by Hope Ford
Smoky
Exiled Guardians 4
Hope Ford
Smoky © 2020 by Hope Ford
Editor: Kasi Alexander
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
1. Smoky
2. Harper
3. Smoky
4. Harper
5. Smoky
6. Smoky
7. Smoky
8. Harper
Epilogue
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1
Smoky
Kristy, the woman grinding on my lap, is a dancer here at Teasers Topless bar, and yes, she’s topless. In the past, I would take her up on what she’s offering. But these last few months, well, I just haven’t been interested.
My hand is on her hip, while her hard, pebbled nipples are pressed against my chest. She’s worked up and I know I don’t even have to touch her for her to come pressed against my leg. She wanted me to take her upstairs to my apartment, but I refused. First of all, I never take a woman up there and second of all, I’m not interested. I lean over the invoice I’m reading, not even wanting to think about why I’m not interested. Why, normally, my cock would be hard begging to get out of my pants but right now, I’m flaccid as a wet noodle. I shake my head, thinking, Fuck what’s wrong with me?
Knock. Knock.
My assistant manager, Teddy, knocks on the door and pushes it open. Kristy doesn’t stop; she doesn’t care that she’s grinding on me with an audience.
I look up and Teddy rolls his eyes at Kristy before telling me, “The woman I hired yesterday is here to fill out paperwork. You want me to take care of it?”
I look behind Teddy, but can’t see the woman behind him. I’ve always liked talking to the new hires, wanting to make sure they’re a good fit. I mean, fuck, it ain’t like this is rocket science, but I’ve learned you get one bad apple and it screws up the whole bunch.
“No, I got it,” I tell Teddy. “Kristy, isn’t it time for your shift?”
I deal with her pouting and she reluctantly gets off my lap with her bikini bottoms pushed into the crease of her twat. She doesn’t even try to fix herself before getting up and glaring at Teddy as she stomps out the door.
Teddy steps to the side and pulls a woman into the room. Her eyes are wide as saucers as she watches Kristy walk out. Teddy gestures to me while speaking to her. “This is Smoky. He’s one of the owners of the club. He’ll help you with the paperwork and then I’ll help you get started.”
She blinks quickly and nods her head at him before turning to look at me.
I stare up at her and instantly think that she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s curvy, with long brown hair and big brown eyes. She has an innocence about her and my cock begins to twitch in my pants. I can’t stop myself; I look down at my crotch and wonder if I’m imagining it, but the bulge gets bigger right before my very eyes.
I look back up at her and when she raises her eyes to meet mine, she gasps. I’m sure she can feel the heat coming off of me. I can’t take my eyes off of her and a blush creeps across her cheeks.
Teddy leans across the desk and whispers, “Take it easy on this one.”
I clench my fist at his words. Does he like her? Is he staking his claim on her? One look at her and I can see why. I nod and gesture for him to leave. I mean, after all, I am the owner.
I stand up to my full height and realize that I’m probably a foot taller than her. She is tiny compared to me. “So, what’s your name?”
“Harper,” she whispers, but doesn’t raise her eyes.
“So, Harper?” I say, trying to get her attention.
She doesn’t answer me, and she doesn’t look up at me. She’s busy staring at my leg. I look down at myself and see the dark, wet spot on my jeans where Kristy was just sitting. I take a deep breath as shame fills me. It’s a feeling I’m not used to and it almost guts me.
I walk over to a closet and pull out an extra pair of pants. I start undoing my jeans when her eyes get even bigger and I can tell I’m scaring her.
I hold the pants in my hand. “Honey, I’m going to change my pants. You can watch if you want to, but if not, you may want to turn around.”
I pull my jeans down my legs and she whips around to face the wall. I undress quickly and pull my clean jeans on, taking special care to not zip my hard cock up in the fastener.
When I’m done, I walk over to her and touch her on the shoulder. She jerks around and her long hair wisps across my face, the scent of cherries hitting my nose. I barely contain my groan. “I’m sorry for what you walked in on. It won’t happen again.”
Apologies are not my thing, and I don’t know why it matters, but I don’t want her to think badly of me. I blow out a breath, knowing that we are off to a rocky start.
She takes a step back from me and holds her hands up. “It’s your club. None of my business. I just need a job.”
I look down her body and back up again. If she thinks she’s going to dance here, she’s got another think coming. There’s no way I’m going to let that happen.
“You’re not dancing,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes at me. “I know that. I’m sure I would make more money waiting tables than dancing.”
I look at her questioningly. Is she crazy? She would make a killing here dancing, I have no doubt. But I don’t tell her that.
My shaft twitches in my pants and before she notices and takes off running out the door, I walk back to my chair and sit down.
“Have a seat.”
She walks over and sits down also, staring at her hands in her lap.
I clasp my hands together and lay them on the desk in front of me. “Harper.” I say her name, liking the sound of it. “So why do you want this job?”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Because I need the money?”
“Why?” I insist.
She shrugs her shoulders again, but this time doesn’t say a word. I then ask her the question I need to know the answer to, the one that is burning a hole in my chest the longer I keep it inside. “Do you have a boyfriend? A husband? Or a dad that will have a problem with you working here?”
She doesn’t want to answer. I can see it in her eyes. “Is it legal to ask me that?”
Probably not, I think to myself, but that still doesn’t stop me. “You already have the job, but I need to know if you are going to be bringing problems here.”
I stare at her until she’s squirming in her seat. “Nothing is going to interfere with my job.”
I lean forward. “Do. You. Have. A. Boyfriend?”
2
Harper
I stare back at him. Talk about first impressions, nothing like walking in on your boss while a woman is gyrating on his lap. Of course, I could barely see around Teddy, but I did see the woman with her naked breasts swaying back and forth as she moved. Once Teddy moved, and I was able to see the man behind the desk, it made sense. I can sort of see why a woman would dry hump his leg. He’s big, covered in tattoos, and his voice is deep and scratchy. You would think he smokes cigarettes, but when he was close to me, I didn’t smell it and I don’t see an ashtray lying around.
He has short brown hair and gray eyes… and when he stares at me like he’s doing now, I have to turn away. There’s just something molten about him.
When he apologized to me for what I saw when I walked in and then told me it wouldn’t happen again, well, it surprised me and honestly, confused me a little. Obviously, there’s somethi
ng going on with him and that Kristy – why apologize?
Lost in thought, I realize I made a mistake when he reaches across the desk and pushes the hair out of my face. “Harper. Answer me.”
Embarrassed to be caught staring at him and hoping that he can’t read my thoughts, I almost shout at him, “No. No boyfriend. No husband. And as of two weeks ago, no dad.”
He leans back then, and I swear I see a smug look on his face before it disappears, and then all I see is pity. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
I simply shrug. I want to scream at him that his sorry is worthless, it’s not going to bring him back, but I don’t. It’s not his fault that my mom died five years ago. It’s not his fault that my dad finally drank himself to death mourning her. And it’s not his fault that I’m about to lose the only home I’ve ever known. Nope, I need to get myself together, because I wasn’t lying when I said I needed this job.
He grabs some papers out of the filing cabinet by his desk and while he’s looking for them I can’t help but appreciate his ass in his tight, worn blue jeans. He turns back to me and I flick my eyes back up to his face quickly. Damn it, caught! I can tell by the arrogant look on his face that he caught me staring. Oh well, I can control myself, and honestly, I don’t want a man that obviously has a woman already.
He lays the papers down in front of me and hands me a pen. I grab it, making sure that my fingers don’t touch his.
He stands next to me for a few seconds and my hand trembles as I start to write. He shouldn’t have this effect on me. I don’t need a man like this, no matter how attractive he is.
“Can I have your driver’s license and social security card?”
I reach for my purse and dig out my IDs, then lay them on the desk. He picks them up and walks with them to the copier. I watch him as he looks at them for a long time before finally making the copy.
When he turns back to me, I start writing again. “Twenty-one, huh?”
I glance up at him. “Yep.”
He just nods his head and so I finish filling out the paper and sign my name, handing them back to him.
He holds my IDs out to me and this time, my fingers graze his. I can feel the heat coming off of him, and I almost bury my face in my purse acting like I’m having a tough time finding my wallet. But in truth, I need this break from him to compose myself.
I stand up. “I’m going to go find Teddy. He’s training me, right?”
He immediately starts shaking his head side to side. “No, I’m going to train you, but I’m about to leave. So you’ll start tomorrow.”
I instantly start to freak out. I don’t know how much in tips I will be making, but honestly, I was hoping to make something. My refrigerator is bare and I have to pay the electric by Friday.
“But I really need… well, I was hoping to start today.” Normally, I would be embarrassed, but not now, not today. I need the money. I’m not too proud to admit it.
He stares back at me like he’s trying to read my thoughts. I don’t blink, and I stare right back. This is important to me.
“You’ll get a night’s pay and start tomorrow,” he explains.
I cross my arms across my chest. “I don’t need a handout. I want to work. Can I please start tonight?”
He looks like he’s about to argue but stops himself. “Fine, but I want you with Teddy the whole night. No leaving his side. Anyone gives you a problem, you come talk to me about it. If I’m not here, you call me. Give me your phone.”
I look at him incredulously. “What?”
His hand is in front of me with his palm up. “Give me your phone. I’m going to put my number in it.”
I pull the band off my wrist and wrap it around my hair, putting it in a ponytail. “I don’t have a phone.”
He picks the papers up that I just filled out and points at it. “So what’s this number you put on here?”
“My home phone,” I tell him, and then figure I should be honest about it. “But it’s disconnected.”
“Fuck,” he grunts.
I take a step back from him. “I’ll be here. You don’t have to worry about me not showing up and you trying to get a hold of me or anything.”
He takes a step toward me. “I’m not worried about that.” He looks pissed for a minute before he finally unclenches his jaw. “Fine, I’ll have Teddy keep an eye on you.”
He opens the door and I slide by him to get out of the office. I don’t wait for instructions. I see Teddy at the bar and start walking toward him.
Smoky pulls Teddy aside and I can tell they’re talking about me, but I turn my back to them and try to act like I’m memorizing all the liquor bottles they have on hand.
I turn around when I feel a peck on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I have to leave. Club business,” Smoky tells me. “I’ll be back before your shift is over.”
I just nod, not really understanding why he’s explaining himself to me. He finally leaves, but does it reluctantly.
The rest of the night flies by. Teddy trains me quickly and it isn’t long before I’m working the floor, delivering drinks. The dancers, for the most part, seem to be nice. All of them except Kristy, the one that I assume is Smoky’s girlfriend. No, she has a bitchy remark every time I turn around. But I just ignore her. There’s no sense antagonizing her and getting myself fired.
I keep checking the door, thinking Smoky will be back any minute, but he never does show up. I can almost kick myself. I know he’s bad news. I just met him a few hours ago and I shouldn’t care where he’s at. I’ve found out that he’s part of the Exiled Guardians, and my father has always warned me to stay away from them. I finish cleaning up and head out the door, putting my tips into my pocket. If the rest of this week goes as well as tonight, then I will definitely be able to pay the light bill, get food and even pay the water. Yes, things are looking up.
3
Smoky
I walk into the bar the next night and for the first time since I left her yesterday, a calm fills me. I told her that I would be back last night, and I fucking lied to her. Not that I had a choice. I had club business to take care of and it’s not like I can put that shit off.
I sent one of the prospects to watch her for the night and when I found out she didn’t have a car and was walking home, I about fucking lost it. I should have been there to take her home. But instead, I had to have the fucking prospect follow her to make sure she was safe.
I watch her carry a tray toward a table of men and watch as they all eye her. She has on one of the T-shirts with the bar logo on it and a short jean skirt that’s frayed at the bottom. I follow the line of her thick thighs down her legs into her short boots. Adjusting my hardening cock, I can’t take my eyes off her. When one of the men talks to her and she laughs at whatever he says, I get pissed, wanting that laugh, that smile for me and only me.
I don’t know what it is about this girl, but I haven’t stopped thinking about her. I can’t. She’s got a tight hold on my testicles it seems and I don’t know if I like it. I’m used to having women fall at my feet and the look she gave me when I walked in, like she couldn’t give a flying fuck I was here or not, well, it goes all through me. I want her eyes on me and only me.
I watch her as she walks to another table and picks up some empty bottles and there’s more talking, then she smiles at them before walking off. I kid you not, the whole table of guys watches her walk away. I know it’s going to be a problem because our best dancer, KiKi, is shaking her stuff on the dance floor and instead of looking at her, these guys all have their eyes on Harper.
She walks up to the bar and places an order for some beers.
I walk up beside her and stand right next to her. She doesn’t even acknowledge me. “This isn’t working out, Harper.”
She puts her hand on her hip. “Look, I can’t help it your girlfriend doesn’t like me. I’ve stayed out of her way and will continue to listen to her shit, but I need this job.”
I sputter, “Girlfriend? I don’
t have a girlfriend.”
She eyes me with a smirk and rolls her eyes. “Okay, fuck buddy, lady of the night, booty call, whatever you want to call her.”
I crowd her then, because I swear I can feel the jealously coming off of her in waves. “I don’t have one of those either. And especially not now. I haven’t been interested in a while, at least not until yesterday.”
She rolls her eyes at me and starts to say something and then stops.
I put my hand on hers on the bar. “No, tell me. What were you going to say?”
“You mean Kristy dry humping your leg yesterday? Well, if she’s not your girlfriend, you may want to tell her that.” She gestures behind me and I look across the room. Sure enough, Kristy is staring daggers at us and when I turn and glare at her, she looks away and starts dancing toward a table of men.
“Is she giving you problems?” I ask Harper.
“No. Nothing I can’t handle. Why are you firing me?” she asks me and pulls her hand out from under mine.
“I’m not firing you,” I tell her.
She puts the beers on her tray that Teddy set down in front of us. “Good.” She turns away and I watch her walk to the group of men.
She drops off the beers, checks on a few other tables and comes back to the bar.
“Teddy, pull one of the dancers to help you. I need Harper.”
Teddy looks like he’s about to challenge me, but he must second-guess himself, because he simply nods and turns away.
Harper holds her hands up in front of her. “No, no way, I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Do you want a job?” I ask her, knowing that she needs this.
“Yes. But I think you’ve made a mistake. I’m not that kind of girl and I don’t plan to be… no matter how hot you are.”
