Jessica burst into the dressing room backstage, startling several of the girls who worked the next set. She plopped down on the stool in front of her mirror, pulled the silk scarf from her neck and lowered her face into her hands.
Of all the strip clubs in the world, Sed had to show up in hers.
Don't let him get to you. You're over him. Remember?
Someone dropped a robe around her shoulders. She glanced up at Beth's cousin, Agatha, the black-haired dominatrix who worked the south stage.
"You okay, kitten?"
Jessica nodded and wiped at a stray tear with the back of her hand. "Yeah, I just didn't expect to see a man from my past. That's all."
"That guy who pulled you offstage?"
"Yeah. I was engaged to him once."
"He told me to give you this." Aggie dropped a fat stack of cash onto Jessica's dressing table.
"Oh my God, that ass! Do you see why I couldn't marry him?" She looked up at Aggie, beseeching her for understanding.
"Uh no, actually, I don't. The guy is hotter than Phoenix in July. Absolutely gorgeous. That big, hard body. And that sweet, handsome face that completely contrasts with his 'who gives a shit what you think' aura. Growl." She bared her teeth, ruby red lips curling.
Aggie's ever-expressive face made Jessica smile. Just a little.
"You got all that from talking to him for twenty seconds?"
"Hey, you work in this business for very long and you get to know men. If he's carrying around that kind of cash, I'm guessing your eye candy is rich, too. Booyah!" Aggie thrust a fist in the air.
"No. No, booyah . He's not only rich, he's famous, which means his ego is larger than Alaska."
Aggie's brows drew together. "Famous?"
"Lead singer of Sinners. The band."
"I think I've heard of them. Rock music?"
"Hard rock. And you missed his most notorious 'quality.'" She finger quoted. "He has an insatiable appetite for sex. You can't get him out of bed long enough to have a decent conversation with him."
Aggie laughed, blue eyes twinkling. "I'm liking him more and more, doll."
"You're welcome to him."
Aggie's eyes wandered toward the ceiling as her expression turned thoughtful. "I don't think he'd be fun to dominate. I would probably just tick him off."
"I'm sure."
Jessica's gaze moved to the dressing table and the thousands of dollars sitting on its surface, mocking her. It would take her weeks to earn that kind of money, and Sed just tossed it around like it was a pittance. To him, it was. The bastard. Flaunting his wealth. Thinking it made him superior.
Jessica shook her head in annoyance, jumped to her feet, and scooped the money off the dressing table. Sliding her arms into the robe sleeves, she rushed out of the dressing room. She ran through the club with her robe flapping behind her and burst through the front doors, looking for signs of Sedric Lionheart. Apparently, he was long gone.
"Damn that man," she muttered under her breath.
She'd just have to hunt him down and shove his unwanted money in his face. He always did this. Treated her like she couldn't take care of herself. Like she needed Mr. Ego Trip to look after her. He'd never learn. Stupid asshole.
Someone needed to teach the guy a lesson.