Chapter 21
The room number loomed in front of my eyes.
640.
My first client. My first 'performance'.
I lifted my fist to knock, lightly hitting the wood with my knuckles. “I am here for Mr White,” I said, reciting the line I had been told to say.
A voice came from the other side. “Come in, lock the door behind you.”
My breath was lost as I turned the handle and walked inside. It was dim, the main lights shut off, the only glow coming from shaded lamps in the corners of the room. The suite was large as an expansive living area appeared before my eyes, a large adjoining double door giving passage to the bedroom.
I turned and clicked the lock as asked. “Good,” the voice came again as I returned my gaze to the center of the room. “Now come forward, and begin.”
I searched for the source of the voice as I stepped into the room, seeing a figure seated in an armchair. He was shrouded by the low light, his appearance hidden from my view. Ahead of him a lamp had been placed as a spotlight, lighting up an open area of the room.
I stepped forward into the light, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I was trying to keep my composure, trying to remember the words of advice that Mrs Jones had given me. Now, though, it was just me and him.
I stood there for a moment as if waiting for further command from the man in the shadow. He gave none, his body unmoving.
Then, suddenly, music started playing from speakers built into the walls all around the room. It was the type of music Mrs Jones played in the studio - stripping music, sexy music.
With it my mind clicked into action, my instinct taking over. I began moving to the tones rolling from the walls, my body graceful, my movements sexy. I could see no reaction as my clothing grew in a pile on the floor, Mr White's face free of light, his body motionless.
My heart settled as I fell into a pattern I now knew well, my eyes locked on the silhouette ahead of me. I was soon down to my underwear, unclipping my bra and sensually slipping it from my body. It was the first time I'd removed my top in front of anyone other than Mrs Jones, and my heart did somersaults as my breasts fell into his view.
The confidence grew in me as I danced and moved, my performance that of a pro. I was without constraint, without any feeling of embarrassment or insecurity as I removed my thong, revealing my full body to an unknown man hidden in the shade.
I was lost in the moment, my body growing warm and wet at the thought. I envisioned Kyle in the chair, his chest rising and falling heavily as his eyes drank in my curves. I imagined his hand sliding to his loins, his shaft growing hard as my hands spread over my breasts and down my inner thighs. My breathing grew intense as my body began to tremble in pleasure at the thought, the vision in my mind.
I was broken from my fantasy as the music began to quieten and then come to a stop. Then, the man spoke once more.
“Thank you for that,” he said, his voice neutral. “You may dress.”
I breathed heavily in the silence as the world came back into focus. I quickly put my clothes back on as he watched on.
“I am very interested in experiencing more of you,” the main said, his voice now growing in desire. “For now, though, please see yourself out and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
My face grew in a frown as I turned away and paced towards the door. Experience more of you. What did he mean by that?
I unlocked the door and stepped back out into the hall, leaving Mr White alone in the darkened room. A clock on the wall told me it was past 9 PM - I'd danced for over 20 minutes, although it had only seemed like moments. I'd got completely lost in the moment, overtaken by my own thoughts and fantasies. I could hardly remember what had happened, how I'd performed, what I'd done.
I walked back down along the corridor towards the elevator and stepped in, pressing the button for the lobby. As I stepped out I could see Raoul's eyes follow me across the floor, his schoolboy crush intensifying with every step. I laughed in my head at the thought - he was pretty cute.
The car was still there as I stepped out into the cold. I quickly climbed in and it once more powered off down the street. I breathed deep and long as I reached once more for the bottle of whiskey, shooting a shot down my neck and reloading fast.
A smile crept across my face as I sat there. It was over - my first dance was over. I'd broken through, stripped for a man, and it had been the sexiest 20 minutes of my entire life.
The car shuddered to a halt and I peered out the window to see my dorm, lights flashing inside the building and students rushing up and down the steps. I saw Tom and his football team marching out, seemingly alcohol-fueled and ready for a big night out. The traditional college experience, I thought. It certainly wasn't mine.
As I prepared to open the door the window ahead of me slid down a crack and the driver spoke once more. “Alice,” the voice said. It was lost of its coarseness, suddenly smooth like butter and filled with feeling. “How did it go?”
I recognized the voice immediately and leaned forward to look through the crack. I could see Kyle's eyes, shining blue under his wavy hair, just above the window. They looked sullen and brooding, almost upset.
“What are you doing here,” I asked in shock, “aren't you too important to be just a driver?” My voice was intentionally sour and sarcastic.
“I wanted to see that you were OK,” he said. “Did it go all right?” he asked again. “Did he enjoy the performance?”
“I think so,” I said, remembering how he'd twice stopped me before getting my kit off, “more than you anyway.”
He ignored the quip. “And you stripped completely? Is that what he wanted?”
“Of course,” I said, slightly surprised he was even asking. “He never said what he wanted - I assumed he wanted the lot. Isn't that what all of this is about?”
“I guess,” he said, his voice low and quiet. “Good job Alice.” It was like he was trying to inflict some sort of energy into his voice.
I didn't get this guy at all. The last time I'd seen him he'd treated me like a damn commodity to be prepared for sale. Now - now he seemed distressed by the thought of me actually doing what he was paying me to do. He was a complete and total f*cking enigma.
We sat for a moment in silence in the car. I watched through the crack as his eyes turned back forward out the front mirror, turning the back of his head to me. “I'll get some feedback later Alice, from tonight. If he liked you, he'll probably want more.” His words went dull once more as he spoke.
Fine by me. That was the easiest money I ever made.
“Have a good night, I'll be in touch.”
With that the window went up once again, closing the crack. What a f*cking mystery.