Chapter Five
Carly
We were just finishing the group set when I spotted Chablis flirting with the Italian stallion. Unreasonable jealousy flared at the way she touched him. What. The. Hell? There was no reason for the jealousy. It wasn't like he was my man or something. I didn't have a man. I hadn't had one since Rico was killed. There was no reason for me to be jealous but that didn't stop the feeling from flaring up at her smile. Fucking bitch. I knew she was propositioning him. It didn't take a genius to figure that much out. By the time we were done and I was able to leave the stage, I was seething.
“You should have seen the look on Harry's face when he was told he was fired. Oh my God, I wish I'd had a camera.”
What was Chablis going on about?
“Did you see that Italian hottie? It seems he's the new owner or something. I didn't even know the club was being sold. Did you, Lola?”
“Hell no. Don't you think I would have mentioned it if I had? I don't think anyone knew. It doesn't matter much. Just because we have a new owner doesn't mean anything has changed.”
“That's just it, Lola. Ithaschanged. Harry took money from these guys who wanted a group thing, with just me, and Gio, that's who he introduced himself as, told me I didn't have to do that shit anymore.”
I frowned. If that was the case, why did he proposition me when I offered him a lap dance? I got dressed, removed the makeup I wore on stage, and headed out into the club. I wanted some answers and I wanted them now.
I spotted Gio near the bar and made a beeline for him. “A little birdie told me we've had a change in management. And ownership. And policy. Interesting, considering you propositioned me when I offered you a lap dance.” I watched as his gaze traveled down my body and back up, taking in the jeans that hugged my curves. “What the fuck was that earlier, Gio?”
“Hello to you, too,Bella. That was me blending in. I couldn't very well show my hand right away. I needed to know if the rumors were true. I'll take this to mean Chablis has already started spreading the word.”
“Yeah. She told us what you did. So, did you take her up on her offer? I know she offered to fuck you. It's what she does.” No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep the anger out of my voice. He chuckled and smirked at my question and that just pissed me off even more.
“No,Bella, I didn't take her up on her offer. It's cute you're jealous, though.”
I scoffed at him. “Jealous? Please.” Did he have to be so fucking observant?
“So you wouldn't care if I fucked her against the wall, then? You wouldn't care if I tied her up, bent her over, and took her from behind?”
Oh lord, the images he invoked in my head had me so hot I was going to have to go home and get BOB out. You know who BOB is right? Battery Operated Boyfriend. His is the only attention I've had in years. “Not at all,” I ground out between clenched teeth. This time he didn't just chuckle, he laughed.
“Aren't you amusing,Bella? Something tells me I am going to enjoy working here.”
I tried to glare at him for his teasing but I know it fell short of reaching my eyes. There was just something about the man that made it difficult to be angry with him. “Don't bet on it.” I turned and moved to walk away.
“Not so fast,Bella.”His hand curled around my arm to stop me. “You have me at a disadvantage.”
“Oh? And what disadvantage is that?”
“You know my name but I don't know yours.”
“Sure you do. It's Lola.” He stepped in close and I could smell his cologne.
“No,Bella. I don't want your stage name. I want yourrealname.”
My eyes widened at that. I didn't tell anyone there at work what my real name was but it wouldn't take much for him to find it if he looked at my employee record. “Carly.” Why did it feel oddly right to tell him my real name?
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Have a good night,Bella.”
He took my hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed it, before he let go. Sweet baby Jesus, the man was going to be the death of me. “I plan to.” BOB was going to get one hell of a work out tonight. Heading home that night, I couldn't help but wonder if he would be thinking about me while jacking himself off.
