Private Dancer Read Online Free Page A

tonight. I got a headache, I’m out.” Marise hissed and walked out of the smoky club. She could hear Fatima scream one last thing before the door closed behind her.
    “Whatever you aren’t that good or that pretty, that man is going to use you!” As Marise hailed a cab, she prayed that Fatima wasn’t right and that Mr. Montgomery wouldn’t force her to quit. In the back seat, she closed her eyes and tried not to think. Tomorrow is tomorrow, she thought.

    18 | P a g e

    Nevea Lane
    Private Dancer

    Chapter Five – Decisions, Decisions

    Kasen was in his office the next morning, pacing the floor. He could not believe what he saw last night. What could he do to help Marise? She needed his help, obviously, but he knew she would be too proud to take it outright. He’d thought of a myriad of possibilities, most he dismissed because they seemed more demeaning than stripping. An idea had finally smacked him at two a.m. what he would do.
    Marise appeared in the adjoining office, right on time. Kasen let out a pent-up breath he didn’t realize he was holding for the past eight hours. He’d been afraid that she would not come to work.
    She looked nervous, and he would be too if he was in her shoes. At least she looked like his Marise again. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail with a few spiraling curls framing her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were weary behind her thin wire framed glasses. She was dressed in an all black skirt that touched the floor. Kasen got up from his desk and opened the door a crack.
    “Marise, can I see you please,” Kasen said softly. He didn’t want to scare her. Although he saw her shoulders slump, he was not deterred. She probably thought she would face the firing squad.
    She walked in with her head bowed and sat down heavily in one of his high-backed leather chairs. Marise sat straight, feet crossed at the ankles. She stared ahead even when he resumed his seat behind his desk. She looked like she was facing an executioner. He leaned back into a reclining position and tried to offer her his smile. Marise told him once when he was nervous about a meeting that he’d a great smile. Kasen’s teeth were white, even and appeared strong. It was the only compliment she’d given him. He tried to use the information to his benefit.
    19 | P a g e

    Nevea Lane
    Private Dancer
    “Marise, do you want to talk about it?” Kasen said, still speaking softly.
    “Not really Mr. Montgomery. It is my problem. I can take care of it.”

    * * *

    Marise had thought about it all last night, sitting in her bed alone, again. She would not take Kasen’s money, no matter what. From the men she was exposed to during her life, they always wanted something in return. Nothing was ever done for charity.
    “Does your husband know?” Her eyes flew to his face and she shook her head no. Darryl would kill her if he stumbled upon how she was paying off his debt. Would Mr. Montgomery tell?
    “Please, Mr. Montgomery, this is none of your concern.”
    “How is it not my concern? I watch your face drop and your dimples disappear when the clock strikes five. I want to help.” Since when did he notice that she’d dimples? Marise thought as she stared at him.
    “I only have to do it for a little while longer. There is only three thousand left. I can be done in a few months.”
    Kasen shook his head and clinched his fist in his lap, almost breaking the skin of his palm with his nails. The hell she would go back to that place.
    “No. You aren’t going back.”
    Marise’s eyes grew cold, who in the hell was he to tell her what to do? She stared at him.
    20 | P a g e

    Nevea Lane
    Private Dancer
    “You can’t make that decision for me, Mr. Montgomery.” Kasen sighed. He knew he sounded like a dictator, but he couldn’t allow her to go back to the Harem. “You are right. I can’t order you, but I can make you a better counteroffer.” Marise looked at him and rolled her eyes. Here it comes. He is going to ask you