Angela’s apartment always made Evelyn feel like she was walking through a movie set. Tall ceilings, white stone countertops, tile floor so polished it reflected the tapping feet that trailed along its surface, throw rugs that looked too delicate to step on, and a panoramic view of downtown that swallowed everything in blue skies. All of it bought and paid for with high heels, ring lights, and carefully curated depravity.
The two stood in Angela’s studio corner as they posed under the soft push of diffused panel lights, nude save for their matching black thongs.
“Okay,” Angela said, fixing her hair as she read from the whiteboard just out of frame. “Now we need asses out.”
She glanced over her shoulder, winked at the camera, and arched her spine until her ass popped like a heart-shaped peach.
Evelyn followed her lead, leaning forward, back arched, hands on her thighs. But her body moved like she was underwater as her mind drifted away into thought.
Into Elijah.
Into the way he kissed her in the parking garage. She remembered her hand curled in his shirt, how his mouth tasted, how gently he pressed his against hers. Her chest squeezed as she remembered how vulnerable she’d felt afterward. How seen. Nothing had made her feel like that before. It was foreign, shocking, and terrifying.
“Oh, sweetie, you gotta stick that ass out a little bit more,” Angela said, peering into the preview screen.
Evelyn blinked. “Huh? Oh. Yeah. Sorry.” Her focus returned, and Evelyn moved her body with expert precision, straining her posture as she turned and looked at the camera with pouting lips.
“There she is!” Angela’s voice was breezy, but her eyes were soft with concern.
They moved into the next pose. Standing hip to hip, hands on each other’s waists. Then another. Angela’s hand splayed across Evelyn’s stomach, Evelyn’s fingers trailing up Angela’s side. In the camera, it would look electric. In the room, it was little more than practice and execution.
Angela adjusted her stance, then glanced sideways. “Is everything good, babe?”
Evelyn offered a too-bright smile. “Just peachy.”
Angela didn’t push. She never did. They transitioned to the final pose, dropping on their knees, bodies tilted just enough for the arch of their backs to read as erotic rather than awkward. The lights caught the angles of their torsos, shadows curling around breasts, hips, and red-painted lips.
The camera lens flashed, and Angela clapped loudly.
“That’s a wrap! Thanks again for the last-minute collab, this is going to help me out so much,” Angela said, standing up and shaking out her hair.
“Anything for you, lovely.” Evelyn stood and went to grab the hoodie and sweatpants from her bag. She blew Angela a kiss as she pulled the hoodie over her head and stepped into the soft gray fabric.
Angela was already at her laptop transferring footage. “I’ll send it over to Mackey for edits, he should be emailing you your copies within a couple of days.”
“You’re a doll.” Evelyn inspected herself in the mirror, then tugged the hood over her head, collapsing onto Angela’s white leather couch with a relieved sigh.
Her phone lit up in her palm, and her heart skipped as she checked it. The feeling quickly left when she saw the notification was from Ivan.
Evelyn chucked her phone to the side with a sigh.
Angela caught the movement and smiled. “You waiting on a certain someone to reply?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes, but her bashful expression betrayed her. “No.”
Angela flopped down beside her, still only in her underwear, stretching her legs like a cat in the late afternoon sun. “Mhmm. Is it Elijah?”
Evelyn groaned, curled into a tight ball, and buried her face in her knees.
Angela poked her side. “Does that mean it’s going well with Elijah then?!”
“Stop!” Evelyn shouted between laughs, shoving Angela’s hand away and collapsing backward dramatically. Her face was red when she peeked through her fingers.
“He hasn’t texted me since we met…” She said softly.
“Uh huh, and have you texted him?” Angela replied.
“No…” Evelyn said timidly.
“Well, maybe you should so he knows you’re thinking about him?” Angela’s words were a playful, motherly candor. Evelyn smiled warmly and let out a frustrated laugh.
“Maybe! Not yet…” Evelyn looked down at her phone, bit her lip, and locked its screen.
“But it is going well?” Angela asked.
“We’ll see,” she said, too shy to meet Angela’s gaze.
“Oh my god. Is Evelyn finally going to get a boyfriend?”
“I said we’ll see,” Evelyn snapped, just a little too sharply.
Angela raised her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Keep me updated. What about the college admission?”
“I’m meeting with an advisor soon. I’m hoping the credit transfer goes through quickly.”
“It will, babe. Don’t you worry…” Angela’s phone buzzed loudly. She grabbed it, her tone shifting as she read through a text. “Oh. Also, Jackson is showing up soon. Just got a text from him.”
Evelyn’s face twisted. “Jackson? Really? I thought you were done collabing with him.”
“Don’t judge me!” Angela countered. Evelyn’s expression did just that.
“Look, I needed a girthy boy. I got a special request from a subscriber and he was the only half-decent cock available today.”
“That man is so fucking annoying.”
“I know.” Angela stood and started gathering props. “That’s why I’m giving you a heads-up. So you can bounce before he shows.”
As soon as the words left Angela’s mouth, there was a knock at the door.
Evelyn stared at Angela with a deadpan expression.
Angela winced. “Well. Kind of a heads up.” She said, walking towards the door.
“You’re too kind…” Evelyn mumbled under her breath.
Angela turned the handle while mouthing sorry, and Jackson strolled in like he owned the apartment. He was a product of their lifestyle. An overly jacked, blindingly white, steroid-filled man who hid his insecurities behind a buzzcut and a cutoff tank top with a graphic that read Suns Out, Guns Out.
“Angela baby! Already naked for me?!”
“Just finished shooting,” Angela said with well-practiced politeness.
“Come here—!” Jackson made a beeline for her and hoisted her up like a doll.
“Oh! Okay!” Angela said, laughing despite herself. She looked at Evelyn over his shoulder and rolled her eyes dramatically. Evelyn smirked.
Jackson set her down and turned to Evelyn, his probing eyes made her grateful she had put her sweats on before his arrival.
“Evelyn! How you’ve been my fine little minx?”
The words made Evelyn’s skin crawl. Tucking herself closely into the couch, Evelyn managed a smile through clenched teeth.
“Just great, Jackson.”
“So, check this out,” Jackson said, pulling out his phone as he stepped towards her. “Got this new custom wrap on the Camaro last week. That Matte black with red trim? It’s super rare. Makes it look like the Batmobile, right?”
Evelyn glanced. “Uh-huh.”
“Took this chick for a ride last weekend, right? Total baddie. Ass like a fucking yoga ball. She came twice before we even made it to the overlook.”
What did that even mean?
“Oh wow.” Evelyn’s voice was flat as her eyes trailed from Jackson’s phone to the skyline beyond the windows.
“Then I took her back to my place, got her in the shower, then she wanted more. Can’t blame her, the pad makes them all melt. Even agreed to film. Got the whole thing on GoPro. Fuckin’ cinematic.”
“That’s great,” Evelyn muttered with distracted indifference.
Evelyn’s phone buzzed again and she instinctively grabbed it.
Her expression flattened when she saw it was another message from Ivan.
Ivan: I’m going to be at the club today. Swing by.
With a sigh, she locked the phone and let it sink into the cushions.
“So, you sticking around?” Jackson asked. “Still need to do my first scene with you.”
Evelyn looked up slowly. “Not today I’m afraid.”
Jackson grinned. “God, you’re such a fucking tease. Alright, keep playing hard to get. It’ll happen eventually.”
“Oh, I’m sure. But right now, I’ve got to get going.” Evelyn stood and gave Angela a little wave. “You two have fun.”
“Bye babe!” Angela called, letting out a surprised laugh as Jackson grabbed her from behind.
“Feel free to swing by later if you change your mind!” Jackson shouted.
Evelyn smiled as she walked out the door. Hood up, work bag slung across her shoulder, phone in hand, and heart somewhere else entirely.
–
Evelyn walked into the club’s main room, adjusting the black dress she had quickly changed into in a bathroom stall. It clung to her curves tightly, cut low enough to tempt without becoming tasteless. Thin straps over bare shoulders, hem barely grazing mid-thigh. But most importantly, it was easy to slip on at a moment’s notice.
She passed through the club with smooth steps, knowing that unspoken spotlights followed her every move. The music pulsed with low, seductive tones. A rhythm that matched the sway of her hips. Heads turned. They always did.
Evelyn’s heels clicked confidently across the polished concrete as she walked up the short steps of the club’s VIP hall, neon and smoke curling around her in pulsing waves.
The bouncer at the ropes scrolled through his phone. A tall man with cornrows, thick wrists, and a calm air about himself. His eyes flicked over her and immediately softened with recognition.
“Hey, Evelyn. You’re looking good tonight,” Booker said, his voice low and easy.
She smiled. “Thanks Booker. I had a client ask for me specifically.”
Booker arched a brow. “Ivan, right?”
Evelyn gave a quiet nod, a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
“You know if he’s around?”
He thumbed behind him, toward the velvet-roped hallway. “Yeah. Back in the main lounge. Just him back there.”
“Perfect,” she said, trailing her fingers along Booker’s shoulder as she walked past him. “How’s the girlfriend?”
“Pregnant as hell,” Booker replied, his eyes trailing along her body.
“Give her my best wishes,” Evelyn said with a wink. Booker laughed.
“Man save the fucking drama for the clients.”
“You know I like to play around.”
“Yeah, yeah, go get your bag,” Booker said with a wave, returning his attention to his phone. Evelyn gave him a nod and turned.
The hallway to the back lounge swallowed her in darkness as the music faded into the background. She reached the main lounge doors and paused. Then, with a deep breath, she pushed them open.
Ivan was seated on a black leather loveseat. He looked awkward sitting alone in such a large room. He ran his fingers through his slicked-back sandy blonde hair as he kicked the duffle bag resting at his feet. He wore a fitted black button-up, a gold chain sitting just above the open collar, and enough cologne to flood the room with an overly aggressive musk.
“Long time no see,” He said, arms spread along the backrest as he leaned into the couch.
“Long time,” Evelyn replied coolly, striding across the room with calculated grace. She ran her fingers through her flowing hair as she sank into the seat beside him. Legs crossed, chest on display, and a smile sharp enough to cut any man to shreds. “How has the birthday boy been?”
“You can call me Ivan, you know,” Ivan said coolly.
Evelyn smiled, slow and teasing. “I’m well aware.”
Ivan chuckled softly as he sucked his teeth. Evelyn studied him. His polish was thick, but not seamless. The hair was too deliberate, the confidence too rehearsed. The soft underlayer of insecurity was always easy to spot in young men like him. She could peel it back if she wanted to. Tilt her head a certain way, feed him the right lie, say the thing that would make him fall for her. She could sink her claws in and feast as much as she wanted to.
Her eyes flicked to the duffle bag, already determined to leave with whatever amount of cash was inside.
“So,” Ivan asked, too casually. “Anything new in your life?”
Evelyn could answer any way she pleased. She could make up a story about a trip she never took, or a party she didn’t attend. She could say whatever answer would fit her mark’s fantasy. She usually did. But something twisted differently in her chest this time. A thrill, a risk. A desire to have something she was truly proud of witnessed.
She leaned in, just enough for her perfume to tease his nose, her fingers trailing along the buttons of his shirt. “I met someone.”
Ivan blinked. His posture stiffened.
“You mean like… a guy?”
“Bingo,” Evelyn said, voice light, measured. She let her fingers trail upward and tap gently against his collarbone.
“And he knows what you do?”
“He does,” Evelyn confirmed.
Ivan’s jaw shifted. His face collapsed into contempt.
“So you told him everything? Including what we did?”
“He’s very aware,” she said, letting the words sit in the air, unbothered.
Ivan exhaled a bitter laugh. His hand slid to her thigh, fingers pressing just a little too hard into her flesh.
“It won’t last.” He said firmly.
Evelyn’s brows lifted slightly.
“Excuse me?”
“He’s cool with it now, but it won’t stay that way.” Ivan’s words were cold, pointed, and matter-of-fact.
Evelyn pulled back slightly, the line between amusement and irritation sharpening across her mouth. “You sound jealous.”
“I’m realistic,” Ivan said. “They always say they’re fine with it. Until they see you walk into a room with someone like me. Then suddenly it’s tears, ultimatums, insecurity. One way or another, the whole thing is going to implode.”
Evelyn kept her face neutral, but something inside shivered. She could see Elijah’s nervous eyes, the way he touched her like she was glass, the vulnerability of his soul.
“So you’re bet is he’ll leave? Because he seems pretty happy to me.” Evelyn framed the question in indifference, but it was more genuine than she would have liked to admit.
“I think he doesn’t know you yet. But he will, and then it will all change.”
The air became taut as piano wire. Evelyn let it stretch before she smiled again, calm as ever.
“Maybe I want it to.”
Ivan scoffed. His fingers squeezed once more, then withdrew. The silence swelled before Ivan pivoted.
“I have a party coming up next week, I expect you there,” he said smoothly.
Evelyn tilted her head as she swirled her nail on Ivan’s chest. “Can’t. I’m going out of town with a friend.”
“Your boyfriend?”
“No. A friend-friend. I won’t be here.”
“You need to be.”
He reached into the duffle bag and pulled out a thick wad of hundreds secured with a band.
“I’ll make it worth your while.”
Evelyn slowly took the money from his hand and tucked it into her purse.
“Day and time?”
“Saturday, and no later than nine. And make sure you wear something fucking sexy.”
He paused, staring at her with calculating eyes before pulling out another roll of cash.
“Why don’t you bring your friend too?”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “My friend-friend?”
“No. Your boyfriend.”
Evelyn drummed her fingers lightly against the new bundle.
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll do it.”
“Will I?”
Ivan’s voice dropped. “Yes.”
She met his eyes, then slowly grabbed the wad of hundreds.
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.” She said shortly.
Ivan smirked. “I bet.”
Evelyn’s eyes dropped to the duffle bag at his feet.
“How much is left in there?” She asked.
“Enough,” Ivan said coolly.
Her lips curved. “And what do I have to do to get it?”
His hand moved toward her waist, fingers brushing the edge of her dress strap.
“We can figure that out.”
He slipped one strap down, exposing the curve of her shoulder. Then the other.
The room went quiet, and Evelyn could hear the thump of bass mixed with the hiss of her breath.
She didn’t move. Her chest rose slowly, skin luminous under the warm light.
Ivan leaned in, the scent of cologne nearly unbearable, as his hands began to explore her.
Evelyn closed her eyes as Ivan’s tongue forced its way between her lips.