Ignite (The Disciples #4) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,15

girl. Then she turns to me. “So glad you changed your name to Cookie because at first I was worried about having two Sapphires.”

She smiles and I almost tell her she still has red lipstick on her teeth, but she’s not nice. In fact, she’s a bit of a bitch.

“Now go fill out your application and I want all correct information. If you have to lie, then this is not the place for you.”

“O-kay.” My eyes scan the other girls. They all kind of look the same. There’s a definite theme here. All of them have fake boobs and long hair that looks like they all use too much hair dye. The one named Cat at least smiles at me. The others act like I’m not worthy.

“Here.” She hands me a new application. “And be here tomorrow at three p.m. Don’t be late. If you’re late, I will fire you. Also, I do not put up with drugs or sleeping with customers.” She keeps talking, but I’m the only one who seems to be listening.

At last, she stops and I go to grab my bag. “And Cookie?”

I straighten and turn. “Yes, well, actually I was thinking I’d be Candy…” My voice drifts as she frowns.

“Figure out your name. Also, Mitchell is not usually around. But he’s here for the next couple of weeks. So, let me be frank. No fucking the owner. It makes you look like a whore and it’s not good for morale.” She looks down at her long fake nails that are so pointy I’m sure she uses them as a weapon.

“I’m not fuc—sleeping with him,” I whisper as I look at the other girls.

She stares at me. “Good. See you tomorrow. And Candy?” I take a breath and hope she’ll be easier to deal with the longer I get to know her.

“Yes?”

“Show up a couple hours early and I’ll give you some pointers on how to use the pole.” That surprises me. See? Maybe she’s not a bitch after all.

“Thank you.” I turn and rush downstairs. Leaning against the wall, I close my eyes and let it sink in that I did it.

I freakin’ did it.

For the first time, I have a little hope. Maybe I’ll be able to buy some food for my refrigerator and have money to do laundry. I don’t ask for much—only enough to get by. Opening my eyes, I admire the huge stage as I reach down to unzip my dance bag and pull on some sweatpants.

The décor is super elegant and classy. All the tables are heavy dark wood and the couches are red and soft looking.

I’m excited, and it has zero to do with my boss. The breast he licked tingles. That flutter of adrenaline spikes in my stomach, causing my face to heat up and my core to get slick. This is wrong, so very wrong. He won’t even be around in two weeks. All I need to do is make the money and open a savings account. I’ll never be this poor again.

I roll my neck and notice the large crystal chandelier. It has tons of lights pointed at it. I bet it makes the stage glitter like rainbows. I’m almost tempted to leap up on it and try out one of the poles.

I’m going to blow him away. Make him go crazy with want for me. I make a vow right now that the hot, tattooed owner won’t know what hit him when he sees me rock this stage.

I visualize his eyes as they narrow on me, and I walk toward him while removing my top—no, I rip it off for him, only him. He reaches for me and I leap into his arms, kind of like Dirty Dancing but better, hotter…

My phone rings. “Jesus.” I jump and frantically dig for it before Bella hangs up since she’s the only one who calls me. Figures it’s in the bottom of the bag stuck in one of my tennis shoes. I need to go through and clean it out. Maybe one day soon I’ll have enough money to get a new one and fill it with new stuff.

“Hello.” I sit down in a booth. “Hello?”

“It’s about time, biotch,” Bella yells as she cuts in and out. I sigh as I lean to untie my poor worn pointe shoes. They’re barely holding up. I need new ones. I guess I’ll add that to the endless list of things I need. Tossing them into my bag, I slip on