They say when you assume that you make an ass out of you and me . Kenton Mayson learned this lesson firsthand when he made assumptions about Autumn Freeman and the kind of woman she is based on what little information he had . What he finds out is she 's not only beautiful , but also smart , funny , a fighter , and exactly the kind of woman he wants to share his life with . Autumn made assumptions of her own about Kenton , and now he needs to prove her wrong in order to protect her and their future . I see you judging me . I know what you 're thinking . She has to be a slut ; she works at a strip club and takes off her clothes for money . Yes ! I work at a strip club , and you may think I 'm a whore for showing off my body , but this is a talent that has been forced down my throat since I was a young child . Look pretty and smile . I put on a show for those who choose to watch . However long I 'm on stage , I 'm not even me . It 's what I imagine an out of body experience would be like - a performance , nothing more , nothing less . The people watching make assumptions about who they think I am , or cook up a story in their heads of whom they want me to be . I 'm just another beautiful face . Beautiful . I hate that fucking word . Who gives a crap if someone is attractive on the outside if they are dying inside ? My whole life has been about what I look like . I swear , the only reason my mother kept me was to have a real - life , living , breathing doll she could dress up and control , which is the exact reason why as soon as I became eighteen , I got as far away from her special brand of crazy as I could . That 's also why I don 't date . The first thing guys do is look at me and see a pretty face , a nice body , and an empty space where my brain 's supposed to be . They have no interest in getting to know the person I am on the inside . They don 't care I volunteer my spare time , and they couldn 't care less I 'm going to school to be an RN . They don 't ask about my hopes , my dreams , or about where I see my life in twenty years . They don 't care about me at all . They just want someone pretty to follow them around and tell them how handsome they are , how special they are , while agreeing with everything they say . Fuck that ! I did that for too many years . That 's why I live inside books . At least there I can choose where I want to be - from the highlands of Scotland , to a king 's bed in a faraway land - and even if it 's pretend , sometimes that 's a lot better than reality . I look out the plane window , my finger going to the glass , feeling the cold on my fingertips as I look out at the land moving quickly below me . It 's funny how from up here , everything looks so small . I never traveled in a plane before today ; just the idea of being trapped inside a tin can while flying at six hundred miles an hour never appealed to me . I take a breath and look at the TV monitor that 's in the seat in front of me . The small , animated plane on the screen shows we 're over halfway to Tennessee . I turn my head and look at the guy sitting next to me . He 's slightly overweight and balding , but he also has wrinkles around his eyes , giving him the appearance of someone who smiles often . I debate with myself on whether or not to answer before replying , " Business . " His eyes drop to my mouth , then to my chest as I fight the urge to punch him in the throat . I hate when men go from nice to creepy . I shake my head , turning away from him . I don 't know why I even try . I feel a hand on my bare leg and my head swings around quickly . " Touch me again and I will rip off your balls and feed them to you , " I tell him in a soft tone , trying not to bring attention to us . He quickly removes his hand before swallowing hard . I shake my head before turning my body away from his . I feel tears sting my nose , but I fight them back . No way am I going to cry now - not when just six hours ago , my whole world exploded and I didn 't shed one single tear . I lay my forehead to the glass , closing my eyes . I still can 't believe how fast my life changed … I got up that morning and went to the hospital like I always do . I work at one of the busiest ERs in Vegas . I 've been working there since I finished school , and was required to get my clinical hours for my RN certification . As soon as I walked into the building , I was loaded down with work . Weekends are always crazy in Sin City , but yesterday seemed worse than normal - two drug overdoses , three stomach pumps , and one gun shot victim . Later , I was leaving the hospital exhausted , only to head to my real job - well , the one that pays me the money I need to live . " Hey , Sid . " I gave him a half - smile as I walked into The Lions Den , the gentlemen 's club I worked at . Do I like to strip ? No . Does it pay my bills ? Yes . The second I get on stage , I 'm no longer me ; my brain shuts off and my body takes over , the same way it used to when I was growing up and my mom forced me into pageants . I 'm accustomed to being on display and used for my appearance . I wish life was different , but it is what it is . Some people complain about being overweight or having acne ; for me , I hate being beautiful . I know it sounds stupid ; I mean , why would anyone complain about being attractive , right ? Here 's why : men see me as an object , and women see me as competition . No one is ever willing to give me a chance ; they all judge me by what 's on the outside , never taking a second to find out even the smallest detail about who I am . I know I 'm a walking cliché ; I hate being beautiful , yet I work in a business where I put myself front and center to be viewed and judged . The difference ? For the first time in my life , when I get on stage , it 's my choice ; no one is forcing me to do it . I get up there to earn the money so I can change my life in a way that will make it where I never have to be objectified again . " Tired ? " Sid questioned , following me . I had worked for Sid for the last three years . He was a friend of sorts ; he 's also my boss . " Never , Angel . " His eyes move over my face and he shakes his head . " You 're working VIP tonight . " He followed me down the hall towards the dressing rooms . " Oh ! Look who 's here , " Tessa said as soon as I entered the dressing room . I ignored her and tossed my bag into my locker before pulling my scrubs off . Tessa is a bitch ; she is just like the girls I used to compete against in pageants . To her , life is a competition , and she is determine to come out the winner , even if she has to throw everyone else under the bus on her way to the top . " Mick said I could work VIP tonight , " she said to one of the other girls in the room . I ignored her , knowing better than to tell her it wasn 't happening . I was sure Mick did tell her that … after she took him in the backroom and gave him something to convince him . " Pixie said the guys coming in are some big - time land developers , so you know the tips are going to be outrageous . Thank God , because I need to have my tits redone , and that shit is not cheap . " I rolled my eyes and headed for the shower room . I had met a couple nice girls during my time here , but most were just like Tessa - a whole lot of hair , tits , ass , and not much else . I stood in front of the mirror and put on a coat of red lipstick before standing back , looking myself over . The VIP dress code is different than the rest of the club . The required outfit consists of a sheer , black overlay bra , black silk panties , a black garter belt with sheer hose , and black heels . My long , naturally red hair was pulled back on one side by a large flower ; the rest was loose and wavy , flowing down my back and one shoulder . My creamy white skin , red lips , and smoky eyes made me look almost like a sexy vamp . " Sure . " I followed him down the hall to the club . The Lion 's Den is well - known in the area for its exclusivity . The walls are painted a dark brown , and the booths are designed into the walls , making the space feel intimate . The stage is in the center of the room , with a single spotlight shining down on it . Every booth has a girl assigned to it , and VIP has two girls . We aren 't allowed to interact with the customers without being asked directly to do so . The club is less of a strip club , and more of a place for men to hangout and drink while having beautiful women tend to them . If they choose to , they can watch the girl in the center of the room put on a show . I had been on stage several times in the three years I 've worked here . I never told Sid I didn 't like it up there , but he normally put me in VIP , or assigned me to a booth for the night . " One day , Angel , I 'm gonna take you away from this place and show you happiness . I wanna see that smile everyday . " My heart did a little thud . Sid is a very attractive man , but he 's not for me . I don 't want or need a man ; they get you all discombobulated , filling your head with a bunch of lies then expect you to follow them around . I did that once . I thought a man was going to save me from the hell I was living in . I gave him my virginity and my heart , and he gave me a child I wasn 't allowed to keep and a heart so broken nothing or no one would ever put it back together again . " All right , " Sid says from beside me , " the man in the center at the table is John Barbato ; he is the owner of three of the largest clubs in the city . The guy there on his left is Steven Creo ; he 's some big wig on Wall Street and has backed more than half the new clubs and casinos opening on The Strip . The guy to the right of John has a location they 're interested in purchasing . " " I 'm sure he did , " I mumbled , looking back into the room . " What other bouncers are on tonight ? " I hated when Mick and Craig worked together ; they were both more concerned about hooking up with the girls than what was going on out on the floor . " Guys , I want you to meet Angel . She 's gonna be your girl for the night . You need anything , you ask her , and she will make sure you 're taken care of , " Sid tells them , gesturing to me . " Sure , " the one that spoke before said . As Sid and I stepped away , I heard from behind me , " Do you think the curtains match the drapes ? " and they all laughed . I hated that saying , and I swore once I was free of this lifestyle , I would kick the next man in the nuts who said it . Tessa came around the corner a couple seconds later with a smug smile on her face . I hate to admit it , but she is beautiful . Her skin has a natural glow that makes her look healthy and youthful . Her hair is black and thick , reaching the top of her ass . Her eyes curve out at the corners , showing off her Asian - American heritage . " You ready ? " she asked , looking at me from head to toe . I avoided rolling my eyes at her before stepping into the room behind her . After we took the first orders , we stood back while the men talked . I learned a long time ago to zone myself out . We were there as eye candy and nothing else . There was a knock on the door , and I knew the drinks had arrived . Tessa answered it , opening the door wide , and the man who brought the tray in was someone I had never seen before . He looked to be mid - thirties , had long , shaggy black hair , and brown eyes . When he set the tray down on the table in the corner , he turned and did something odd that had me watching him more closely . His hand went to his back as he looked over at the men who were still busy talking . When his eyes came to me , he smiled before walking out of the room . I looked at Tessa to see if she had noticed anything strange , but she was busy handing out the drinks and flirting with the men at the table . We stood to the side again once the men had their drinks ; every once in a while , they would ask me a question about the club , and I told them what I knew . About thirty minutes after they had their first drinks , I called and had more ordered . This time , when the guy came in , he did the same thing - hand at his back , looking at the table . I had no idea who he was , but planned to find out as soon as the men left . One of the men received a phone call and stepped out of the room , and when he returned , he had another man with him . They all sat down , and this time when they called me over , they wanted a bottle of Chives Regal Royal Salute Scotch . One glass of the stuff cost close to six hundred dollars , making it over ten thousand dollars for a bottle . I placed the order and waited for it to be delivered . When the knock sounded on the door , I opened it up , and the same man from earlier came in and set the tray down . I watched to see if he would do the same thing he had done the previous times . Sure enough , his head turned towards the table and his hand lifted behind his back , but this time , he lifted his jacket , pulling out something black . It took a second for me to realize what it was , and by that time , it was too late . He let off four rounds in rapid succession , then turned and fired a round , hitting Tessa . I screamed as he turned the gun on me , and before I could think , I ducked down and ran as fast as I could out of the room . I felt a bullet whiz past me as I turned the corner , and another as I entered the main part of the club . I spotted Mick ; right away his eyes got wide and I yelled at the top of my lungs , " HE HAS A GUN ! " Everyone started screaming and running in every direction . I ran into a solid wall , and when I looked up to see it was Link , he wrapped an arm around my waist , turned , and pushed me behind the bar . I stumbled in my heels , falling to my knees and hitting the ground hard . I crawled under the counter and curled myself into a ball , shaking out of fear for my life . I listened as people screamed , but didn 't hear anymore gunshots . I don 't know how long I stayed like that , but it felt like forever until I heard police sirens . " Did you get him ? " He shook his head , putting out his hand for me to take . I shook my head no - I was safe ; I didn 't want to move from that spot . " Come on , Angel , he 's gone . " I shook my head again . " Nothing is going to happen to you . I promise you 're safe . " I swallowed against the lump in my throat , squeezing my eyes closed . " Not sure , but the cops are here . I need you to come out of there so you can talk to them , " he told me gently , holding out his hand again . I nodded , reluctantly taking it . Even though I didn 't like Tessa , she didn 't deserve what happened to her . None of the people in the room deserved what happened to them . " Nothing you could have done , " Link said , and my eyes went from to the floor to his . He shook his head , wrapped his beefy arm around my shoulders , and walked me over to a barstool . I sat there until the cops came up a few minutes later and told me they needed to talk to me at the station . I slid off the barstool and dazedly walked to the dressing room . When I walked in , all the girls were there , huddled together and crying . I didn 't know what to say to them ; most of them had been friends with Tessa . I felt horrible they had lost their friend , but was unsure if they would want me to express my condolences . I walked to my locker and started to pull off my stockings when one of the girls came up to me , wrapping her arms around me . Shocked , I hugged her back , and more of the girls gathered around me . We all stood there silently for a few minutes ; most of the girls were crying while a couple mumbled about how everything would be okay . I wasn 't sure anything would ever be okay again ; I just watched five people die and was lucky to still be alive . " Call me if you want to talk , " one of the girls , Elsa , said , handing me a business card with her personal information on it . I looked at it for a long second before nodding . I had never really been friends with any of them . Maybe that needed to change . I went to my locker , pulling off my clothes before slipping on a pair of jean shorts , a black tank top , a large , oversized grey sweater , and a pair of black flip - flops . I grabbed my bag , shoved everything into it from my locker , and left the room without a backwards glance . Link was waiting for me outside the dressing room door , his back against the wall , his head tilted back , looking at the ceiling . I had known Link since I started working at The Lion 's Den . He was a nice guy , blonde hair cut low to his head , tan skin , blue eyes , and a southern drawl that made women fall to their knees . He used to flirt with me when I first started , but when I didn 't return any of the banter , he laid off and became a friend . He 's one of the only people who knows about my past and the things I 've gone through . " You didn 't have to wait for me , " I told him , pulling my bag across my body . " I 'm not letting you go through this alone . " He pulled me into his side . I could feel tears sting my eyes , and I fought them back . I wasn 't going to cry until this was all over , when I could do it alone , hiding under my covers with my face stuffed into a pillow … like I always did . I sighed , looking around my house . I hated I was leaving , but knew it was for the best . I was at the police station for over eight hours going over what happened then sitting with a sketch artist . Somehow , the guy who had shot Tessa and those men had avoided every camera in the club . The cops informed me I needed to be extra cautious . I was the only witness , and they were concerned he would come after me . When Link found out what they said , he made a call to one of his friends from back home in Tennessee and asked if he would be willing to let me stay with him until the police caught the guy . The man , Kenton , agreed , telling Link I would be safe . I hated I was leaving my home , but if my only options were either death or moving , the choice was begrudgingly clear . I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded before going into the closet to get another suitcase . Might as well pack enough stuff to last me . Once I was all packed and ready to go , we got into Link 's SUV and headed for the airport . I was nervous the whole way , feeling like something crazy was about to happen … " Ladies and Gentlemen , we 're about twenty minutes out from our arrival destination . The weather in Nashville is mostly clear and sunny ; the temperature is eighty - five degrees . The pilot has now turned on the fasten seatbelt sign . Flight crew , please prepare for landing , " I hear through my sleep - ridden state and lift my head from the wall where I had rested it . I wipe my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater before looking around to see everyone is putting their belongings away . I make sure my seatbelt is secure before sitting back . My leg starts bouncing up and down quickly , and I rub the tattoo behind my ear , trying to think about something other than the plane landing . Once we are on the ground , I wait until everyone is off the plane to make my way out into the terminal . I go to baggage claim and look around , but I have no clue what this guy looks like . All I know is that his name is Kenton , and he is supposed to be picking me up . I don 't see anyone who looks like they 're searching for someone , so I go to the conveyer belt and spot one of my bags as soon as I get there . I pull it off , stumbling back slightly from the weight , as every guy here just watches me without offering to help . I look around again , wondering if I 'm supposed to call someone to tell them I landed . I pull my phone out , click it off airplane mode , and send a text to Link letting him know I had arrived . He sends me a message back letting me know Kenton had called and told him he couldn 't make it to pick me up , and I should just catch a cab to his house ; the door would be unlocked . I shake my head , cursing under my breath , and almost miss one of my other bags going around the belt . Luckily , I catch it at the last second . I carry it over to my other bag , and turn around just in time to see my last bag about to go through the tunnel . I run as fast as I can in my flip flops , and land half - on the conveyor belt , my bottom - half being dragged along the floor as I grab the handle of my bag , pulling it back so hard it flies over my head , causing me to land on my back with my hands over my head . " You must be Autumn , " I hear rumbled from above me . I tilt my head back and look up at the man standing over me . He 's upside - down , but even from my awkward position , he is good looking . His chuckle makes me grit my teeth though , and I stand up , putting my bag on its wheels before turning back to face him . He raises a brow to me , shaking his head , looking me over from head to toe . My body heats immediately under his gaze . I take my sweater off , wrapping it around my waist and clearing my throat . " You are ? " I ask him again , getting annoyed that he 's obviously finding this so funny if the smirk on his face is anything to go by . " Yes . " I blow some hair out of my face , looking into his blue eyes and wondering why the hell I feel so hot all of a sudden . He looks away , going over to my bags while I take the time to look him over . He 's tall - much taller than my five - five . His hair touches the edge of the black t - shirt he has on . He needed a cut a while ago , but judging by the dark scruff along his jaw , I can tell he doesn 't care much about grooming . His shoulders are broad , tapering down to a lean waist ; his thighs are thick , incased in a pair of dark jeans that have shredded around the bottom by his heels , and his wallet is imprinted in the back pocket like he wears them often . I look at his ass as he leans over . I can 't believe I 'm checking a man out ; I 'm not one to be the slightest bit sexually interested in anyone . My eyes travel lower , looking at his feet , which are enclosed in a very large pair of black boots . I wonder absently if what they say is true about shoe size . I shake my head at my thoughts , dragging my bag with me towards him . " I thought you couldn 't make it , " I tell him when I reach his side . My head tilts back to look up into his eyes . " Yeah , change of plans , " he mutters , looking at me . I wait to see if he 's going to say anything else . Apparently , he isn 't going to , so I shake my head again and lower my face towards the ground . " You tired ? " His voice is dark and rich , and does something crazy to my insides . I nod , lifting my head . " Let 's roll ; you can sleep when we reach the house . " I don 't say anything else . Something is wrong with me ; maybe I 'm getting sick . I follow him out of the terminal into the car park . When we reach the parking lot , he stops and pulls a set of keys from his pocket . I hear the beep and look around , expecting him to be driving a large truck , a Hummer , or maybe even a tank . I never expected him to be driving a Dodge Viper , the black - on - black of the car only making it look hotter . I look at my bags , wondering how we will get them in the car . " It 'll be tight , but they 'll fit , " he mumbles , pulling my other two bags with him . I can 't help noticing the flex of his muscles as he gets my bags into the car , or the fact even his fingers are attractive . It takes some maneuvering , but he does get my bags to fit . I sigh , sitting down on the warm leather once we 're done . " I 'm just gonna drop you off at the house . I gotta head out for a bit , but you have free rein . Just make yourself at home ; there 's food in the fridge , and fresh sheets on the bed in the guest room . " " Don 't mention it . So … you and Link ? " It took a second to decipher his words between the thickness of his accent , his smell , and the nervous energy I was feeling . Being in his presence , my brain seemed to have shut down . " He 's a friend . " Shit , maybe I should have said he was my boyfriend . I looked over at him again ; he didn 't seem to be as on edge as I was . He was probably used to women swooning over him . My gut tightened with something , and it took a second to realize what it was . My body froze . Jealousy , really ? I must be going into shock or something - I don 't get jealous . We drove in silence for the next half - hour , the car winding its way through one small town after another until we went up what seemed like the side of a mountain . The area was surrounded by forest on either side of the road . We drove for about five minutes more before turning onto a dirt road that took us deeper into the forest . I wanted to ask if he lived out here and about where he worked , and a million other questions , but my mouth had gone dry , and the energy in his car hadn 't gotten any better , so I decided to keep my mouth shut . I was going to be stuck with him for a while , so I figured there would be time for all of that later . I looked ahead of us , and squinted as the image of a large house came into view . It was a very large brick house ; the front had two porches , one on the first floor , one on the second , and both wrapped around the front of the house . It was beautiful and expansive . I looked over at Kenton again , gaging if I should ask him if this was his house . His jaw was ticking , and the vein in his neck was pulsing wildly . I had no idea what had set him off , but figured my best bet was to sit there quietly until he calmed down . We parked in front of the house , where there was no real designated parking place . He unfolded himself out of the car without saying anything , and I took that as my cue to follow him . By the time I made it to the back of the car , he had both of my bags out and was back on the driver 's side , sliding his seat forward so he could get to the bag in the backseat . Without a word , he carried two of my bags up the front porch and right into the house . I dragged my last bag with me , following close behind him . He set my bags down at the bottom of the staircase , then turned to look at me . " Your room is at the top of the stairs to the right . There 's a bathroom across the hall you can use ; I have my own . " He ran a hand through his hair and looked me over again , anger apparent on his face . " I don 't want random men in my house , so if you need to get off , take care of yourself . " I blinked at him as he continued . " The code for the alarm is 4593 ; don 't forget to set it when you 're in the house . I don 't know when I 'll be back , but you 'll be safe here . " Before I even had a chance to form a complete thought , he was closing the door behind him , shouting , " Set the alarm . " I stood there for a few minutes , just looking at the door , then I looked around for an alarm , but didn 't see one . Tears stung my nose again as I recalled the look of disgust on his face when he told me to get myself off . I said a silent , " Fuck you , " and looked at my bags then the stairs , shaking my head - I could cry once I got settled in the room . I carried my bags up the stairs one at a time , and by the time I was done , I was so exhausted that I laid face first on the bed , put my head under the pillow , and cried until I fell asleep . There was a pounding on the door , and I rolled , falling off the bed and onto the floor . " You didn 't set the alarm , " I heard growled . I stood up , pushing my hair out of my face , glaring at Kenton , who stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest . " Suit yourself . " He shrugged then looked me over again , his eyes lingering on my chest . I glanced down and groaned . Seriously ? My boobs were in my bra , hanging over the top of my tank - top . I quickly adjusted my shirt before narrowing my eyes on him . He smirked , looking up into my face . " Make sure you set the alarm from now on . The panel is inside the room off the entry , first door to the right . " " All right , doll , get some rest . I 'll see you tomorrow . " He let his eyes linger on me for a few moments more , and then shook his head , stepping out of the room . I went to the side of the bed and turned on the light before walking to the door and shutting it . I leaned my head back , closing my eyes and breathing in deeply . I ran a finger across my tattoo behind my ear before opening my eyes and looking around . I could do this ; I had lived through much worse and came out on top . I just needed to get a plan in place . Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who 's husband served in the United States Navy . She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish . She 's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women . He gives her over the top inspiration everyday . In her free time she reads , writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie . She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere , or spends time at home with friends and family . Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it 's beauty . Post was not sent - check your email addresses ! Email check failed , please try again Sorry , your blog cannot share posts by email . % d bloggers like this :