The security guard eyed Faye as she approached the door, tilting his head. “Expecting you?”
“Y-yes,” Faye said, holding out a trembling hand. Her phone displayed the ticket for this evening, her picture included for identification purposes. Security offered a single nod and opened the door. “Thank you.”
She followed the same corridor she had with Phoebe two weeks ago, breathing a sigh of relief once she reached the bar. The same bartender worked, heading for Faye with a towel slung over his shoulder. “What can I get you?”
“Bourbon.”
Faye needed something to take the edge off. She’d never been an anxious person, but lately, the thought of seeing Talia sent Faye’s heart rate through the roof. More so because she knew she’d hurt someone. It had never been her intention, Faye was as open minded as they came, but she’d upset Talia and she had to make it right.
“Thanks.” She pressed her card to the contactless machine, smiling in the bartender’s direction as he slid the drink towards her.
Now that she was here alone, it gave Faye time to really think about the last couple of weeks. As with the first time around, she noted that the clients here were well presented. Businessmen predominantly, no other women in sight. That only sent Faye’s nerves skyrocketing. Did women even come to strip clubs? It wasn’t something she’d considered before she’d been dragged here.
She slowly walked towards an empty table around the stage, sinking into her seat as inconspicuously as she possibly could. But nobody here was paying attention to who was coming and going. No, their only interest was the show happening on stage. And really, itwasa show. It wasn’t the raunchy striptease Faye imagined happened in clubs like this. And it wasn’t sleazy. These women…were performers.
As Faye watched over the rim of her glass, she sipped slowly, her pulse whooshing in her ears when Talia came from a back room. A client followed her, shoving a wad of cash into her hand as he nodded and headed for a group of men sitting on the far side of the stage. Faye lowered her eyes. She didn’t want to think about the stuff that likely happened in those rooms. But then she realised that she knew Talia, not Adria. It didn’t matter which name she went by; Faye didn’t feel as though the woman she knew would freely allow just anyone to touch her.
They have a strict no touch policy.
But was that only there to protect the club owners? Did people go into those private rooms and do whatever they pleased? Faye’s stomach churned at the thought.
This was a mistake.
She knocked back her drink and got to her feet, hoping she could slip out of the club without being noticed. It didn’t matter if she was a no show; she’d already paid before she arrived.
“What are you doing here?” A gentle hand gripped Faye’s wrist, holding her in place. “Faye?”
Faye looked up into those eyes, but they didn’t shine quite as much as they usually did. “I came here to see you.”
“You’remy 10:30?” Talia’s brows shot up with surprise.
Faye nodded. “I thought you’d know it was me.”
“When did you book in with me?”
“As I was leaving my place.” Faye stared down at the hand holding her wrist. She’d fought with herself for the last few hours, repeatedly checking Talia’s availability. When it continued to show an open slot for 10:30, Faye felt as though it was a sign.
“I’ve had back-to-back clients. I haven’t had time to check the system.”
Faye tugged her bottom lip. She cast her gaze on the floor briefly, before lifting it back to Talia. “I hope you don’t mind that it’s me.”
Talia smiled a dirty grin. This wasn’t the woman Faye was fond of. This was Adria. A front…her alter-ego. “If you’d like to follow me…”
Wait! She thinks I’m here for more. Before she could explain, Talia was already heading for the private room to the right of the stage. She drew back the curtain, and Faye had no choice but to follow her inside. Once they were in the privacy of the mirrored walled room, Faye inhaled deeply. “I’m not here so you can dance for me. That’s not what I want.”
“Then I don’t know why you’re here, Faye.”
“To apologise.” Faye wrung her hands and shook her head. Why did this woman undo her in every way possible? While she preferred Talia in her natural form, that jet black hair falling down her back and those eyes with much less makeup, she had to admit that this side of her still fired Faye up. “For the things I said at the wine bar.”
“What things?” Talia eyed the camera in the corner of the room. “Look, I appreciate that you’re not here to exploit me, or so I’m guessing you believe, but if I don’t do something soon, someone is going to come in here wanting to know why I’m not giving you what you paid for.”
Faye sighed. “Should I just leave?”
“Depends.” Talia grinned. “You’ve paid for me for the hour. Which, by the way, is a lot to fork out considering you don’t want to be here…”
Yes. It had been a lot to fork out. Seven hundred, to be exact. But Talia was worth it. If it meant Faye got a conversation out of her, it was absolutely worth it. “Fine.” She sat down on the leather couch with her back to the camera. “Just…I need you to know that this isn’t what I want.”
Talia cocked her head. “Whatever makes you sleep better at night.”