Saturdays at the Viper Rooms Read online

  Eli doesn’t press the matter, he leaves me alone as he gets the drinks and I turn to look out at the busy club. I allow my glance to hover over to one of the booths by the far wall. There he is, settled in his seat, alone. His crisp white shirt is unbuttoned a little, showing his chest, his grey jacket looks so good on him again. He’s relaxed back, exuding that rich power he wears too well and I have to keep myself from smiling. This is the routine with Jace. He turns up the same time three nights a week and only ever books me.

  My boss doesn’t bat an eye. Apparently some men get fixated on some of the girls and ask exclusively for them. I’m exclusively Jace’s. I count my blessings and thank God for bestowing some stroke of luck upon me after all that’s happened to me. I need this. I need some sort of purpose. If I didn’t have Jace, I wouldn’t have a clue what I was doing with my life. Right now, I’m counting down the days until I’m free. Whether it be the end of my contract or Jace’s moment of pure genius. Either way, there is an end.

  “Here you go, Girl,” Eli breaks my thoughts as he speaks, placing two drinks onto a stainless still tray. “When you’re done with this, you’re 8pm is waiting for your attention,” Eli nods to Jace. I wish Eli knew all about Jace, but I won’t risk anything, not until its safe. “Don’t keep him waiting.”

  I smirk, knowing I want this, I have waited for this. I slide the tray off the bar and onto my flat palm, quickly making perfect work at delivering the drinks. They thank me and I dismiss myself. Now the real fun begins. I retreat to the bar, giving the tray back and now I feel ready. I pull my dress down, ready myself for the cameras to believe I am about to morph into whatever Jace Mason wants me to be. I take off towards him, my walk sensual and slow in pace. I know what this means. I know what’s coming and the excitement bursts within me. I can feel the heat rising and I love how every week thrusts the same feeling upon me.

  “Good evening, Sir,” I welcome him, approaching the table. I play coy, demure, reign in my need for him. I watch his eyes twinkle as I speak; he’s amused again, like he always is. He knows the game. Play along until we’re in my room. Then the charade will end entirely for a piece of time. “Are you ready?”

  He leans forward, his hands clasped together and I wonder what he’s up to. “Am I?” he asks me, his voice careful and poised. “Or shall we have a drink first? Plus, I want to discuss what happened with that guy. ”

  “It was nothing,” I deflect, deciding that the matter is not necessary to discuss.

  “Oh, it was. Especially when I have to watch another man touch what is mine.” His voice is low, rough around the edges as he growls the words out.

  “Are you jealous?” I ask incredulously. I have never seen him show it so evidently before.

  “No,” he defends himself to my accusations.

  “Ooh, are you jealous, Mr. Mason?” I play with him, teasing him with my tone of voice. I notice his face remain unchanged and I giggle. “Oh, you are!” I exclaim and continue to watch him. He doesn’t show an ounce of emotion now. His face fallen. “Why would I go for him, when I can have you? Please tell me, Jace.” I still, realizing what I just did. “I mean, er, Mr. Mason.” I could literally smack myself for that hiccup. If anyone heard I wouldn’t live it down.

  He laughs at me. “I knew there was a reason I came to you. You’re utterly adorable.”

  I feel the blush creep across my face as he says that.

  “Plus, I really want a Scotch,” he tells me, delaying the inevitable. He’s making a show. I know him too well already. He lulled me into this sweet situation and is now stepping back. He will pay tomorrow. I will make sure he doesn’t live this down. He’s dangling me over the lion’s den by still being here. He’s wasting his allocated slot and he’s making me nervous. I keep falling for the normalcy of being with him and forgetting where I am, so him pulling me back into line is something I need to be grateful of.

  I want to pull a face, scold him for changing the game plan, but I can’t. I reign it in, much to his pleasure. I nod and look to Eli over my shoulder and nod my head. He knows the signal and orders a girl to wait for our drinks. I slide into the booth next to Jace. I push myself in enough until my thigh is against his and immediately I curve my body to face him and place a hand on his thigh. The act is natural and wanted. I use my love for Jace when I’m entertaining other men. It keeps me focused and stops me from falling apart when I’m done. It takes me away from what I’m doing. It saves me.

  “Do you know what I want to do to you?” he asks me, leaning in to push some of my hair out of my face. I shake my head, keeping my eyes trained on his. I'm being swallowed by the blue hues. I'm mesmerized, eager, turned on. “I want you beneath me,” he begins to whisper to me. “I want you naked and breathless and completely spent. I want you to beg for more and allow me to worship you until my time here is over.”

  I quickly look around before talking, making sure we’re not going to be heard. “Once the goons have left me after tonight’s check, I expect you to be at my door.”

  “Saturday night extra,” he murmurs as Sadie, one of the new girls, brings the drinks over. He sits up, reaches into a pocket and passes her a tip. He offers her a wink and she scuttles away. I hit him under the table and he gasps at me. “What was that for?”

  I pull a face, the sarcasm smothering me. “That’s how you won me over.”

  He chuckles, his laughter full of heart and I melt a little at the sound. “Joely, I have eyes for only you. Don’t you think, if I didn’t, I would have left you the moment I found out what it is you exactly do?”

  “Shh,” I tell him as I remember suddenly where we are. “I know,” I tell him, my eyes dropping a little. I’m worried as to why we’re still out here and it’s putting me on edge. His hand comes to my chin and forces me to look at him. “Why are we still sitting here?”

  “I’m teaching you some control,” he utters to me, making me suddenly giggle. “I wanted to see how long it would take before you beg me.” He laughs again as my eyes grow wider by the minute. “Apparently, my next time here should be teaching you how to control your urges.”

  “You tried taming me once,” I whisper at him, my own smirk growing. “You failed. Remember?”

  He nods to me, grimacing at his own failure. It’s amusing to me and gives me something to tease him about. He teases me relentlessly when he wants to, so it’s only fair I have payback. We’ve been like this for the past six months. Since the first night we met and we fell into this relationship we have been a perfect match for one another.

  “I will make up for that,” he speaks, jokingly. He picks his scotch up and downs the brown liquor in one quick swig. Enjoying the taste as it bursts throughout his mouth, he turns to me, his eyes now hooded with intent and prowess. “Ready?”

  Now it’s time for the act to go back on. “Yes, Sir.” I say no more except finish my martini quickly and slide out of the booth. I know the rules here. If he buys you a drink, you drink it. If he asks if you’re ready, it’s time for you to take control and lead him to his ultimate pleasure. It’s all easy to remember and master to perfection. Do this right and you are well on your way to winning the Boss’ praise. I wait for him to stand before I lead the way.

  As we bypass all of the male clientele and the Viper Girls, we head to my room. It’s one of the middle rooms. The doors are black and named. Joely sits pronounced in silver script lettering. I can feel the butterflies flutter to life within me. This is the only time I will feel peace at work.

  I reach into my bra, pulling out the key. Its weight registers in my palm as I steady it towards the keyhole. I unlock the door, feeling Jace’s presence behind me and push the door open. My room is grander than the other girls’. It comes with the territory of being a head Viper Girl. I have everything I need to pleasure a man. It’s not all about the sexual output. Not every man comes here looking for sex. Jace is now the exception that deliberately comes here for sex with me.

  I walk in a little, allowing Jace to
enter. He does so as he loses his jacket. I turn and put my hands on the door. I look out at the club before me as I sense Jace coming up behind me once more and I push the door closed, a slight seductive smile gracing my lips as I lock it. It’s just him and I now. No prying eyes, no cameras, no worries.

  He knows how secluded we are and he tells me properly by unzipping my dress. The material falls apart, revealing my back and bra. He unclasps it and turns me around on the spot. I don’t do anything, I allow him control over this moment. He pushes the short sleeves of the dress down my arms along with the bra straps until it falls effortlessly from my body, all while his lips devour my bare skin. Soon I’m left standing in nothing but my lace black panties. The dress is pooled around my feet, covering my black Louboutin’s, my bra discarded like trash to the side.

  Turning me slowly, he's giving me that look. The one that tells me he has waited for this all day. The fact we spent all day in bed together is entirely irrelevant. Right now, he's claiming ownership over me. That's why he books such long sessions. The more time he has with me, the less time someone else gets. I love his logic, but a part of me worries about how long this can continue before the Boss stops it.

  There is only one other time this had happened and that was with Cassandra Nelson. Cassie had a client who would book up her every shift. The Boss soon put an end to that. Cassie was moved to another club across the country. There was no time to think, it just happened. Her client comes here still looking for a replacement, but always leaves disappointed. I don’t want to end up like that. Enough of my life is dictated by Clara, I don’t want her ripping out what’s left of my heart.

  I bite my lip as I eagerly wait for his next move and all he does is extend a hand. I take it and allow him to pull me towards him, forcing me to step out of my dress as I do so. I decide to kick the heels off as he pulls me towards his chest. He begins to kiss me and I work to pry the belt around his pants open. In our lustful haze, I manage to open the buckle and undo his pants, letting them fall down. He’s already undone his shirt. Everything speeds up as our kisses grow greedier.

  Picking me up, my legs wrap around his waist. He throws me onto the bed and falls on top of me. My body is covered with his and the heat is only rising higher and higher. His hand pushes around the curve of my waist to cradle me before I push him away. I look at him, feeling feral, and know that I can’t wait. He’s right, I have no control and I don’t care. I need him. My body is crying out for him, my heart screaming like a banshee.

  I don’t need to speak, my actions are enough. He pushes his boxers off and stands before me stark naked, his manhood standing pronounced and eager. I watch as he quickly kicks off his shoes and then covers me again. As he pushes me up the bed, he pulls my panties away from my body, slipping them down my legs as we make it to the center of the bed.

  He doesn’t wait. I feel his entire length push into me and my body reacts to the pleasure of the assault. I gasp as he pulls out only to fulfil my every need in that moment. I fall back, flush against the mattress, and my eyes involuntarily flutter shut. He works me to a blissful climax before he lowers himself to plant kisses over my skin. As he makes it to my neck, I can’t help but put my hand on him. He’s loving me right, he’s working the stress of the evening away from me. He’s reviving me with each new sweet penetration.

  I know I can’t hold off. My apprehension weakens me when I’m here. I am not the same girl here that I am outside the doors of The Viper Rooms. I think he knows that, but it doesn’t change a thing between us. I let everything go and allow myself to fall into ecstasy. My hand stiffens on his back as I cum. My nails dig in, deepening as he grunts and orgasms with me.

  As he comes down from the high, he kisses me again, this time the kisses are calculated as he makes his way from my chest up my neck before looking me in the eyes, his lips hovering just above mine. “When I’m done with you, you’ll only have two hours to survive,” he whispers at me just before he rolls off to lie beside me.

  I look at him, breathless still, but smile gratefully. “Thank you.”

  Two is better than five and I can thank Jace for that.

  Chapter Three

  “Joely!” My name travels the air in a sharp, domineering way. I jump a little before turning around to find out who wants me. I don’t get a chance to talk before Sam, the Boss’ personal guard, is calling me again. I try not to let the sudden onset of sheer terror show, but my brain is screaming scenarios at me. They’re twisting my rationality, torturing me. I start to breathe shallowly, wondering if I should take my time with walking towards him. If my gut feeling is right, then I know what this means.

  This is it. The end of Joely Gilbert. They know all about Jace and I and this is my untimely end.

  I take my strides carefully, watching Sam watch me approach him, and I gulp hard against the lump forming in my throat. I feel my skin begin to prickle with unease and my stomach rolls over. I know if I answer back right now, my voice will be feeble and shaky. I can’t make myself look guiltier than I already am. I lick my lips as I draw closer and admit my fate. It’s waiting. There is no going back now.

  “Don’t look so worried,” he speaks the moment I’m at least eight feet from him. “The Boss has a new job for you,” he tells me, alerting me to a game change. I know he won’t tell me more. He’s not permitted to, but I can’t stop the curiosity from bubbling up within me.

  “For me?” I ask him, perplexed as to what could be waiting for me once I enter the Boss’ office. I thank my voice for carrying across strongly and not flaking out for a two worded sentence.

  He chuckles, laughing at my innocent obliviousness. “Well, you are the head Viper Girl. It’s time you show her why she gave you that title.”

  Just like that my worries deflate and my woes slink back into the dark recesses of my brain. It’s time to show why I am here. It’s time to forget about what Jace and I have been up to and focus on what’s about to happen. My mind is still reeling, conjuring scenarios up, but they now no longer involve Jace and I being pulled apart forever.

  I follow Sam, his entire body covering my view of the corridor leading to the Boss’ office. I continue to just stare forward until we’re slowing and his rapping his knuckles against the thick, oak door. I tell myself to calm down, to take a deep breath, and just remember that this is nothing to worry about. It’s time I remember what I taught myself when I’m with my clients - calm, cool, collected. I’m a chameleon with this job, so I can be that with the ring leader too. I roll my shoulders, try to work the tension from my neck and become what the viper behind the door wants.

  Sam pushes the door open, walks in, and leaves me standing facing the Boss herself. The wide space between us is only covered by a rug, the cream of the fur contrasting with the dark varnish finish of the wooden flooring. My eyes run its course of the room until I reach the oversized desk opposite. I’m met with Clara’s cold, green eyes. She has a smile so full of intent, I know she’s more than ready with what’s about to happen.

  “Close the door and come here, Joely,” she commands me, not caring about anything but getting me in place. I do as she tells me, closing us off from the rest of the club. It’s still early so only the staff is here at the moment, but it doesn’t deter from the threat she poses. I know I, unfortunately, won’t miss my clients just yet.

  I approach the desk, apprehension still within me, but now I’ve noticed someone else in the room besides myself, Clara, and Sam. We have a new girl. My heart plummets at the fact that I’ve been here before - when I was enlisted. By this point I know she’s sold her soul to the she devil. I look to the new girl, eyeing her over quickly. She reminds me of me when I fell at the entrance for The Viper Rooms. Her hair is messily thrown up into a ponytail. Her face is free of makeup, her face tired, and she looks like she needs a good wash. Not only that, she needs a good meal too. I remember that ache in my stomach when Clara took me in, my body yearning for a proper meal, my mind yelling for a good night’s
sleep.

  The day I signed my name on the dotted line, I thought I had found my savior in Clara Delvine. If only I had been warned back then of what I was really letting into my life. I wouldn’t be here. Then again, I would never have met Jace. Some blessings really are in disguise.

  “This,” Clara breaks in, stealing my attention. “This is Luca. She’s our newest recruit.” Clara leans forward, purposefully taking on a polite approach. “I want you to take Miss Luca with you, Joely. For tonight, your clients have been cancelled.” She unclasps her hands and reaches for the champagne flute, and before taking a sip, she looks to me, her lips pursed a little, “I want Luca to learn from the best.” She then takes a slow, thoughtful sip, owning her statement and I know from the look in her eyes, she’s really testing me now. I may be the elite girl of us all, alongside Brianna, but this is my time to shine. “Can you do that or shall I call upon another girl?”

  I look to the new girl Luca, and back to Clara and nod my head. “I can do this, Boss. I won’t let you down.”

  She nods her head impressed and I know I’ve dodged a bullet. “I will be paying you triple what you earn in a month if you pull this off,” she carries on and pauses for a moment. I know she’s watching me, surveying everything I’m doing. She’s making sure she made the right choice by choosing me. “I want her ready for Friday. Can you do that?”

  I nod obediently. It’s only Tuesday. It gives me three days to work with Luca and get her ready for her first showcase evening. Friday we have a party and I bet Clara is loving the fact she has a new girl to join the ranks.

  “She has the first room on the right too. Shads will be making sure her name is on it by Saturday for her official start. I want you to show her that as well. I want her introduced to the other girls. I want Miss Luca to know how close knit we are as a community.” She stops for a moment, as she goes for the drawer to her left. She reaches in and brings out a card. I know this card. This is like initiation. “You know what to do.” She slides the card across the table top to me. “I’ll make sure you have the address of Miss. Luca’s new apartment, but for now, I want her staying with you until the end of the week.”