Velvet and Leather: (Lesbian Erotic Romance BDSM Age Gap Novel) by Julie Venice

Author:Julie Venice [Venice, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-21T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two – Career Moves

'Do I know you from somewhere?' the woman across the bar asked. 'Are you an actor?'

Claire scoffed. 'I used to think I was.'

The woman wore a red dress, and spoke with a broad Southern accent. 'You look great. You should totally go for some auditions.'

Claire stifled a bitter laugh. As if I haven't tried. She served the woman and sent her on her way.

The whole world spun on the axis of money, and she was trapped on the outside edge. She could dream of the joys of stage and stardom all she wanted, but she was a tiny cog in a vast machine, and most likely always would be. Her time with Jillian had opened her eyes so wide to the truth of money that she could never really them close again.

She forced herself to relax into the ambiance of the bar, strained to enjoy the company of the patrons. Smiling. Laughing. Having a good time.

Claire felt bitter bile surging up her throat, and swallowed hard. They're just feelings, she told herself. You've trained for this. You can pull on and strip off your emotions as easily as your clothes. She rammed her discontent down into the depths of her subconscious and tried to focus on the positive. The positive. Right. You're still working this shitty bar, your heart is fractured in fifteen places, and you haven't landed a good audition in months.

Her emotions must have shown through clearly, because Tess laid a hand across hers.

Oh, great. The tease has arrived. Thanks for reminding me that you can't be mine, roomie. Exactly what I need.

'Tell me,' Tess said gently.

Claire snatched her hand away. 'No point.'

There were a few seconds of merciful silence. 'I just hate seeing you like this.'

'Tess, I appreciate that you're trying to be a good friend, but I don't need your pity right now. The sooner people stop mentioning my problems to me, the sooner I can forget about them and move on. Okay?'

'Okay.' Tess took the hint and set to work polishing the bar.

Claire faced the dance floor and waited for the next customer. The wild Southern laughter of the woman in the red dress speared Claire's soul. She looked so recklessly, cluelessly happy, head thrown back so big, bold bursts of laughter could escape her gleaming jaws, so loud they eclipsed even the music. For the love of god, shut up, Claire pleaded, then the woman vanished into the bathroom, her laughter finally muffled.

Claire thought about her shower with Tess, fingers curling into claws at the unfairness of it, the disregard, the sheer-

'Hey, hon!' A bleached blonde woman in a ridiculous black and white zebra-striped onesie approached. Her expression was jubilant. Claire had seen her dancing with a pretty Hispanic girl, and the chemistry looked good. The zebra lady's expression shifted from glowing happiness to compassionate concern as she saw Claire's stormy face. 'Is everything all right with you, honey?'

'I'm fine,' Claire growled through gritted teeth.

'Are you sure?'

Claire squeezed her eyes shut tight.

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