Chapter 1
Avery’s POV -
“Come on, you’re going to be late for your first shift!”
Danny’s voice echoed through the staff changing room, snapping me out of the miserable daze I’d fallen into as I stared at my reflection.
“I look ridiculous,” I muttered, tugging hopelessly at the hem of the leather boy shorts that clung to my thighs, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. My cheeks burned, the flush blotting out the freckles scattered across my skin, and my short, ruffled red hair only added to my dishevelled, humiliated look.
The ‘uniform’ could barely call itself one. Black lace-up combat boots, the tightest, shortest shorts I’d ever worn, and a see-through mesh top that failed spectacularly to hide anything at all.
The cubicle door shuddered as Danny leaned against it. “Oh, come on. Everyone wears the same thing. You’ll blend right in once you’re out there.”
I bit down on my lip, staring at my reflection like I could will it to morph into something — anything — less revealing. But the reality was: I didn’t have a choice. I was broke, homeless, and living off my cousin, Danny’s, kindness. He’d gotten me this job. I owed it to him to do my best, even if the job was at The Fortress of Fetish — the local town’s kink club.
A deep, heavy sigh deflated my chest. “Fine, fine. I’m coming.”
I swung the changing room door open, crossing my arms over my chest like a makeshift shield, cheeks burning even hotter when Danny let out a low, appreciative whistle and circled me like a wolf eyeing prey.
“That cute little bubble butt is going to rake in the tips,” he teased.
“Oh my god, Danny — eww.” I groaned, burying my face in my hands, silently regretting every life decision that had led me here. Twenty-five years old, practically naked, and waiting tables. What a career milestone.
From the corner, a dry, catty voice cut through the moment. “Just make sure he stays in his own section.”
I looked up to see a bleached blonde boy unpacking his things, sneering at us like he was some soft of some soap opera villain. Danny didn’t miss a beat, he never did.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Ryan,” he quipped with a sugary smile. “Maybe if you lost the attitude, someone might actually find you attractive for once.”
Ryan’s scowl deepened, his mouth twisted like he was biting back something nastier, but he thought better of it. Instead, he spun on his heel and slammed the cubicle door behind him.
I let out another sigh, already exhausted — and I hadn’t even started my first shift.
All I wanted was to crawl into my Tigger onesie, disappear under my duvet, and forget any of this had ever happened. Instead, I was here, standing half-naked, drowning in self-pity, and bracing myself for an evening dealing with music I could barely hear anyone over and patrons who were likely to be in varying states of drunkenness. .
I thought of the cookie dough ice cream that was waiting for me back in the freezer at Danny’s flat, my reward to my future self for completing my first shift. I salivated just thinking of the creamy taste melting on my tongue.
“Come on, or we really will be late,” Danny said, snapping me out of my ice cream filled day dream, snatching my forearm and towing me along behind him.
The moment we stepped out of the changing room, the lighting shifted, the dim corridor seemed to stretch on forever, with no noticeable light at the end of the figurative tunnel. My eyes struggled to adjust to the lower lighting as I trailed behind him, taking in the black and crimson décor.
The walls were lined with black-and-white photographs, the soft flicker of wall sconces dancing across the bare skin and tied limbs of the nude models frozen behind glass.
Resigned to a long night ahead of me, I mumbled to myself, “The Fortress of Fetish…..welcome to the job Avery.”
