Stripping for the Billionaire.

Angel's point of view

I stood nervously behind the stage, my heart racing as I waited for my turn to perform. It felt like a pent up volcano was erupting in my stomach.

How did Cassie manage to exude such confidence? She floated around the stage like a queen, while I felt like a trembling mess—a ball of anxiety barely holding it together.

“Angel,” a gentle tap on my shoulder startled me, pulling me from my anxious thoughts.

I turned to find Jade, one of the dancers, looking at me with a reassuring smile.

“Relax, Angel. It’s just me. Besides, why are you so nervous? You’re literally the best dancer amongst us.”

She complimented, her words catching me off guard.

No one had ever spoken to me since I started working in this club, and it felt strange yet oddly comforting to hear such kindness.

“Why—” I began, but my question was cut short as Ms. Mariella’s voice rang out, commanding my attention and freezing me in my tracks.

“Next.”

The single word sent a wave of panic through me, and I gulped, feeling my heart race faster than I ever thought possible. I bet Jade could hear it pounding in my chest.

“Angel, relax, you got this,” she encouraged, offering me a warm smile. I returned it with a shaky one, the nerves still clawing at my insides.

Moments later, Cassie burst onto the scene, her vibrant energy drawing the attention of the other dancers. They flocked to her, showering her with compliments and cheers.

“—and oh my gosh, the way he looked at me? Like he wanted to eat me out!” she exclaimed, and I rolled my eyes inwardly.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she was blabbing about—typical Cassie.

I glanced back at Jade, who still wore her encouraging smile, and I took a deep breath.

With slow strides, I made my way to the stage. Each step felt heavy, but I pushed forward.

As I reached the centre of the stage, the curtains dropped, revealing just me and Mr. D’Amano, along with his wife.

The world outside faded away as I locked eyes with him, and it felt as if all my organs were igniting under his gaze.

"You can start now, Ms.” Mrs. D’Amano’s voice cut through the tension, but I remained transfixed, unable to tear my gaze from her husband.

The lights dimmed, and a sensual song began to play, yet I found myself rooted to the spot.

My focus stayed on Mr. D’Amano, who seemed equally captivated.

I watched as he slowly sank his pink bottom lip between his teeth, a gesture that caused my knees to weaken beneath me.

Unsafe and forbidden images flashed through my mind, and I fought to remind myself of two critical things: he was married, and my mother had raised me with strict principles against affairs.

But despite my better judgment, sinful thoughts coursed through my mind as we held each other’s gaze.

Gradually, I felt the rhythm of the music seep into my bones, urging me to move.

I wrapped my legs and hands around the pole, sensually twirling my body down as my eyes never left his electrifying blue ones, which seemed to hold me captive.

I slid down the pole, biting my lip and throwing my head back as I surrendered to the moment, feeling the music envelop me.

A wet sensation began to form between my legs, and I couldn’t help but picture the pole as Mr. D’Amano’s dick, the object of my desire. I was lost in the music, the dance, and the intensity of his gaze.

I was caught between the rush of performing and the thrill of something forbidden that made my anxiety melted in the heat of the moment.

*****

The music faded away, the final notes lingering in the air like the last remnants of a dream.

I blinked, my gaze finally breaking from Mr. D’Amano’s intense stare, and in that instant, I felt reality crash back down on me.

The spell that had entranced me during my performance dissipated, leaving me breathless and dazed.

"That was fantastic,” Mrs. D’Amano’s voice chirped, but her expression didn’t match the compliment.

“You are a good dancer, Ms—,”

“Caribello,” I interjected softly.

“Yes, Ms. Caribello, but I think you were a little too sensual and—”

“I didn’t find a fault in her performance, and if you ask me, Catalina, the previous dancer was more sensual than she was.”

His voice was deadly calm, addressing his wife in a way that made me question their relationship dynamic.

Was she an employee or his wife? Seriously?

A mix of admiration and nervousness twisted in my stomach as his heated gaze remained locked onto mine, fuelling a fire deep within me.

“Raul—”

“The show is over.” He cut his wife off, rising to his full height. The way he commanded the space made my heart race.

“Mariella.” He called with authority, and she responded immediately.

“Ye…yes, sir?”

“She’s the one I want.” He ordered, giving me one last piercing look before leaving.

Mrs. D’Amano’s jaw hung slack.

I didn’t blame her; she’d just been publicly humiliated by her husband in front of their staff.

Grabbing her bag, she shot me a venomous glare before hurrying after him.

Once they were gone, Red squealed like a delighted child, grabbing my hands and spinning me around.

“Geez, woman, I’m in heels!” I scolded as she finally stopped, but collapsed onto me and nearly suffocating me.

“I’m so happy for you, Angel!” She exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious despite my confusion. I raised a brow, trying to decipher what she was so thrilled about.

“What exactly are you excited for, Red?”

“Congrats, girl! You just got the role of a lead character in the D’Amano’s new movie project!”

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I stared at her, my eyes widening in disbelief.

“Wh…what do you mean?”

“Exactly what you think I mean, Angel! You’re going to be on screen soon, baby girl!”

I pressed my palm over my mouth to suppress an involuntary squeal, the gravity of her statement and situation slowly sinking in.

“A..a…are you being serious, Red?” I asked again, still struggling to process this. I needed confirmation that this wasn’t just a fantasy.

“Of course, I’m not being serious! Noah and I flew all the way from Malibu to LA just to play a prank on you,” she replied sarcastically, the gleam in her eye proving she was more excited than I could comprehend.

“Th….this isn’t real,” I whispered, struggling to wrap my head around the news.

“Wake up, darling! This is the new beginning you’ve always wanted. Come on now, we have a lot of contract signing and preparations to do!”

“B…b…but Red, I…I am not an actress. Besides, I didn’t study theater arts; I….”

“Mr. D’Amano is fully aware of that, and I’m sure he has a reason for choosing you. So you need to relax and embrace this opportunity, darling.”

*****

After the big news, I retreated to the room that had been offered to me. I changed into a simple black dress— It was less revealing than what I’d worn earlier, but it still clung to my curves.

As I prepared for the encounter ahead, I could feel my nerves churning inside like a storm ready to break. Ms. Mariella led me to Mr. D’Amano’s office, and with each step, my anxiety intensified. We reached his imposing black door, and she turned to me.

“Alright, Ms. Caribello, you may go in. Mr. D’Amano is waiting for you,” she urged with a nod before leaving me alone at the door. I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Fuck! How was I supposed to face him, to look him in the eyes after all the forbidden, erotic fantasies I’d indulged in? The way he looked at me…

I swallowed the lump in my throat, summoning the courage to knock. I didn’t hear a response; I was about to knock again when the door swung open on its own, surprising me.

Even before stepping inside, the chill of his office hit me, along with the scent of his cologne. It hung heavy in the air.

The office was dimly lit. A black curtain shrouded floor-to-ceiling windows; two black sofas encircled a small glass table in the centre.

His desk, positioned close to the window, commanded the space. But it was him that captured my full attention.

He sat slouched in his chair, slowly twirling on it. His blazer hung off the side of his chair, revealing a fitted shirt that clung to his toned frame.

When our eyes finally met, that familiar, yet strange electric sensation coursed through me again.

“Come forward,” he signaled, and as I took a tentative step, I became aware of two others in the room—his wife and a striking man who looked remarkably like him, though his eyes were a different color.

“Who’s the pretty ass?” Mr. D’Amano’s replica asked in a sultry voice, casting a smug look my way that made my skin crawl.

“It’s best if you keep your eyes away from her, Nickolai.” Mr. D’Amano replied, his tone calm, yet laced with an undercurrent of something darker.

Was I imagining it? Or did he sound…possessive? Jealous?

His brow arched, and his jaw clenched in response to his brother’s comment.

“Raul.” His wife cried out, her voice filled with disbelief, but he barely acknowledged her, his gaze fixed on me.

“Please leave us. I want to have a word with her.” He commanded, and I could sense the tension in the room shift.

His wife’s green eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head in defiance.

“You do not need us to leave, Raul. I’m also involved in this, and you can say whatever you want to—”

“Catalina,” he warned, his voice a low growl.

“No, Raul—” she began, but Nickolai interrupted, pulling her away from her chair.

“Come on, sister-in-law, let’s go,” he said, guiding her out of the room. Before he left, he leaned in close to me, his breath hot against my ear.

“You got a sexy ass, pretty girl,” he whispered, making me squirm uncomfortably. I managed a small smile, and he returned it with a smug smirk.

“Don’t try anything stupid, Caribello,” Mrs. D’Amano shot me a sharp glare before she and Nickolai exited the office, leaving me alone with him.

“Have a seat,” Mr. D’Amano’s rich, deep voice vibrated through me, sending a jolt straight to my clit.

Fuck, Angel, I scolded myself. You can’t be having these thoughts and feelings for a man you met hours ago, a man who’s married!

Slowly, cautiously, I sat in front of him, his burning gaze unwavering. I did my best to avoid meeting his eyes.