Chapter One
“Stop mooning overhim, Austin. He’s taken.”
I gave my boss Tyler one last look from beneath the dark curls hanging in my eyes and let out a sigh as melancholy as I felt. “Don’t I know it. Look at them. The perfect couple. And Marcus never takes his eyes off Ty. I wouldn’t either if he were my man.”
Frankie Marone, the other dance instructor and my best friend, poked me in the side. “And you know Marcus hates it when you drool over Ty. You told me that yourself. So let’s finish up here and get over to the club.” Frankie’s brown eyes sparkled. “It’s margarita night, and you know that means big tips for us. Especially you, when your Mr. Tall, Dark, and Doesn’t Ever Speak shows up.”
We gathered our bags and went to change in the locker room Tyler had built in the back of the dance studio. I ran a critical eye over myself in the mirror, poofed out my curls a bit, then slicked on a little lip gloss. “Do you think I need eyeliner?”
“Girl, you know that man likes you done up. Here, take mine.” Frankie handed me his eyeliner, and I used it around the corners of my eyes, giving them a cat’s-eye tilt at the edge. “Didn’t he send you some sexy things to wear after the last time you danced for him?”
Heat crept up my face at the memory of the silky jockstrap and scented oils the mysterious stranger had sent me backstage at Man Up, the club where Frankie and I usually danced most nights. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life, but the money was great, and I did what I could to get by.
I gave Frankie back the eyeliner. “Here. And yeah, I dunno. He probably won’t show.”
“But you’re wearing it just in case he does, right?”
I bit my lip and nodded, then pulled down my leggings to reveal a peek of red silky material lined with crystals.
“Jesus, that’s hot. And expensive, I bet.”
“I know.” After the package had arrived, I looked up the jock online and found it at a boutique in Chelsea specializing in high-end menswear. “It’s a hundred bucks.”
“Holy shit.” Frankie’s jaw dropped. “He wants you.”
It had turned chilly outside, and I tugged on my fur-topped boots. “I don’t mind a little snuggle here and there, and I’m not against saying a special thank-you with a kiss, but there’s a limit. You know what I mean.”
Frankie zipped up his jacket and pulled his furry hood over his head. “If he wants to be your sugar daddy, you tell him yes. Get yourself set up good with a nice place and a bank account. I would. You don’t need to keep shaking your ass for those guys always grabbing your junk.”
“I’m not a whore, Frankie. I’m not selling myself. Right now, I love dancing and teaching the kids, but I have plans. And maybe someday, in the future, a real boyfriend.”
“And you’re a great dancer. The kids love you.” Frankie shrugged as we walked back into the studio in time to see Marcus kissing Tyler with a passion I’d never experienced. It made my heart and my dick throb. “And as for boyfriends, they’re nothing but trouble.”
I linked my arm through his, giving him a supportive hug. “That’s ’cause you ended up with the wrong one.” I tipped my chin toward Marcus and Tyler. “Look at them. I want what they have. I want someone to look at me the way Marcus looks at Ty. Hungry. Like a wolf.”
As if he’d heard me, Marcus caught my eye and winked. “How’s it shaking, guys? Heading out to the clubs later?”
“Yeah.” I pulled Frankie along with me, anxious to get away. “Gotta run. We’re meeting friends for dinner.”
We stumbled out of the dance studio, and Frankie hissed at me. “Why don’t you tell him we dance? Maybe he’ll offer us a job at Sparks. I’m dying to dance at his place. They get celebrities, and the paparazzi are always there.”
I shook my head but didn’t answer as we hurried toward the uptown subway station, skirting around early evening couples strolling arm in arm. Jealousy pricked me as I watched a man give his girlfriend a rose he purchased from a street vendor. I wanted the love of someone who cared about who I was, not the fact that I could shake my ass better than the next guy. But I made my choice, and I was proud of standing up for myself.
We ran down the steps to the station, and I was thankful my dance training gave me stability and strength to not fall on my face in my boots. “Got your MetroCard? I figure we could stop at Vinnie’s Pizza before heading to Man Up.”
Frankie held up his card and swiped it at the turnstile before answering. “Yep. Sounds good. Wanna see my new routine? I was watching some YouTube videos of street dancers and picked up some badass moves to use on the pole. Gonna try them tonight.”
Without waiting for my answer, Frankie tossed his jacket at me, turned on some music from his phone, and began a routine that immediately drew the attention of the people waiting for the train. His sinuous body twisted and flowed like a silk scarf, and men, women, and children gathered to watch, entranced by his movements. They began to clap, and several people recorded him on their phones. The rumble of an incoming train drew the commuters’ attention, and he stopped to their applause and whistles.
“Thank you, everyone. If you wanna see me and my friend here do more sexy dancing, come to Man Up on West 52nd tonight.”
I had to laugh as I handed Frankie his jacket. His face shone with the sweat of his exertions, but I knew he loved it. Frankie was pure exhibitionist; if he could run around naked all day, he would.
“Here you go. James should hire you to do publicity for the club as well as dance.”
The train rushed into the station, and we crowded inside. I knew Frankie hated being squashed against people, so I pointed to the corner. “There’s room for you to stand there.”
He gave me a grateful look, and we shouldered our way through, mumbling “excuse me” until we found our spot.
