Hanging up her phone, she unconsciously began playing with the red fabric that she had bought weeks ago. A smile spread across her lips. She had no idea what she was going to do with Sam, and absolutely no idea how to forget about Ashton, who haunted her every waking thought, but at least she could always figure out what to do when it came to fabrics and paints. It was a language she knew how to speak fluently—she needed to create. She needed to purge the energy that had been building within her.

Pulling the fabric from the bolt, she grabbed her scissors and set to work. She was inspired by the new intense emotions that she had discovered—she had met desire on an entirely new level and she wanted to give it form. Sophie worked away the rest of the morning.

It was nearly noon when Mel came bursting into her apartment. “It’s so good to be home!” she bellowed. Sophie was in her kitchen eating a bowl of cereal, wearing dress pants and a sleeveless blouse with a very delicate pattern only appreciated on close inspection.

“Where are you off to, hot stuff? Going to entice a well-to-do business man into leaving his family to run off with you?” Mel asked, wiggling her eyebrows. She grabbed a bowl and joined Sophie.

“Close. I’m going to work and make my own fortune.” Sophie smiled.

“Not as exciting and definitely not as fun,” Mel replied with an evil smirk.

“Yeah, the funny thing is I have this thing called a conscience. It makes me do things that are morally right,” Sophie said with light sarcasm.

“Conscience,” Mel drew out slowly, rolling the word around in her mouth. “Never heard of it. Anyway, if Joe talks to you tonight, make sure you say no to whatever he asks you.”

“Who is Joe?” Sophie asked tentatively.

“My boss. Just saying if he approaches you with anything, just say no. Like asking you to entertain certain guests, or I don’t know…get up on stage, join the payroll. Just make sure you say no,” Mel ordered.

“Don’t worry. The only thing I plan on saying tonight is no,” Sophie assured her.

“Good. I’ll keep an eye on you, but if at any point you want to leave, go ahead. I’ll make sure you still get paid.” Mel patted her arm. “Thanks for coming tonight.”

“Sure. Did Corbin try to contact you?”

“I learned from my last relationship to avoid telling them where I live.” Mel’s shoulders dropped.

“Good. Hopefully that was the last of him.”

“We both know that would be way too easy.” Mel looked up at Sophie. There was fear in her eyes, a fear that Sophie felt as well. “Let’s just hope that he won’t be sober enough any time soon to try and find me.”

“What if he comes to your work?” Sophie asked nervously.

“They’re used to dealing with crazy there. That’s where I’m probably the safest.”

“What about the police? Can they do anything…?” Sophie let her words trail away with the glare that Mel gave her. “Nevermind.”

Mel had told her before that she would never go to the police for help. When she was younger, she’d tried to file a complaint against someone at the police station. When she divulged the fact that she was a stripper, the officer made it seem like she deserved the trouble. She’d walked out and never looked back.

Sophie took Margaret to the doctor again that afternoon. When Sophie asked about her appointment, Margaret dismissed any reason for concern, saying it was just for routine test results, putting Sophie’s mind at ease. Luckily she didn’t run into Ashton while she was at the house. The longer she went without seeing him the better, allowing the memory of him on her skin to fade. She needed time.

Standing in front of her mirror in her apartment that evening, Sophie pulled the red fabric over her head and slipped the dress that she made down over her curves. The material had just enough stretch to hug her body, stopping just above the knee. Her hair was curled in long, loose flowing waves, cascading over her shoulders. Her makeup darkened her eyes, making them smoky and sexy. Grabbing her red lipstick, she drew it over her lips, finishing the look. She felt devious, like she was breaking all the rules. She was unleashing the part of herself that came alive with Ashton’s touch. She wanted to be daring, strong, and take back her confidence.

Picking up her phone, she erased all the messages from Ashton telling her not to go tonight. Her fingers lingered over the buttons before she decided to send him a message.

Sophie: F**K OFF!

Ashton: You can’t even swear in writing?

Sophie: Go to hell.

Ashton: I’m already there.

Sophie: Good. Stay there.

Ashton: Don’t go tonight.

Anger fueled Sophie’s steps, throwing her phone into her clutch she shoved her feet into her heels before walking out her door. Mel was on her way down the stairs from her apartment when she met her.

“Definitely say no to everything anyone says to you tonight,” Mel said with wide eyes. “Where has this girl been hiding? I like her.”

“Too much?” Sophie questioned, suddenly unsure if she should have glammed herself up so much.

“Hell no! I like this side of you, but I won’t be making any tips tonight because all eyes will be on you.” Mel beamed. “Let’s go.”

When their cab pulled up in front of their destination, Sophie’s heart fluttered madly in her chest. The exterior was sleek, black, and discreet, other than the silhouettes of females in the windows. A large bouncer dressed in black with a fierce expression on his face stood at the door eyeing everyone that approached. Mel jumped out of the car and skipped toward the front door. The bouncer’s scowl melted into a smile as he watched Mel approach.

“Hey, beautiful.” He laughed, velvety and deep, from his large chest.

“Hey, Dustin.” Mel stretched up on her toes to kiss his beautiful dark skin. “This is my favorite girl in the whole world.” Mel motioned toward Sophie as she introduced her to the bouncer. “Sophie, this is Dustin.”

“I can see why she’s your favorite girl.” He said genuinely. His manners were refreshing as he shook Sophie’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Sophie.”

“You too, Dustin.” Sophie offered politely.

“This must be your first time. You seem really nervous.” Dustin chuckled. Sophie didn’t even notice she was shaking until she looked down at her hands.

“She’s gonna be one of the crowd minglers tonight.” Mel threaded her arm through Sophie’s.

“Don’t worry, Sophie. We’ll keep an eye on you,” he said reassuringly.

The music pulsed through the interior of the club. It was dark with low seductive lighting. Small platforms with lights running along the edges were sporadically placed throughout the bar, each displaying a girl twisting her naked body around the dance poles. Only thongs stood in the way of displaying all their secrets to the thin crowd that was dispersed through the establishment. “It will be packed later. It’s still early,” Mel yelled beside her over the raging music. The bartenders were stacking up endless rows of glasses behind the bar, readying for the evening guests. “Come with me. I want you to meet Kate. She’s going to be on the floor with you. You guys can hang out.” Mel’s words were music to her ears. Having someone to talk to would be wonderful, a distraction from focusing on where she was. The girls on stage greeted Mel as she passed, each of them seemingly as comfortable naked as someone who was completely clothed.

“Mel!” a stout man shouted as he walked toward them. His hair was wiry with unkempt curls. His large dark eyes were the only good feature upon his face. “Hello, who’s this?” He held his hand out toward Sophie.