Expert Tease Read online

  “Four thousand, six hundred and fifty dollars and zero cents.” The teller said out loud. Her monotone voice snapping mine out of my reverie. I was unsure when I had decided to come up with a figure much less walking into the bank. All I know is, this was enough to pay off what I owed, the following month’s rent and food. Feeling as though any minute, Blake would approach me and tell me that I couldn’t tell anyone about his boy problem. I take the money and hastily shove it in the pocket of my sweater. I mean, it wasn’t like I was going to tell anyone anyway.

  Ditching the car and taking the short trek through the parking lot to the grocery store was an easy decision in the eleven o’clock hustle and bustle of small town traffic. Pulling the hair band out of my ponytail, I let my hair out to hide the haggard features that dominate my once rosy face, I walk into the supermarket. Shaking my hair out, I head into the store and shop around for a while. Grabbing the same things, I usually do. In and out in ten minutes is my plan until someone reeking heavily of floral perfume tapped me on the shoulder. I stared into the heavily made-up eyes of Kiki, the resident stripper. I appreciated the magic make-up does on a girl, but not when she looked like she was punched and is now sporting two black Raccoon eyes.

  “Hey Kiki. How’s it going?” giving her a small smile, which she took as an incentive to jabber on. Why was I nice to her again?

  “Oh, you know, nothing much.” She said, her fake eyelashes fluttering precariously.

  “Great! Well, I’ll see you around.” I say, reaching for a box of honey nut cheerios. Why was she still standing there?

  “I was just wondering if you thought about what I said the other day.” She asks.

  She leans in, and I wonder briefly where this is going.

  “People talk.” She whispers “First Ross says that Edwin’s been talking about changing your locks, and I didn’t believe it. Then Bess and Herbert says that you’ve been late on your rent and I just had to find out if you were okay.” My face must have betrayed my thoughts as she quickly adds “I know we’re not friends and all that jazz but hear me out, Haze is looking for girls, and I promise you I’ll have your back.”

  “I’m not sure that’s my scene Kiki. Sorry.” I say walking away.

  “Just one night. Come in tomorrow night and talk to Sly.” She says walking beside me.

  When I didn’t respond and just stared, her brows drew together in askance. “One night Maye.”

  “I’ll think about it,” I said. Leaving no room for further arguments.

  Was I actually considering this? I don’t think I need to. I’ll get a job eventually. I’m sure of it! “Are you sure about that?” The little asshole on my shoulder was back and fuck, was he annoying. “Think about it, Maye. She makes a lot of money in one night.” This is crazy. “One-night girl. If you don’t like it, then you can say you tried. Trust me. One way or another you have to make money and this way you can actually pay Bussy Boy back almost instantly and it’ll be like you didn’t need his money.” Asshole sold a good pitch. I’ll think about it.

  I looked up from the box of cereal I had been holding for god knows how long, to find Bess and Herbert staring at me and whispering to each other. Great. Now the whole town was going to know that I was being a weirdo in the supermarket. I waved, plastering a fake smile on my face. They probably thought I was thinking about shoplifting, you know with my financial problems and all.

  MAYE

  Was this what a stripper looked like? I wondered, staring at my reflection while Kiki did her thing.

  “I told you it would fit.” Kiki gushed. “Sly wouldn’t be able to say no to this face and that body. You’ll be a gold mine.” Adding the finishing touches of my make-up.

  Taking the bottle of tequila off the vanity, I took a shot; because as Carlotta once said: “Who can strip sober?” Uncrossing my legs, I steeled myself for the dissection I was about to face at the hand of a man. No by the men if I was hired.

  “I think I just heard him come in. I’ll be right back.” She says heading for the side door. “Put your sexy face on. Just in case he comes back with me instead of calling you to his office.”

  This time, I put the bottle to my head. Taking another shot. I had tossed and turned all night. This wasn’t where I saw myself at thirty-four, but sometimes you had to do what was necessary to survive. Plus, it was only one night, and he might not hire me anyway. Tipping my head back as the bottle goes up to my lips, three girls walk in, stopping in the middle of their conversations when they see me.

  “Look girls, we got fresh meat.” The tallest of the three spoke up, her flame red hair touching her ass swung in loose waves as she walked towards me. Her gait seemed more like a prowl. A Lioness stalking a gazelle; she was the predator, and I was the prey.

  “Doe eyes and all. She looks lost.” The blonde said, flipping her hair and adjusting the little triangles that barely covered her busty chest. She was the shortest, but she made up for it in breast.

  The other girl regarded me quietly, a sneer plastered on her face, just as Kiki walked in a gentleman the size of a linebacker. I wasn’t a football fan, but I had eyes, and I was sure he could play professionally with that size. Kiki motioned for me to come over with her hands. It was time to put my game face on. My legs felt like jelly as I moved forward. I could feel my insecurity seeping out, perfuming the air like a signal telling the predators that I was nearby. I didn’t look behind me as fits of laughter echoed in the room followed by a voice.

  “She can barely walk Sly, what makes you think she can dance?”

  “Russian, if you don’t shut up, I’ll make sure you can’t walk.” Kiki defended me.

  Great! I was already making a first impression. Thank god, I didn’t plan on staying long.

  “Kiki, I don’t got time for this amateur shit,” Sly says, his deep voice echoing through the small room.

  “All she gotta do is dance for you Sly. Don’t act like you don’t need the girls. She’s nervous is all.” Kiki says, stepping forward and handing me the tequila bottle I had forgotten. “One more shot and you’re good to go.”

  Now would be a good time for the idiot who resided on my shoulder to appear with those famous pep talks of his, but like a true asshole, he left me on my own. Taking a swig from the bottle, I close my eyes and feel the burn. Rolling my head and walking towards the stage door. I can do this. Worst case scenario, he doesn’t like it. My hips swayed as I carried myself with a confidence I faked well.

  One foot on the threshold, I look over my shoulder, staring Sly dead in his eyes and ask “You coming?” This was it. I needed to become the ultimate tease. Show these girls that this Doe was ready to buck and she was coming to take over. Stepping onto the stage, feeling the heat of the spotlight, the base thumping loudly like a second heartbeat; bringing to life the part of me that I needed to set free.

  The black fishnet dress Kiki had loaned me was sexy and borderline indecent, in order words it was perfect. My hair in loose curls and my make-up made me feel like I was that bitch. Kiki was saying something to me, I wasn’t sure what but right now, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the pole and how well I worked it. ‘The Way’ by Kehlani came on. I bit my lip and slowly made my way to the pole. Making them anticipate every step, I slowly extending each leg. The music moves me as I relax my body, closing my eyes as I wrap my fingers around the pole.

  My body winds to the music slowly, making every curve move simultaneously. Holding tighter as I made my way up the slender, silver pole. I spread my legs and slid slowly down. The cold metal sending shivers through me as it pressed against my needy pussy on the way down. I make eye contact with Sly, crawling to him as I lean over the edge of the stage, tugging him closer to me with his tie as I arched my back. The look in his eyes excited me. Undressing what he couldn’t already see in his head. He wanted me and looked like he would do anything to make that happen. A coy
smile graces my lips, licking my finger and trailing it down the exposed flesh of my chest as I spread my knees while gyrating my hips.

  “You’re hired.” His voice roughly, standing up and adjusting the way his pants became tighter with the erection he was now sporting.

  A playful smile graces my lips, and I retort, “Was there ever really any other option?”

  Kiki’s squeals reached my ears before I could even hit the bottom step of the dressing room.

  “I told you. I told you sooo.” She sings. “You’re a fucking natural.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. “Oh, my gosh. I can’t believe I just did that. It felt so good. I mean the way he looked at me. I felt desirable. I haven’t felt like that in a long while.”

  “Well girl, let’s get you a name because you’re gonna feel like that every night.” Giggling she sits next to me. Preparing her make-up for the night ahead of her.

  “So!” She asks “What are you calling yourself?”

  “I dunno. What do you think?” my high replaced with momentary panic

  “You can do Applez,” suggesting as she puts her earring on.

  “Apples?” My laughter uncontained.

  “Yes, Applez with a Z because you’re so juicy and ripe for the picking,” she says breaking out into laughter. “You’re right. It is horrible.”

  “How about Ebony?” My hopes peaking as she thinks about it.

  “Hey Russian, is your partner for Wednesday night entertainment still going with Ebony?” she yells to the corner of the room.

  “Yes ho!” Russian yelled back, “You oughta name her Queen or some shit! Acting like she owns the place and she just got here.” She snickered adjusting her hair in the mirror. Turns out, her fiery red mane was just a wig. Who would have thought?

  “Oh, I like that.” Kiki smiles. “I think you should go with Queen of Hearts or something.”

  “Queen of Hearts?” My voice skeptical. “How about Queen of Tease?”

  “Yessssss!” Kiki shouts. “All hail the Queen of Tease!”

  Maybe it was the shots I had taken earlier, but I was feeling free than a feather from a bird. Strutting around like a proud peacock, waving my hand regally. “Bow down bitches! Royalty is in the house.”

  A laughing Kiki grabs my hand “If you don’t sit your drunk ass down. You’re gonna fall. You’re three sheets to the wind.”

  “I’m not drunk!” I say putting my hand to my heart, acting offended.

  “You so are! How much have you had to drink anyway?” Kiki’s surprise is evident in her voice “Damn girl! We gotta get that tolerance up! Come sit down. The last thing you wanna do is be starting shit on your first day here baby girl. These bitches are crazy about their money. Jeopardize that, and you’ll have more things to worry about than Bess and Herbert gossiping about you stealing.” Her face serious, making me have second thoughts about this already.

  Shaking my head, I try to sober up, “I just got carried away. I’ll be fine.” My nerves shot, and the last thing I wanted to do was worry about having to watch my back.

  Snickering she looks at me. “You’re not like them, those girls live and breathe dancing to support their habits, kids or baby daddies. You’re too pretty and way too smart to get caught up in the bullshit. Just focus on going out there and shaking that thang, you’re a new girl, so you already got a head start on the competition; these thirsty ass men love fresh meat, and these old bitches don’t like that.” Loosely tying the strap of her top behind her neck, she adds. “I’m Kiki on and off stage. Never tell anyone your real name. You’re Queen of Tease. You can use Queen or Tease for short. Remember that.”

  “Thanks for the tips.” My smile sincere, I ask “Any for the stage?” I was desperate for more advice, I didn’t want to mess this up when admittedly I needed it more than I would allow myself to believe. The club was fifteen minutes away from opening, and my stomach was in knots.

  “You just have to think, these men ain’t shit. They are just wallets that come to leave their money behind. Whether you make it is up to you. You can be the kind of bitch who earns it by following a John around all night when you have to work the floor, or you can be the chick that takes the cash.”

  My confusion must have been apparent on my face because she adds. “What I mean is; you gotta make them want to give you their money, be everything they want but they know they can’t have to the point where they want to buy your attention. Be forbidden fruit!”

  I was finally starting to feel like I could do this. I was still nervous as fuck, but it was time to get it right. Standing up and walking over to the full-length mirror standing between the vanities, reapplying the red lipstick that makes my lips look fuller than usual. I gave Kiki a wink.

  “Last rule,” she says looking at me, “Never trust a stripper bitch. Regardless of who it is. These bitches don’t wanna see you shine and will eat you alive before they let you win.” Running her fingers through my hair, adding more body to my curls I shook out earlier.

  “Take another shot. You’ll thank me for it later. I’m gonna give Jerome your name. He’ll introduce you when it’s your time to go one stage. I gotta go, but don’t forget to shake what ya mama gave you!” she says laughing as she walks away.

  I’m not sure why she was being nice to me. She could have ulterior motives, but I have other shit on my mind to worry about. I was about to go out there and not making a fool of my fucking self was a top priority.

  Sitting in the dressing room became awkward with all these new faces I didn’t bother to learn coming and going all night. I was about to bolt and say forget this shit when I finally, I hear;

  “Alright y’all, I wanna introduce one of Club Haze’s newest dancers, the Queen of Tease why she got that name is up to y’all to decide.” I hear the DJ announce over the club’s system.

  Readjusting the strap on my heels and shaking my hair out, I make my way onto the stage. Kiki’s words of wisdom replayed in my head like a broken record, and at that moment, I decided to be a taker. I was going to become the ultimate tease.

  MAYE

  “Fuck!” I scrambled out of bed as the alarm blared through the log cabin. I was going to be late. Last night was crazy at the club. Fridays are always busy. I had been working there for three months now. Funny how the first time I set foot in the club I was dead set on walking away from the position after one night. Make some quick money and leave. That was my endgame. Three months in I was already addicted to the game as Kiki called it. Grabbing a soda and a granola bar, I ran to my car in my Victoria Secret shorts and tank that I slept in. It was just supposed to be a quick nap. Sly was gonna kill me if I was late on a Saturday. I was bringing in more money than I expected. Hell, I was bringing in more money than anyone expected.

  After the first week, I found my niche. I never got naked on stage. You wanted to see more of me, you had to go private. Clients were booking me on a regular basis, and I got addicted to the way these men craved me. I forgot what it felt like to be wanted so badly that someone would do anything for you. Even privately my mantra became ‘you can watch, but you can’t touch.’ Stepping on the brakes as a kid in the bicycle whizzed in front of my car, spilling grape soda everywhere.

  “Shit! That’s gonna leave a stain. Thanks kid” muttering as I mop the spilled drink from my lap and chest with a scarf. I had ten minutes to get to the club. I needed to take a quick shower and get ready for my first private of the night; the bachelor party was due to come in at nine and Kiki, Duchess and myself got the gig. Much to Russian’s chagrin. We were cool after she got to know me, cordial at best but I wasn’t calling her my friend just yet.

  I reach for my phone in the seat next to me and read Kiki’s text, driving below the speed limit.

  Kiki: bitch! Where r u?

  Maye: 5 mins.

  Kiki: U shud have been here 30 mins
ago!!!!!

  Kiki: Hurry the fuck up!!

  I still couldn’t wrap my head around it sometimes. I am a stripper. Bringing home eight hundred dollars a night on a good day. All my bills were paid, and I was doing pretty well for a new girl. Well according to Kiki. It’s funny how things change. Laughing as I pull into my usual parking spot at the back of Club Haze. It was a rule Kiki and I had. Never let them know you off stage. No longer a stranger to the silver dick as she called it, the pole was my best friend lately. Everyone was familiar with the term “Bands will make her dance’, but for me, it wasn’t just about the money. It was the lust, the desire, the adoration that poured off of these men in droves. Like rain in a thunderstorm it fueled me; the need to come back week after week even knowing they could never have me. The money was good, but the high of being desired became my drug.

  Every night I would transform, taking shots of the vodka I always kept in my locker. I loved the burning sensation that made me feel alive. I was lonely on a good day and depressed as hell for the rest. Days spent alone were torture as I found myself confused by who I was becoming and who I once was. Taking another shot, I dress getting ready for the night ahead of me.

  Turning around I saw Coco, a dark-skinned dancer walking towards me, we were the only ones backstage aside from the other three girls talking on the other side of the room.

  “So I see you, Duch and Kiki got booked for the bachelor party, huh?” She asked giving me attitude I didn’t need. Rolling my eyes, I already decided I wasn’t going to address her. Every time she saw me on stage, she would have an attitude. Brushing past her as I walked away she hissed her teeth. “Don’t think you’re gonna come up in here and take money away from me bitch! That was my gig.” She yells. I don’t know who booked it, but it was clear that this group of men had money judging by the way she acted.