by Sarah Peis
I swallowed and sat up straighter. Screw him for standing over me, trying to intimidate me. I fisted my hands, the pain of my fingernails digging into my palms stopping me from jumping up and telling him where to stick his anger.
“I had to pick up my son,” I ground out. “You weren’t here. What should I have done? Leave him in preschool?”
“You could have told Gears to send one of the guys.”
I scoffed at his ridiculous suggestion. “They don’t know Luca. And he needs to be on the approved list. You can’t just show up and take a kid home. It’s not a pet shop.”
I refused to be the first to break eye contact, even though I was beginning to get a crick in my neck.
“Are you done with your tantrum, or do you want to interrupt my TV watching for anything else?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Do you think this is all a game?” he growled.
A sad chuckle escaped before I could hold it in. “A game? Are you serious? You kidnapped me, invaded my privacy, and now I have to live with a stranger who doesn’t want to be anywhere near me. I’m scared for my life and my kids’. So no, I definitely don’t think this is a game. It’s my life, and you are doing your best to stomp all over it.”
The ticking in his jaw stopped and his eyes softened. “We won’t hurt you.”
I scoffed and got up, leaving only a hairbreadth between us. “And I’m just supposed to trust you and your gang?”
“We’re not a gang. And you have my word that nothing will happen to you or your kids.”
I poked my finger in his chest, my anger getting the best of me. “Your word means nothing to me. Nothing.” Another poke. “I’m sick of guys like you thinking they can walk all over me. Do you think because I work at a strip club, I’m an idiot?”
He grabbed my finger and held it. I was too caught up in my rant to care that he was now holding my hand against his chest.
“I’ll have you know I had a perfect GPA in school. I had a scholarship to college,” I continued to rant.
“I never once thought you were stupid,” Sebastian said, his voice raspy.
“Doesn’t really matter though, what you think. I’m still at your mercy.”
“Listen to me and listen good. I never go back on my word. If I say I’ll do something, I will. And I’m telling you now, I will do anything I can to keep you and your kids safe.”
My shoulders slumped, my head drooped, and I pulled on the hand he was still holding. He didn’t let go, and my head snapped back up.
My lips parted to yell at him some more—because I had nothing else left at this stage—when he silenced me with a kiss. He kissed me with a desperation that left me breathless and aching for him. It was demanding, urgent, and drugging. Simply perfect.
I leaned in, unable not to, and wound my free arm around him, holding on tight. I returned his kiss with reckless abandon, forgetting what we were even talking about to start with.
When he pulled back, dislodging my tight grip on him in the process, I nearly lost my balance. He put his hand on my arm to steady me, then let go as soon as I was standing on my own two feet again.
“This can’t happen again,” he said and stalked out of the living room.
The front door slammed shut, and I was left to wonder what the flying ducks had just happened.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“I’m not sure what you would call that move.”
“Dying possum.”
“Wet cat.”
“Sloth on a pole.”
“Terrified frog.”
The pole slipped through my fingers and I landed on my head—for the twentieth time that day. I was at Pepper’s, trying to work on a routine. Sebastian thought I’d gone in early to help go over the inventory.
I didn’t correct him and was all too happy for him to disappear into the office as soon as we made it inside. He hadn’t said a word to me since our kiss. I didn’t know kissing someone could feel like my whole world had been tipped on its head. Too bad he didn’t seem to feel the same way.
Now the girls were helping me put a routine together for Monday, and I was screwing it up with all I had. Turned out I was useless when it came to pole dancing. I couldn’t even hold the easiest pose.
So far I’d let go of the pole and fallen off every single time. And I was pretty sure I had a concussion. My head was pounding, and my hands were hurting from sliding down the pole. We’d been at it for the past hour. And as impossible as it seemed, it appeared I was getting worse.
“Maybe you shouldn’t attempt any move that puts you upside down,” Elle suggested.
Tia threw up her hands and came closer. “That cuts out about 90 percent of all moves. There’ll only be three positions left.”
I blew hair out of my face. “I’m sorry, but I was never good at dancing. Or gymnastics. Or really moving in general.”
Tia guided my hands up over my head and curled them around the pole. “Hold on like that. Now lift your legs. Maybe you can do a plank.”
I blinked, trying hard not to laugh. Never in my life had I been able to do a plank. Horizontal or vertical. Not that I’d tried the pole position before.
“Come on, lift those legs,” Tia said, tapping my thighs. One thing I learned about three seconds after walking up on stage with the girls was that they had no boundaries.
My butt had been in their face, they’d adjusted my boobs, lifted me with one hand on each butt cheek, and Elle moved my body every which way, not caring if she was holding on to a boob or an arm.
They were lucky I’d had two kids and didn’t care who might catch a glimpse of my lady cave anymore. Because I was sure I’d flashed them a time or ten since I was only wearing tiny shorts.
I tightened my grip on the pole and lifted my legs. They came a few inches off the floor before they stopped.
“That’s it?” Star asked, disbelief all over her face. “Did you even lift them?”
I put my feet back on the ground and released the pole. “I had abdominal separation after Lena, and things haven’t gone back the way they were supposed to. My abs are pretty sad these days.”
I also hadn’t had time to work on building up my abdominal muscles again. Not that it had been a priority. And the longer I left it, the less important it seemed.
“But you’re so lean,” Tia said, walking around me, inspecting my stomach. I was only wearing a sports bra and shorts that could double as underwear. “And no stretch marks. Are you sure things didn’t go back the way they were?”
I tensed my pitiful stomach muscles and took her hand, putting her fingers in the slight gap.
“What the fresh hell is that?” she exclaimed, pushing her hand in farther.
“That’s something I could fix since it’s not bad enough to need surgery. But I hate exercise, I’m as coordinated as a drunk donkey, and have no need to get my body back in shape.”
Elle put her fingers on my stomach once Tia dropped her hand. “Let me feel.”
“Go for it. It’s not like I’m self-conscious about the hole in my stomach,” I said, sarcasm lacing my voice when she started probing my belly.
“I’ll give you a few simple exercises. You’ll be fine in a few months. It’s a small separation, but you really need to sort it out.”
I stared at her, brows raised. She finally stepped back and shrugged. “I’m a physiotherapist. I see this after pregnancy all the time. And it’s easy to fix, but you have to put the work in.”
“You’re a physiotherapist?”
Her nose scrunched in annoyance. “We live in a small town. And I don’t make much money but have expensive taste. I got a second job to keep my shoe closet stocked and my mortgage paid off. Stripping is perfect because I can work at night and get a good workout in at the same time.”
I put my hands up. “I’m not judging. I was just surprised that you wouldn’t move to Denver where you could find a better job.”
“My mom had a heart attack last year. If I’m in Denver, I’m
too far away to help out.”
“I’m sorry, Elle,” I said.
She winked at me. “Eh, don’t worry, it is what it is. And I don’t hate stripping. It’s just another job to me. Are the customers a bit too handsy at times? Sure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Unlike you, I don’t mind prancing around a stage.”
“I guess I need to work on my poker face,” I said.
“Nobody is going to look at your face when you’re up here. No matter how much you frown or draw your eyebrows together, the customers will love you all the same. You have a bangin’ body and gorgeous silky hair. Now if you just managed at least three moves, you’ll be fine.”
I groaned. I didn’t have enough time to get ready.
“It would help if you’d done at least some exercise in the last century,” Tia put in, slapping my butt. “No idea how you can look like you do but have no muscles anywhere other than in your arms.”
“Hey, I have two little kids. When do you think I have time to go to the gym? And my arm muscles are hard-won from carrying said kids around.”
Tia ignored me and clapped her hands. “Let’s try a flying ballerina. You don’t have to lift your legs or hang upside down.”
She explained the move, and it seemed simple enough: hold on with one arm and leg and stretch out the other ones, making the move look like you’re jumping in the air—while holding on to a pole.
I jumped up and kicked Elle right in the face.
“Oh my Jumpin’ Jiminy, I’m so sorry,” I cried and kneeled next to where she was now sitting on the floor. “Do you need some ice?”
Tia was one step ahead of me and appeared with a handful of ice cubes wrapped in a dish towel.
Elle held it to her eye while we were all fussing around her. “It’s okay, guys, stop worrying. Her miniature feet didn’t do much damage.”
“Hey, they’re proportional to my body,” I complained.
“Exactly,” Elle said, her mouth tipping into a smile.
“Guess I didn’t hit you hard enough if you can still make fun of me,” I griped.
The rest of the training session didn’t go much better. At least I didn’t hurt anyone else. But I did fall on my butt another fifty times.
I didn’t know how I was supposed to get through my shift tonight. My head and butt were throbbing, and my arms ached from attempting to hold up my body weight.
When we got back to the dressing room, I changed into my work uniform and then collapsed onto the floor with a pained groan. “I don’t know how you guys do this every night.”
“I’ll write up a Pilates routine for you that will help,” Elle announced, sitting down next to me. “But for now, turn over and I’ll give you a quick massage.”
I turned around faster than I thought I had the energy for. But the promise of a massage was too good to pass up.
“Hopefully this will loosen your muscles a little. We only have five minutes, but it’s better than nothing.”
There was a knock at the door, and then someone called out. “Is it safe to come inside?”
I looked up from where I was stretched out on the floor.
Most of the guys just barged in, so the person outside could only be Sebastian. Tia fanned herself and replied, “Come in, gorgeous.”
Sebastian stuck his head through the half-open door. “Can you get—”
He stopped talking, his attention snapping to where I was lying on the floor, Elle sitting on my lower back, giving me the best massage of my life.
When he didn’t finish his sentence, I dropped my forehead back on my crossed arms and let out a moan. Elle was a master.
The door slammed shut, and when the normal chatter didn’t start up again, I grudgingly lifted my head again. This time all eyes were on me. And then they all started talking at once, making me sit up.
“What did you do to him?”
“Tell me your secrets.”
“Did you see the way he looked at her?”
“Was that Sebastian?”
“There goes another one of the good ones.”
I narrowed my eyes at anyone who dared look at me with wide eyes. “Stop it, everyone. I didn’t do anything. I told you he’s just crashing on my couch. Nothing more.”
My words were lost amid another wave of chatter, directed at me.
“Liar.”
“I thought we agreed we’d be honest in here.”
“What’s said in the dressing rooms stays in the dressing rooms.”
“Talk.”
The last was barked and brought the chatter to an end. Tia was standing in front of me, her arms crossed over her ample cleavage, her foot tapping impatiently.
Elle let me go, and I stood up to be in a better position to run in case they decided to lynch me.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Sebastian has no interest in me. You guys got it all wrong.”
Elle put her hands around my shoulders, pulling me close. “I never thought you were slow, but I see we have to spell it out for you. That delectable piece of male perfection has been looking at you like you’re a juicy steak since he first saw you strut your fine ass into the club.”
“That’s not true,” I protested. “He—”
“Have you never wondered why he’s always been at the club when you are from day one? Shifts don’t usually line up every single time for a whole year,” Elle said.
I scoffed and pulled my clothes into place, thinking they’d all gone insane. Sebastian didn’t like me. Or did he? Maybe the kiss wasn’t an accident like I thought.
“You’re all delusional. Stop looking for something that’s not there.”
Tia slapped my butt so hard I jumped. “Stop being so blind. And anyone in here who isn’t attached has tried to get it on with him. He’s declined every single invitation. And, honey, I hate to tell you this, but he’s in an MC, and those guys like their women.”
I didn’t know what to do with that information. He’d been nothing but short with me. I was sure he hated every minute of living with me. What was wrong with everyone today? Maybe I wasn’t the only one who’d given herself a concussion during practice.
“You’ve all lost your mind. Have you ever considered that maybe he’s gay, and that’s why he’s never taken any of you up on your offer?”
The whole room burst into laughter. I flipped them the bird and stalked out.
I kept glancing at Sebastian during my whole shift. He didn’t once look in my direction, confirming my suspicions that the girls had lost their minds. Sure, we’d kissed, but he seemed to have regretted it afterward.
The night was slow, turning to its lowest point when I delivered a round of drinks to my least favorite table.
The guys were regulars, and things always became uncomfortable after they’d had a few drinks. Smitty never kicked them out because they spent a lot of money at the club. None of us liked serving them, so we rotated them between us. Tonight was my turn.
I hustled to put all the drinks down at their table, but when I bent over slightly to put a drink at the other end of the round booth, I felt a hand on my butt.
I sighed and stood up straight. “Jack, we’ve been over this. I don’t like to be groped, and no, I’m not going to give you a lap dance.”
“Come on, Nora, you won’t regret it. I’ll pay you double.”
I pried his hand off my butt cheek and stepped back. I wouldn’t get up close and personal until I had to. And today I definitely didn’t.
“Thank you for the offer. Maybe next time.”
He sat up from his slouch, his eyes dulled from the alcohol. “Really?”
I didn’t respond, just turned and sprinted back to the safety of the bar.
“Table twelve at it again?” Stephen asked, with a sympathetic wince on his face.
“Just the usual stuff. Can I get two Coronas, three—”
I was interrupted when one of the bouncers pushed his way past me, muttering, “Here we go again.”
Not
knowing what he was talking about, I turned around and noticed a commotion at the table I’d just come from. I recognized Sebastian, who was dragging Jack out of the club. I watched with a slack jaw and a lot of confusion. Smitty would have a coronary.
Once Sebastian and Jack were out of sight, everyone went back to their drinks and watching the girls like nothing had happened. I delivered my orders and did another round to make sure everyone had a drink.
Table twelve always needed more drinks, and I reluctantly walked over.
“You guys need a refill?” I asked, trying hard to keep the reluctance out of my voice. When nobody answered, even though I saw at least two beers that were almost empty, I said, “Another round?”
They all nodded in unison, and I left to fill their order. Not once had they simply placed an order. There was always a suggestive comment, a leer, a gesture. What was happening? I must have hit my head harder than I thought, because everyone was acting strange tonight.
After delivering their order, I took a quick break and made my way to the back alley, hoping it was clear. I needed fresh air and a minute to sit down. My muscles were sore, and despite taking painkillers, my head was throbbing.
I pushed the door open but stopped when I heard angry voices coming from outside.
“Stop fucking scaring away the customers. Especially if they’re regulars.”
That was Smitty, his nasally voice easy to recognize.
“I don’t appreciate your tone,” Sebastian’s deep timbre replied.
I strained to hear more, at the same time mourning my lost opportunity for a moment of peace.
“Maybe I don’t appreciate your attitude,” Smitty sneered. “You can’t beat up anyone who touches the girls. It happens. Get over it.”
“I think you forget who works for whom here. We own your ass, you stupid little fuck. If I want someone out of Pepper’s, they’re out of Pepper’s.”
“You hired me to take care of business. And you’re bad for business.”
“Get out of my face before I decide I don’t want you taking care of business anymore.”
Smitty didn’t reply, but footsteps came closer. I eased the door shut and sprinted to the bathrooms just down the hall. I stumbled inside as the door to the alley opened.