A/N I don't own these characters, S.M. does. This chapter is unbeta'd.

I really wanted to give you this chapter early, but only my most faithful bothered to give me a review. If there was a way to send it just to you I would have!

If you haven't reviewed yet, please take the couple seconds it takes to do so. I'd really appreciate it.

Some people have their site turned off so I haven't been able to thank you for reviewing. Thanks!

Chapter 25

EPOV

Saturday night at the club went much like previous night. The only difference was that I was far less nervous.

I was still performing on the same stage which suited me fine.

This time I dressed as a cowboy and danced to Ginuwine's Pony, Big & Rich's Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy, Def Leppard's – Pour some sugar on me and ACDC's TNT.

I had prepared a different dance routine to go with these songs and the ladies ate it up.

This time around I wasn't as tense, made lots of eye contact and got a little braver about taking the money they held out.

Much to my delight more than three quarters of the crowd was once again in my half of the club by the time I finished.

Back at my vanity I counted out $347.00 in tips.

After waiting tables I had an extra $93.00.

Stephan handed out our pay envelopes at closing.

That made my nightly total $540.00! I was very happy.

I must have been smiling because Danny bumped me in passing and said "Don't get to excited, Tuesday to Thursday we don't earn nearly as much."

"Yeah, just how much did you make tonight Danny?" teased Alex.

"Fuck off!" spit Danny as he left through the back door. All the other guys laughed.

"Keep that up and you'll be on the main stage in no time Ed" Stephan chuckled. "Probably be the fastest rise to the main stage in history."

"You think?" I questioned.

Stephan and I walked out of the club together.

"Hey man, can I ask you a question?" I said hesitantly.

"I guess?" He responded.

"Do you... ever take any of the cutomers upstairs?"

Stephan's eyes narrowed on me, probably wondering why I wanted to know.

"No, never. Why?"

"I didn't think so. I... I saw you telling Tanya 'no' one night. Did she get mad?"

"I don't fuckin' care if she did! I'm not a whore! I wouldn't even work here if I didn't need the money so badly." He growled.

"Me either. I just asked cause Tanya is trying to get me to 'service the red slips'. She has been getting lots of those red slip requests for me." I rubbed the back of my neck then dragged my hands through my hair. ""Will she fire me if I keep saying 'no' – cause there is no way I'm doing that?"

"Not sure, I've been here over six months and have turned down lots of requests. She threatens to fire me but hasn't yet."

I relaxed a little at this news.

"Does she come on to you and the other guys?"

Stephan laughed. "Sure, sometimes. She fucks half the guys here, but it seems to be a mutual thing. Not me though. I got a girl at home. I'm gonna marry her once our finances are more stable, and quit this dump."

"She's been dropping all kinds of hints to me. I...I don't wanna get fired, but I won't do it. I've got a girl too and I love her. A lot! I just need this job for 5 months, then we're outta here."

"Well, be careful, she can be one tricky bitch! She's also tenacious as hell, and rarely gives up" he said getting into his car and waving as he pulled out of the empty lot.

Don't I know it, I thought as I got in my car and headed home.

On the way I noticed an 'all night' electronics store open. I pulled in. When I came out I had a 19" flat screen tv with built in dvd under my arm.

I know that it's kinda small but it would fit in the wall unit Bella painted. Or we could put it on our dresser.

I hoped it would help with the boredom Bella must be feeling when she was alone at night.

I would make sure to go to the apartment super tomorrow and pay him to turn our cable on. I had even bought a red bow from the cashier to stick on the box so I could give it to Bella like a present.

Much as I'd hoped, Bella was ecstatic about the tv.

She was a little worried about the cost but felt better when I told her I had made $540.00 last night and still handed her $300.00 to put in our hiding spot.

We slept in and got to watch some silly shows the next day after I called the Landlord to turn the cable on.

I had Sunday and Monday off and just wanted to lay here with Bella. Then I remembered I had to go into the club Monday for some pointers from Tanya.

Shit! I was not looking forward to that...

A/N Because I'm such a softy here is a ch 26 teaser:

She started dancing around me again. She was behind me with her hands sliding over my shoulders and feeling my pecs while I sat completely still and barely breathing.

Suddenly, one of her long legs stepped over my legs and she was straddling my lap facing me – topless!

She plunked herself down right on my dick. She started grinding herself back and forth on me while simultaneously she crushed her naked chest tightly against mine. Her arms snaked tightly around my neck and her lips crashed to mine...