by Dawn Doyle
Picking up her small, black handbag, she went downstairs.
Holly and Alex walked into the kitchen just as Emily had finished calling a cab.
“Ooh! You look sexy! Where are you going?” asked Holly as she sat on Alex’s lap.
We have more than two chairs!
“Well, a few girls at work asked if I wanted to go and see a show. I wasn’t going to but when I heard the music, and realised you were getting a show of your own I decided I should maybe go after all.” She said and then winked at the pair.
Alex’s face flushed and Holly grinned.
“What can I say? I really can’t help myself.” She said, which made Alex laugh.
Emily shook her head before leaving. The cab had turned up and she was ready.
Here I go!
E: On my way. Be there in 5.
Emily texted Diane when she was near to the club. As the cab pulled up, she saw a huge line of women, and some men, waiting to get in.
She’d never been to a club like that before and she was nervous.
“Em!” Lois shouted, waving her hand to get her attention. They were quite near to the front and beckoned for Emily to join them.
“Oh honey, I’m so glad you changed your mind.” Said Julie. “I think you, more than any of us, needs this.”
“What?” What would she need it?
“Well, you’ve seemed a lot more stressed over the past two weeks. It’s time to let your hair down, even thought it is…” she winked “…and have some fun whilst watching some really hot men dancing and taking their clothes off.” She beamed.
“And, if you’re lucky, you might just get taken on stage and get up close and almost personal with one of them too!” Lois said excitedly.
She noticed Diane and Kendra exchange a look.
“Here’s your ticket, sweetie.” Said Kendra, holding out a silver ticket.
“How much do I owe you?” Emily asked opening her bag.
“Nothing, honey. We didn’t pay for these.”
Emily wondered where she’d gotten he tickets from, but she wasn’t about to question Kendra when she’d just given it to her.
She could’ve won them, or gotten them as a gift.
As the queue moved along, they walked through the door and were hit with the bass of the music. Dance music that had sexy lyrics to it.
Appropriate for what they were about to witness.
Getting into the club, they sat at a vacant table and they’d managed to get it close to the front. Only the second row back.
That was great for Emily. Less chance of being taken on stage but close enough to get a good look at the guys. Hopefully they could take her mind off a different guy.
“I’ll get the drinks.” She said, standing up. “What are you having?”
Having the drinks at the table, Emily tried to get herself comfortable when the lights lowered. The stage lights lit up and music blared through the speakers.
“Welcome to The Funhouse!” A deep male voice sounded through the speakers.
The crowd erupted in cheers and claps, excited for the show to get started.
”Are you ready?”
The screams came louder and Emily had to put her fingers in her ears.
“It’s showtime…”
A bright light shone on the curtain from the back of the stage, showing the silhouettes of five male forms with cowboy hats.
The women screamed and as the curtain dropped, so did Diane’s chin.
Emily had to laugh at the look on her face at seeing the tall, built, guys slowly walking out onto the stage.
‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy’ came on and the guys began to dance, slowly removing their outfits as they went.
They all had sculpted biceps, square pecs, and six packs you could wash your clothes on, but they didn’t do anything for Emily. Normally she would be staring with her mouth open at the sight, but it didn’t do nothing for her.
Fuck you and your… just fuck you!
A few drinks and a couple of performances later, Emily, blaming the alcohol, still couldn’t get thoughts of Nick out of her head.
I wonder if he can dance like that?
The guy on stage was circling his hips in small, but suggestive movements as he pushed down the back of his pants, revealing his g-string underneath, and Emily imagined Nick doing the same.
As if her thoughts could conjure him, Nick appeared at her side causing her to jump with fright.
He looked furious.
“Uh oh.” She giggled.
“Come with me.” He said through his teeth, taking her upper arm and almost dragging her to the bar staff area.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, standing close to her. Emily took a deep breath, inhaling his scent in the air.
“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, gesturing towards the stage. “The more important question is… what are you doing here?” she pointed at him, poking her finger into his chest.
My God he’s solid there too!
“Do you work here? I mean, I read this book where a guy was a tattoo artist by day and a stripper at night. Is that similar to you? Business man by day and sexy dancer at night?”
Nick clenched his jaw as Emily teased him.
“I own it.” He growled.
“I bet you do!” she laughed again.
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Are you a good dancer?” She asked, cutting him off.
Nick stared at her, the air tense between them.
“Can I go now…sir?” Emily didn’t wait for an answer. She turned and left him standing there whilst she walked back to the table.
“What was that about?” Diane asked.
“Nick’s a dick ‘ed. He was just confirming it. Hey, did you know he owns this club?”
“Yes, honey. I thought you did too.”
“No, I didn’t. I need another drink.”
Emily could feel the effects of the alcohol a lot more and she was actually starting to have a good time. She glanced to the bar where Nick was watching her.
“What the fuck’s his problem?” She asked Diane.
“I don’t think he likes you watching the show, sweetie.”
That didn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t he? She was buying drinks and having a good time drinking them.
“Why? It’s not like I’m supposed to be working!”
“You still don’t see it do you?”
“I see plenty, Di. And what I see is a grouchy arse trying to harsh my mellow.”
Diane broke out in a fit of giggles.
“Well, I’m waiting for the next round of hots guys to flash me their naked arses. How about you girls?!” She said, raising her glass in the air.
“Bring on the arses!” They chorused, imitating Emily’s accent.
“Is right!” she cheered.
The music started and a single dancer appeared in the centre of the stage, smoke around his feet. He wore black pants, a white shirt and black tie and a black trilby that was pulled down to cover his eyes.
He began to dance, slowly rolling his hips before undulating in a body roll.
It reminded Emily of the bellydancing classes she and Holly used to take. Holly was amazing at it and had told Emily she’d shown Alex what she could do.
He’d liked it.
A lot.
The guy got closer to the front of the stage and lifted his head and looked around the crowd.
“Oh my God, I wonder who he’s going to pick!” Squealed Kendra.
You wouldn’t think she was a fifty-seven year old grandmother.
“Pick? What’s happening?” Emily didn’t know what was happening. She’d missed what the voice from the speakers had said because she’d been in the staff area with Nick.
He’d been standing in front of her. Close enough to smell him. His hard chest begging for more of her fingers to touch it.
“Emily!”
“What?” she said, looking to where her name had been called.
Oh shit! Not me!
Too late. The guy took her hand and led her to the stage. The crowd clapped and cheered.
A chair was brought out and the guy pushed Emily back until she sat down.
“Stay there, beautiful.” He said into her ear. “I’m going to get you all hot.”
Oh. My. God. That was so cheesy!
The guy danced around her, getting closer to her.
Too close for her comfort.
He knelt down and began to crawl to her in long, cat like strides. Like it was supposed to be sexy.
The women in the crowd we’re cheering so she assumed they thought it was. Emily just thought he looked ridiculous.
She could think of another person that was sexy without even trying.
I think I’ve had enough to drink.
The guy knelt up in front of her and took her hands, guiding them to his tie for her to remove it.
As she held the knot to his tie, she was tempted to tighten it, but decided she didn’t want to choke him… just yet.
She loosened his tie and began to pull.
“Slow down, gorgeous.” He purred. “Make it last.”
Emily couldn’t hold it in any longer and she snorted a laugh.
The guy grinned, probably thinking she was nervous but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Emily thought it was stupid.
He pulled his tie off and hung it around Emily’s neck. She wanted to get it off of her.
Before she could, he took her hands again and guided her to open his shirt buttons.
Just get it over with.
Emily took the buttons. One-by-one and opened them as he urged her when to do so. He pulled the shirt open slightly, partially exposing his torso.
The look on his face showed he expected Emily to be amazed by him.
Oh how wrong he was.
He stood, danced around a little, Emily didn’t pay attention. He turned his back to the crowd and let his shirt fall over his shoulders and the women screamed as he let it fall from his arms to the floor. Turning around and rolling his hips again.
The excitement of the crowd was deafening. They were loving every second of it but Emily was bored.
Before she knew it her mind had wandered back to Nick and she turned her head towards the bar. He was watching her getting a not-so-private dance from one of his employees. Fire in his eyes as he was drinking from a water bottle.
He was really pissed.
Emily smiled at him, baiting him to do something.
She winked.
His eyes narrowed.
She felt a finger on her chin, turning her head. The guy was trying to get her attention back on him. His blue eyes searching hers.
She couldn’t help the image of a pair of grey eyes on her instead.
He started to gyrate again, guiding her hands to open his pants. She popped the button and he did the rest, slowly pulling them down, his behind facing her.
The women screamed as he suddenly turned and straddled Emily, catching her off guard. He took her wrists and pulled her arms around his hips so she could grab his arse.
She clenched her fists, refusing to touch him.
“Relax baby. Let me feel your hands on me.” He breathed into her ear, making her skin crawl.
“Sorry. I can’t.” She said apologetically, even though she didn’t mean it. What she really wanted to say was ‘get the fuck off me and don’t touch me again.’
He reached to open the sides of his G-string.
“Do that and die.” She said through a fake smile. “I don’t want to embarrass you, but if you get your junk out on me I’ll rip it off.”
His eyes widened but he carried on trying to get her to touch him, by pulling her wrists up to his chest. She wouldn’t unclench her fists.
“I understand you’re nervous.” He whispered.
“No, I just don’t want to see your dick. Now get up so I can get off this fuckin’ stage.” She smiled again like they were having a pleasant conversation.
He gyrated a little and then got up, dancing about in his g-string and hat.
Taking it off his head, he held his hat against his crotch, turned his back to the crowd and removed his G-string. The screams hurt Emily’s ears. And, if that wasn’t enough, he turned to the women and removed his hat from his crotch, flashing them his goods. Emily looked to Nick, so she couldn’t see the dangly parts on display, and she saw that he was puzzled.
Getting up of the chair like it was on fire, as soon at the claps thundered around the room, Emily sat back down at her table.
“Oh my God, you were so lucky!” said Julie.
“That was awful.” She said.
“How was that awful? A hot, sexy guy draping himself all over you; he was almost naked, and you think that’s awful?” Asked Kendra.
Diane gave Emily a knowing smile as she sipped from her glass.
Fuck this. I need another drink.
Emily wanted to go home. The women didn’t understand why she hadn’t liked her show and she was feeling uncomfortable with the attention.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see who it was. It was the guy from the show.
“Here’s my number. If you wanna finish that dance, call me.” He held her hand open and placed a piece of paper in her palm.
His name was Lee.
The girls giggled like teenagers and ‘wooed’. Emily tore up the paper and put it in her empty glass; letting it mix with the melting ice making it soggy.
“Di, I’m going to call a cab. I need to go.” She said as she stood.
She swayed a little and realised she was more drunk than she thought.
“I’ll take you home.” Nick said from behind her.
“Hey, I don’t need you to take me.” She said then burst out laughing. “I didn’t mean take me, I meant drive me. Oh my, that didn’t sound any better.” She giggled as Nick led her towards the exit.
*****
Getting Emily into the car, Nick was still shocked by what she had said.
‘Taking her’ and ‘driving her’. It wasn’t like Emily to say anything like that. She’d laughed at the double entendre and he’d liked hearing her more relaxed even though he wanted to rip Lee a new one for getting her up on stage.
It wasn’t his fault though, he had no idea who she was. But still…
Nick used Emily’s alcohol fuelled openness to his advantage by asking her a question.
“Emmy, why did you help me so much with Rochelle? Anybody else would’ve just suggested what to do but you did everything. Without anybody asking, you came to my apartment immediately after Diane’s call. You even got me a costume to get past the press. Why did you do all of that? You could’ve left me to suffer.”
It was true. The way they were, he was expecting some sort of cheap shot at his predicament, not her saving him.
“You needed help. I helped you.”
“Is that it?” He needed to know if there was any other reason, than being his assistant, that she wanted to help him.
“That sweat was a gold diggin’ whore bag and I wasn’t about to let ‘er screw you over for su’n ya didn’t do… literally.” Emily laughed again. “I like your car. It smells nice.” She added with a smile.
Nick was confused.
Pulling up to her driveway, Nick opened Emily’s door as Holly and Alex opened the front door to the house
“Hey you two! Nice to see you!” She waved to them. “Hey Nick, guess what… Alex stripped for Holly today.”
Nick turned and saw the horrified expressions on their faces, before laughing.
“Hey guys, Nick’s a spoilsport ya know…”
Nick stopped laughing, and dreaded Emily’s next words.
“…He wouldn’t get on stage. I bet he can shake it as good as the others.” Emily howled with laughter when she saw his face.
“I’m kidd
ing, pretty boy, cool ya jets.” She said, patting his arm.
“Thanks for bringing her home.” Said Holly.
“Fuckin’ ‘ell, Hol. It’s not like I’m completely plastered.” Emily complained. “But, thanks for the ride, Nick. Ha! Oh my God.” She laughed again as she stepped inside. “Am I going to need ear plugs tonight?” she asked Holly.
Nick grinned as he walked down the path to his car.
“Hey Nick! Do you need a roommate? ‘Cos I’m open. Oops, that didn’t sound right.” She giggled. “Bye Sir!” she said with a salute as he got into his car.
*****
Getting into his car, Nick could smell the strawberry scent of Emily’s hair and the floral perfume she wore. He turned the air-conditioning off and the windows up to keep it there for as long as he could.
As he drove home, surrounded by her scent, he wondered what the hell had happened.
He’d only called into the club to see Darren for a few minutes when he saw Emily. Her watching the performances had angered him. Lee getting her on stage had infuriated him.
But… the way she turned away from Lee as he danced… the way she clenched her hands into fists as he tried to get her to touch him… the look on Lee’s face as she spoke, and when he was due to get to the naked part of his routine, he was supposed to do it on her, but he got off like he’d been burnt. He wondered why she’d reacted that way. Any other woman would’ve loved to be in that position but Emily looked uncomfortable.
In his apartment, he sent a text to Alex.
N: Hey Alex, how’s Emmy?
A: She’s ok. She’s gone up to her room. Probably going to sleep it off.
*****
Emily woke up with a hangover. She hadn’t had a lot to drink; she hardly ever drank at all, which was probably why her head felt like it had tiny creatures inside, armed with pickaxes, hitting her brain.