the contract marriage

CHAPTER 7

Emily

After a panic attack, Lilly wrapped a robe around me and led me outside. I felt a surge of calm, but it was short-lived when Marcus came looking for me. He praised my performance again, and I kept my mouth shut about Emmett’s involvement.

“Some men have been asking for a private room with you,” he said, his tone casual. But I wasn’t ready for that yet. An hour later, after my second dance, a guy approached again. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to,” I said firmly.

Lilly’s eyes widened. “He offered fifteen thousand. Are you sure you want to pass? He’s really handsome.”

Fifteen thousand. I could clear my debts with that. “But I don’t know what to do.”

“All you have to do is touch him, dance for him. Just remember—he can’t touch you. If anything goes wrong, scream, and Vinnie or Dan will be there,” she reassured me.

I raised my hand, uncertainty flooding me. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Honey, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Not every day you get an offer like this!”

She had a point. But who was this man, offering so much for me? I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Who is he?”

“Don’t know. A newcomer, I guess?” Lilly shrugged.

My heart raced. “So how do I know I can trust him?”

She took my hand, rubbing soothing circles on my palm. “You have protection. Everything will be fine. I promise.”

I closed my eyes, breathed deeply. “Okay, I’ll do it.” My finger shot up. “But make sure Vinnie or Dan is outside the door, please.”

She smiled, relief washing over her. “You got it. I’ll tell him to wait in room 48.”

As she left me alone in the back room, my hands trembled, adrenaline pumping through me. I could do this. Fifteen minutes with a stranger—how bad could it be?

I gave myself five minutes to gather my thoughts, then made my way down the dimly lit corridor. Each door I passed felt like a countdown to my decision. Finally, I reached room 48, my heart thumping wildly.

Dan stood by the door, arms folded, offering a small smile. “Hello, Dove.”

“Hi, thanks for being here. I’m not really comfortable with this,” I admitted.

He raised a hand. “No need to thank me. I’m here to protect you. If you need me, just call.”

I leaned closer, whispering, “Have you seen him?”

“I have. He’s a popular guy, always in the news. Not sure why he’d come here, but whatever floats his boat,” Dan said with a shrug.

Someone that well-known was here? My stomach twisted. “Do I have to stay the entire fifteen minutes?”

He shook his head. “Not if you don’t want to. If you want to leave, go ahead.”

“Thanks, Dan.” I stepped forward, grateful for his support. I’d miss the guys here; they’d been surprisingly kind. But once I was gone, I wouldn’t look back. I’d give Vinnie my number, though.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the door. My heart plummeted at the sight of the man sitting in the chair. “Aiden,” I stuttered.

Oh, he was popular all right—he was a talent agent. How did I not realize it was my boss from Starlight? I’d expected Emmett to spill the beans, but I didn't think Aiden would show up here.

His voice was low and deep. “So, this is what you’ve been doing for the past few days.”

I stood frozen by the door, anger bubbling under my skin. “Let me guess, Emmett told you?”

He nodded, his expression darkening. “You put on a good show. Do you enjoy being ogled like a meal?”

Shock mixed with rage as I shot back, “Excuse me? I only started today!”

His gaze pierced through me. “Don’t lie, Emily.”

I stepped forward, balling my fists. “I’m not lying, Aiden.”

He leaned in, frustration radiating. “I pay you well, don’t I? Why resort to this?”

My nails dug into my palms. “I’m not using my body, Aiden. I dance—that’s it! I’m not rich like you. I had to do this for my sister’s tuition. I had no choice.”

His voice escalated. “You had a choice. You could have asked me. I would’ve helped.”

I bit my nail, my shoulders slumping. “I didn’t want your help. You’re my boss. I didn’t want to owe you anything.”

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “You’d owe me nothing, Emily. How long have you been doing this?”

“About a week. I nearly had enough for her tuition until another bill showed up today. I couldn’t pay it, so I asked Marcus if I could strip. I started on stage tonight.”

He exhaled, his eyes scanning my body. I fought the urge to cover up but stood my ground.

“I paid for a private dance, Emily. So please, dance for me.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“Come here and dance for me.”

My legs moved on instinct, despite my brain screaming to stop. “I’ve never done this before.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You looked like a pro shaking that sweet ass,” he said, his voice low.

Heat rushed to my cheeks—he saw me on stage. “I don’t know if I’m comfortable. You’re my boss.”

He checked his watch. “We have ten minutes left. Don’t disappoint me.”

Fine. If he wanted a dance, he’d get one. “You’re not allowed to touch me.”

He nodded, eyes glued to my every move as I sauntered closer, swaying my hips in my bra and thong. I should feel embarrassed, but instead, I felt empowered.

Standing over him, I ran my hands down his chest and thighs before straddling his lap. His breath hitched and a thrill shot through me. I pressed my hands to his shoulders, grinding my hips upward.

He groaned, the heat between us palpable. I could feel his arousal beneath me, fueling my confidence.

I ran my hands down his body again, rubbing his thighs before turning my back to him, lowering myself onto his lap, hands on his knees. I circled my hips, teasing him.

“f**k, this was a bad idea,” he hissed.

I couldn’t agree more, but I didn’t stop. I ground harder against him, feeling his hardness against me. He paid for this, and I owed him a dance.

Turning again, I leaned closer, my breasts inches from his face. “Is this what you wanted, Mr. Davis? To have me grind on you?”

His eyes were dark with desire. “You have no idea, Emily.”

I looked from his eyes to his lips, the tension thick. He leaned in, but just as our lips were about to touch, I stood, maintaining eye contact. My hands moved up my body, swirling my hips in a figure-eight.

His hands twitched at his sides; he wanted to touch me. And honestly, so did I.

“Okay, enough,” he said, his voice husky. “I don’t want to break the rules.”

I smirked as I settled back down on him. “Are you sure, Mr. Davis?”

Staring at my lips, he gulped. “Yes, I don’t want to ruin our friendship. I shouldn’t have told you to dance.”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Okay.”

He stood, adjusting his pants. “Please quit this job.”

“I will,” I replied, “with what you paid for the dance, I have enough for her tuition. I’ll return the rest in the morning.”

“I’ll take you home,” he said, stepping toward the door.

“I still have a couple more hours. I don’t get off until 5 AM,” I reminded him.

He growled, turning on his heel. “You’re leaving with me. I’ll speak with Marcus.”

How did he know Marcus? “No, it’s okay. I’ll tell him.”

I didn’t want him to get angry at Aiden—he was part of the mafia, after all. I needed to keep the peace.

He stared at me, his expression serious. “You do know he’s in the mafia, right?”

“Yes, I know. I’m not stupid, Mr. Davis. He won’t hurt me. He’s sweet. I’ll miss him and Vinnie when I leave, even if he scares me. How do you know him, anyway?”

“Family business.” He opened the door, walking out, but the dirty look he shot Dan was unmistakable. “Sorry about that, Dan. He’s a grumpy fucker when he wants to be.”

I stepped out, feeling the weight of the moment. Dan pointed at Aiden, who was already at the entrance. “You know him?”

I managed a smile. “Yep, he’s my boss.”

With a whistle, Dan laughed. “Let me guess—he found out, huh?”

“Yeah, thanks to his brother. This is goodbye, Dan. I have the money I needed now, all thanks to his payment for that dance.”

“Let the boss know before you leave. Otherwise, he’ll probably come looking for you if you don’t show tomorrow.”

My eyes widened. “You’re joking, right? He won’t do that.”

Dan smirked. “You’re one of his girls. Of course he would.”

A shiver ran through me at the thought of him hunting me down. “Right, I’ll let him know.”

He gave me a salute before walking off, leaving me standing by the door of room 48, where I just gave my boss a lap dance for fifteen grand.