Dangerously In Love by Allison Hobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

bumped your head talking to me like that.” Acting confrontational, Chanelle pressed her shoulder into Lexi’s arm. “Don’t think because I’m the only black person out here in whitey’s world that I won’t pull off my jewelry and proceed to whippin’ your ass.”
    Lexi gave Mandy a frantic look and took a step backward; Chanelle took two steps forward.
    “Why do you have to resort to violence?” Mandy interjected on Lexi’s behalf. “That’s so not cool.”
    “I’ll resort to whatever I have to because I don’t appreciate being used. Mandy, I guess you’ll be dancing by yourself since Miss Diva is too good to strip tonight.” Chanelle looked heavenward. “Fuck this. I’m out!” She snapped her cell phone off her belt loop, flipped it open, and pushed 411. “Can you connect me with a cab company. I don’t care which one. Just get me a cab that will take me to Philly,” she barked into her cell phone.
    The operator asked for Chanelle’s location.
    “Where the hell are we? What’s the fucking address?” Chanelle asked in a high voice, twisting her head toward Mandy.
    Intent on defusing the situation, Lexi stepped forward. “Okay, listen. I’ll pay you an extra fifty dollars if you stay—that’s three hundred an hour and all you have to do is dance.”
    “You just insulted me. Do I look like my name is Kizzy? Fuck off! I said I’m out!” Chanelle put the phone back to her ear but got dead air; the operator had hung up. She let out a huge sigh, but before she could push redial, Mandy popped out of her seat and quickly poured Chanelle a glass of champagne.
    “Please don’t leave the guys hanging like this; they’re trying to give their buddy a nice send-off,” Mandy cajoled. “Here, have a drink and just sit tight for a minute while we try to figure something out.” Encouraging Chanelle to have a seat, Mandy inclined her head toward the sofa.
    Breathing like a dragon while grumbling that slavery was over, Chanelle surprisingly complied and plopped down on the sofa. Mandy exhaled with relief and then turned to Lexi with a steely look that said, “I’ve done the immediate damage control; now, you have to clinch the deal.”
    On queue, Lexi scooted over to the sofa and sat next to Chanelle. “I’m so sorry for forgetting to tell you about the girl-girl thing. Don’t give it another thought. I’ll dance with Mandy. And look, I don’t usually pay up front, but here’s your money.” Lexi flicked open the buckle of her white leather Dolce & Gabbana purse and pulled out a wad of cash. She counted out the money. “That’s six hundred for two hours,” she said, pressing the bills into Chanelle’s hand. “Just do your usual routine, okay? You brought your music, right?”
    Mellowed by the champagne and the sweet smell of currency, Chanelle wore a wary expression, but nodded in agreement, rooted around in her bag, and handed Lexi a CD.
    “I can sense the natives are getting restless, so I’m gonna go back downstairs and smooth things over. You girls go ahead and get dressed. By the way, you’re up first Mandy. Sensation can work the crowd before her set. After Sensation’s set, Mandy and I will do the hot grand finale,” Lexi said excitedly, as if being demoted from hostess to sleazy lesbo stripper was the best news of the day.
    Lexi poured herself a drink, a reward of sorts for winning Chanelle over. She checked her watch and floated back downstairs to announce that the show was about to begin.

Chapter 7
    C hanelle slipped her foot into a red strappy stiletto. She was wearing a red fringed fishnet gown with long slits on both sides, matching thong, and an underwire bra that pushed her natural D-cups up to the rafters.
    She strapped on the other shoe and then gazed in the full-length mirror. Lingerie and heels—a combination that had become as familiar as her own skin. But not for long! Once she hooked a husband, she would never again put on anything shimmering, slinky, or