Scarred (Book 1, #1) Read Online Free Page A

condo she and Lexi rented from Roxi, so instead of driving she got in her morning run and killed two birds with one stone.
    Chloe ran along the beach as far as she could. She loved the ocean. It cleared her head and always seemed to give her a fresh perspective on things. One positive thing the dancing had done for her other than the money was that it had made her immune to the stares she attracted from men. She almost didn’t notice it any longer. As a matter of fact, other than paying attention to the traffic so she didn’t get mowed down by a car, she rarely noticed much of anything when she ran. That’s why she was so surprised when she stopped at the crossing two blocks from the DoJo where she did her classes and saw the billboard on the far side of the street.
    A huge picture of Derek Stark’s smiling; sexy face was staring down at her. It said, “Looking to start a new life? Let us help.” There was a contact number. She couldn’t help but wonder how many women called and went “pretend” house-hunting just to get a glimpse of the man in person.
    She realized that the light had changed twice before she was able to tear her own eyes away. Not cool, Chloe. Detached, remember? Don’t let this man’s good looks fool you. He’s hanging out in a very confidential strip club. Even if she was interested in finding a man...which she most definitely is not, that would be enough to nix it right there.

Chapter 7
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    T he next day would be Chloe’s first day “on” as Derek Stark’s private dancer. She and Lexi got to the club a half hour before he was supposed to make his appearance. Lexi went behind the bar and began her shift and Chloe went into the back, hoping that the other girls were already changed and onstage so that she could have some privacy.
    “Hi Chloe,” Gretchen, a pert and bouncy red-head greeted her as soon as she walked into the dressing room.
    She wasn’t going to get lucky today.
    “Hi Gretchen. How are you?”
    “Oh you know same old.” She was trying to stuff her gigantic boobs into a bra that looked two sizes too small as she was talking to Chloe. Her puffy brown nipples protruded over the top and every time she tried to clasp it in the front, it would pop right back open.
    “Damn this thing!”
    Chloe tried to slip into her corner before Gretchen decided to ask her for help, but she was too late. “Chloe honey, help! Please.”
    With a sigh Chloe hoped she didn’t really notice she went over to where the other girl was standing in front of the mirror. She knew she would only have the torture device on for a matter of minutes once she was onstage, but Chloe had her doubts as to whether or not she’d even ever agree to wear it in the first place. It was made of black lace and the area where her nipples were supposed to sit was cut out in a circle and studded with rhinestones. It was the most ridiculous piece of lingerie she’d ever seen.
    “What do you want me to do?” Chloe asked her.
    “I’ll pull on the elastic from the sides and you see if you can clasp it for me.” She had her head bent forward towards her and her long, curly red hair tickled Chloe’s face as she struggled to snap the bra with her fingers while pressing down on her giant wiggly boobs with the sides of her palms. If anyone got a video of this, it would be either a pervert or a lesbian’s wet dream. Since Chloe was neither, the whole thing made her ridiculously uncomfortable.
    “There you go, Chloe! You got it girl, thanks!”
    “No problem,” she lied. She proceeded to her locker and took out the “Peek a Boo” pole fit top and “Sneaky V” pole fit shorts she’d bought last week and hadn’t worn yet. She had a little black-netted kami that would drape over the top so that her sides were not bare. It was black and slinky and it fit like a tailored glove across her boobs and butt...but nothing had to be stuffed into it, thank God. She glanced over her shoulder. Gretchen was