StarofChristmas (2 page)

Act One

Tommy’s huge grin reveals a bleached-white grill too perfect
to be anything but artificial. His straight, even chompers cause me to imagine
the mogul eating me alive when Rick leads me into his boss’s office with one
hand on the small of my back. I justify the protective gesture by reminding
myself it’s his job. Triple X can’t afford to lose another performer.

If that’s what I’m to become tonight.

I’m still in shock. I snuffed my red light with plenty of
hours remaining before sunrise. One first in a night full of firsts. Most
notable so far, Rick departing my window with a boner he refused to permit me
to attend to. He’d declined my service, saying it made him uncomfortable.
Though he’d paid for the full hour, he didn’t want a gratitude fuck—didn’t want
to imply he’d had an ulterior motive for his gesture.

Damn him and his bizarre, misguided sense of honor! Doesn’t
he realize our abstinence punishes us both?

“Star!” Tommy steeples his fingers as he leans over his
obsidian and chrome desk. I ignore him staring at my breasts while I take a
seat in the modern chair Rick presents for me. “I didn’t think our boy had it
in him to convince you.”

“Clearly you underestimate him.” I begin to wonder if I’ve
made a mistake by coming here. “You should give him a raise.”

“Ah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you? He’d visit you twice a
night then.”

Glare from the glass tabletops, the one-way mirror opening
to the stage below and even Tommy’s over-gelled ebony hair offend my eyes,
which are much more accustomed to the soft glow of my loft. I peer at the
framed stills of gluttonous debauchery, which have occurred under the blinding
lights below, and wince.

This is a mass-market sex production. I’m a craftsman who
delights in personal touches. I miss the ultimate control I have over the
universe through my window.

“In that case, yes, I would. Pleasing Rick pleases me. Do
you object?”

“Not at all, honey.” Tommy chuckles. “In fact, I assumed an
enterprising young lady of your caliber to be too far above the illusion of
glamour I manufacture. Most of my girls will never know the success you’ve
achieved. They dress up in naughty lingerie. Sensuality is part of your soul.
No gimmicks needed.”

“High praise from someone who’s never visited my window.”

Do I imagine Rick’s sigh of relief?

I think not. Interesting.

He’s never been the jealous type before. A half-dozen of his
friends at least have stopped by—informing me he supplied glowing
recommendations for my services—becoming somewhat-regular customers themselves.

“A benefit of being the boss.” Tommy smiles, not unkindly.
“Women flock to me, not the other way around. But Rick is hard to impress, and
there aren’t any who hold his attention as you do.”

To each his own. I’ve seen enough in my career to destroy
any judgmental tendencies I might have once possessed. If the casting couch
works for Tommy and his girls—or guys—so be it.

“So, what exactly is it you’re looking for?” I hate playing
games. Honest passion excites me, not the pretense of desire. So far, Triple X
seems propped on a foundation of smoke and mirrors. The thrill of a novel
chance may not be enough to lure me into their domain.

“The Star of Kinkmas.” Tommy laughs, not one to take himself
too serious. “Ironic and somehow fitting, don’t you think?”

“I suppose.” I check in with Rick, who smiles, patting my
thigh before withdrawing almost sheepishly—opposite entirely from the man who
usually rides me hard, fast and without apology. How odd, neither of us
understand the rules outside our standard playing field.

“The show is slated to run with a handful of escalating
acts.” Tommy ticks them off on his fingers. “Santa spanking a naughty girl. A
couple sixty-nining under the mistletoe. Some straight fucking after a party
scene. A woman who gives her husband anal sex for Christmas. And a little
people orgy. You know, it’s all about the elves.”

I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity.

“The highlight of the season is always the Christmas tree
lighting and the star on top,” he continues with a self-satisfied smirk.

“I’ll have to take your word for it.” I try not to wince
when Rick’s clenched fingers on my knee make me realize I’ve revealed too much.
I resort to humor to cover my gaff. It’s almost as effective a distraction as
sex. “I would have thought nothing could top the elf orgy.”

“Electrophilia can.” I pretend I see giant, gold Euro signs
flash in Tommy’s eyes, like Uncle Scrooge before he meets up with the infamous
Christmas ghosts. “It’s a fetish we don’t showcase very often. Mostly because
there aren’t many performers willing to demonstrate.”

The shallow breaths sawing from Rick’s lungs beneath the
force of his genuine arousal motivate me a thousand times more than Tommy’s
greed. Rick groans as he hijacks Tommy’s explanation. “For the grand finale,
Jeremy planned to turn Chloe into the tree, decorating her then lighting her
up.”

I can’t deny the shiver racing up my spine stems from
excitement since the temperature in the theater is set high with the nude
actors in mind. Damn. A fetish I enjoy but rarely indulge in calls my name.
Sure, I administer electric play on occasion. Yet I’ve only received the jolt
of pleasure it can deliver once, at the hands of the man who trained me in the
use of my apparatus.

Anton had been interested in selling equipment. This man,
Jeremy, would take things far beyond a clinical demonstration. I tap my
manicured nails on the arm of the chair.

Jeremy… No, I can’t place him. Don’t think I know him at all.

“So what do you say? You up to it, Star?”

“Honestly, Tommy, I’m not sure.” I close my eyes for a
second. “I’m not used to this presentation. With me, everything is real. Lust
isn’t scripted. Dictating how I might feel or what I might do before I’m in the
moment leaves me a little cold. I’m not the kind of woman to play up the fake
moans to please the crowd.”

“Exactly why they’ll love you, honey.” Tommy seemed to grow
more excited by the second. “People come here to watch. To sit in the shadows
and pretend they’re peeking in on someone’s private life. The best acts are the
ones that aren’t a show at all. They’re a gift. The performers share their
genuine experiences with the rest of the crowd, who’d kill to be so lucky.”

I nod as the secret to his success is revealed. “Still…”

“You’ll love working with Jeremy. He’s new here, but he held
positions as a Dom for ten years in London’s best clubs. He’s skilled. Been
driving Chloe wild for weeks as they trained.”

Instead of reassuring me, the news solidifies my objections.

“I don’t do electro-play with clients I’ve just met. I can’t
say I feel different about one of your studs, no matter how adept. I appreciate
your time. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m the right woman for the job. I’ll
spread the word. I’m sure one of the other ladies will jump at the chance.
Thank you.”

I aim my gratitude at Rick, who nods, accepting my decision
gracefully.

“Wait!”

I jerk my head toward Tommy, his emphatic plea sharp enough
to alarm me.

“What if I find another dude? One you trust? Pick whoever
you like. You’re made for this, Star.”

“I’m sorry, Tommy.”

“Look, I didn’t build the best show in the district without
an eye for talent. Just this once. Trust me. You wouldn’t have stepped through
your window tonight if the idea didn’t interest you. Are you going to walk away
from the fantasy that easy?”

“Tommy.” Rick enfolds my elbow in a steady hold, supporting
me as I rise to leave. “That’s enough. Let me walk her back then we’ll figure
something out.”

“You!” Tommy jumps to his feet, his thumbs and forefingers
aimed at Rick like twin pistols.

“What?” Rick stops short, my arm still in his firm yet
gentle grasp. “What about me?”

“The two of you have fucked a million times.”

“Not quite a million.”

I arch an eyebrow. The corner of my mouth kicks up at Rick’s
hesitation. As if people in the district don’t talk.

“If you don’t trust me or Jeremy, trust him. Trust Rick.”
Tommy scratches his jaw. “He’s been in all the practice sessions. Watched the
training. Yeah, yeah, this’ll work.”

No wonder Rick has visited me frequently in the past couple
of weeks, his lust overwhelming and more insistent than usual.

“
What
will work?” Rick swings his gaze from me to his
boss. I would laugh at the disbelief etched in his strong brow but I fear I
might offend him.

Tommy beams when I nod from behind Rick’s shoulder.

“Merry Christmas, kid. This one’s on me. Hell, I’ll even pay
you double what I paid Jeremy. Suit up. You’re going onstage with Star.”

“I’m a fucking bodyguard. Not a performer!”

“You’re a horny bastard, and I love you for it.” Tommy slaps
Rick on the shoulder as he rounds his desk, ushering us both along the hall
toward the dressing rooms. “Star’s a hooker. I’m desperate. We’re all being
flexible.”

Rick faces me with his mouth hanging open. “You’d let me do
this?”

“I won’t
let
you.”

The sparkle in his blue eyes dims.

“I’ll ask you.” Familiar arousal dampens my thighs for the
first time since I entered Triple X. I can’t restrain myself from laying my
palms on Rick’s chest as I look up and ask, “Would you share this with me? I’d
like to give it a try.”

“Jesus.” He adjusts his polo shirt, which hugs his toned
upper body. The discreet shift can’t obscure his solid erection. “I guess. It’s
weird though, I never pictured myself up there. Talk about stage fright.”

“A definite job hazard.” Tommy winks before chuckling. “I
can’t have a limp dick for the big event tomorrow night. How about an audition?
An
undressed
rehearsal in ten minutes. Take Giovanna and Anthony’s slot
tonight. If you two can pull it off—if the crowd approves—you’re hired.”

“You want us to do the whole act? Right now?” Rick’s
innocence somehow comforts me, reassuring me I’ve made the right decision.

“Nah. Save the good shit.” Tommy’s smile spreads. “Go on,
have a good time—a straight fuck. However you like. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll
have Jeremy work with you on the advanced stuff.”

“My rate is thirty percent of the admission take both
nights.” I prop my hand on my hip, refusing to budge.

“Show me you’re worth it and I’ll include the bar profits.”

We shake on the deal. Tommy strolls to the theater entrance,
whistling
Let it Snow
.

“You realize I’d do this for free, right?” Rick speaks
directly to me now.

“I would have too.” I reach up to kiss his cheek with a loud
smack. “But it looks like you’ll be treating your family and friends to
fantastic Christmas presents.”

“I know, right?” He squeezes me in a giant hug.
Mmm.
“Jeremy has the highest rate of all the dudes in the show.”

“And I’m cutting you in on my share.” As in porn, women
command prices tenfold higher than the men who perform in live sex shows.

“What?” He gawks at me as if I’m crazy. “No. No way. You’re
out the money you would have raked in tonight and tomorrow. Hell, I practically
had to make an appointment to see you before.”

I’d apologized to the huddle of men leaning against the
canal railing when I left them hanging, referring them to Mari—whose window
faces mine. Their disappointment guaranteed future sales.

“Through my window, I’m the boss.” I shuffle him toward the
dressing room. “This is your world. I’m visiting. Here, we’re equals.”

“Does that mean you’ll finally tell me your name?” he
whispers in my ear as he holds open the door to the darkened space brimming
with leather furniture and lush velvet curtains.

I shake my head in instinctive denial as Tommy’s assistants
drag us to opposite corners of the prep area. Their urgent instructions lead me
to believe there’s not much time until we have to go on. Better that way, I
think. No time to balk—for me or Rick.

They strip off our clothes, breaking my line of sight. I
hear a familiar grunt soon after. The fluffer must be performing her duties,
priming Rick’s cock with her hand or mouth. Now it’s my turn to battle the
twinge of jealousy surprising the hell out of me.

Well, I’d hoped for something new. Something different.

“The last two acts were warm-ups, giving the early crowd
some time to down a couple of drinks and unwind. They’re primed. Horny. Waiting
for a big finish. That means you two fuck until Rick comes. Tommy’s trying to
close the set. The guests should leave, satisfied they got their money’s worth,
and make room for the second wave of customers piling up outside.” The friendly
attendant coaches me as she fixes my makeup. “There’s lube stashed in the
pillowcase all the way on the bottom of the pile.”

“Not necessary.” We laugh as I fidget, restless, attempting
to ease the ache building between my thighs at the thought of so many eyes
witnessing me bring Rick fulfillment.

“No kidding.” She sighs as she finishes applying a thick
layer of lip gloss to my blossoming smile. “I’ve tried for almost a year to
tempt him into fucking me. No dice. Rick is the only guy who works for Tommy
who doesn’t sample the merchandise. Figures, the hottest one of the bunch has
to have
morals
. I told Delilah I’m fluffing tomorrow night. No way is
she lucky enough to touch him twice. That bitch.”

I’m thankful for the twilight of the backstage area, which
obscures my smirk. If she knew how many times her crush had sought me out in
the middle of the night, I’m sure she wouldn’t have done such a kick-ass job on
my styling.

“It’s time.” A man I swear I’ve serviced once or twice
before appears at my side. Another bouncer, I assume. He leads me around
cables, props and stagehands—who manage the lights and soundtrack—to the far
side of the platform where a circular bed waits. He gestures for me to climb
on, so I comply. “I’d tell you to break a leg but it seems like poor taste.
You’re going to destroy them out there.”