The Butterfly House (4 page)

“
Ruby Miller employee name
Rose',
and
Sherry Powers employee name
Lily';
your services are no longer needed here at
The Butterfly House
. Ladies please clear out your area and then see me in my office for any pay the house may owe you.”

Both girls started complaining at once. “
Silence!
I will have your things tossed out along with you both!
Clear out your things now
!” he shouted. Mr. Rayburn's face was red and he was no longer in a negotiating mood. Both girls started packing up their things.

“
Does anyone else have any questions or concerns?” he asked. Nobody uttered a word.

He left the room for his office with both Rose and Lily being escorted by two of the house bouncers. I smiled as I picked up my eyeliner pen again. Maybe a new boss is what this place needed. Now I knew which guy was Nolan Walker, the handsome blond with the musician hands. I wondered if he would be here tonight. Without putting much thought behind it I took extra care with my hair and makeup. I wasn't sure if that was because the two thorns in my side were now gone or because I thought maybe Mr. Nolan Walker might come back to the house for another visit.

Nolan ~
Five

I sat and watched as Sam Rayburn fired two of his employees. I had no idea they were tormenting
Lotus
but listening now to Sam tear them both up about their lack of respect to her – I smiled to myself. They were both damn lucky it was him and not me giving them the lecture. I would not have of been as kind. Rose and Lily would never work a job in this city again if it were I handling the situation.

Earlier Sam and I had spent the entire afternoon going over locations for five more businesses like
The Butterfly House
in California, Nevada, Louisiana, Texas, and possibly Florida. I was to construct doors for each location and some of the interior as well. Each house would be a little different inside but the door's design would remain the same. This would mean moving my heavy schedule around a bit but it was doable.

“
Earth to Nolan!” Sam said waving his hand in front of my face.

“
What?” I was just getting a mental start on the houses.” I said startled out of my business daydream moment.

“
I said Lotus' real name is Ava Wild. I know you have to be wondering about her.” I don't need to tell you that seeing those two bitches tormenting her pissed me off. I'll do my best to see they have a hard time finding new jobs.”

“
Ava – Ava Wild.” I said her name out loud while rubbing my unshaven chin.

“
Her real name suits her much better.” Those women have a lot to learn about being jealous, its very unbecoming in this job field. Their both lucky I wasn't their boss or even present to see it happen. They'd of been literally tossed out on their asses.”

“
For work-related safety the girls have to use a different name. Ava seems a little exotic like a Lotus. It's not a bad name for her but I agree her real name suits her more.”

Standing up and stretching Sam looked at me in questioningly.

“My aren't you a bit touchy, do I detect a bit of attraction for Miss Lotus? Maybe there’s hope for getting you laid yet.” Sam laughed.

“
You ass, She's not going to give me a second glance, I'm sure she has plenty of men at her beck and call.”

“
Man you don't know that! Why did you leave her your card last night with that hefty tip if you weren't going to give it a shot?” he asked.

“
I left her that tip because she can belt out a song, I happen to like a good voice!”

“
A good voice that also comes with a nice set of tits and long as hell legs is what you really mean? Don't tell me you didn't notice those goodies!”

I was not even going to comment on that. I'd have to be a dead man not to notice
that
body of hers, but she also had beautiful long red hair and a voice that just went right through me. I would see her again tonight. I was wondering if I would have enough nerve to talk to her.

“
Nolan you have to get over that bitch you were with before. What's wrong with meeting someone new and just hanging out? Just maybe letting things happen.” he asked.

“
I guess nothing Sam. Hell she's probably already seeing someone or she could even be married for all I know.”

“
You won't know until you ask right?” he said.

“
I guess not – well maybe so.” I stated a bit nervously.

“
She's on in a few minutes. Let's you and I have a seat and watch her dance. Afterwards I'll introduce you two, how about that?”

I was already sweating thinking about seeing her take off her clothes then meeting her face to face. I know most men get all kinds of thrills out of being around women stripping but I was actually more laid back. I was a bit old-fashion about meeting women. Then I remembered
her tears
and
her voice
. I wanted to meet
that
girl, more than the dancer.  I knew
both
of those scenarios belonged to the same woman, that was the part that worried me.

Sighing I stood up. “Lead the way boss man.” I said.

Sam laughed as he walked over to the door and held it open. That open door led the way to a different world and changes in my life I would never have expected. I stood up and followed him. The world as I knew it was about to change.

Meeting Lotus

I was a bit more nervous than usual tonight, perhaps it was because
he
was here again. Nolan Walker looked even more handsome tonight and a bit more relaxed. The new owner Mr. Rayburn was at the table with him. I watched from the side of the dark stage, it was my chance to actually see him. He wore a dark navy dress shirt and dark black dress slacks, no jacket this time but his tie was quite sexy. His tie was navy with gray and purple pinstripes. His blond hair was shirt collar short but he had a full goatee. He kept running those long fingers of his over his chin, as if he was in deep thought while he spoke with the house's new boss.

It was my turn to go on stage. I stood waiting for my music to start. I had chosen something special hoping Nolan Walker might be here again. I smoothed down my leather duster and took a deep breath then like clockwork. I gave the signal to start my music.

Once the music had started I walked with intent out onto the floor with the duster trailing behind me, almost floating as I grabbed the pole in the middle of the floor. I swung around it slowly. Following the song, I did a few turns around the pole before breaking away to dance around the floor so that everyone in the room was witness to my moves. I dropped the duster as I made my way back up the stage floor. Slowly I peeled off the long black leather gloves I wore, tossing each one off the side of the stage to avoid tripping on them later.

In only my boy shorts, corset and high boots I walked back to the middle of the floor. A swing was lowered for me. Once I was seated I slowly leaned back and undid the front of my corset, one hook at a time. Dropping it onto the floor, I began to swing back and forth. I began leaning backwards so my hair hung down almost touching the floor. As the song came to an end, the swing was lifted away with me on it away. The lights went out on the dance floor.

A few feet back from the dance floor I was let back down. I jumped off the swing. I quickly grabbed my duster and gloves left by the stage hands. I ran to the dressing room. Once in the dressing room I changed into jeans and a tank top, then I began taking off my make-up and putting my stage clothes away in my carry-on bag.

“
Ava do you have a moment?” I turned, it was our new owner Mr. Rayburn and Nolan Walker was with him. I swear my heart skipped a beat. I smiled at them as they came to my dressing table.

“
I sure do,” I said as I stood up. Sam introduced us. Nolan Walker was much taller than I first thought and even at 5' 4” I had to look up at him. He had a gorgeous smile.

“
It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Walker, and I'd like to thank you for  that large tip you left for me last night.” “It was very generous of you.” I said as I shook his hand.

“
Please call me Nolan, and the pleasure was all mine, you have quite a voice.” he stated.

His handshake was firm and a little moist. I felt a little jolt at his touch. Was he nervous? I wasn't nervous but I did feel a heady rush at touching him and hearing his voice the moment he spoke. He had to be from down south, his accent gave him away immediately. He also smelled really good, like the outdoors on a crisp day. 

Mr. Rayburn interrupted and asked me if I could stop by his office tomorrow a few minutes before I started my shift to go over any concerns or needs I might have. I was beginning to like this man already. We could really use lockers for our stage gear and outfits. I told him I would be happy to. He excused himself, leaving Nolan and me alone.

“
Miss Wild I was wondering if you were free for coffee or maybe dinner after work sometime?” Nolan asked. “No strings attached – just some conversation.”

“
Ah Mr. Walker I'm not sure about that. I don't date the customers. I have college and obligations along with my job here.”

I couldn't stop staring at his chest. Nolan had taken off his tie I guess before he came back to the dressing room. I could see a bit of his chest hair. It was beginning to feel a bit warm in the room.

“It's Nolan please. I don't go out much myself, my work tends to keep me busy. If you ever change your mind, please let me know. You have my business card, please call me anytime.” He offered me his hand then moved to leave. For some reason this depressed me. I had no friends here and it would be nice to have coffee, or maybe talk with someone but I had to check on baby Miles. What if he expected more from me – like sex? That was something I wasn't in the mood to deal with no matter how as attractive as he was.

“
Mr. – ah Nolan, Thank you for the offer. Would it be okay if I thought it over and let you know?” I asked offering my hand to him in return.

He smiled and I swear it went right through me. That smile and his scent were both pulling me in. I felt helpless for a moment.

“Ava, that would be fine. You have my cell number, it's on my card. Darlin call me anytime.” he said. Then just like that – he was gone.

God did he just call me darlin? I sat back down in my chair. He seemed so nice and it was obvious he was a good friend of the new owner. I would ask Mr. Rayburn more about him tomorrow. A cup of coffee or even dinner didn't seem like it was
that
dangerous. Grabbing my purse and things I headed for the exit and began my walk to the hospital.

Nolan ~
Six

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw her walk out on stage tonight. That duster did nothing to hide her long legs in those thigh boots. Her choice in music was not something I was expecting after hearing her sing. It was heavy metal. I was a little disappointed she didn't sing this time but she danced so well it was a pleasure to watch her work the dance floor in perfect time to the music. When she sat on the swing taking off her corset – it was so erotic. As she opened the hooks she licked her lips, shaking her hair a little from side to side. Then suddenly the corset was dropped and she was swinging, her hair just touched the floor in time to the song.

She was not some cheap stripper, she put on a show just as well as a professional in a Vegas show. Her smile was a heart breaker
and
she was not ashamed of her body. She used it with intent but it was a sensual style of erotic intent not sexual.

“
Are you ready to meet her?” Sam asked me as soon as she disappeared from the stage. I told him yes. I wondered if in person I'd feel the same way about her. I never expected Sam to introduce us then
just
leave. I was suddenly nervous. My mouth felt dry as dust. She had the sweetest voice. Her handshake was soft but it was firm. She came across as being sincere about meeting me. I liked how she twisted her hair when she talked.