by Layla Frost
“You sure?”
I nodded my head as I tossed my hair back and forth. “The chick that got me the interview was canned because she didn’t get crazy enough.”
“So Lars fired her?”
Surprised, I stopped moving for a second. “No, Eddie did. How do you know Lars?”
“Eddie watches on the cameras? And fires dancers?”
“Yeah.” At the reminder, I lifted myself up to sway. My knees slid on the leather and I accidentally fell forward, my chest hitting his. Lowering myself to get my positioning back, I felt Kase.
Hard.
Impressively so.
Huh, maybe Ray wasn’t joking about the custom made boxers.
The whole experience might’ve been embarrassing, but knowing at least part of him was enjoying it made me feel strangely better.
Ignoring just how much I liked the effect I had on him, I continued my dance as professionally as I could.
“Does Lars know?” Kase asked against my ear, his lips grazing my skin.
“I dunno, I’m assuming.” I dipped down, pressing my chest against his abs and grazing up as I raised back onto my knees. Twirling my hips, I fisted my hair at the top of my head. “I’m almost done.” I released the strands, shaking them free as they tumbled down. The movement shook other parts of me.
When the music faded, I scurried off of him. I bent to grab my clothes, needing to redress and have at least the vague illusion of normalcy.
Standing close behind me, his fingers skimmed the sensitive skin at my side as he slid money into my thong.
Goosebumps popped up and I fought a shiver. I glanced behind me in time to see him heading for the door.
Kase lifted his hand in a slight wave. “See ya around, Tiny Dancer.”
*******
Kase
Un-fucking-believable.
I wasn’t a frequent visitor to Wicked, but I went in every few months to see Lars. Although the dancers changed frequently, they all basically looked the same.
Hair dye, makeup, fake tits, and spray tans? Done right, I had nothing against all the shit that chicks did to themselves. It just wasn’t my thing.
I’d been shocked as shit stepping in that night to see a creamy skinned, natural redhead up on stage.
My surprise had quickly shifted to a mix of pissed way the fuck off and turned way the fuck on when the redhead had gyrated her fine ass around and I’d seen who she was.
Harlow.
Smart. Funny. Sexy as hell.
The bane of my mother fucking existence.
Months she’d been torturing me.
Months I’d spent wanting her.
I was a grown ass man with a fuckin’ crush, on the verge of passing her a note to ask if she liked me too. I’d even started hanging out in the hallway at Hyde to accidentally see her when she visited Pipe.
Running in the same circle meant she was supposed to be off limits to me. I’d never risk fucking up my group of friends over some random piece.
They were my family.
My ‘ohana.
Harlow wasn’t hookup pussy, though. And, after not being able to shake her from my thoughts, I knew it was more than a crush.
I wanted her.
No amount of time, space, or denial was changing that. I’d been moving slowly, trying to finesse things so it didn’t blow up in my fuckin’ face, but that was done.
Whistling along to the song playing, I headed to Lars’ office, not bothering to check out the view as I went.
It’s a good night.
*******
Harlow
As I finished my shift, I kept an eye out for Kase. I hoped it went without saying, but I wanted to keep my occupation between us.
My friends still thought I worked at the shitty bar, and I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of them finding out otherwise. Ray had already been on me to bartend at her man’s place, Voodoo. Piper kept suggesting I work for our friend Rhys, though I suspected matchmaking ulterior motives.
While I appreciated their help, I didn’t want my work life intertwining with my personal one. If I messed up epically and had to be fired, or if someone needed to get the shitty shifts, I didn’t want it to become a whole hoopla.
Unfortunately, or fortunately perhaps, I didn’t see Kase again that night.
*******
After an insanely hectic three days off, I pulled into the back lot where the dancers parked. Turning off my car, I grabbed my bag and looked up to see Lars standing outside by the ajar door.
Despite the frigid Massachusetts winter weather, his black dress shirt sleeves were pushed up. A cigarette hung from between his lips in that cool way that hardly anyone could pull off. He looked more threatening than professional.
Maybe a mix of both, like a hit man or a rogue detective.
Watching me, he crooked his finger.
Uh oh.
Getting out, I pulled my coat tighter as I walked toward the building.
“Dude, you look like a hit man,” I said when I reached him.
A small amount of his tough vibe faded as he smiled.
“Sorry. I blurt things out when I get nervous,” I nervously blurted out.
Smooth.
“I make you nervous, Legs?” His voice was quiet as he reached out to twirl my hair again.
“Very. I always think you’re about to fire me.” There was more to it, of course, but I wasn’t telling him that.
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” He flicked his cigarette butt. “Let’s go to my office.”
My palms began to sweat as I followed him inside, mentally reviewing every possible thing I could’ve done wrong.
He unlocked and opened the office door, stepping aside to let me enter first. Closing it behind us, he turned to face me.
“What’s up?” I asked when he didn’t speak. If he was getting rid of me, I wanted him to get it over with so I could make my escape before anyone saw.
“There a reason Teo wants me to fire you?”
I tilted my head to the side. “What? Who?”
“Kase Teo. He came in to see me on Friday, suggested I fire you.” Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the door, watching me closely.
“What? Why?”
Cool, now I just need where and when.
Or I could, oh I dunno, form a coherent sentence before I find myself out of a job.
“That’s exactly what I was wondering. How do you know Teo?”
“We have mutual friends. How do you know him?”
“Old friends. You two hooking up?”
I shook my head.
“Even if you were or had, I’m not gonna fire you for it.”
“Okay. Still no, though.”
“Any ideas why he wants you gone?”
I shrugged. “I have no clue. Did he say anything?”
“Nope. Just that I should let you go.”
My mind raced as I tried to figure out what I’d done to make Kase do that. We barely talked. I knew he was protective about his group of friends, but it wasn’t like I was bringing any of my drama into it.
I was actually working really hard to keep it all separated.
As much as I loved my friends, I needed the money. If things went bad and I had to choose, the job might win.
My chest tightened at the thought.
Lars shifted closer until our bodies were almost touching. His eyes darkened as they met mine. “I’m not letting you go.” My breath caught when he moved his arm, but he just reached behind me and grabbed something. “Pete should be working the dressing room tonight. Can you pass this off to him?”
Unable to speak, I nodded.
Like my pervy brain had just imagined the heat and tension, Lars stepped away and handed me a walkie-talkie as he opened the door. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” I said, my voice airy.
“See you, Legs.”
*******
And he had seen me.
It seemed like every
time I found Lars in the room, his eyes were on me. To be fair, he could probably say the same of me.
It wasn’t until that night, as I tossed and turned in bed, that some of the lust fog over Horny Mountain cleared and the town of Pissed Way the Fuck Off became visible.
Kase tried to get me fired!
*******
With Lars’ words running through my head, I went into Hyde the next day to talk with Kase. I only hoped I caught him before Piper and Jake returned from their honeymoon.
As soon as I entered the garage, Kase leaned against the car he was working on and smiled. “What’s shakin’, Tiny Dancer?”
“Ha ha. We need to talk.”
“About what? Need a reference?” Wiping his hands off on a rag, he winked. “A glowing review, maybe?”
“Shh.” I looked around to make sure no one was around to hear. Even though the place was empty, I whispered, “Why’d you try to get me fired?”
“I’m assuming from your use of the word ‘try’, it didn’t happen,” he surmised, rubbing the back of his neck.
Like it would act as a force field against his hotness, I crossed my arms over my chest. “No, it didn’t. So why?”
Kase looked down at me, his usual humor gone. “Why’re you working a job like that?”
“Because I always used to say to myself, ‘I wanna roll around in baby oil and glitter, and then shake my sparkle tits for strangers.’ Doesn’t it just seem so glamorous?”
He looked like he was fighting a smile, but he stayed focused. “Why?”
“The same reason every other girl is up there. Money.”
“You need it so bad you’re shaking your sparkle tits?”
“It’s none of your business. Just like whether or not I should be fired. Or who knows I even work there. So, please, don’t tell—”
His body went tight. “I won’t lie.”
I shook my head and reached out to touch his arm. “I know. If Piper asks, I get that. But don’t just tell her. Please?”
He was silent for a minute as he studied at me. “You in trouble?”
“No.” But I would be if I lost my job.
“Why do you need money that bad?”
Crazily enough, the words were on the tip of my tongue. Tension settled deep in my stomach as I fought the urge to blurt it all out. To finally, finally share the weight that always seemed inches away from crushing me.
Instead, I shook my head. “Not your business, Kase.”
He picked up an empty metal oil pan and started tossing it from hand to hand, his smile charming. “Funny, from what I saw, you’re fine with showing everyone all your business.”
Stripping wasn’t my dream job, but it wasn’t bad work. I wasn’t embarrassed by what I did, I just didn’t want to deal with the fifty billion follow up questions.
It wasn’t anyone’s concern why I worked at Wicked. I knew why I did it and I could look myself in the mirror just fine.
That didn’t mean Kase’s words didn’t feel like rock salt in a raw wound.
He must’ve been able to tell because he dropped the oil pan with a loud clang and started toward me. “Shit, that was—”
Without a word, I walked straight out the door. I briefly noticed Piper and Jake as I stormed by.
“Harlow, hold up,” I heard Kase call out behind me.
But I was done.
I lifted my middle fingers up over my head. “Fuck you, Kase.”
Hurrying to my car, I hoped to make a dramatic exit. Unfortunately, I had to stop and dig around in my purse for my keys.
And dig.
And dig some more.
That’s it. No more big bags. From now on, a small clutch. Just enough to hold my phone, wallet, and keys. And some extra makeup. And a book or two. And…
Okay, big bag, you win this round.
Finding my keys, I was able to unlock my door. Before I could open it, though, Kase caught up to me.
“Harlow, wait.” He moved into my space.
I sighed loudly and looked up at him. “Move, please.”
“No. That was a stupid thing to say. I meant it as a joke but…”
“Jokes are supposed to be funny?” I filled in when his words trailed off.
“Exactly. Sorry. I blurt shit out.”
“I’ve noticed.”
His eyes searched my face. “You’re not in trouble?”
I shook my head.
“Would you tell me if you were?”
I shook my head again. Kase opened his mouth, but I spoke first. “But you’d probably know anyway.”
“Fair enough.” He watched me for a minute, staying close. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Some of the weight eased from my shoulders. “Thank you. Now will you move?”
He stepped away. “Sure thing, Tiny Dancer.”
Getting into my car, I started it and rolled down the window. “What’re the chances I could get you to stop calling me that, too?” I yelled at his retreating back.
“Not good!”
“That’s what I figured,” I muttered, though a smile pulled at my lips.
*******
“Who do you think Lars is fucking?” Maddison asked as we finished redressing after our set that night.
I shrugged, turning to the mirror to check if my blue skirt was in place with the correct amount of ass hanging out. “I dunno. Why?”
“He never flirts.” Reaching into her hot pink bra, she pulled her breasts up and separated them. “He doesn’t even seem to look. Well, he does, but it’s all professional. He doesn’t look.”
“Sasha said he never does.”
“That’s so… weird. Even if he has a girlfriend, it wouldn’t make him blind. Unless his girlfriend works here.”
I shrugged again. “Maybe he just doesn’t mix work and pleasure.”
Exiting into the main room, we went in opposite directions to talk to customers.
A while later, I glanced toward the bar to see Lars scanning the crowds, his eyes sharp and observant. Maddison was standing a few feet from him, drinking water.
Even from a distance, I noticed what a good-looking couple they’d make. Maddison was a tall, lithe, sun kissed blonde that perfectly complimented his dark coloring and muscular build.
Huh. Maybe they’re messing around and she was just trying to see if I knew.
*******
“Hey, can you put this in the rack near the liquor room on your way back?” Sasha asked as I tipped her out at the end of my shift. She handed me a clipboard.
I badly winked at her and Pete. “Well, I’m not normally the one putting things in racks here, but I’ll try.”
I hadn’t expected to like working at a strip club, but it wasn’t bad. It could even be a little fun if I blocked out the whole people-seeing-me-almost-naked part.
As I put the clipboard away, the liquor room door swung open making me gasp in surprise.
Lars stood with his hand still on the knob, staring down at me. Though I wasn’t blocking his way, he didn’t move.
Neither did I.
After who knows how long, I stepped back and forced a smile. “We’ve gotta stop meeting like this or people will start to talk.”
“From what I heard, they already are.” He jerked his head toward the dressing room.
“How—”
“Pete overheard.”
I raised my brows. “So you and her—”
“Nope.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Is there some hot guy rule about not letting anyone finish their sentences?”
Lars’ lips curled up in a satisfied, cocky way. “You think I’m hot?”
My face flushed and I knew I looked like one giant freckle. “In a general, observational way, I guess some might consider you attractive.”
His smile grew. “Yeah, you think I’m hot.” Leaning on the doorframe, he crossed his arms over his chest. “What I’m—”
“Lars, we need you in the main room, now!” Pete called from down the ha
llway before turning and rushing away.
Lars’ face lost the teasing humor and his vibe turned dangerous. “To be continued. See you tomorrow, Legs.”
As I watched him storm down the hallway, I found myself strangely looking forward to what Thursday would bring.
*******
I should’ve known better than to be optimistic.
“Again? Seriously?” I asked Kase the next night as I entered the private room. Plastering on a smile, I started dancing right away since there was no camera blind spot. My red plaid skirt was the first to go, landing on a speaker.
I’d been aiming for the camera.
“Tiny Dancer.” He tsked, slowly shaking his head. “Is that anyway to treat a paying customer? Whatever happened to service with a smile?”
I gave him a cheesy smile before glaring at him. My death stare lost some of its effectiveness when I had to unhook my red lace bra and throw it across the room like a slingshot. “Why are you here?”
“Just saying hi.” His mouth lips tipped up as he leaned back, his arms stretched across the top of the bench.
I took his position change as an invitation and straddled him. I arched, gyrated, shook, and bounced as I flipped my hair wildly.
The song wrapped up, and I grudgingly pulled myself off him.
What’s that saying? Time flies when you’re grinding yourself against a golden skinned, inked up, badass hottie.
Or something like that.
“Oh, so anyway, about why I’m here,” Kase started as I redressed.
“Yeah?” I prompted, bending to pick up my discarded skirt.
He moved behind me, his fingers sliding money into my panties. His hands lingered at my hips.
I stood up and tried to step away, but his grip stayed firm.
His voice rumbled low in my ear. “Just wanted to let you know Eddie can’t watch the cameras anymore.”