Hidden (New Orleans Temptation Series Book 2) Read online

  “Interesting!”

  “Is it really?” I respond with a sex-covered tone.

  “Yes, it is. Considering I had no knowledge it existed. Who will work the bar in that room?” He asks the question with his eyes on the floor. I wonder if he has the balls to work it. He seems embarrassed.

  With a smug smile, I say, “I intended everyone to take turns, but if you can’t handle it, I’m sure someone would love to take your shift.” I lie to him about his ability to get out of it just to get a rise out of him. “It’s the most requested room to work in.” I smile and sit back in my chair waiting for his response. Is he going to back out or did he want to be in the room?

  He sits up straightening his shoulders in a show of maleness. “I can handle it. I was just asking.”

  “Good. I will let you have the first two nights in the sex club!”

  “Sounds like a plan. I can’t wait to check it out.” He gets up from the chair, throws his trash in the can next to the door, and turning back toward me, he says, “It was nice having lunch with you. We will have to do this more often.” He looks sexy as he leans in my doorway again.

  My eyes immediately travel to his cock. Good Lord, he is at full attention and it has my attention. I take my time studying his bulge. It looks to be perfect from here appearing long and thick. Boy, would I love to get my mouth on that. Shit, I have to get it together. I’m the boss, but it’s my nature and I can’t help it. I take my time raising my eyes slowly to meet his. “Yes, please let’s do lunch again. I love the view.” He smiles and walks out of my office leaving me wet and frustrated.

  Chapter 6

  Sunny

  The last three weeks have been a whirlwind. Leaving St. Louis was fast and stressful. However, I’m pleasantly surprised at how safe and comfortable I feel here. I keep telling myself I should look over my shoulder more often but I don’t. I have the security at the club and have been here every day since I was hired a week ago. My time has been spent learning the dances and getting fitted for the elaborate costumes.

  Samantha has mixed the old burlesque style with a very glamorous chic New Orleans theme. It shouts class when you walk into the place. Security, yep, the hot security team, not the big fat bouncers I’m used to will be dressed in all black suits like the secret service. I don’t know how she did it, but even the bouncers look like models. Our entire staff of workers are beautiful. I feel a bit out of place.

  Rumor has it the men hired are gay or refused to sleep with Samantha during their interview. Looking around, I think most are gay other than that nosy Parke and Jackson. Parke is hot but kind of strange. He’s always lurking around. He asks way too many questions for my comfort and makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck sometimes. Only Samantha and Shelby know my situation, and he makes me uncomfortable with his over-friendly questions. And if he double-checks with me one more time if I’m a hooker or not, I may punch him in the throat.

  And Jackson … Oh, handsome Jackson. It bothers me to think that he may have slept with Samantha. He can’t be gay, and we all heard how Parke refused to do Samantha on her desk, but there has been no mention of Jackson. I was glad to hear Carmella say yesterday that Jackson cut Samantha off in the interview when she started her shit and told her he was the best head of security in the city and he would not fuck around on the job or to get a job. He told her she could hire him now or quit wasting his time. The thought made me smile.

  I stand in front of the club again with my mind running wild. This time, my thoughts are thankful reflective thoughts. I think about how far I have come in the last two weeks and how lucky I am to have met Joe and Shelby. Without Joe, I may not be alive. Without Shelby, I would not have this job. And without this job, I would not be daydreaming about the hunk of a man named Jackson. He is insanely gorgeous.

  Damn it. What am I doing? Going through what I went through, I should not be concerning myself with another man, no matter how hot he is. But oh man, is he hot. And he is hard not to dream about. I felt a connection with him the moment I fell into his arms. But he appears to be a loner, always in the background just watching. He will speak to me if I drum up conversation, but he has never approached me.

  Oh well, I don’t need that mess right now anyway. I need to stop daydreaming and get to my dressing room for my final fitting. The grand opening is tonight and I’m so excited. All of our costumes are exquisite.

  I walk into the dressing room to find Carmella putting the finishing touches on an outfit. She can work magic with anything and everything she touches. She colored my hair and it looks absolutely beautiful.

  “Hey, Carmella!” I say with a cheerful tone.

  She looks up at me with her infectious smile. Carmella is the most uniquely beautiful person I have ever met. She is short with dyed jet-black hair and pale white skin covered in colorful tattoos. She’s a no-nonsense kind of girl. She’s very caring but doesn’t take shit from anyone, and she will let you know that the moment you meet her. She is in the late thirties but you would never know it by looking at her as she exudes youth.

  “Hey! You ready to try on this costume?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Where’s the seamstress?”

  “She had Thanksgiving dinner to tend to and said she knew it would fit you so she left it to me to add the finishing touches. So it’s just you and me kid. Here, put it on so we can get the hell out of here.” She hands me the first outfit. My eyes grow large with excitement.

  “VaVaVoom, huh,” she yells out.

  “You can say that again.” I start to get undressed taking the outfit in visually. This is the outfit for the club dance floor. It’s an elegant ruby red bodice with black trim enclosed by a corset back. There is an intricate scroll design embossed into the fabric. The top is a sweetheart cut with black ribbon lining the deep plunge. There is also a black sequined design that goes from under the bust down to the bottom. Surprisingly, there are full-coverage panties are attached to the corset. Sewed to the hem are feathers instead of the old time fringe. I point to the bottom of the outfit and hold it up to Carmella.

  “This is a surprise,” I say.

  “What, the feathers?” she questions, looking confused.

  “No, the full coverage over the ass.”

  “That’s for the dance club. Samantha was adamant about having distinct sections of the club. And she wanted the dance floor to be a sexy place without it being a strip club. She doesn’t want to make women who come to the club uncomfortable.

  “Samantha is a genius.”

  “She really is. I foresee a line around the block to get into this place tonight.”

  “I sure hope so. I could use the money.”

  “Can’t we all,” she says with a smile.

  I zip the corset up the side and Carmella strings it up in the back for me. I stand in the mirror and fantasize about going back to school to become a nurse. I always wanted to do that, but Rex refused to allow me to go to college. Meeting him at the young age of eighteen was the worst day of my life. But now I’m twenty-one and free of Rex, I can go back if I want. I will stay in the shelter as long as it takes to save money for my own place and then I’m out of there.

  “How is that? Is it too tight?” Carmella asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look in the mirror to see a new woman. One that is going to take control of her own life. “It’s perfect,” I say in awe of my own reflection.

  “Oh, wait ’til you see the best part.” She pulls out a black saucer hat. It has black and red feather pluming on the top with a black veil that covers my face all the way down to my nose.

  “Oh, I love it. And did I mention how much I love the color you dyed my hair?”

  “Only a million times,” she laughs. “The auburn color looks so natural and sexy on you with those emerald green eyes.

  I put my fingers through my long beautiful locks giving her a smile. “Did you know the red you chose is actually my natural color? I have not had my hair this color in years.”
/>   “Really? No wonder it’s the perfect color for you.”

  “Yep, when I left the color up to you, I thought you would go black. This color brings me back to a better time in life. I hope to keep it that way.”

  “Well, this is a good start. You have so much ahead of you. This job pays crazy good money, and you have caught the eye of Mr. Handsome Jackson.”

  “Shut up!” I swat my hand at her feeling embarrassed. “He’s not interested in me.” My heart skips a beat hoping he may be interested in me. But he can’t be. I can’t compare to what he’s accustomed to dating. I turn to her and ask, “Is he really? What makes you think so?”

  “You were the last hire and Jackson and I were the first. I have seen the way he interacts with all the girls. They have made more passes at him than they know what to do with in the last two months. But he doesn’t budge. He’s strictly business with them. But not with you. You don’t feel his eyes boring a hole into you constantly?”

  I look down fidgeting with my feathers. “I have to admit, I have had a huge crush on him since I crashed into him the day I interviewed. I felt electricity course through me when we collided. I know that sounds stupid,” I say, shyly avoiding eye contact with her.

  She puts her finger under my chin raising my face to hers. “No, girl, that doesn’t sound stupid. I noticed the attraction right away,” she says, smiling into my eyes.

  “I have been wrapped up in trying to forget the man that did this to me, and I have been too afraid to see it.” Tears start to well in my eyes as she looks back at me.

  “Oh, honey, you’re going to be just fine. Your bruises are almost gone, and we can cover that dragon tattoo you hate with makeup. Light bulb, a light bulb just went off in my head. Do you see it?” She points above her head and continues to yell light bulb.

  “No, I don't see it, and you’re crazy,” I laugh.

  “Jackson’s sister is a dermatologist. She does laser hair removal, boob jobs, nose jobs, and tattoo removal. You will have to ask him about her.

  “That would be kind of weird, don’t you think? Hey, sexy, do you think your sister can remove this biker tattoo that was put on my back while I was knocked out on the date rape drug?” Another tear slips from my eye as I realize this is not something I have told Carmella before but it felt so natural.

  She puts her hand over her mouth and gasps. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” She hugs me and doesn’t let go, rubbing my back like a mother would do. I have not had a hug like this since my grandmother was alive. And with that, I just lose it and fall into a million pieces.

  “Come on, Sunny, talk to me. Let me be here for you. I know we have only known each other for two weeks, but I already feel like you’re my little sister,” she says softly with her hands now on my shoulders with care and warmth.

  Her kindness takes over my soul, and I can see that she really cares. I’m tired of holding it in and hiding it so I tell her everything. I tell her how I met Rex, how I fell for him, how he used to be, and how he took care of my grandmother’s burial when I had nothing and no one. Then I tell her about his new dark side, the one that was created by the power of being president of The Flaming Dragons. I realize that I’m now sobbing yet I feel relief.

  “Thanks, Carmella, thanks for letting me share this with you. I really needed to get that out to a real friend and not just a counselor.”

  “That’s what I’m here for, honey. Please, anytime you need me, I’m here for you. Look, us southern women stand up for each other. I will beat his ass if he shows his face here.” We both belly laugh until I feel the piercing pain of my broken ribs.

  “Come on, girl, it’s time to get out of here and get our grub on. Where you going for Thanksgiving dinner?” she asks.

  “I guess back to the shelter.” I shrug.

  “Oh no, ma’am. You will not eat dinner at some shelter. You are coming with me. My family has a big crazy dinner with way too much food and lots of fun. Now get dressed before we’re late.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

  “Yes, I’m sure. You’re family now. Move it. My mom gets pissed when I’m late.” She smacks my ass as I turn to go get dressed. She is one crazy girl but I know she means it. We are family now.

  I get dressed and we get into her car headed out of the city down to the bayou. I watch out the window as the scene changes from close brick buildings to cypress trees and shrimp boats. We pull up to a little wooden house with tons of cars parked out on the lawn and people everywhere. When I get out of the car, Carmella grabs me by the hand dragging me toward the house. She introduces me to everyone, but there’s no way I will ever remember everyone’s name. They are all so welcoming and the food was to die for. I have never had food this good. I think they had regular turkey there somewhere, I’m sure of it, but I saw nothing that I would consider traditional Thanksgiving food. I did finally come across a turkey, but it was fried and injected with some wonderfully spicy sauce that was absolutely amazing. They had things that I have never tasted before or even knew existed: seafood stuffed mirlitons, stuffed artichokes, crawfish pasta, corn and crab soup, and crawfish bread. It all looked delicious, except the raw oysters. I just could not try it, it looked way too slimy. After dinner, I sit and watch everyone laughing and having a great time listening to music and enjoying each other’s company. It is so nice to be out of the shelter and act like a normal twenty-one year old. I have to get out of that shelter soon.

  Oh Lord, I really should not have tried “everything” at Carmella’s mom’s house earlier. I moan and rub my belly. I’m so full I feel like I could burst. Being it’s Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that I’m in the dance club tonight and not in the strip club, and I can pull this belly in tight with my corset outfit. Carmella has finished my makeup and I sit waiting for the doors to open looking at how beautifully she has done my face. I see no traces of my fading bruises. I don’t even recognize myself. This is the woman I want to be when I look in the mirror.

  Samantha’s voice squeals with excitement into the room. “Come on, ladies, get your asses out there and shake what your mamma gave ya! Thanks for everything, girls, without each of you, I would not be able to open the doors with such confidence. Get out there and make me proud,” she yells, turning to walk out the door. She seems so genuine, they all do. I try to shake off the feeling of not wanting to get close to them. I want to, I want to let them in as real friends, all of them. But I still have a deep knot in the pit of my stomach that tells me Rex will find me. And when he does, he will destroy anyone close to me. With that thought, my throat starts to feel tight. I need some air. I turn and head to the back exit in a hurry while everyone else walks toward the club. I fling open the heavy door and rush out without looking. Bam, I hit a brick wall again. Yep, the brick muscular wall of Jackson.

  “We really have to stop running into one another like this,” he says, smiling down at me with a hint of lust that I have not allowed myself to see before now.

  All the tension I had been feeling seconds ago melts away. My hands are braced on his hard chest looking directly into icy blue eyes. He doesn’t say a word. He simply peers back at me. This is unfamiliar territory for me, and I start to get flustered. “I’m sorry. I should have been paying more attention,” I mumble.

  “No, don’t be sorry. I’m enjoying our little run-ins. We have to do this more often. I’m a man of regimen.”

  His smile is a very sexy half-grin with a gleam to his eyes. I smile back up at him. My lips are so close to his. Oh, how I would love to run my tongue across his lips right now. As I daydream about feeling his warm lips on mine, he leans over and softly kisses the side of my cheek.

  “Good luck, Sunshine, you look absolutely gorgeous as always.”

  Stunned, I don’t know how to respond. Before I have a chance, he lets go of me quickly and moves to the door.

  Looking back at me over his shoulder as he strides to the door, he says, “Gotta run. We open in two minutes. But don’t w
orry, I will keep a close eye on you.” With his signature wink, he’s gone and I’m left with a mix of emotions. All I can say is “Wow” as I stand with my feet once again glued to the cobblestone street. Is he really interested in me? What would he want with me? I’m all used up. Rex took everything from me. He broke me down into little pieces until I was nothing. I hear the door open behind me, and turning, I find Carmella staring at me. I can feel it, my eyes are starting to pool, and I don’t think I will be able to stop it.

  “Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare smudge my thirty-minute makeup job. Do you hear me? That’s an order,” she yells. “Now tell me what’s wrong without crying. But remember, you have two point two seconds to be on your dancing box.”

  “Oh, Carmella, I just feel so used up and broken. Will I ever be free of him? Free to be myself?”

  “Yes, yes, you will! You’re beautiful, funny, and full of life. We will work through this together LATER, I promise. But for right now, you have to suck it up and dance away that bastard. Okay? Can you do that?” she asks.

  I shake my head yes because she’s right. I need to suck it up and move on. “Thanks, I needed that.” With a quick hug, we sprint into the club and reach my box. Before I get on, I see a panicked Samantha walking toward me.

  “Oh my God, where were you? I thought you chickened out on me.”

  “No way, Samantha, I just needed a second to chase away some old memories.”

  “Are you okay now?”

  “Yes, I’m going to be.”

  “Do you promise to tell me if he comes looking for you? I’m here to help you. I can alert the security team to make sure he doesn’t get in.”

  “No, please I don’t want Jackson to know about this or me living at the shelter yet, it’s embarrassing. He won’t come for me here. He has no idea where I am.”

  “Okay, but I want to keep you safe from that bastard so let me know if anything changes. And remember your intuition is the best warning sign so listen to it.”

  “I will, I promise.”