A bit more of Flame from FL.E.S.H. on WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup

Welcome to Erotic Notions and WIP It Up Wednesday. This snippet is a from my erotic contemporary billionaire story – FL.E.S.H.
Scene Set – Backstage at the club. Flame has just won the weekly question draw.

Flame tucked nine dollars into her purse, dropped it into the bottom right drawer of her makeup table, and then crossed the room. She pulled open the community refrigerator, grabbed a cold Diet Coke, and placed a dollar in the jar on the counter. She clicked the tab, listening to the hiss as the pressure released. If only the pressures and stresses of her life would dissipate so easily. She checked the wall clock. With the small number of performers at the club that night, she had a good fifteen, maybe twenty, minutes before she had to perform again.The pop bubbles fizzed down her throat as she gulped a couple of mouthfuls. She glanced in the mirror to check her makeup. Her gaze caught sight of the edge of the envelope sticking out of her purse. A tremble shuddered through her. She didn't need to read the letter. She'd read it enough times before arriving at the club. Rent was increasing. Three hundred more a month. She couldn't afford that. She could barely afford the rent as it stood now. Could she fight the increase? She could try every means she could afford, but her salary was limited and obviously the real estate corporation's pockets were much deeper."Ahh!" A crash and a sharp cry brought her back to the present.Flame scooted around the corner of her table. Jade was sprawled on the floor, clutching her ankle. One eight inch heel was lying on the floor next to her. Passion Fruit and Desiree crowded around. "What happened?" Both asked in unison.Jade slapped at the broken heel. "Damn shoe broke. Shit! I just got these.""Can you stand?" Flame held out her hand. Jade grabbed it and started to rise, but then collapsed back to the floor with a flurry of swear words.The club boss, Frankie, pushed his way through the crowd. "What the hell's going on here? Better not be another bitch fight." He stood, feet spread, hands on hips, and glared down at the fallen performer.Jade flipped her long black hair over her head. "I hurt my ankle. My shoe broke." She waved at the evidence."Can you still dance?"Flame rolled her eyes. That was classic Frankie, compassionate son-of-a-bitch. He dressed like he hadn't bought a new piece of clothing since the eighties, and he usually smelled of body odor, stale beer, and cigar smoke.Jade rubbed her ankle and groaned. "I don't think so."Frankie snapped his gaze around the other performers. "Passion Fruit, you're on next. Flame. After her.""What?" She aimed her gaze at him. "I just got off stage.""This is me caring." He curled his lip in a sneer. "You know the rules. Shut up and perform." He pointed at Jade. "And get her out of here. She's useless if she can't dance tonight." He strode out of the dressing room."Someday. Someday!" Passion Fruit's cheeks reddened as she clenched and unclenched her hands."And after you kill him, we'll all help hide the body." Flame patted her shoulder. "Now help me get Jade to her chair then you go get ready. From the sounds of it, Cotton Candy will be done in a few minutes."Once Jade had been helped into street clothes and a cab called, Flame peeled off her red leather bra and thong and pulled on a black set. She slipped her feet back into her stilettos and fastened the buckles. Cotton Candy hustled past her, puffing and wiping sweat from her brow. "That's a dead crowd out there tonight. Tips are so gonna suck."
Flame chuckled. "Don't they always?" 




What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions

23 – Thursday 13  #Thursday1324 – Book Boyfriend Café  #HotforFriday25 - My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday26 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday27 – Author Spotlight – Annie Seaton - Ten Days in Tuscany28 – Author Spotlight – A. Silenus - The River's Embrace 29 – WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup30 – Thursday 13  #Thursday13