“Okay, now let’s get down to it.” She leans back in her chair. “This is an adult entertainment club unlike any other you’ve been to.”
That wouldn’t be hard, considering this is a first for me.
“Do you have experience?” she demands.
I feel my cheeks heat. “Well, I mean, I’m not a virgin—”
“I meant experience working in this industry,” she cuts in with an irritated roll of her eyes. “You wouldn’t believe the number of pretty girls like you who waltz in here thinking they’re cut out for this kind of thing, only to choke when it gets down to the nitty-gritty. And I don’t mean choke in the good way, either.”
“I don’t have experience,” I admit. “But I promise you, I’m a fast learner and I…” I take a deep breath, well aware this isn’t going quite as well as I hoped. “Please. I really need this job. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
She looks at me for a moment and then nods.
“You’re lucky the innocent, inexperienced act is so popular right now. Fill these in, we’ll use it to best match your skills with the right client. You’ll also need to have a full STD panel before I can put you on the books.”
I nod, taking the folder full of paperwork from her. I flick through the stack of papers, my heart racing. Now that I’ve been accepted, it all feels a little more real and I have to admit, I’m scared.
“Come back in the morning with your forms and a letter from your doctor. All going well, you’ll be able to start this weekend. Do you have any questions?”
I shake my head. I’m sure the second I leave, I’ll have all the questions in the world, but right now, my mind is blank. She nods, pushing her chair back as she stands up, then walks across the room to the door, holding it open for me.
“Welcome to the team, Layla.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding on to, my mind freaking the fuck out. Am I really doing this? What if it is obvious to the client I have no idea what I am doing? Marianne has assured me that will play in my favour, as I will be paired with someone who is into the whole inexperienced act, but it still plays in the back of my mind. If I don’t do this well, then I am stuck in that house for at least until the end of university.
I shudder at the thought and force myself to snap out of it.
I am going to rock the shit out of this, because I have no choice.
3
LOGAN
It didn’t take Nick long to arrange me an appointment with the owner of the club, Marianne. After an initial meeting with her to discuss the finer details of my membership and what I’m hoping to get out of the experience, I’m back and ready to play.
Located deep in the heart of the industrial area of East Melbourne, it looks more like a car repair shop than a sex club. The only giveaway that all is not what it seems is the burly-looking bald guy dressed in an expensive suit standing by the door.
Unbuckling my seatbelt, I open the door and get out. This whole thing feels weird because I’ve never paid for sex in my life. Never needed to. The thought of having all the complications taken out of a relationship before it even begins is appealing enough for me to be here right now, with the added benefit of being able to play out a few fantasies I have tucked away in my mind. I am confident I am going to enjoy this experience, and with the exorbitant price I am paying, I damn well better.
“Hey there. My name’s Logan.” I give the big guy blocking the door a smile.
He stares at me for a moment, before he mumbles something into the earpiece he’s wearing, then he nods, stepping aside.
“Go in.”
I push through the heavy wooden door and step inside. People dressed in expensive suits and fancy dresses whisper and laugh as they huddle around small tables. Jazz music plays softly in the background, giving the place a relaxed, yet classy atmosphere. I relax immediately and head over to the bar that stretches the full length of the far wall. The barman greets me with a friendly smile.
“What can I get you?”
“A whiskey. Neat,” I murmur, after scanning the shelves stocked with every spirit imaginable. “I’m looking for Marianne.”
He nods and motions for me to sit. “I’ll let her know you’re here.”
I settle back on a stool and people watch while I wait. Nick wasn’t kidding when he said this place was exclusive. In the last few minutes alone, I have recognised two high-profile politicians, a B-grade movie star, and a handful of sports stars who struggle to keep their business out of the public eye. I down my drink in one mouthful and motion for the barman to bring me another. I’m on my third drink when I see Marianne approaching me.
“Logan. Great to see you again. Let me show you around.”
I fall into step behind her, and we stroll through the bar area and through a closed door.