“What is it?” he asked, like he knew me better than I knew myself somehow.
“There’s no music.” I squinted towards the darkness. When the soft pink led lights had turned on overhead, it had activated the same pink lit tape on the ground, almost like a movie theater, so you could make out the stairs but not bright enough to put much more of him in focus. His hand rose, and he pointed somekind of remote I had never seen for this room to the side, and music slowly started to fill the room. Soft beats kicked in, and I recognize the song immediately.
Boyfriendby Dove Cameron started to play. It was the song I’d started practicing to at home for a new routine. Just an idea I’d had and started to choreograph to show Kitty. I blinked, and his foot tapped against the carpeted floor.
Coincidence. There was no other explanation.
Fuck it,I thought to myself. Might as well put the new dance into practice. Whoever my tall, dark, and mysterious stranger, who wasn’t opposed to pushing around assholes and crossed the line, might even let me know what he thought of it. It wasn’t like I could charge him for the dance now that we were back here because we hadn’t discussed payment and rates.
I started to sway, letting the sultry tone of the song move me. Back and forth, moving my hips as my hands ran up and down my chest, slowly undoing the way-too-tight cropped white button-up. I tossed it in his direction, and I knew he’d caught it. And if the deep inhale was any kind of hint, I’d bet money he’d just sniffed my top. I was still wearing a white bikini top as I moved towards the darkness, dancing to the music as I closed in.
“Jade.” His voice was thick with warning I didn’t listen to. Both of us in the darkness, I got on his lap, my back to his front as I rubbed and grinded on him. Never, not once, while giving anyone a lap dance had I turned myself on.
Until him.
A nameless, almost faceless man still hidden in the shadows got me all hot and bothered just by sitting.
I tossed my head back and let my hands graze the tops of his thighs before I turned and straddled him. Open palmed, my hands rested on his shoulders as I danced and moved to the sexy low-tempo song. When it was over, it melted away into another, one I’d listened to and saved a while ago on a Spotify playlist.Slut Moneyby Zand had a little more of a bounce, and I danced on him before slithering down to the ground in front of him, slowly moving back to the pink-lit area of the room.
My back arched and my ass bounced as I rolled around. The entire time, I was thinking about what it would be like to be with a man like the one who sat on the couch with his legs spread as his palms rested calmly on his knees. Closing my eyes, I kept dancing. One song melted into another as I gave him a show while thinking about what it would be like to be his. I’d never been anyone’s. Not even with my ex had I felt like I belonged to someone. When the music died down and no other song started, I opened my eyes. Kneeling on the white plush carpet, I tried to catch my breath. It wasn’t lost one me that his big, formidable shadow seemed to lean forward. Almost like he wanted to get closer but for whatever reason didn’t.
“Such a good girl,” he complimented. I opened my mouth to say something—what, I wasn’t sure—when a knock sounded at the door.
“Jade, need you back on stage,” Dante, one of our bouncers, called.
“Be right there,” I called out. Disappointment that my time with him was done rushed through me. I stood and quickly grabbed the clothes I’d discarded, tossing everything back on and fastening every button and hook. “I have to go.”
“Right,” his deep voice rumbled, and I hated the fact he didn’t insist I stay.
But who was I kidding? Not all of us could be Kitty with a man so obsessed with us he’d literally sit and watch you read!
“Thanks again for—“ His hand clasped mine, but for some reason, I couldn’t get myself to turn to face him. I knew he’d be illuminated under the soft pink lighting, yet I kept my eyes on the ground. It felt like the less I looked at him head on, the safer it was for me and my stupid, hopeless heart.
“You never have to thank me for keeping you safe, my sweet girl.” I felt his body heat radiate onto me as he pressed a little closer. His head dipped, and my eyes fluttered shut as my skin flared with goose bumps all over my body. I tried to breathe in, but the shuttered inhale felt choppy as his masculine scent enveloped me. Something about it was vaguely familiar.
“Umm…”
“The way you move,” he whispered, his lips hovering just above the shell of my ear, “is incredible. I could watch you do that morning, noon, and night and wouldn’t tire of it, Jade.”
“That’s sweet.”
“There’s nothing sweet about me, precious.” His lips brushed against my temple. “When you dance on the stage, will you do me a favor?”
“Sure,” I stupidly agreed.
“Wear something pink for me. I like you in pink.” He let go of my hand. Everything inside of me shouted for me to turn around and look at him, talk to him. Convince him to have a drink together.
But I didn’t.
And it wasn’t until I got home, much later that night, that I realized he’d called me by my name.
Not my stage name.
FOUR
LUCAS
I’d lost control.
