The Graffiti Effect by Perri Forrest

MARCO “THE GRAFFITI EFFECT” GRAF
Being an exotic dancer is a life I was made for. Sh*t gives me a high like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. Since the very first time I stepped onstage to perform, it’s been magic. First things first, I do need to ask that you not confuse exotic dancing with stripping. I don’t give full-frontal views. I give just enough—of an illusion. Being able to create fantasies for women is hot as f*ck. They love it! They get excited at a level that their men may never make them reach. Yeah, it’s that hot. At the end of a performance, it’s not uncommon for me to take one of the lucky ones back to my suite, for a night of adult fun. No strings attached. No emotions attached—at least not on my part.
But, there was that one time . . .
I knew there would be a bride-to-be in attendance. I knew that her name was Kassidi. In fact, I knew of her before she knew me. I also knew that I’d bring her onstage as a part of the surprise. What I didn’t know, was that I would be compelled to go an extra step with her, during my set. I could say that I gave her a little extra attention to make her feel special. But the truth was, she had an energy about her that I liked. That I was drawn to.
KASSIDI “KASS” HENSON
At thirty-five, I was the last of my friends to enter a committed relationship. Unacceptable. At least in my book, it was. By now, I was supposed to have gotten a man that wanted to make me his wife . . . his life. Right? Well, I thought so. But then it happened. I got my proposal, I got my ring. What I didn’t get was as excited as I thought I’d be.
Maybe it was the obstacles in the way. Maybe it was me in my own way. I didn’t know, but I figured my upcoming bachelorette trip to Vegas would put my mind at ease. Relax me. Prepare me. But was that the right thing to do?
I had never been to Vegas.
[insert deep sigh here]
I was a Vegas-virgin. Perhaps I should’ve left it that way.
It was one show, one performance. Erotic. Mesmerizing. The Graffiti Effect. It certainly, had an effect. It brought about the same curiosity that led moths flying, eyes wide open, into burning flames. We danced, we talked. Then we talked some more. Then temptation tapped me on the shoulder. It convinced me of one last indiscretion. It was unavoidable. He was unavoidable. After it was all said and done, I was prepared to let what happened in Vegas, stay in Vegas . . .
However, fate had other plans for me.