Stripping used to be fun…
A successful career as an aerialist is all Dakota has ever dreamed of, but his job as a dancer at Glitter Boys is what pays the bills. However, the owner of the hottest male strip club in Vegas lusts after Dakota and will stop at nothing to possess him. Then Dakota’s thirteen-year-old brother runs away from home to escape their abusive father, and he becomes determined to rescue him from the danger of the streets.
Patrol officer Reed hasn’t been attracted to a man in a very long time, but when he’s called to an assault in progress at the LGBTQ teen shelter, a young stranger changes everything. Reed fights the instant spark of attraction, certain that nothing will happen between them. Yet when he stumbles across that same man during another call, he wonders if fate has already set their future in motion.
Destiny is one thing, but the stark reality of daily life is another. Between Dakota’s scary ex-boss who can’t take no for an answer, fighting for guardianship of his brother and wondering how they’ll survive, Dakota isn’t sure he and Reed stand a chance. Not only that, but Reed has never had sex with a man. If Reed can’t be there for him and his brother as a family, then Dakota fears he has no choice but to say goodbye.
Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of sexual harrassment and mild physical abuse. There are also references to child abuse.
Publisher's Note: This book was previously released by Pride Publishing. It has been revised, expanded and re-edited for re-release.
General Release Date: 14th April 2020
“Dakota, you’re up next. Jasper called in.”
Ted, the crusty old stage manager and maintenance guy at Glitter Boys, stood at Dakota’s dressing room door, idly scratching his crotch while smacking his gum. Dakota averted his gaze so Ted wouldn’t catch him making a face of disgust. Ted loved to burst into the room unannounced when Dakota was changing, and also had the disturbing habit of suddenly appearing from the shadows backstage. It was like working with Nosferatu.
Dakota fussed with a purple rhinestone-studded G-string that he’d just dug out of his dance bag. “I just got here. I haven’t even done my makeup yet.”
“You want me to go tell Yuri that?”
Anger built under his skin. He didn’t mind dancing at a strip club—loved it, actually—but the people who owned and ran Glitter Boys were the true definition of lowlifes. Dakota and all the talent at the club were treated like whores who didn’t matter to anyone unless they brought in bundles of cash. It made an otherwise beautiful and showy strip club a nightmare to work in.
Few more good months, then I’ll have enough saved up for pro aerial dance classes. Then I can get away from these psychos.
“Well? You going out there or what?”
Dakota pressed his lips together. Yuri would be furious no matter what he did. If he wasn’t fully glammed out, he’d yell. If Dakota told Ted no and didn’t go on stage, he’d yell. Dakota picked not going on stage. He hated it when he didn’t look his best.
“Nope. No makeup. No dancing.” Dakota finally lifted his gaze. “And I don’t care what you say to Yuri.”
Heart pounding, Dakota hurriedly turned away—mindful to keep his head down so Ted couldn’t read his anxious expression in the mirror. Yuri and the other goons in charge weren’t much different from feral animals. He couldn’t show fear, or they’d attack.
Ted inched his way into the room. The stench of his putrid, booze-enhanced sweat encroached and grew stronger. Ted touched his shoulder and Dakota shrank away, grateful that he still hadn’t removed his Ziggy Stardust tee. Skin to skin with Ted, no matter how minimal, was the last thing he ever wanted to experience.
Add Yuri to that.
His stomach lurched. He shouldn’t have had the French fries on the way over, but a drive-thru snack was all he’d had time for. He hadn’t eaten all day and there was at least a six-hour shift ahead of him. He figured he’d have plenty of time to work off the grease.
“Now, don’t be that way, baby. I’ve told you before, if you’re extra nice to me, Yuri don’t have to know shit.”
The door slammed against the wall. Yuri yanked Ted away by the collar of his shirt, then backhanded him. Ted stumbled wildly before falling over one of the folding chairs that littered the room. He cried out as he crashed to the floor.
“You have lots of fucking nerve, piece of shit!”
Rage contorted Yuri’s face, his skin flushed red as he jabbed his finger down at Ted, who lay in a heap of tangled chairs, feather boas and a riding crop or two. His Russian accent always made his words seem so much more menacing. The shouting also added to the genuine terror Dakota felt whenever Yuri dissolved into one of his fits.
Ted whimpered, holding his arms over his face as if he expected Yuri to strike again. Dakota agreed with Ted’s assessment. The probability was high that Yuri would continue manhandling and beating the hapless manager. Thankfully, Dakota was safe from the punches. It wouldn’t do to damage the merchandise.
Dakota gasped when Sauron’s eyes flashed over to him. Yuri was the ultimate doppelganger for the dark lord of Middle Earth. It was in everyone’s best interest to slink by and not draw his gaze.
“And you. Why not getting ready?” Yuri grabbed the G-string Dakota still clutched in his hand. “You’ve worn this how many times? Huh?” Yuri hurled it into the trash can next to the vanity. He got right into Dakota’s face, glaring. He pinched Dakota’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. “This isn’t cheap place! Customer expect hot guy, but also sexy, exciting costume. Not always same shit.”
He let go of Dakota by shoving him away. Dakota grasped the edge of the dressing table to keep from following Ted’s path to the carpet. Yuri returned his attention to Ted, who was attempting to disentangle himself as well as rise to his feet again. The sound of applause and the DJ announcing that Jasper was up next threw Yuri into another fit.
“God damn it!” Yuri shoved Ted again. “Go out there. Quick. Tell Noah two more numbers before he’s done.”
Shit. I didn’t know it was Noah on stage. Dakota always snuck in the back way. It helped to prevent the pre on-the-clock groping.
“Just one song, Yuri. I can—”
“Shut the fuck up!”
Yuri lunged at him as if he’d strike. Even though Dakota knew it probably wouldn’t happen, he still flinched. He prayed he’d have enough money saved up to get out of Glitter Boys soon. He was sure that Yuri would eventually make good on his implied physical threats.
Ted had already scampered away to do Yuri’s bidding, which left him alone to face the club owner by himself. Yuri regarded him, let his gaze rake Dakota’s body clad in the tight T-shirt and skinny jeans. If Yuri wasn’t such a detestable human being, he’d be quite a stunning man. Almost ethereally handsome, he had the appearance of a deadly angel with white-blond hair and cruel blue eyes. Even though he was clad in an Armani suit, it was easy to discern his strong and muscular physique. He could snap Dakota in half.
“Hurry up.” Yuri’s voice had dropped in volume, which chilled Dakota even more than the yelling had. “Ten lap dances minimum tonight, understand?”
“But—”
“Understand?” Yuri gritted out.
“Yes, Yuri. I understand.”
“And we talk before you leave. No sneaky stuff like other night. I turn around”—Yuri shrugged—“Dakota’s disappeared.” Yuri leaned in. “Like he doesn’t want to speak to me. Me. The man who’s given him everything.”
Yeah. Right.
“Now I give you much more. We talk later.”
“Sure, Yuri.” He fought to keep his voice light, to keep it from shaking. “We’ll talk later.”
Yuri seized a fistful of Dakota’s honey-blond hair then smashed their lips together, forcing his tongue into Dakota’s mouth, stealing a furious kiss. Dakota pressed his palms against Yuri’s hard chest, desperately trying to keep him from getting any closer as he struggled in Yuri’s grasp.
As soon as Yuri let go, he gulped in air, but forced himself not to enrage him by either gagging or swiping at his own mouth in revulsion.
Yuri burst out with a big, bellowing laugh, pointing at Dakota as he did. “Look at you! So offended. My pretty stripper boy, shows his cock and ass to all strange men who visit club, grinds in their laps, but a simple kiss? So shocking.” Yuri leaned over, then grabbed his genitals. Dakota cried out as he squeezed. “Get this hard before you go on stage,” Yuri growled.
He straightened, then adjusted his expensive suit coat and fiddled with his cufflinks and tie until he had himself back in perfect order. “You need help with that before you dance?”
The way Yuri had asked had almost been pleasant, as if he was genuinely concerned about Dakota’s wellbeing.
“No. Thanks. I have a cock ring I can use.”
“I can assist with that too.”
“Thanks anyway. I-I’m fine.”
Yuri shrugged again. “You make life too hard when I can make so easy.” Yuri quirked an eyebrow. “We talk later.”
As soon as Yuri sauntered out of the room then made his way down the hall, Dakota shot to his feet. Even as he closed the door and stuck a chair under the knob, he knew he was behaving irrationally. It wasn’t his private dressing area, and Noah would need to get in momentarily. Beyond that, if Yuri wanted back in, a chair wouldn’t stop him.
Yuri always gets what he wants.
But Yuri sought more from him than he’d ever be willing to give. Yuri intended to make him a star, but not at Glitter Boys. Dakota knew exactly why Yuri had insisted they speak later. Yuri was going to try to convince him one more time to be the star of the hardcore porn flicks he’d begun producing.
Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men forever after.
If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little heart’s desire. Even though she’s been crafting her naughty tales for more years than she’d like to share – her adventures as a published author began in 2011.
Once upon a time she was the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern Oregon coast and when she’s not fantasizing about hot men she takes walks along the ocean and annoys the local Karaoke bar patrons.
Reviewed by Anabela.m
Reed had the need to protect in his blood, Dakota was living the worst periods of his life with no one to help him...ad to the mix a dash of insta-attraction and a providential meeting or two, and t...
Read more reviews
Reviewed by Anabela.m
Reed had the need to protect in his blood, Dakota was living the worst periods of his life with no one to help him...ad to the mix a dash of insta-attraction and a providential meeting or two, and t...
Read more reviews
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