Apartment 13, part 2

By josie marks

Apartment 13, part 2 of 3 

When Ellie moved in to the Grange Complex, she thought she would able to forget about her one night stand with Mack McCune.  As it happened, this was easier in theory as Mack still wanted her, despite being married to Claire. 
  
Shortly after, Ellie discovers her next door neighbour Adrian, is not only a successful business owner but a dangerous drug smuggler. Investigating further, she finds herself stumbling into auditions for an erotic performer, with the intent of working undercover as one of his pole dancers.   She now has potential to find the very ammunition, that will allow her to expose this story, and rocket her career – until complications arise, and  Adrian expresses an interest in dating her.   
  
Mack’s sexually explicit intentions intensify, with psychological repercussions, as he warns her to stay away from Adrian. 
  
Struggling in an emotionally generated game of Russian Roulette, she must ask herself – is she prepared to risk her life, to fuel the story of her career, or will she opt to delve deeper into Mack’s world, and risk everything for the potential of love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: josie marks
• Release date: Apr 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524208639

Book preview

One

Ellie

The hugely obese guy was staring at me vacantly, and then he leaned over to speak to the guy who forced me up onto the stage. I felt vulnerable, overly exposed, and quite underdressed in my ridiculously skimpy outfit. I was so scared I could hear my heart thumping in my chest. His black suit was way too tight around his belly, the buttons straining to hold his girth. He looked like an inflated balloon that was ready to burst at any moment.

I needed to pull myself together, focus on the task at hand. They had obviously made a mistake, but I was trapped in this situation. I’d had no idea that they were looking for a dancer. It wouldn’t go over too well if I admitted that I snuck in here in hopes of getting some dirt for a news report. I needed to swallow my pride and give it my best shot. What could go wrong? I could feel my stomach clenching with nerves. All I really wanted to do right now was to have a glass of wine on my comfy sofa, watch TV all evening, and forget about this whole mess. Except, if I could dance for them and stay in the club for a bit longer, I might get the story that I had been waiting for since I’d arrived here in Edinburgh.

I knew what my decision was: there was no way I was leaving after the effort I’d made to get this far inside.

Dragging more oxygen into my lungs, I walked towards the pole, telling myself that I was a great dancer, that I had enough talent and charisma to impress them both. They wanted someone who could excite the male audience; well, I was ready to give them the most sensual and sinfully erotic performance of my life. Andrew had loved it when I danced for him, and now I had two jaded men in front of me who wanted to see something special. I grabbed the metal bar and spun around lifting my leg up, showing my toned thighs, keeping my eyes on the fatty in front of me, who finally shifted on his chair. This was just the warm up. All I wanted from them was the connection; once I saw a hint of lust in their eyes I knew I had this in the bag.

After I had fatty’s full attention, I positioned myself in front of the pole, facing them. I reached out above my head and gripped the bar tightly. I lifted my legs slowly feeling my stomach muscles tense while I raised my legs and secured them in place around the pole, I smiled seductively, gazing at them from under my lashes, concentrating on my routine. My heart was racing a little, probably because of the adrenaline my nerves jump-started. After a moment I released my hands from the pole and I started sliding down until my hands touched the stage. When I was a child, I went to the best ballet school in Scotland. Dad paid a fortune for private lessons for both me and my sister and we had excelled. We both loved it so much, although the training was hard. I never lost the flexibility or core strength; after I went back to exercising on the pole I was fitter than all my friends.

Slowly, I spread my legs apart showing my leather panties, leaving nothing to the imagination, teasing; I lowered my legs down, until I touched the floor. I winked at fatty and then stood up, keeping my balance. I was improvising now but getting into it, picturing Mack in front of me, wondering how he would react if he saw me on the pole right now.

I walked closer to them, turned around and bent over, showing my firm cheeks, teasing them a little more moving my hips to the rhythm of the soundtrack. I then ran towards the pole and began more complicated spins. By the time the half hour was up, my muscles were burning. I was panting when I finished the performance.

Excellent, excellent. I like you, girl, said the obese guy, clapping enthusiastically. His piggy face was bright red and he looked like he was having trouble breathing. We will make you a star of the evening. Nathan, get all her details and start the ball rolling.

I stared at him feeling slightly disorientated. Shit, I didn’t expect it to be this easy. They really were expecting me to work for them. My girlfriends knew that I loved pole dancing, but they were never too keen to try it for themselves. Andrew loved it; he got turned on every time I mentioned it to him.

Nathan switched on the lights and the room brightened. The obese guy was speaking to him quickly, waving his sausage fingers at me. After a moment, he said something else and vanished behind the red doors, answering his phone to talk to someone.

I’m Nathan; sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. That was Hugo, the main events manager. Dorothy, our housemother, is currently out sick, so I’m taking care of everything. I hope she’ll be back soon; otherwise this job is going to kill me. We need someone who can perform mostly on the weekends and for private members of the club. Here are all the details, read it and get back to me if something is not clear, Nathan explained, handing me a white envelope. Inside there is a pass and my business card. If any of the bouncers give you any trouble, call me immediately.

I was still quite overwhelmed, but I didn’t say anything, trying to digest how quickly things were developing. All of a sudden I had a job in the strip club. Nathan kept talking, telling me to follow, showing me around the main bar with the wide stage. He also showed me around a few private rooms, where most of the strippers were performing. My heart was thumping loudly and I tried to take it all in without looking like a complete idiot.

Nathan mentioned that the club was very popular amongst wealthy clients and, as long as I was discreet, I wouldn’t have a problem making enough cash. He showed me the changing room and then left when he had a phone call, apologising again.

When I was finally alone, I sat down on the bench going over everything that had just happened in the last hour. My body was pleasantly numb, but my heart kept speeding away. I was absolutely certain I overheard my neighbour Adrian by the entrance. He was angry with that other guy for approaching him here about work. I had no idea what the big deal was. Adrian had his own business, but this whole conversation seemed odd.

Now I was inside the club working as a pole dancer. Jordan had hinted that he had a story here, and if I was lucky enough, I could find out stuff about this guy Johnny Hodges before Jordan and write the article first. I just had to keep my eyes and ears open.

After I calmed down a little, I looked into the envelope, checking the paperwork and the bright pink pass that came with it. The money was very good: the contract stated that during very busy evenings I could make at least a few hundred pounds in tips each weekend shift. This was crazy. I had no idea that pole dancers could earn that much. The extra cash could help. Living the life of luxury wasn’t cheap.

Nathan met up with me again when I was ready to leave. He seemed much less stressed than before my performance.

Okay, it’s all sorted; thank God we finally have the new schedule. We are expecting you on Saturday, so make sure you’re here on time, he muttered when I was let back into the main part of the club, through the door that I had sneaked in earlier on. The music was loud and now the dance floor was packed with people.

Suddenly, the idea of being undercover made me excited. I thought that I would get a little drink at the bar to celebrate. I had no idea what was wrong with me. I had danced on the pole before, but never like that and never for this kind of audience. When I lived with my father, I could afford private lessons, now I was on my own. I would need to make up some routines and hope they would be good enough.

I headed to the bar ready to order a shot of tequila. My legs felt a little weak, the adrenaline finally crashing and messing with my equilibrium.

Ellie, what a surprise. What are you doing here?

The familiar voice sent a shudder down my spine. I turned around abruptly coming face-to-face with Adrian by the bar with a pint of beer. He shot me his brilliant smile, checking out my cleavage. I hated surprises like that, especially from someone who wasn’t supposed to see me here.

Nothing really. I’ve arranged to meet a friend, but she hasn’t turned up, I lied, telling myself to keep calm.

What would you like to drink? he asked, nodding to the waiter. I swallowed hard, plastered a smile on my face and sat down next to him. It looked like this evening wasn’t over after all.

Mack

I followed Lurkin all the way from the complex. I saw him visiting a few of his takeaways before he stopped in the city centre. He