the Temptation of the Night

 The air was thick with perfume, sweat, and the lingering scent of whiskey. Gemma Morgan adjusted the strap of her lace bra as she made her way past the crowded tables.

 She passed by the other dancers in the dressing room, some fixing their makeup, others adjusting their outfits. Sasha was in the middle of retelling the girls about last night's best tipper, waving her hands as she spoke.

 "He pulled out a roll of cash so big, I thought he was about to pay my tuition," Sasha laughed, applying more lipgloss. "Turns out he just wanted me to whisper sweet nothings in his ear while he drank his whiskey. Easiest money ever."

 Gemma smirked as she grabbed her body shimmer, dusting it over her collarbone. "I need one of those tonight."

 "Girl, don't we all?" Sasha rolled her eyes. "You working the main floor first?"

 "Nah," Gemma said, stretching her arms. "Straight to the stage."

 She loved the stage. The way the world melted away when she was up there. The way the lights blurred out the men's faces, turning them into nothing but shadows with cash. Up there, she was in control.

 When the DJ called her name, she went on the stage, her heels clicking against the floor. The music started slow, seductive. She wrapped her fingers around the pole, letting her body move in rhythm, dipping and rolling with the beat. 

 Then, she saw him.

 A man in a sleek black suit, the Rolex on his wrist caught the light every time he lifted his drink. He wasn't staring at the stage like the rest of them, he was staring at her.

 Rich. Powerful. Exactly the kind of man she wanted tonight.

 Gemma met his gaze, holding it. She was used to men looking at her, but this was different. There was something almost predatory, about the way he watched. Like he had already decided something about her before she even stepped off the stage.

 When her set ended, she barely had time to catch her breath before one of the floor managers approached her.

 "Guy in VIP wants a private dance," he said, nodding toward the man in the suit.

 Gemma smirked, already feeling the heat of excitement in her body. "I thought so."

 She adjusted her outfit and made her way to him, letting her hips sway just a little more than usual. When she reached his table, he leaned back, taking her in like he had all the time in the world.

 "Sit," he said, voice smooth. Commanding.

 Gemma slid onto his lap, placing her hands on his chest as she started to move. She felt the slow rise and fall of his breathing beneath her fingertips.

 "You don't talk much, huh?" she murmured, rolling her hips against him.

 He smirked. "I prefer watching."

 His hands stayed on the armrest, never touching, but the way his gaze moved over her body made her feel bare, even more than she already was.

 "You dance differently," he said after a moment.

 Gemma tilted her head. "How so?"

 He exhaled through his nose, like he was amused by the question. "You dance like you enjoy it."

 For some reason, that made her stomach twist. Most men just commented on her ass or her legs. None of them ever noticed things like that.

 When the song ended, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash. "For your time."

 Gemma took it, resisting the urge to count it in front of him. "You might be my favorite customer tonight."

 He smirked again. "Maybe next time, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."

 She held his gaze for a second longer than necessary before standing up and walking away.

 **

 By the end of the night, her bag was full of cash, way more than usual. She left the club feeling amazing. she decided to stop by a grocery store on her way home.

 The fluorescent lights felt harsh after the dim glow of the club, but she didn't mind. She grabbed a few essentials. milk, egg, and a bottle of cheap wine before heading to checkout.

 The cashier, a young girl with tired eyes, gave her a once-over before scanning the items. Gemma could tell she knew. The way she kept looking at the faint glitter dusting her collarbone, the slight smudge of eyeliner still on her waterline.

 Gemma just smiled, handing over the cash.

 When she finally got home, she let out a deep sigh, kicking off her heels before collapsing onto her bed. Her body was still buzzing, the adrenaline from the night not fully worn off.

 She reached for her wine, taking a slow sip as she let her thoughts wander. The way that man had looked at her. The way his voice had wrapped around her like silk.

 A warm shower was next, washing away the sweat, the perfume, the lingering scent of whiskey from the club.

 By the time she slipped into bed, her limbs were heavy, her mind drifting. Tomorrow was another night.

 **

 The next evening started like any other. Gemma arrived at the club, got ready, chatted with the girls. But then, something unusual happened.

 A man sat in VIP, refusing every dancer who approached him.

 "What's his deal?" Sasha whispered, adjusting her bra strap.

 Gemma followed her gaze. It was him. The man from last night.

 Before she could process it, a bouncer approached her. "That guy in VIP? He asked for you specifically."

 Gemma raised a brow. "Me?"

 The bouncer nodded. "Wants a private dance. No one else."

 Her stomach tightened with something she couldn't name. Curiosity. Maybe something darker.

 She made her way to him, slipping into his space with ease. "You're picky," she teased, resting a hand on his shoulder.

 He smirked. "I know what I want."

 She straddled his lap, rolling her hips to the music, but there was something about the way he watched her that made her breath hitch. His gaze wasn't hungry like the others. It was calculating. Possessive.

 "Why me?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

 His fingers tapped against the table. "I like your body." His eyes dragged down to her lips. "I like your mouth."

 Gemma's stomach clenched. "That all?"

 He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to something darker and filthier. "I like the way you tease. I like imagining what else you can do. I bet you taste sweet".

 Heat flushed through her body, but she didn't falter. She had played this game before.

 "Come home with me," he murmured.

 Gemma blinked, momentarily thrown off.

 "club rules, We're not allowed to do that," she said smoothly, though her pulse was anything but steady.

 He pulled out another thick stack of bills, setting it on the table between them. "I'll pay you more than anyone ever has."

 Her throat went dry. Gemma was used to offers, but something about the way he said it made her body burn.

 "It has to be a secret," he continued, his voice smooth, confident. "No one has to know."

 Her body was still moving against him, but her mind was racing.

 He just took the words right out of her mouth.