The Butterfly House (3 page)

“
Thank you for the pleasure of so much beauty and soul. Your voice now haunts me but in a good way.”

It was signed N. Walker. 

Really? I knew I could sing but my voice had beauty and soul. My voice haunted him? Haunted him a good way? Was he being serious?

I wondered which man sitting on the sofa was Mr. Nolan Walker. The dark haired one who was built like a line backer or the blond one who was well over 6'4” tall. The dark haired guy seemed restless and secretive; the blond, he seemed very intense – a silent type. The blond however didn't miss a thing, I could feel his eyes all over me. I thought he had saw me when I got teary-eyed thinking about how much longer I had to be out there on that dance floor in nothing but my fake smile. Our boss at The Butterfly House, Sin Lee was a very kind lady but I never mistook her kindness for what we really did out there on that dance floor and what some of the girls did after work hours. It was adult entertainment. As beautiful as the house was, behind all that beauty it was a pleasure house.

Both gentlemen were striking but the blond one was very handsome, he had long fingers a musician would kill for, I thought about those hands stroking across a guitar as I belted out a
Joss Stone
song. Wow where did that come from? I had studying to do: I had no time for daydreaming, it was time I got my priorities in the right order. I put the business card aside and went back to studying. 

Angela

My physical pain felt masked but I was lost in misery. I was missing something important to me, its loss made me feel empty and raw. My heart hurt as I fought the fog I saw in my mind, but I was weak and then I saw him. He was a fighter. I wanted to touch him but every time I reached out for him, he vanished. The pain would tear me apart and I'd die a little more inside. I wanted to run fast and far but something was holding me back. I still could not fight it, but I would never stop trying. I was unraveling like a distant cord but I would not be forgotten for I had a place out there and he belonged to me. I was even paralyzed from praying out loud but even the devil couldn't keep my mind from praying silently. I prayed first for him and then for my strength. 

Nolan ~
Four

Sam was pacing in front of my assistant's desk when I arrived this morning. I asked Cameron my assistant if he could please bring us in some coffee. I led the way to my office. I tossed my laptop bag onto the leather sofa I kept in my office for those times I stayed so late it was worthless to go home. Loosening my tie that already felt tight for some reason, I turned on my computer and sat down. Sam pulled out one of the chairs in front of my desk and sat down smiling. I felt like bait for a trap.

“What the hell are you smiling about?” I demanded. I had not really got much sleep and I blamed it all on Sam for last night's visit to
The Butterfly House
and that beautiful woman who seem to be the only thing on my mind today.

“
You thought about
her
after we left last night didn't you?” he said smirking.

“
Of course I did! How could I not when you talked about her endlessly? After seeing her in person. That damn body and voice of hers, what the hell did you expect?” I stated.

“
Fuck her hair was unbelievably long!” I said as I ran my hand over my short hair in frustration. I could already picture her and all that glorious hair spread out in my bed.

“
Look Nolan you need something to take your mind off that twat that left her stink on you! I've been a client of yours since you first came here, what four years ago?”

“
Yes it's been four years and I don't still have her stink on me, whatever that means!” I shouted at the ceiling, I was now pacing by the window behind my desk.

“
Man can you even admit honestly when the last time was you got laid? You need the stink of someone new, even if it's just a one-time piece of pussy. The Butterfly House has some fantastic looking women and they take care of themselves.” he stated matter-of -factly.

“
Just because you screw anything with two legs and tits, doesn't mean I do! I just don't want to get involved with any woman, even if it's just for a night of pleasure. I don't need used by a woman again.”

“
Who says you are going to get used? What you can't just take a girl home or to a hotel for a night? Not all women lie! And for the record women like getting cock as much as men like getting pussy! They have needs too,” he stated.

“
Bullshit Sam! So what is it that you came here to discuss, it certainly can't be just about whether I'm getting my share of free pussy.” I asked. I knew damn well ninety-nine percent of women wanted something more than a one-night stand no matter what Sam thought.

“
Ok fine, we can put this conversation on hold until later.” “You saw how stunning that place was last night right?” he asked.

I had to admit that
The Butterfly House
was something else inside as well as outside. You just didn't see that many places in Manhattan and the women were extremely attractive. There were women of various ages, not
all
twenty something college girls.

“
I saw the same thing you did, yes the place was stunning. What does that have to do with me?” I asked.

“
What do you say to building a place just like it in a few other states, like Cali or Seattle for example?” he asked.

“
Maybe.” Wait, why are you asking me when you could just ask the owner of the place who their builder is?”

“
You are looking at the new owner that's why!” he said laughing.

“
What the hell do you mean you are the new owner?”

“
I've been a regular member of
The Butterfly House
for years, how do you think we were able to just walk into that place last night? It's for members only. Sin Lee the owner wants to retire soon. The builder was her father, he died a few years ago. She is looking for someone who will run the house as she does. Someone who will treat her clients and girls well.” he stated as he stood up.

I sat back down in my chair and watched as he walked around my office to the same window where I had been standing looking out over the downtown city.

“I don't know Sam, hell I have a lot on my plate right now. Just how many places are we talking  about? What work do you want me to do? I make things out of glass, I am not a builder of anything that isn't made of glass and welded metals.” 

Cameron knocked on the door interrupting us. I told him to come in. He had our coffee ready. Sam sat back down to take his coffee from Cameron.

“Mr. Walker, did you need anything else?” Cameron asked. I stated that I didn't and asked him to reschedule all my appointments for the day. Then I told Cameron I would not need him anymore today he was free to leave after he rearranged my schedule. Sam sipped his coffee with a shit-eating grin. Damn him! He knew I couldn't say no to this opportunity no matter how busy I was.

I wanted to look over my schedule in more detail once Sam had let me know what exactly what he needed from me and then I had some questions of my own about
her
. I wasn't so sure about the building plans but I was sure I wanted to see
her
again, like tonight for starters.

Becoming Lotus

After the last incident with my personal things, I started carrying all my makeup and styling gear in a huge travel case that locked. As I walked into the huge back room that held our dressing room spots I saw it was a full house tonight. Every dancer was here, this was rare. I carried my things back to my table. I flipped the switch on the dressing mirror. My mirror lights came on but all my makeup and brushes were gone. Well that made it easier, nothing to clean up this time. I put my huge travel case up on the table top, unlocked it  then started setting up my makeup and brushes. I plugged in my curling iron.

“
Well you know girls I always heard redheads have a hard time keeping their things nice!” shouted Rose from three tables down. 

“
Rose why the hell don't you just leave her alone for once!” shouted Orchid who sat beside me.

Rose's real name was Ruby, somehow both her stage and real name rubbed me the wrong way. Orchid was really Jenny. We all used stage names, though it was really only a small safety net since a lot of times we were recognized outside of work in public places. I really didn't care because my family and friends were all back home in Colorado and I was not ashamed of what I did for work or even taking off my clothes. I was slowly getting used to tuning out everyone while I was nude on stage. I really just needed the money. Some nights were worse than others.

Rose was one of the main reasons I hated working here. The place was clean and the staff was nice; however Rose and her long time friend Lily – they both liked to have the upper hand. Sin Lee had warned me when I started not to let them give me any shit but also that she was not playing bouncer between any of her girls. I did my best to ignore them. Tonight I was tired. This bullshit was really grating on my nerves.

I had chosen a deep blue corset, matching boy shorts, a long leather jacket and thigh boots for my routine. I hung up my clothes and sat down to get started on my makeup. Rose and Lily came over together to see me. I started lining my eye lids when they each took a spot on either side of me.

“Hey Lily do you see anything worth looking at here?” Rose smirked. I wonder if she realized that smirk made her face look harsh under the mirror lights?

“
I don't know Rose, looks like a redheaded slut who don't know her place yet!” “I hear she got a big tip last night, the guy must have been very desperate.” Lily said looking right at me.

I finished lining my left eye and started on my right eye when Rose bumped my elbow. Orchid looked over at me and started to stand up. I didn't want her to get involved so I shook my head at her not to get up. She slowly sat back down but kept watching while she brushed her hair.

I was so not in the mood for this shit tonight but I really didn't want to risk my job. I started pulling out a makeup wipes when Lily sent the entire box flying off my table. I really hated to do this but I was so over this high school clique shit. I reached over for my curling iron, then suddenly I grabbed Rose's arm and let her have it. She screamed as the heat of the iron burned into her skin. I let go of her arm quickly. I didn't want to burn her too badly, just enough to let her know I wasn't taking her shit. They were so used to me doing nothing. Lily had already vacated her spot. Rose came at me ready to grab my hair when suddenly there was a loud whistle. We both froze.

The dark haired guy from last night was standing in the middle of the room.

“Ladies the name is Sam Rayburn! I am the new owner and 
your
boss! “Your previous owner and boss Sin Lee has officially retired today.”

You could have heard a pin drop it was that quiet. He was our new boss and the owner?

He walked over to me. Reaching out, he offered his hand to shake. “I'm Sam Rayburn. They tell me you're Ava Wild and they call you
Lotus
here.” he stated smiling. I shook his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rayburn and yes I am called
Lotus
.” I stated politely. Thank God I had the foresight to remember to lay down my curling iron first when he offered his hand.

“
Rose! Lily! Front and center ladies!” he shouted. Both Rose and Lily jumped at his command before hurrying to stand in front of him.

“
This is a warning to everyone here, there will no longer be bullshit tolerated here! You will learn to respect each other and be polite. I don't give a shit who doesn't like who, you will get along with each other! No more destroying anyone's personal property or harassment of another employee.”

“
Have I made myself clear ladies?” he asked loudly.  We all said yes, Sir. Then I noticed two of our bouncers standing at the front of the room walking slowly towards Mr. Rayburn.