My cheeks are full, with tiny dimples, and my nose is slightly upturned. My big blue eyes seem to take up most of my face, or maybe it’s just the color of them that makes them seem that way. I’ve never seen someone else with bluer eyes than mine, and people think they’re contacts I wear for the show. With the shock of color against my pale skin and white-blonde hair, there’s no missing them. To top it off, I’m not your normal burlesque dancer. I'm a little shorter than most, at five feet four. Most Vegas dancers are closer to six feet. My hips have a bit more flare to them, and my larger breasts match my shape, giving me a nice hourglass figure.
My beauty is both a blessing and a curse. When I was young, it attracted the attention of too many men. It was happening before I could even understand what it meant, but back then I had a protector. Ethan.
When the world ripped him from my life, I had no choice but to run. Ethan kept my father at bay, so when he was taken away, I had to go. I thought I’d have a chance on the streets. I knew what my fate would be if I were to stay at home. Once on the streets, I bounced from shelter to shelter and a couple of community centers. I picked up dancing along the way and surprisingly, I was good at it. Everyone kept saying I was a natural talent, so I did what I could to get by and tried to stay safe.
I quickly got a gig in Vegas and moved up to lead dancer. Soon after, I was picked up to star in my own show at the Snake Eyes. I started dancing to make ends meet, and I’ve done that and more at this point. Before now dancing was all about surviving. The ache for Ethan was too much at times, but I knew I had to push through and survive. A part of my soul left with him that day in the backseat of the cop’s cruiser. He said he’d come for me, and I tried to wait, but when he never returned I had no choice but to run, fearing that the Division of Child Protection had placed him in another home. If I stayed, the girl he left wouldn’t be the same one he would come back to. She wouldn’t exist anymore. I knew my father would ruin me.
Now that I’m standing on my own two feet and not having to worry about where I’m going to sleep or how I’m going to eat, the ache for him is stronger than ever. It’s all my mind can focus on. Being around Mr. Townsend and his wife, Mandy, isn’t helping. Seeing how utterly in love they are reminds me of something I’ll never have.
The way he treats her reminds me so much of Ethan. Mr. Townsend is always so worried about Mandy’s comfort and happiness. The way he dotes on her and shows his affection is beautiful. You can see how he loves her so easily. It was something I’d had with Ethan. Something I knew no other man could ever come close to. We may have been really young, and only had a short time together, but I knew from the instant I met him he’d be it for me. He told me I was it for him too and there would never be another for him. He told me he’d marry me some day and give us both the family we always wanted, the family we’d talk about late at night when I’d sneak out my window and he’d take me down to the park. We’d lie beneath the stars together, talking about the day we would make that happen.
From the house we’d live in, to the kids we’d have, we dreamed it all under the night sky. He’d tell me that soon I wouldn’t have to worry about going to sleep at night. He promised me that no one would ever get to me like my father tried to on so many occasions. Ethan threatened him with death and installed a lock on my bedroom door. He protected me and promised me he would come for me.
“Miss Foxy, the stage is ready,” the production manager says, breaking through my thoughts.
Shaking my head, I give my hair one last fluff, clipping my bow into place. I plaster my practiced smile on my face and push away the pain.
Showtime.
2
Ethan
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to take you back to the room and give you what you’ve been begging for. Or is that what you’re after?”
Mandy giggles and leans into Charles, and I watch from behind them, trying my best not to eavesdrop. It’s not hard to overhear from just a few paces away, and I’m also trying my best not to look envious of the couple, but I can’t help that either.
I clear my throat to remind the casino owner that I’m still here, and they turn to look as if surprised to see me. Mandy blushes and looks away while Charles just smiles his devilish grin. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have built the Snake Eyes casino into something wonderful, and I’m here today to talk about some opportunities for our casinos to work together.
I’ve owned the Blue Diamond casino for a few years now, taking it from a downtrodden, shabby dive to a shining jewel. I’ve been looking to expand some of our entertainment venues, and Charles is looking for the same. If we are able to work together, we both look to double our revenue, and it’s hard to turn down something like that. It’s unusual for casinos to promote one another, but Charles and I are birds of a feather. We both have a head for business and a strong work ethic. Although since Charles has gotten married, I can see he’s slowed down just a bit.