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"Did you agree to be my little slut for tonight?" "Yes" she whispered seductively as she traced the outline of his d*** through his trousers. Isla has learned to navigate life as a stripper, making ends meet in a world that rarely plays fair. But when Xander, her wealthiest client yet, enters her world, things take a dangerous turn. He promised more than just money-but when he flees without paying, Isla is left with more than just a broken contract. Can she confront the man who upended her life, or is she in for more than she bargained for?
Chapter 1
Sophia POV
"Hey, mother fucker, over here!" I tossed the towel at a male waiter, a sluggish and naive guy who had just started working a few hours ago. I snorted in disgust, thinking he was a jerk and a numb ass. I was arranging wine cups at the wine bar when a familiar voice caught my attention.
"Sophy Harvey, what's up?" I turned gracefully, knowing full well who would dare to call my name so boldly. Anger flashed across my face, but it quickly subsided as I took in the sight of a new face standing alongside him. I raised my chin stylishly, pointing at the young man. "Who's this dude with you, Teddy?" I asked, my tone laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
"A friend," Ted answered, his chair scraping against the floor as he stood up, the sound echoing through the night. I felt a surge of unease at the sudden noise. "Ted!" I sneered, but quickly composed myself.
Mr. Handsome's expression turned stern, and I apologized profusely, adding ice to the ice bucket as I struggled to regain my composure. "What a disgrace," I muttered under my breath, chastising myself for my foolish mistakes. "Silly me," I added, pinching myself for my carelessness.
"Do you care for a drink, Teddy?" I asked, trying to sound friendly despite my reservations about his request.
As I poured the liquor into the short glass cup, the glooping sound filled the air. This cup was reserved for our VIP customers, and I was proud to be one of the professional bartenders who got to serve them. I focused intently on the pour, making sure not to spill a single drop.
"Here you go, Teddy," I said with a smile, handing him the glass. "Enjoy your drink."
"Je vous remercie, ma très chère Sophy," he said with a charming smile, thanking me in French, a language I usually find irritating when used to express gratitude.
But I played along, responding with a formal "You're welcome, sir" as I carefully balanced the tray of expertly mixed potato liquor glasses. My steps were slow and deliberate as I catwalked down the three steep stairs that led to the exclusive VIP section.
The glasses clinked softly on the tray, and the soft glow of the VIP area lights highlighted the delicate condensation on the glasses. I felt a sense of pride and professionalism as I made my way down, my eyes fixed on the waiting customers, and my gaze also drifted discreetly to Isla, who was sitting among them, looking stunning as always.
"Hey, Soph!" Isla's soprano voice cut through the thick atmosphere of cigarette and shisha smoke, which hung heavy like a fueling station, laced from person to person.
"Browny's not going to stop smoking, so get your slim-fitting body out of their mist, Isla," I said, French-accenting the heat, but not when you're with them, girlfriend. I advised, tilting my head to the side.
"I know, I know," she replied, picking up her bright orange purse-thank God it was orange-because Isla was notorious for her questionable fashion choices and matching outfits.
Isla's response was laced with a hint of sarcasm, but I knew she appreciated my concern. We exchanged a knowing glance, and I continued on my way, delivering drinks to the waiting customers in the VIP section. Later, I retired to my cantor, with Isla by my side, holding up the empty tray.
As we stepped away from the bustling VIP area, I let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that was a night," I said, shaking my head. Just then, an alarm clock started ringing loudly, and I gazed at Isla suspiciously. Her raised brow and stifled giggles hinted at her mischievous and playful tactics.
"Did you bring an alarm clock with you?" I asked, incredulous.
She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes, I did, and I'm sorry, but I need to get back to work."
With that, she hurriedly left my side, rushing towards the stripping pole. I watched her go, still trying to process the unexpected turn of events. The alarm clock's incessant ringing faded into the background as I shook my head in disbelief, chuckling to myself. Only Isla would think to bring an alarm clock to a nightclub.
"Is she a stripper?" Mr. Handsome asked me, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, she is," I replied quickly, nodding in Isla's direction as she skillfully writhed her waist around the pole.
"You want to book her for the night?" I asked, turning to Mr. Handsome, who seemed enticed by Isla's performance.
My voice echoed through the clubhouse, "Go girl!" as I cheered her on, drawing attention from the surrounding crowd.
Teddy, who had been ignored by Mr. Handsome, looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but I just shrugged and continued to watch Isla's mesmerizing performance. The music pulsed through the air, and Isla's body seemed to fluidly move to the rhythm, her skills on full display.
I pulled out a pack of cheese and sponge cake, decorated with vanilla icing cream. "I love you, baby," Teddy said, his hands filling with cake as he took a large bite. His eyes scrolled through his phone, and his conversation with me was minimal.
"How much for the night?" Xander asked, his eyes still full, concentrating on Isla.
"500 dollars for the night, sir," I replied, my eyes fixed on the cash in his hand.
He quickly dropped a bundle of 350 dollars, and my eyes widened, surprised by the prompt payment. I gently placed a card on the counter. "She'll meet you in the room. Enjoy your night, sir."
He nodded, his eyes still fixed on the stripping pole, and began to walk away. I watched him go, impressed by the ease of the transaction. Some nights were indeed better than others.
"Hey Isla, come on, you've got work to do!" I shouted out, the hisses from the crowd making me gasp out a loud "Oh!" like an owl. "Room 296, take the spare key!"
"You think I don't know what you're doing?" Phoebe's voice was low and venomous as she stood in front of him, her eyes burning with unspoken rage. Barrett's jaw tightened. "Phoebe, I-" "Don't lie to me. You never loved me. You were just another pawn in your family's game," she spat, her heart shattering all over again. After years of fighting for love and against betrayal, Phoebe Jones walked away from the wreckage of her broken marriage. Barret Wallace, the man who had turned their five-year relationship into dust to protect his inheritance, never thought he'd see her again. But fate had other plans. Now, as he settles into a new life, Barret discovers the unthinkable-his ex-wife is his next-door neighbor. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but so is the toxic past that threatens to destroy whatever's left of them.
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"