18. Lola

Iwalk into the back room of the strip club, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The space is dimly lit, with a row of mirrors lining one wall. I find an empty chair in front of one mirror and take a deep breath.

I carefully unpacked my bag, laying out the tools of my trade. A palette of vibrant makeup brushes waiting to be used like magic wands. Jars of glittery eyeshadow that beckon me. I start with a clean canvas, applying foundation first, to even out my complexion. As I blend it in, I imagine the flawless mask I’ll wear tonight.

Next comes the transformation of my eyes. With each stroke of eyeliner, my gaze becomes more captivating, designed to draw people in like moths to a flame. Layers of mascara coat my lashes, adding a touch of allure and mystery. Eyeshadow colors dance across my lids, accentuating their natural beauty.

A hint of blush adds a youthful flush to my cheeks, while lipstick adorns my lips in bold hues. Each shade represents a different facet of myself—confident reds, playful pinks, or seductive plums. Choosing the right one is always an important decision because it sets the tone.

Next, I slip into my outfit for the evening—a dance set that hugs my curves in all the right places. As I adjust the straps and make sure everything sits comfortably, I can’t help but admire how confident and alluring I look.

I take a moment to stretch and warm up my body. Dancing takes strength and flexibility, so it’s important to limber up beforehand. I do some simple stretches, feel my muscles loosen, and prepare myself mentally for what’s to come.

I straighten my posture, reminding myself to exude confidence and grace as I move.

“Lola, sweetie.” Pearl pokes her head around the door frame and gives me the eyes of someone who has something to say but doesn’t want to say it.

“Yes?”

“I thought you would want to know that she’s here. We didn’t know if we should turn her away or not, but in the end, we thought it should be up to you.”

I feel ice run through me, my heart pounding and a little tremble in my fingers, which I instantly hide. I never drop my smile, not even for a second. I turn back to Pearl. “Who is here?” I say, with a shrug and a smirk. #

Pearl winks back at me. “Knock em dead. All of them.”

Willow sits, arms resting on the edge of the bar, savoring the last drops of her bourbon as the stage lights up. The first chord strikes out . . . and there I am. Well, what did she expect?

“Told me, told me . . .” My body has an almost iridescent glow under the spotlight. All hint of summer has left my skin and I’m paler than usual. I’m wearing black satin that doesn’t just rest against my curves, it enhances them--making them even more seductive. Long eyelashes, thickened with jet-black mascara and lined in deep kohl, frame my eyes. My lips are a deep cherry-red pout, and they press against the old-fashioned steel as I lip-sync into the microphone. My blue eyes sparkle boldly.

“You have been wasting time . . . on the other side.” Each whispered lyric is delivered straight to Willow. I wonder if she can remember how it feels to have my words whisper on her skin--my gasps, my moans. My hips sway softly as the satin brushes against my thighs. My heel taps in time to the music, stilettos so high that they make me several inches taller. My legs shimmer from the hosiery catching the light, and I can feel the snap of my garter belt straps against my skin with every move I make.

“Didn’t think about it when you let me down . . .” My body turns to the side as the bass begins. The lights pulse to the rhythm and I feel the heat of them on my skin as I start to dance. My hands stretch up, my fingers entwining to make the black silky satin pull tight across my chest.

“Chase me, Chase me.” The shadows move on either side of me. One at my front, one at my back. Tall, oiled beauties in fitted black panties and nothing more. The lights stay focused on me, but their presence makes me tingle with anticipation. My body is sandwiched between two girls who know what they want. Their attention heightens the pulse of arousal through me, eyes on me, breath against my neck, fingers on my skin. “Is it feeding all your fears?”

My head tips back and I feel the press of her lips against my pulse, teething grazing along my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Fingers reach forward to lightly sweep the thin straps from my shoulders, tracing down my arms as I feel the satin slip from my skin. It drops in a cascade of silk, pooling at my stilettos. Leaving my breasts bare and my body on display “Oh . . . I know what you’re about to say . . .”

She drops to her knees behind me and I feel the trace of her chin down my spine. Lips never leave my skin until I feel her teeth pull at my lacy panties and the fabric tightens against my pussy at the front. At the same time, kisses pepper my collarbone, painting my skin with desire. I feel her panties against me as my body aches for her, and I gasp . . . “Bet you wanna love me now . . .”

Her thumbs brush over my ankle bones, then her palms glide up my stockings. Fingers fanning as they reach my thighs, inching higher as her teeth release my panties, making a snap against my skin. From the front, hungry lips travel further down my body. Placing a kiss directly between my breasts, she sticks out her tongue and paints a line of lust straight down to my navel as she, too, sinks to her knees for me.

I turn on my heels to face forward. Both of their hands inch higher. Skimming the lace tops of my stockings, finger pads on silky flesh before reaching the hem of black lace that rests against my hips.

The moment they find it, my eyes meet Willow’s. She knows me so well. She will notice the flush of arousal on my chest and the tremble in my thighs . . . “But I’ll keep that between you and I . . .”

My hand grips the pole as the women’s fingers hook, and lace drags down my thighs. It clings to my pussy . . . but their want is greater, so it peels away from me. They lower my panties all the way down to my ankles. I feel the spotlight bathe my nakedness, lighting me up. Every inch of me is on display . . . bold and beautiful. “Bet you wanna love me now.”

I look straight at Willow to see tears streak down her cheeks, just before the light cuts out.