“What happened to strictly business?” Hannah scolds me as we walk into our apartment after work and I toss my jacket on the couch. Squatting, I pull off my work heels and toss them onto the floor before I sag into the couch, exhausted by the half hour of bickering.

“And I have been!” I argue. “But I can’t help that he cornered me and ordered me to go.”

“Ordered you?” Hannah says, pulling off her heels and throwing them across the room and nearly hitting Mr. Felix, who goes scrambling away with a feline yowl of outrage. “What is he, your daddy?”

“No, but he’s my boss!” I groan, laying my head back on the cushion, hoping to keep the headache that’s threatening to break out behind my eyeballs from turning into a migraine.

“Yeah, but this isn’t something you had to say yes to!”

“He didn’t give me time to say no,” I half lie. “He walked off before I could say anything.”

Besides, the truth is, the way he made me come left me breathless. I still haven’t gotten over how good it felt to feel that big, hard cock rubbing up against my . . .

“You just want to go,” she accuses with a smirk on her face, pulling me out of my lustful thoughts. “Admit it.”

It’s true. I can’t even work up the energy to disagree. All week, I’ve been avoiding him, trying my best to do what needs to be done. But after that move he pulled in the elevator . . . shit. I have to go. He dropped in on me and tempted me. Now I’m like a bee that's going after her honey.

“Anyway, I’m going to get ready,” I say ending the conversation without admitting anything, but my eyes give it away. She’s right and she knows it. “Tonight, yes, I’m going,” I say when I’m not facing her. I laugh. “Don’t worry! I won’t overdo it.”

Hannah yells, “You lowdown, dirty tramp!”

I laugh, going into my bedroom. Wear something flashy. Jake's words come back to me. Flashy? Oh, I know flashy. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve still got some of my club wear somewhere in here. I never throw anything out. I go plunging into my closet, reminding myself that someday, I have to clean and organize all this shit, when I see it. My dress. It was a gift from some of the guys at Trixie’s when I was getting scouted for a record deal. Thigh-length and sparkly, it’s flowy and flirty but still clings to my curves, molding itself against my breasts and making me look hot. Quickly stripping, I wish the dress had space for a bra, but there isn’t. I’m just going to have to go all-natural. It makes me feel sexy, my nipples hardening in anticipation before I go hunting for my naughtiest silver and white thong and let the dress pour over my shoulders and down.

I find the matching heels for this thing and slide them on, checking myself in my mirror. A quick tousle of my hair, and I look at myself again, stunned. “Damn,” I murmur, grinning. Here is what I’ve been missing. Here’s the Roxy who used to make people scream my name, and not just the few lucky men in bed. I do a quick little touchup of my makeup around my eyes and walk out, twirling as I do, showing off with a spunk I haven’t felt in a long time. “All right girl, whatcha think? Will I blow up the club or what?”

“Okay. Fuck this shit!” Hannah, who’s sitting on the couch, yells when she sees me. Without another word, she disappears into her room. I can hear her mumbling that I’m making a huge mistake and should listen to her, and I can tell she’s getting dressed. In minutes, she comes back in a similar sparkly getup and heels. “Take that, bitch!”

She struts in front of me, popping a hip in my direction. “As you can see, you’re not the only one with an ass around here.”

I laugh. At least she’s given up on lecturing me. “So you’re going?” I ask incredulously. “And where the hell did you get that?”

“Just from that thrift store downtown, and you’re damn right. Someone’s gotta keep you out of trouble and show you how to do it. And someone’s got to protect the men from Roxy’s Raging Hormones!”

I laugh. “You could’ve at least worn something different. Copycat.”

Hannah scowls at me. “Copycat? Girl, please. I look good. Better than you! Don’t I, Mr. Felix?”

Mr. Felix, who is perched on the coffee table, jumps off it and crawls under the couch to the point where only his eyes are peeking out. I laugh hard. “I guess that answers your question. He knows the difference between class and ass.”

“You little bastard!” Hannah rages, pointing at Felix as she goes for her keys. “I’m serious, nothing but dry food from the dollar store for you, the cheapest I can find!”

I laugh uproariously as we leave our apartment.

We get into Hannah’s car, and on the way over to the club, she resumes her preaching. Thankfully, for my head, to a lesser extent.

“Remember, whatever happens,” she says as we park, “keep it cute or put it on mute. Just don’t go home with him. Let's have our fun or whatever.”

I roll my eyes, closing the door. At least this time, we’re in the main parking lot, even though it’s still pretty packed. “Yes, yes . . . I’ve heard this all before! Please shut up, Mother!”

We climb the steps to the door, where I see John from my last visit on door duty. He gives me a respectful nod again and a slight smile. “Miss Price, it’s good to see you again. Mr. Stone left instructions that he’d be waiting in the VIP section. Is this Hannah?”

Jake must’ve known I’d bring her. Hannah bites her lip, and I can see she’s into John a little bit. I get it. He’s handsome and charming in that mysterious kind of way, and anyone who could work security at a place like this has to know how to handle themselves. “Hi.”

John chuckles and opens the door. “Hi. Enjoy yourself.”

We go inside, and I’m immediately struck by how packed the club seems. There’s a trickle of energy threading its way through the crowd, and I feel more beautiful than even the first night I was here. There’s joy in the air, joy and excitement, and while I don’t know why, I can’t help but be infected by it.

“Come on,” Hannah says, smiling too as she tugs me toward the stairs to the upper level. “Hey, you know the doorman?”

“His name’s John, and that’s all I know.” I laugh, following her up the stairs. We reach the VIP section, and my heart stops when I see Jake. He’s sitting in a huge semicircular couch, Nathan relaxing next to him. The glass table in front of them has wine bottles and glasses and ice. Jake looks like a vision dressed in black pants and a red dress shirt, a hint of his muscular chest visible. Hot desire shoots through my blood as I look at him, barely noticing Nathan, who is grinning deviously.

“Who’s that?” Hannah asks, bringing me back to reality. “The other guy.”

“That’s his friend I told you about. The money man?”

“He’s too short for me,” she whispers. “Don’t care about the money.”

“But he has a big personality and maybe . . .” I start.

Hannah rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. Gimme some credit, I’m not that shallow.”

“Ladies, ladies,” Nathan says in greeting. “Or should I say angels? Wow, I have never been more wrong about my first impression of someone.”

I laugh, shaking hands with Nathan while Jake gets up, coming over and shaking hands with Hannah before putting a hand on my lower back. “Nathan’s right, you both look stunning,” he says before whispering in my ear. “And you truly look amazing,” he says, his voice dripping with desire. “My Angel.”

Being called Jake’s angel makes my knees quiver, and I’m glad when he leads me over to sit down, the boys in the middle while Hannah and I take the outsides. I’m aware more than ever of Jake as his leg presses against my thigh, and I’m glad when Nathan leans forward and pours everyone a glass of champagne. “To a second successful week of Club Jasmine, and to wrong first impressions.”

“Not all first impressions are wrong,” Hannah says, toasting with us. “The place still looks just as awesome as it did last Saturday.”

“Well, of course. I’m still here,” Nathan says with a laugh, sipping his champagne. “And with you and Roxy here, it has class, too.”

I half choke on my champagne, laughing at the similarity to the joke Hannah and I had earlier, coughing a little before setting my glass down. “Sorry . . . don’t mean to make an ass of myself.”

Hannah must be remembering the same thing, because she starts laughing, thankfully without a mouthful of champagne to choke back, and she leans against the couch. “So, Nathan, Roxy tells me you’re the brains behind the place?”

“Hey!” I protest, but Nathan chuckles.

“No, it’s a team effort. He’s got the show, and I’ve got more than enough go.”

Jake shakes his head, leaning back. He teases, “Put a pretty lady on his arm in public, and he’s Mr. Confidence. Just be careful, Hannah. Get him alone and you might find yourself disappointed.”

We talk back and forth, relaxing and having fun, and while I can see Hannah likes Nathan, there’s not really sparks there. We finish our glasses of champagne when suddenly, Nathan gets up. “Excuse me guys, I’ve gotta do my announcement.”

Without pausing, Nathan hurries to the stairs, leaving me confused.

“What’s that about?” Hannah asks, thinking the same thing I am.

Jake bends over and whispers something in Hannah’s ears. She looks at me, lit up like a light bulb, grinning a secret smile.

“Hey what was that all about?” I ask, wondering what the hell Jake and Nathan have cooked up.

Jake’s smile is all mystery. “You’ll see.”

Just as I’m about to open my mouth, I hear Nathan’s Bronx accent amplified on a microphone, and I turn, seeing him on stage. “What’s up, Club Jasmine?”

There’s a cheer from the crowd, and Nathan grins. He’s got enough personality to look seven feet tall on stage. “It’s been a hell of a week, guys. And today, my partner and I were trying to think of what we could do to say ‘Thank you’ to everyone who’s been coming to Club Jasmine. And we came up with an idea we think you’ll like. A way to give a little back to you.”

I sit forward, intrigued. Nathan continues. “So tonight, we’re holding an impromptu karaoke contest. For the next half hour, you can sign up at the bar. And while this is supposed to just be fun, the winner tonight gets a thousand dollars.”

The buzz is huge, and less than a minute later, some guy’s up on stage, belting out Bon Jovi. While he’s got energy and is having the time of his life, I think, he can’t sing for shit. “Jesus, my ears are bleeding!” Hannah yells, covering her ears. “Make it stop!”

Jake laughs. “I’ve heard worse. You should hear Nathan!”

The first guy finishes, and next up on stage is a girl. She’s just as terrible, although she can shake her ass like it’s nobody’s business, so she gets plenty of applause as she caterwauls her way through Break Free.

Still, even though almost nobody can really sing, they’re having a great time. I’m feeling it, the itch in my toes and the thrum in my chest as each tone deaf contestant gets up there. Yeah, none of them are singers and they know it. But they’re up there, they’re performing and having a ball . . .

Nathan gets back on stage. “Jasmine, thank you. You guys are bringing it! Now, I have somethin’ special. She hasn’t signed up, but I think up next is my new friend over here.”

Suddenly, the spotlight shines up on us, and I’m blinded. It still hadn’t clicked until that moment, and I turn to stare at Jake in horror. “You did this!”

Jake shrugs. “Worked, didn’t it?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “No way, I’m not going!”

“Get your ass up there,” Hannah says. “You know you want to!”

Hannah’s right, the stage is calling to me. I can feel it pulling me. But I don’t move, setting my face. Hannah gets up and runs down to the stage. I don’t think she’s been in on this, but you could’ve fooled me. It damn sure seems it. The crowd roars as she snatches the mic from Nathan and starts shoving him off stage. “Go on, they’ve seen enough of your ass!”

The crowd laughs, and Hannah holds up a hand. “Guys, I wish I were the singer Nathan here was talking about, but I’m just the eye candy.”

There’s a few whistles about that, and Hannah grins. “Yeah, thought so. Listen, the person who is supposed to be down here is my best friend and roommate. She used to be a professional, so I think it’d be unfair to let her win the money. This is just for the love of singing. Now, I never actually saw her perform, but I’ve heard her sing around the apartment, and this bitch can sing!”

I blush, and Jake leans over. “Just one song. For me, Angel?”

I turn to him as Hannah continues. “So what I need from you guys, we need to give her some motivation. Roxy . . . Roxy . . . Roxy . . .”

The crowd picks up the chant, and Jake leans in again. “Okay, not for me. Do it for yourself.”

Jake’s closeness and the crowd’s chants leave me tingling, and finally, blushing furiously, I nod. “Fine!”

I get up, and I feel Jake behind me, escorting me down the stairs, his hand light on my lower back again. In my heels and outfit, I feel sexy. But most importantly, I feel special. The crowd goes nuts as I reach the steps, and Jake leans in again. “You can do this. Go knock ‘em dead.”

He gives me a kiss on the cheek, and I get on stage, waving. “What’s up, Club Jasmine?”

I see the teleprompter, and I start thinking of some of the songs I know by heart, when suddenly, Hannah goes over to the DJ, whispering in his ear. Oh, shit. What the hell is she going to put on?

The music starts, and I panic, recognizing the raunchy classic Milkshake almost immediately. She would do that. One fucking time singing it half drunk for Mr. Felix, and this is what I get? Oh, my God, Hannah. I’m gonna kill you.

The crowd’s into it, though, and I feel forced to perform, moving my body to the sexy high-energy beat.

I move on stage, singing my ass off, and I feel it. The buzz inside me grows into a fire as I see the crowd’s reaction. At first, the audience sits there, surprised. People start looking at each other as if shocked I can actually perform, then they start getting into it, singing with me.

I get into it even more and start shaking my ass, my confidence building as I work the stage. It feels like old times again, and the crowd roars as I switch voices, a talent I picked up because I love so many group numbers, going from a low contralto to a high pitch and back as I play the various parts.

The crowd is jamming, getting into the song and loving it. I even see a few couples start dancing together, grinding, and one small group working it. They’re good. They could totally be dancers on stage.

As the last notes fade, I’m covered in sweat, but the crowd roars their approval, and I raise my hands, thanking them. “Would y’all like to hear some more?”

The crowd screams. “Roxy! Roxy! Roxy!”

I grin and go over to the DJ, taking a minute to write down four songs and swig some water before coming back on stage. The next song starts, and I grin at Jake as I start with the popular club jam, Rihanna’s This Is What You Came For. It might be more electronic than what I normally sing, but the crowd loves it, and some are even singing along before I take it even more naughty, Britney Spears’ Toxic, and then one totally non-sexy but fun song, Uptown Funk.

I’m covered in sweat as the crowd roars again, and I feel my breath rushing in and out of my lungs. “Wow, thank you, guys. Now, I’d like to wrap up the same way I always did at Trixie’s with something a little slower. So if you don’t mind . . .”

The DJ starts the song again, the sultry, sexy tones coming through, and I’m glad that it calls for breathy singing, because right now, Dangerous Woman is about all I’ve got the lungs for. Still, I launch into it, and as I hit the end bits, the crowd’s loving it, hands in the air, and even the people at the bar are on their feet.

When I’m done, I have to almost stagger off stage, where Jake catches me coming down the steps. I’m literally slick with sweat, but he doesn’t care, pulling me close and kissing me hard on the lips. His arms are so strong as I kiss him back, letting him almost carry me to a waiting chair.

“I’m out of shape for this. How’d I do?” I ask. It’s the first question I always ask coming offstage.

Jakes eyes burn with desire, but he grabs a bottle of water, handing it and a towel to me. “You were absolutely incredible.”

* * *

“Karaoke night was a hit!” Nathan crows. He looks at me. I’ve recovered enough that I’ve rejoined everyone upstairs in the VIP lounge as the club closes. “Jesus, Roxy . . . if you can sing like that, what are you doing working in the same shithole as Jake? You should be on a stage selling out stadiums!”

“Trust me, I tried,” I say, feeling the pang of regret that comes with his words. “But when it’s not paying the bills . . .”

“Fuck that noise,” Nathan says as I shrug. “If I had a voice like yours, I’d crash a record exec’s office and say you only need ten seconds before you’ll wanna sign me.”

If only it were that easy, I think inwardly. “What can I say? A&Rs are assholes.”

Hannah, who’s had a few too many Little Mermaids, giggles. “Hey, can I get another? I’m not ready to give up!”

I shake my head, knowing I’m going to have to take Hannah home. Besides, her last comment sort of stings, even though I know she wasn’t talking about me. I didn’t want to give up either. But in an industry where if you haven’t made it by twenty as a woman, you’re almost never going to make it, I just couldn’t face it anymore. Hell, some of the songs I sang tonight are damn near golden oldies, and the girl at the top of the charts this week wasn’t even born when Toxic came out.

“Yeah, well . . . listen, can we leave Hannah’s car here overnight? I don’t think she’s good to drive.”

Jake, who’s been smiling with Nathan, looks over. “Sure, but what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lie, feeling a wave of depression start to creep in. “I’m just exhausted. I haven’t done that in a long time.”

Jake seems to understand. “Would you like to go home, then?

“I’d appreciate it,” I say honestly. “But Hannah . . .”

“Babe, I’m fine,” Hannah says, and I can see she’s ‘happy drunk’ but not ‘stupid drunk’. “You sure you’re okay, though?”

I make sure my voice is convincing. “I’m okay, just tired.”

“Okay then, go on, get out of here and get some rest. I’ll be along in a little bit.”

“But I can’t just leave you here. How are you getting home?” I ask, but Hannah waves it off.

“Honey, don’t worry about me!” Hannah assures me. “I’ll get a cab if I need to. But what I do need right now is another Mermaid!”

Nathan laughs. “One more and then I’m cutting you off. After that, black coffee. Owner’s orders,” he teases. “Don’t worry, Roxy. I’ll call her a cab or take her home myself if she wants.”

“Thank you, Nathan,” Jake says. He stands up and takes me by the hand. “Come on, Angel. I’ll make sure you get home safely.”