I want her to be okay with it, I want her to be happy with this. I shrug, trying to play it off like no big deal. “I changed my mind. After seeing how great everything was, and having so much fun dancing with you, I didn’t want to miss out. I have to come in early tomorrow to do my paperwork.” Or at least I hope I do. I didn’t exactly talk over those kinds of details with Julian.
“That’s great,” Cosette says with a smile that’s overly bright. “It’ll be really fun to work together—to dance together again.”
“I hope so,” I say softly. I really do. I think that this could really be good for both of us. “Do you want to hang out here or are you ready to leave?”
She gestures towards the door. “I’m ready to go. You?”
“Lead the way.”
The drive home to our apartment is a little tense, but I think we’ll be okay. I hope we’ll be okay. Once Cosette sees how fun it will be to work together, I’m sure she’ll be fine. That’s what I tell myself at least.
It’s just as I’m getting into bed that my phone chimes with a text with from an unknown number. I open it, and my heart starts to pound.
Thinking of you.
Sleep tight.
— J
Never in my life have I felt like a text message had the power to undo me until now. This does. Right, like I’m going to be able to sleep now that I know he’s thinking about me, possibly touching himself while thinking about what happened earlier. God, this is crazy. I start to type a response, and delete it. Again. And again. Nothing seems right. I don’t know what I can say that doesn’t sound dumb or childish. After a good fifteen minutes, I give up. I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow at the club, and I’ve always been better with my words in person. I shut off the light defiantly. I’m going to sleep. But as soon as my head hits the pillow I know that it’s going to be a long night with those words echoing in my head. Thinking of you. Sleep tight.