Jill gives me another glimpse of her amusement as she peers at me over her shoulder.“Nah, you got a big, strong man to look out for ya.”
Is that what Ford is?Big and strong, sure.But someone to look out for me?I’m not entirely convinced.Then again, maybe she’s referring to Ray at the front?He’s supposed to protect the girls, right?Even the ones who aren’t on the main stage?
A warm hand hits my back.“Don’t worry, Bug.I got you.”
The room is smaller than I expect.Music plays through the speakers in the ceiling, and a camera is set up in the corner of the room.When Jill catches me staring at it, she murmurs, “Don’t worry, darlin’.It’s just to keep our girls safe, but since you aren’t one of my girls quite yet, I’ll make sure security keeps the camera off.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
She closes the door behind her as Ford collapses on the velvet loveseat in the center of the small room.Hanging his arms along the back, his chest open, and his legs spread like a freaking king, he cocks his head, watching me.“Should we wait for the next song, or…?”
Curse him and his teasing.“You really think I won’t do it?”I ask.
“Dance for me?”He licks his bottom lip.“You tell me.”
My gaze narrows.
Slowly, I sway my hips, moving toward the velvet loveseat while ignoring the way my stomach curdles.
So help me, I am determined to get this right.I think.Or maybe not.I feel stupid.
Come on, seductive instinct.I know you’re in there somewhere.
I start to raise my arms, but lower them just as quickly.That probably looked so stupid.
Keep moving, I remind myself.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, attempting to keep my rhythm no matter how ridiculous I feel.But seriously?How do girls do this for a living?I feel like I’m off-beat, and that I look stupid, and that he’s probably comparing this dance to every other lap dance he’s ever had, which I can only imagine is not a small number, and so much for liquid courage, because I think I might vomit.Even with the music thumping through the speakers, it feels too quiet.Too intense.
Welp, at least I can say I tried.Now it’s time to cut my losses, change my name, and never look back.I stop dancing and cover my face.
“You know what?Forget it.”
“Wait.”His fingers envelop my wrist, preventing my escape as he stays sitting on the stupid loveseat.
I stare down at him, willing his fingers to ease their hold.“I know the girls said I should tease you, and that you like the chase, but I’m not the kind of girl.”
“You serious right now?”Ford demands.
“As E freaking D,” I toss back at him, “which is probably what you’re experiencing after that awful attempt at a lap dance.Seriously, if you could scrub it from your mind, you’d be doing both of us a favor,” I ramble.
“Who said you should tease me?”
“Vi and Lex, and I know they mean well, but I’ve never even seen someone give another person a lap dance before tonight, and I really thought I could walk in here and give you a good one?Not to mention how many lap dances I’d be competing against.”I wave my free hand toward him.“I’m sure you’ve had your fair share, and?—”
“You.”He stands, refusing to let me give him any extra space when I try to step back.It brings us chest to chest.“Are the sexiest woman in this club.”
“Don’t say that.”
His touch is gentle as he grabs my chin, urging me to look at him.“You don’t believe me?”
“You just saw my attempt, and it was…”
“You were doing great.”
I peek up at him through my lashes.“Liar.”
He bites back his smirk.“Okay, you were a little stiff, but it’s only because you’re nervous.”
