Jace must have decided to come home. Not thinking about only being dressed in a towel, I let the door fall completely open, only to be met by Tyler gaping at me.
Biting the inside of my mouth, I’m not sure what he is doing here. He just stands there not speaking or moving. I can’t help but stare back, getting lost in his eyes. There is only one emotion found in them, lust. This isn’t good. For a spilt second I think of just dropping my towel to the floor and begging him to just get it over with and fuck me. We have been dancing on this fine line—on the verge of more than friends, on the edge of maybe for months now.
“Shit! I’m sorry, come on in and give me a second to put some clothes on. I thought you were Caroline; she’s keeping Jace tonight.”
Not waiting for him to respond, I quickly turn and speed walk to my bedroom. My cheeks are a deep crimson. I need to get a grip. I don’t want him to look at me like that; he is my friend.
Attractive people can be friends, can’t they? Sure they can. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
A girl is allowed to fantasize though. I think about him storming into my room without an invitation and taking what he wants.
My ass cheeks are still slightly wet as I hurry to slip my panties on. I dress hastily yanking a pink tank and black yoga pants on. I pile my wet dark hair into a messy bun on top of my head. Peeking down the hall towards the living room, I spy Tyler scooping Faye out of her chair and putting her to bed in her room.
He is the sweetest guy. I never would have expected him to be doing nice things for us when I first met him. He’s intimidating and his tattoos are menacing, but damn sexy.
“I will not ruin our friendship—I will not ruin our friendship,” I repeat the motto to myself under my breath as I make my way into the kitchen. I need a glass of wine. Tyler joins me as I start to pour.
“Got any of that for me?”
“I took you for more of a beer man.” I laugh under my breath as I pour his glass.
“I am, but I have seen the inside of your fridge too. I know there’s not any in it, and I could use a drink.” He places his hand to his head using it like a gun.
“Your date was that bad huh?” I take sip from my glass. I’m not really sure what else to say to him. An awkward silence fills the room. I swear I can hear his heart beating. He starts tapping his fingers against the counter, like he is tense about what he is about to say.
“My date was a disaster. I don’t know why I agreed to go in the first place. There isn’t much point in involving myself with anyone is there?” Clearly, it’s a statement more than it is a question. “She wasn’t club material. Maybe a one-night stand. But I can have that any time.”
“I don’t know…can you,” I tease. I lick the back of my teeth and take another sip.
He follows my lead, having a taste of his own, spitting it out immediately. “This tastes like ass.”
The disgusted expression on his face is priceless.
“And you know what ass tastes like?” I ask with a smirk.
“Next question?” He says with a chuckle.
I grin shaking my head. Tyler is probably very experienced in the bedroom.
“Um?” I blank on a comeback.
“I said next question, Aria.” When he says my name his voice sounds deeper, smoky, and full of yearning.
He is looking at me with hope in his eyes, as he leans in close. Chill bumps fan across my arms. I hope he doesn’t try to kiss me. I don’t know that I will be able to resist the urge to kiss him back.
Tyler only takes the wine bottle and leans back. I feel slightly disappointed that he didn’t try. We stand for what seems like an eternity in an intense stare down, the two of us undressing the other with our own eyes. I feel like I am sucked into another universe with the way he is gazing at me. It confuses the hell out of me. It has always only ever been Brian to make me feel this way, and Tyler just breezes in and makes me feel things I shouldn’t.
“I’m calling it a night. I have a full day at the salon tomorrow, before my first shift at Indigo. You’re welcome to finish off the ass wine. Crash on the couch if you want to. I don’t want you drinking and driving.”
“Nah, I was about to head out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kisses my cheek with a whispered touch that hints of longing for more, before disappearing out the door in a flash.
I hear his motorcycle fire up and wish I could hop on the back of it and forget my worries for one night.
Slipping between my cool sheets, I wish more than ever that I had my little cuddle bug home with me tonight. If it weren’t so late, I would walk next door and bring him home. My phone chimes, looks like I have a new email from Brian. I take a deep breath and open it up.
Brian: It’s been nearly five years Aria. A simple hello would be nice. I don’t even know if you are still reading these, but I hope that you are, if you ever have at all. Do you still think about me? I drove by your dad’s place the other day. I even almost caught myself trying to go in without knocking. Your dad wasn’t home. I hope to run into him before I head back to Cincy. It would be nice to hear from you. I have been in hell since you said goodbye. I have tried to get over you, but I can’t seem to let go. Some days I think I hate you for all the broken promises we never made. How did you move on? I still live in my dreams with you. It will always be you.
Me: I hold onto hope that one day all of the stars will align and you will become mine once more. That’s what has kept me going Brian, the promise of you…
My phone chimes again and without thinking I go to check my new notification. My finger accidentally hits send. “No! Fuckity, Fuck, Fuck!” In all this time, not once have I been so stupid and careless.
I am a dumbass with a capital D. My phone starts chiming almost immediately with email after email from Brian.
Brian: Aria is this you?
Brian: Talk to me please!
What do I do now? How do I take something like that back? I mean, I love Brian, but I chose to lie for a reason. Could he ever forgive me? Would he ever forgive me?
Me: Yes, it’s me, but I can’t do this Brian. I’m sorry.
Brian: I just want to talk.
Me: I’m lost somewhere between the moon and the stars, so don’t try to find me…
It’s late enough that Jace should be asleep. I turn my phone off and do something I never do. I use sleep aid. I need to get to bed, and tomorrow is going to kill me. I can’t be up all night dealing with this. Tomorrow will be my first night working at Indigo. I’m a nervous wreck.
After dreaming of Brian all night, I wake feeling like a crazy person. In one of my dreams Brian was kissing me, or at least I thought it was Brian. However, when I opened my eyes, it was Tyler’s face looking back at me. I shake my fucked up dreams off and walk next door to get Jace.
He had a great time staying over with Caroline and her grandson. He’s already had breakfast, so he plays on his Nintendo DS while I get ready.
I dress in my red polo and khaki shorts that I am required to wear at the Beach Glow Tanning Salon. Taking my clothes for my first night at Indigo with me as well, I am thankful I can get ready in the employee bathroom to save me an extra trip home.
I drop my boy at daycare. Jace waves me off at the door without a second glance. He loves getting to play with the other kids.
Caroline is picking him up for me, and getting him to bed for Faye. I don’t know what we would do without Caroline, she is a Godsend. I wouldn’t be able to work as much without her. She checks in on mom for me and helps with Jace more than anyone should have to, but being a single mom, I take good help where I can get it.
For today being a Monday, the salon is quiet this morning. I hope this day picks up and doesn’t just drag by. I spot Tyler going for his workout at the gym connected to the salon. He usually comes over and says hi before getting started. Odd…then I realize he isn’t working out alone. There’s a short redhead drooling over his muscles and tattoos on the elliptical next to his weight bench.
It would be better for both of us if he did meet someone, but I do enjoy his company.
I check the tanning booths making sure they are stocked with everything; towels, bed cleaner, protective eyewear. As I work, I can’t stop thinking about Tyler dating. I don’t know why it bothers me. The more I think about him with someone who isn’t me, the more jealous I get. I don’t want anyone else on the receiving end of his smiles and the compliments he tosses my way. Maybe that makes me selfish, but I don’t want to lose him or our friendship.
I am dragged from my thoughts by my other boss. Chrissy is Bender’s daughter from his first wife and she manages both the tanning salon and the gym. “Hey Aria, getting your eyes full,” she says with a smirk, following my eyes to Tyler and his workout buddy.
“Nope.” I turn away from Tyler and pretend to be organizing the lotions behind the counter. “Did you have a good weekend? Anything exciting happen?” Sometimes she comes in and fills me in on some of the gossip from the clubhouse. Mostly about the whores who got into it with an old lady.
She types out a quick response on her phone before answering me. “Not really,” Chrissy says, as her phone dings. “You look real busy, I’ll just let you get back to work.” She scurries to the office in a flash while making a weird face at her phone.
Chapter Three
I’m bent down arranging the bottles on the bottom of the shelf when someone hits the bell on the counter. I jump out of instinct and bang my head on the shelf knocking the full display sideways.
“Shit!” I rub the top of my head and slowly rise.
“Aria, you okay?”
My cheeks must be beet red, and it just has to be Tyler standing on the other side of the counter.
“Want some help?” He asks, but doesn’t wait for a response. He comes around the counter and starts picking the bottles up and placing them on the counter. Him being back here makes for a tight space. He’s so large and domineering.
He’s dripping with sweat from his workout. My eyes land on his naked, but tattooed chest. Heat pools between my thighs. Why does he have to look so damn good. If he wasn’t such a good friend or a member of Bender’s MC, then maybe things would be different between us.
Maybe if I wasn’t stuck in the past.
I close my eyes and answer with a clipped, “thanks.” It comes out harsher than I intended. I do appreciate his help. I just wish he didn’t look so damn good doing it.
After Tyler helps me put the display shelf back together he leaves, telling me he’ll see me tonight. Shit, I almost forgot I’m starting at Indigo tonight.
Chrissy come from her office grinning ear to ear. She was probably watching the whole thing from the security monitor in her office.
“Don’t you start on me too. I get enough of it at home from Faye.” I point my accusing finger at her annoying smile. They have got to stop trying to play matchmaker. Her and Faye must still be working together to get me a boyfriend and Jace a daddy.
“Hey, I don’t know what you are talking about.” She holds up her hands, and flashes a guilty grin at me. To be in her thirties Chrissy looks like a teenager still. She has pixie cut blonde hair with some low lights. She’s slim, tall, with a nice tan, and blue eyes. She’s married to Potter, another member of Rightful Bastards MC. She was raised in the club and offers little information about the life other than when she has juicy gossip to share.
Casually strolling out of the locker room, Tyler waves briefly before exiting the building. I wave and go back to the spray room. One of the perks of the job is I get free sessions.
Turning on the lights, I change into well, nothing, I want to look good for tonight and Chrissy promised to help me.
She’s all business as she gives me a golden glow.
Finally, I am able to take my lunch break at a nearby bistro. I turn my phone back on, I completely forgot this morning. Hope Faye hasn’t tried to call or Jace’s daycare. You never know when either of them might need something.
My word, there is eight more emails from Brian. I do what I should have done a long time ago, and I deactivate my account without even reading what they say. Then I call my dad to make sure he steers clear of Brian while he’s in town.
There isn’t any answer. I sure hope he hasn’t bumped into him already. I finish with my break and head back to the salon. I spend the rest of my shift taking calls and signing new members up.
Before I know it, it is time to get ready for my first night at Indigo. I have to confess that I am quite nervous. I haven’t had a job like this before. I danced in high school sure, but that was nothing like this.
Wearing a mask will take some getting used to. All employees and customers are required to wear a masquerade masks at all times. I hope I don’t fall flat on my face, wearing heels and a mask might prove a challenge for a klutz like me.
I dress in a tight fitting black dress, but not too tight. I want to be able to move around effortlessly. My dress cuts down into a V-shape in the front and back. I slide into my black kitten heels. I won’t receive my mask until I get there.
Chrissy whistles as I walk out the door to my car. I fight the urge to flip her the bird as a few guys catcall me.
Indigo has me scheduled to work the next three nights, which also happens to be their slower nights. Tyler said they thought it would be better to ease me into the position, due to my lack of experience working in a club like this. Let’s just hope I don’t cause him to regret it. I am pretty lucky he was able to get my foot in the door, from what Chrissy has said they don’t hire as often as one might think. I enter through the backdoor. Immediately I am overwhelmed, there are half-naked girls everywhere, rushing to complete their hair and makeup.
Walking into a cloud of smoke, hairspray, and feathers, I step back out of the way. I’m not quite sure where to go, or who to talk to. After a few minutes, a plump lady with a headset and clipboard comes over to me.
“You Aria?”
“Yes,” I answer a bit too excitedly, my nerves are getting to me, and I begin to giggle. I don’t know why I do it, but I have giggled whenever I am nervous since I was a child. She looks at me like I might be stupid, and instructs me to follow her. She has me take a seat at a dressing table, and begins applying blush to my cheeks and red lipstick to my lips.
“Are you wearing a bra?”
“Uh no, not with this dress.”
She reaches around to my chest and cups my breasts in her hands. I fight the urge to slap her hands away. What is she doing? I didn’t sign on to be felt up by some strange lady.
“You’re about a ‘C’ cup. Here put this on.” She reaches me a flesh colored adhesive bra from a drawer.
They definitely aren’t shy around here. Placing a glittered silver mask in my hand, the woman tells me to go up to the bar and ask for Erin after I take care of my boobs.
Before she turns me loose, she gives me a list of tables and instructs me to memorize it. Being that tonight is my first night they just want me to shadow the Erin chick to get a feel of the club. I won’t get to dance until they deem I am ready.
I swivel my head around the room trying to get a feel for the place. The environment of the club oozes sex. I swear I can smell lust and greed in the air. The lights are dim and the music level is comfortable, not too loud but not too low either.
The booths are lined in red and black leather. The tables are round with black tops. The bar area isn’t that big, most customers seem to flock near the stage.
I glance over the drink menu. They offer every drink you can think of. And there are so many rules! Wow, I don’t know if my mind can hold so much new information when I am so anxious. A giggle escapes my lips. I take in Tyler near the club entrance checking ID’s. He gives me a small wink and returns to his task, he is all business in his suit. Who would think a biker wears a suit, but damn, Tyler makes it look good. The pants cling to him like a second skin, stretching over his thick thighs.
A spotlight shines on the center stage. Katy Perry’s song
, E.T. begins to play over the speakers. A set of three gorgeous women appear on stage wearing coordinating bustiers and panties.
I watch them dance for a moment, while hoping I will have the nerve to get up on stage like they do when the time comes. Those costumes are a bit revealing. I respect them though. Hey, if you got it, flaunt it. This is nothing like dancing in the strip pole class the gym offers. I spot a girl staring in my direction. She must be Erin. I hope she’s friendly. After five years, I still don’t have that many friends here.
Erin seems nice enough. I can’t really tell what she looks like with her face covered partially by her black feathered mask. From what I can tell about her she wears her hair in a short black bob. It’s not like I can see my best right now, wearing this mask will take some getting used to. I spend most of my short shift learning the table sections and what seems like a thousand rules.
The Rules
1.No employee fraternization between club managers or patrons.
2.Mask must be worn at all times; no identities are to be revealed.
3.This is not a brothel; you do not accept money for sexual favors, or offer them.
4.Any employee, or patron caught violating the rules will be escorted from the property immediately.
5.Drugs are not permitted inside this facility.
6.No drinking during your shift. You are not here for a good time; you are here to work.
7.You are not permitted to take club costumes home.
8.Leave your personal problems at the door.
9.We are in the business of providing a fantasy, make the customers happy.
10. Memorize the rules, breathe them in, and abide by them, fully.
The list goes on and on, but I get the point, they want you to keep the fantasy just that, a fantasy. My shift ends fairly quick, but I have to admit my feet are killing me. I am used to spending my days in sneakers. Rule number one has me a little nervous though. Tyler is a manager; does that mean we could lose our jobs because we are friends? Also, he sees me daily at my other job. I will call him later to check. I don’t want him getting into any trouble over me. I did enter into a contract when I took this job, maybe I should have read it a little more before signing, but too late now.
Dirty Truth (Fighting Dirty Series Book 2) Page 3