by Helen Cooper
“Whatever.” The bald guy turned away.
“Thanks.” I whispered to the guy in front of me and tried to step back. “That was a close one.”
“Where are you going?” His voice dropped and his expression looked serious. “I want my dance.”
“Oh, you were serious?”
“I’m always serious.” He smiled at me for a few seconds and then spoke again. “What’s your name?”
“Evie.” I said as we walked back to his chair. “I mean Peaches.”
“Evie Peaches.” He grinned as he sat down on a couch in the back of the room.
“Peaches.” I made a face. “That’s my dancer name.”
“Okay.” He patted the seat next to him. “Sit down Peaches.”
“I thought you wanted a dance?”
“We can get to that later.” He patted his chair again. “Let’s talk first.”
“Uh okay.” I sat down next to him, feeling awkward in my bikini. I sat back and tried to hold my breath in to make my stomach look flat.
“You okay?” He frowned as he looked at me.
“Yeah, of course.” I said stiffly, my body burning in shame as he stared at me. Not only was I feeling self-conscious, I was also feeling embarrassed and like I wanted to cry.
“Are you new to the dancing business?”
“You could say that.” I nodded.
“Don’t worry.” He grabbed my hand. “You can relax.”
“You don’t want a dance?” I asked hopefully as I looked back at him. Maybe he’d just let me sit here and talk to him the whole night. Maybe he’d feel bad for me because I was new and obviously not in the same class of girls, like Crystal and Starr. Maybe he’d be one of those nice guys that thought stripping was degrading to women.
“No, I want you to dance.” He grinned and licked his lips. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Oh okay.” I sighed and made to get up.
“Not yet, though.” He shook his head. “And not here.”
“Huh?” I frowned at him. “When and where? I’m not a hooker, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m not about to go to your car and do anything.” My voice trailed off as I looked back at him. This man looked gorgeous and rich. Surely, he didn’t need to pay for any favors from someone like me. He could get a lot more for free from much more beautiful women.
“I don’t want you to go to my car.” He shook his head. “Tell me, Peaches, why are you working here? You look so uncomfortable.”
“I’m working for a friend.” I sighed and made a face. “I know how that sounds. Cliché right? Broke, college girl, trying out stripping for fun or whatever. But I’m not in college, and this isn’t fun. But I am broke and my roommate told me I can make five grand for the night.” I shrugged. “And she said no sex or anything, so I figured how hard could it be?”
“So you’re new to all this?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Couldn’t you tell?”
“I could tell when you burst out of the cake that you had no idea what was going on.” He laughed.
“Yeah, Crystal and Starr didn’t look too impressed.” I groaned as I thought back to the two girls’ expressions. “But hopefully, they didn’t notice.”
“I doubt anyone really noticed.” He spoke again. “Most of the guys are wasted.”
“Yeah, it’s a bachelors party.”
“I kinda noticed that.” He laughed and I blushed. He reached over to me and his fingers trailed down my neck. I held my breath as I wondered what he was going to do next. Please don’t let him try and grope my breast, I thought to myself. And please don’t let him try and reach even further. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if he tried to finger me or something. I closed my eyes for a second, wondering what I should do when he sat back.
“You look nervous.” His voice was soft as he whispered into my ear. I opened my eyes and gave him an awkward smile.
“No.” I squeaked out, thanking God that his fingers were no longer on me, though my body wasn’t as happy. My body had quite liked his warm fingers on my skin caressing me.
“How about that dance now?” He sat back in the chair and smiled as the music changed. A loud fast number I didn’t know was playing and I stood up nervously.
“You can do this.” I whispered to myself, though I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Was he expecting me to take my clothes off? Was he expecting me to rub myself all over him? Was he expecting that he’d be able to touch me? I wanted to groan as I started dancing in front of him, my face burning a deep red. He sat there, his eyes watching me like a hawk as I moved back and forth awkwardly.
“Don’t be nervous.” He growled as he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. I stumbled into his lap and adjusted my position so that I was straddling him. That had been a mistake. I could feel his hardness in-between my legs and I bit down on my lower lip as I felt myself growing wet. This was so embarrassing and I knew he could tell I was turned on because he was grinning as he stared at me. His hands lay on my hips gently and he started rocking my body back and forth.
“Just dance on my lap.” He leaned forward and his tongue licked my ear. “That way we’ll both feel good.”
“I don’t know.” I mumbled as I moved around on his lap. I could feel him growing harder beneath me and I was starting to see how easy it was for the lines to become blurred in situations like this. I felt like I was dry humping him. I was starting to feel more turned on than I normally felt before sex with someone I was dating. It made me feel like I was a bit of a slut. Was I basically getting a guy and myself off for money? I groaned as I felt the man moving me back and forth faster, my breasts were hitting his chest now and I felt him slide down in the seat a bit, so that my breasts were now slapping his face. I tried to push his hands off of my hips, but he just shook his head.
“No, don’t stop.” He muttered and I licked my lips nervously. I was the one giving him the dance, but he was definitely the one in control of everything that was happening.
“I think I have to stop now.” I whispered hoarsely as I felt his mouth on my nipple and his fingers on my ass as I moved back and forth.
“Not yet.” He groaned and I felt his hand between my legs for a second as he undid his zipper. “Ten more seconds.” He muttered and I realized he had pulled his cock out of his pants and it was now sitting between my legs as I moved back and forth. I jumped up after two seconds as I felt his hardness right next to my wetness.
“No way, Jose.” I shook my head and looked down at him. “Sorry, I can’t continue with this dance.”
“What if I offered you twenty grand to finish it?” He sat there staring at me with narrowed eyes.
“No, sorry.” I watched as he tucked himself away again.
“What about one-hundred thousand dollars?”
“To finish a dance or to have sex with you?” I mumbled horrified that I was even considering his offer.
“A hundred thousand to finish the dance.” He smiled at me and stared at me expectantly.
“With your, you know what out?”
“Yes, with my cock out and between your legs. Your panties would be off.” He said shortly. “No penetration though.”
“No,” I said softly. “Sorry, I can’t do that.” I shook my head and sighed. “As much as I’d like to make a hundred grand, I can’t do that.”
“Are you sure?” He asked me softly. “I’d pay you in cash.”
“I’m sure.” I nodded and looked down at the floor. A hundred grand would go a long way.
“Good.” He jumped up and took my hand. “Come with me.”
“Huh?” I looked up at him in confusion.
“You passed my test.”
“What test?”
“I’ll explain more later. Let’s go and get your stuff.”
“What?” I frowned, feeling confused. “What are you talking about?”
“We’re leaving.”
“I can’t leave. I haven’t gotten paid as yet.”
/>
“I’ll give you the five grand for tonight. Go and grab your stuff, put your clothes on and meet me outside in ten minutes.”
“Uhm, I’m confused.”
“I’ll explain more later.” He squeezed my hand. “Now do as you’re told and go and get your stuff.”
“Okay.” I nodded and sighed. “I guess I can–”
“Peaches.” He placed a finger to my lip. “Be quiet. Go and get your stuff and meet me outside. You now have seven minutes.”
“Okay, by the way, what’s your name?” I changed the subject to hide my irritation.
“I’ll tell you when I meet you outside.” He grinned and I felt his fingers on my stomach tracing a trail around my bellybutton. “I’ll tell you everything when we meet again. Don’t be late. You won’t like it if you’re late.”
***
I hurried away from him, not sure how I was feeling. I was attracted to him. I was excited by him, but his attitude also annoyed me. I had seven minutes? Really? Says who? He wasn’t my boss. I didn’t even know him. A part of me wanted to just tell him thanks, but no thanks, but I didn’t know what I was saying ‘no thanks’ to. I knew that I was about to make the second stupidest mistake of the day. The first had been agreeing to come here to work for Hailey. The second would be going outside to meet the handsome stranger. I felt like I was in a movie as I pulled on my clothes. I wasn’t really sure I was making the right decision, but I couldn’t stop myself from doing it. I grabbed my bag, put on my glasses and hurried outside.
“You’re late.” He pursed his lips as he stared at me.
“Late for what?” I rolled my eyes, feeling much more comfortable with my clothes on.
“I told you that you had seven minutes.” His eyes never left mine and I started to feel like a naughty school kid.
“So? It’s not like—” I started, but the look he gave me made me pause. “What’s the big deal? I’m here now.”
“Two minutes late.”
“Really dude? You’re going to complain about two minutes?”
“Two minutes is—” He started.
“Get over it.” I interrupted him this time and I could see the surprise in his eyes. “What’s your offer and where’s the money?”
“The money?”
“The five grand?” I said, feeling very much like a gold-digger. It almost made me laugh. I wasn’t sure where the bravado had come from.
“The five grand?” He cocked his head to the side. “You seem to be into the money more than me.”
“More than you?” I laughed out loud. “What are you talking about?”
“Peaches, why did you come outside?” He flicked his fingers in the air and I watched as a limo pulled up to the curb.
“I don’t really know.” I mumbled as I watched a tall muscular man step out from the drivers seat and open the door to the back.
“Thanks, Tyler. You can wait inside the car.” He nodded at the chauffeur and then looked back at me. “Are you ready to go?”
“Go where?”
“You’re a bit mouthy aren’t you?” He frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You seemed more reserved in the bar.”
“Maybe because I was scared out of my mind.” I made a face. “I don’t normally spend my days in a too small bikini, being ogled by a bunch of dirty old men.”
“Do you consider me a dirty old man?”
“No.”
“Do you consider me your savior?” He asked with a small smile.
“No.” I laughed at the disappointment on his face. “You didn’t save me from anything. I mean you’re still pretty sketchy. You still asked me to dance for you. And now you asked me to come outside so you can give me money for who knows what.”
“You still came.”
“I want to know what you wanted.” I shrugged.
“And you want your five grand.” He laughed. “Let’s go for a drive. Tyler will start to get worried.”
“Worried about what?” I frowned and looked him up and down. “From what I can tell you’re old enough to look after yourself.” I took a step forward and looked at his dark hair. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I see a grey hair.”
“It’s not polite to insult your savior, Peaches.”
“You can call me Evie now and like I said before, you’re not my savior.”
“Get in the car, Evie.”
“Hell no.” I took a step back. “I watch Criminal Minds and Law and Order: SVU. Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Evie. I don’t have patience for this.” He sighed and I watched a nerve in his throat as he stared at me angrily. I stared at his face. He was even more handsome with my glasses on and in the light. His hair was darker than I’d thought. Almost black and his eyes were a bright blue.
“Then give me my money and we can both peace out.”
“Peace out?” He stared at my face for a few seconds and then started laughing. “You’re different.”
“Different from what?”
“From what I thought.” He stepped closer to me and lifted my glasses off of my face and stared at me for a few seconds before putting them back on the bridge of my nose. “I guess the glasses give you spunk.”
“Nah, the clothes give me my spunk.” I smiled at him, as my body shivered being so close to him.
“Hold on.” He leaned forward and kissed me hard for a second. I felt my body still at the touch of his warm lips against mine. I could still feel their imprint as he walked over to the limo. I watched as he leaned down and whispered something to Tyler. He stepped back and the limo pulled away and he walked back to me. “Okay, where were we?”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head feeling dazed. “Where did your friend go?”
“Home.” He nodded. “He wasn’t happy, but he does what I say.”
“Why wasn’t he happy?”
“Because he doesn’t like to leave me with strange women.”
“What strange women?” I said stupidly. “Me?”
“Yes you. He doesn’t know what plans you have for me.”
“He doesn’t know what plans I have for you?” My jaw dropped. “Say what?”
“Well, it’s not every day that a bachelor gets dropped off at his bachelor party and is then seen leaving early with one of the strippers.” He grinned. “Or maybe it is.”
Chapter Three
“Say what?” My eyes widened as I stared at him and the smirk on his face. “You’re the bachelor?” I swallowed as I stared at him in shock. “As in you’re the guy getting married?”
“Well yes and no.” He laughed and grabbed my hand.
“Don’t touch me.” I pulled my hand away from him, still in shock.
“This is my bachelor party, but I’m not getting married.”
“What?” I looked at him, feeling confused.
“I like to have the parties for fun. See who I can meet.”
“Who you can meet?” I frowned.
“Girls like you.”
“Girls like me?” I repeated. “What does that mean?”
“Girls who are down for some fun and to have a good time.”
“I’m not down for any fun and I’m not having a good time.” I shook my head, feeling slightly let down. Was this something he did often?
“I never force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.” He stared at me seriously and pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. “I have five grand here for you and you can walk away.” He handed it to me. “Or you can be adventurous and make a lot more.”
“You mean have sex with you for cash?”
“No.” He shook his head.
“Then what?”
“You’d have to trust me and wait and see.”
“I don’t know that I trust you.”
“Understandable.” He nodded, his arm still outstretched and the cash a mere inch from my fingers.
“How many times have you done this?” I asked him quietly, wondering why I was still st
anding there like some sort of fool.
“Once.” He nodded. “I’ve only done this once before.”
“You’ve only had one fake bachelor party before?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’ve had many fake bachelor parties. I’ve only met one other woman at a party that I’ve wanted to come to an arrangement with.”
“And what happened?”
“That’s not important.” He shook his head. “So what do you say?”
“You can’t buy me.” I licked my lips. “Plus I don’t even know what I’m agreeing to.”
“You have to be patient.”
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Grant.”
“Like President Grant?”
“Like Grant Slate.” He stepped back. “My name is Grant Slate. I’m just a man that wants to get to know you better.”
“Most men that want to get to know me better ask me if they can buy me a drink.”
“Can I buy you a drink?”
“They don’t offer me five grand a drink.”
“I’ll offer you fifty thousand dollars to spend one week with me.” He paused. “And the drink of your choice.”
“And you’re not expecting sex for fifty grand.”
“If we sleep together, it won’t be because of money.”
“I’m crazy to even be here right now.” I shook my head and looked down at the ground. “This is just crazy. I don’t even know you. You could be a serial killer.”
“I’m not.”
“Like you would say if you were.” I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I should go.”
“I’m not stopping you.” He took a step towards me and stared at my lips. “You have beautiful eyes, even with the mousy glasses on.”
“My glasses aren’t mousy.” I swallowed as he stepped towards me again.
“No, they themselves aren’t mousy. I should say that you have beautiful eyes, even when you wear glasses that give you a mousy appearance.” He removed my glasses again and leaned down. “Very beautiful and vibrant. When you’re angry, they almost seem to be spitting darts of green fire at me.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t get so close. You don’t want to get burned.” I whispered as his lips came closer to mine.
“I don’t burn.” His blue eyes glittered as his lips met mine again. This time, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into him as his lips started a war on mine. I felt his tongue slip inside of my mouth and I capitulated easily, sucking on his tongue and enjoying the warm sensuality that was passing from him to me. It felt easy to surrender when it was with a man like Grant. Even his name was sexy. Grant Slate. Shit, I knew I was in trouble. I’d always been the smart girl. I’d never had casual flings or just fallen head over heels for someone. Yet, there was something about Grant that infiltrated my senses and my brain. When he finally pulled away from me, my body felt like putty and my brain was fuzzy. I held onto his arms to steady myself.