Ruby's Fantasy by Cathleen Ross Page B

back on him and walked down the street, stopping in front of Abe’s club with the nightclub owner following her like a dog on heat.
    Cars honked. Passersby swivelled their heads, their gaze moving from the top of her blonde curls, over her curves, down to her sensational legs.
    Where was the Ruby he knew? The one who’d clung to him last night when the creep with the spider tattoo had frightened her; his Ruby who had experienced her first multiple orgasm in his arms? Oh hell. Last night had clearly given her confidence.
    What had he set loose?
    Someone had to know something about Emerald and if Ruby could talk to the nightclub workers, she might find where her twin had fled and why. Emerald had told her that strippers from the club next door regularly came into the shop to buy gear. There was no way she could sit day after day wondering what had happened to her sister. ‘I’m glad I met you, Abe, because I have a proposition for you,’ she said, sounding more confident than she felt.
    â€˜That’s good because I have a proposal for you, too,’ Abe said.
    A shiver inside cooled her bones.
    Behind Abe, a few feet away out of hearing distance, Ruby could see Jake glaring at her. How long before he stormed over? ‘I’ll ask first, if that’s okay? I have terrific outfits in the shop that I’d love to show to your strippers. I want to make a time and invite your girls into the shop.’
    Abe’s eyes narrowed and he rubbed his thigh, the sweat of his palm leaving a stain on his trousers. ‘I have a better idea. You come to the club with your outfits and demonstrate the clothes, let everybody see how they peel off.’
    â€˜Come into the club?’ She looked at the Pink Pussy Club behind with its glitzy neon sign and gaudy posters of semi-naked women with implants glued onto the blacked out window. Heat flared her cheeks and she was glad she had on a lot of makeup. From the way Abe was gazing at her, he already had stripped her off in his imagination.
    â€˜I don’t model the outfits.’
    â€˜This your usual daywear?’
    There was something distinctly predatory about Abe Malouf but she wasn’t going to heed the warning vibes that resonated through her. Her twin needed her. ‘I’m strictly professional.’
    â€˜I’ll clear the bar.’
    â€˜A professional in costume design.’ Ruby grit her teeth.
    She saw Jake pacing in front of her shop. No wonder his fists were clenched and a deep frown creased his face. He hadn’t taken his gaze off her for a second and in a moment he’d be storming over.
    â€˜You can use the poles to demonstrate,’ Abe added.
    â€˜No!’ She snapped the crop.
    Abe raised an eyebrow. ‘You know you could really make some high end money doing that stuff. I have a better idea. There’s a big cage hanging from the roof in the bar. You dance, peel off the lingerie and I’ll make sure your order book is full.’ Sweat made Abe’s forehead glisten.
    â€˜Not happening.’ Whack! She slapped the riding crop against the wall.
    Abe raised his eyebrows.
    Somehow she had a feeling that Abe’s idea of an order book and her idea of an order book weren’t the same thing.
    Steely determination drove her to find her sister. ‘Forget the cage. Forget the poles. I want a private room. Women only.’
    â€˜You’ll get it,’ Abe leered.
    Suspicion rippled up her spine and she wasn’t fooled. The nightclub owner was so quick in his acquiescence, that she couldn’t get rid of the feeling that he’d change the rules in a heartbeat.
    â€˜What time?’ she asked.
    â€˜Come at eleven p.m. The club’s pumping then. The strippers will be in their change room. You can demonstrate there. Wear that outfit. Dom work is good business now. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen and a lotta women have passed through my club.’
    Ruby pointed the