by Jamie Knight
My thighs quivered at the intensity of the sensations flooding my body. My hands trembled, and my inner walls clamped hard.
Every muscle in my body tightened. The pressure inside me increased until I felt I would explode from the intense pressure. I focused on my clit and found the one spot that always sent me tumbling.
My hand shook so much, I barely kept the spray where I needed it most. In what seemed like slow motion, I fell into the abyss. Shane’s name whispered from my lips over and over and over again. I dropped the showerhead and slammed my fingers inside my pussy, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy me.
I needed more.
I needed him.
Chapter Five - Shane
I sat at my desk, studying the security monitors. We’d owned the place for just under a month, and as much as I didn’t want to admit it, the others had been right. The strip club was a gold mine. We would break even within the year. After that, we would start making a profit.
My partners came here when they wanted to let off steam or to watch the dancers shake their tits and asses. To them, owning The Bachelor was this stuff of dreams. To me, it was business. I ignored the voice in my head calling me a liar.
If it was only business, then why did I spend my time thinking about Red Velvet? The woman haunted my dreams. I stayed as far away from her as I could, but I left my office most nights when she took the stage.
I couldn’t bear to watch her when she gave lap dances. I couldn’t bear the sight of her gyrating in front of other men. Her shift was due to end soon, but she was dancing for a bachelor party right now. They hadn’t balked at the astronomical fee she charged. Because there were so many of them, she’d negotiated a thousand dollars for ten minutes of her time. Alyssa knew her worth.
I watched her flirt and giggle with the groom. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to swallow down my jealousy. She wasn’t mine, and I had to remember that.
Since we’d taken over, my opinion of strippers was changing. From what I’d witnessed, none were on the lookout for a baby daddy. They just wanted to earn their money and go home. When they were here, they acted professionally.
I zoomed in on Alyssa. Something wasn’t right. Her movements became jerky, and the look on her face was one of annoyance.
I watched as she took the groom’s hands and placed them on his lap. She waggled her finger in his face, then continued to dance.
I zoomed in as close as I could. The bastard lifted his hands again and placed them on her hips. She extracted his hands and once again put them on his lap.
I stood. Where the fuck were the bouncers? When it came to lap dances, their job was to watch the girls closely.
The fucker reached up and grabbed her breasts. She pushed away from him.
Enough was enough. I stormed out of the office. When I reached her, I picked the groom up by the lapels and got in his face.
“Get the fuck out before I fucking kill you. You know the rules. No touching.”
The rest of the guests in his party tried to yank me away. I wasn’t a small guy, and it would take more than five drunk men to pry my hands off the asshole.
Deke, Blade, and the other bouncers appeared as if out of nowhere, rounded up the bachelor party, and threw them out. I personally ejected the groom.
I rounded on Blade. “Where the fuck were you? It’s your job to make sure nothing like that ever happens. We’re paying you to protect the girls from dickwads like that.”
“It’s a busy night, boss,” he said. “We were dealing with a similar situation with Candy. She can’t handle herself as well as Alyssa. I’m already looking into hiring more men for nights like this. I guarantee it won’t happen again.”
I nodded. “It had better not.”
I stormed through the club toward the locker room and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Alyssa called.
She was in tight black jeans and a baggy white T-shirt. She’d wiped off all of her makeup and wore her hair in a high ponytail. She’d never looked sexier.
She raised her eyebrows expectantly. “Was there something you wanted?”
I cleared my throat. “I wanted to apologize for what happened tonight. You should never have been on your own while dancing for those men.”
She shrugged and sighed like it wasn’t a big deal. “It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, and it’s something that will happen again and again and again. A lot of the men don’t see us as human beings. They see us as toys. As things they can possess. As things they can treat however they want. We’re make-believe. Therefore, we’re not real. Therefore, we don’t deserve respect.” She picked up a black hold-all and slung it over her shoulder. “The secret to not letting it get you down is to know your self-worth and to separate real life with this one. Within the walls of the club, I’m Red Velvet. Once I’m outside, I’m Alyssa Holden.”
Shame filled me. Was I like the men she’d described? “I promise I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Great.” The disbelief in her eyes told me she thought I was bullshitting.
I wasn’t. One way or another, I would fix this.
***
On Monday morning, my partners and I met at our downtown office for our weekly state-of-the-union meeting.
An untouched bagel and cup of coffee sat in front of me. “If we’re going to stay in this business, we’re going to have to do more to protect the girls. There’s been too many incidents and not enough men to take care of them. No one can touch the dancers or the wait staff. It’s our job to make them feel safe.”
They all nodded in agreement, then Liam spoke up. “We’ll enforce the three strikes and you’re out rule, but I don’t think we need to do any more than that.”
I shook my head. “Not going to work. From now on, one strike and you’re out. The second someone lifts their hand to touch one of the girls, they’re banned for life.”
The three of them shifted in their seats, then looked at one another before turning their attention back to me.
“That’s too harsh,” Noah said. “We’ll lose business. Let’s see how it goes this week.”
I gritted my teeth. “If I’m going to run the club, I’m going to run it my way.”
Jack drummed his fingers against the conference table. “It’s too much, man.”
“It’s not too much,” I countered. “How would you feel if a man felt up your sister at work? How would you feel if someone decided it was okay to grab her tits while she made his coffee?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “It’s not the same thing.”
“It’s not? You sure about that? The strippers are entitled to a safe space to work like everybody else.”
He nodded. “I guess I get what you’re saying, but…” he blew out a long breath. “Do what you feel you have to, but if we start losing money, then we have to take another look. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
We spent the rest of the day dealing with issues in our other clubs and bars. By the time I got home, it was almost midnight. It had already been a long-ass week, and it was only Monday.
Alyssa took Monday nights off because the club wasn’t all that busy, and since she wasn’t there, I decided not to go in either. Deke and his boys could take care of anything that happened.
I poured myself a glass of bourbon and logged onto the club’s camera feed. I reviewed the tapes from last week, noting anyone who got handsy with the girls. Some regulars got too close for my liking. Tomorrow, I would have my assistant send out an email and update the website with the new policies and procedures.
I scrolled through the video history until I came to the video from the opening night when I’d watched Alyssa dance.
When her eyes zeroed in on the camera, I once again felt like she was watching me through the screen. I pressed pause.
Fuck.
Stunning didn’t come close to describing her.
My dick hardened and pul
sed with its own heartbeat. I shoved down my trousers and boxers. I was so worked up and horny as fuck, and it would only take a matter of minutes to come.
I stroked up and down, showing myself no mercy. My muscles tightened. A fire started at the base of my spine and quickly engulfed my body. All too soon, cum spurted over my hands, but I wasn’t sated. Far from it.
Nothing would satisfy me until I was inside her.
Until she was mine.
Chapter Six - Alyssa
At the end of the week, I usually gave my house fee to Blade or Deke, who would pass it on to Shane. Tonight, I wanted to give him my cut personally. I wanted to thank him for throwing the jerk who’d felt me up out of the club. I also wanted to apologize for seeming less than grateful for his assistance.
He’d stood up for the other girls and me. While Johnny had been a good guy with a big heart, he often turned a blind eye when a customer’s hands wandered. It felt good to know Shane had our back.
I knocked on the office door and walked in without waiting for an invitation. Shane looked up from his paperwork.
When he saw me, something close to desire flashed through his eyes.
“What can I do for you?”
I placed an envelope on his desk. “I wanted to give you this and say thank you for what you did.”
He picked up the envelope and glanced inside. “There’s too much here.”
“It’s my way of saying thanks.”
“There’s no need.” He took out the extra money. “Our job is to protect you and make you feel safe. If we don’t, shame on us.”
Shane slid the money across the desk. I picked it up and shoved it into the back pocket of my jeans. Every cent would help to make my dream of owning a club come true.
He leaned back in his leather chair, and an urge to straddle his lap flashed through me. “Was there anything else?”
I swallowed hard and shoved the urge away. “The girls and I are happy that you and your partners bought this place from Johnny. We didn’t know if you would turn it into a regular club or keep it as it was. It was a good move. Everyone’s profits are up, and we’re getting a better caliber of clientele.”
He nodded.
I shifted from foot to foot. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I moved towards the door, disappointed that he didn’t want to chat.
“Wait.”
I spun around.
“I’m sorry for what I said the first night we met. I have some preconceived ideas about what you do. The story is long and boring, and one you don’t want to hear. Perhaps I can make it up to you by taking you for dinner sometime. How about Monday night?”
I would have been less shocked if the Pope had walked in and asked me out on a date. My eyebrows shot up to my hairline, and I gestured my pointer finger between us. “You and me? Dinner? Like a date?”
He chuckled, the sound setting every hair on my body on end.
“Yes,” he said. “Like a date. There’s something about you, Alyssa. I can’t get you out of my mind. I want to get to know you better. I want you to understand I’m not a bastard.”
I stood in silence, still in shock. The man I’d masturbated in the shower over was asking me out on a date. So much for having sworn off men. Getting involved in a workplace romance could be disastrous. If it didn’t work out, I would have to leave, but on the other hand, if it did work out, it could be a lot of fun for both of us. Plus, it wasn’t like he’d gotten down on one knee.
I smiled, and it felt like the first genuine smile I’d had in a long time. “Dinner sounds great. You can fill me in on those preconceived notions of yours.”
Shane grinned. The corners of his eyes crinkling. His smile alone was enough to make me climax.
“It’s a deal, but only if you tell me your secrets too. I’m intrigued by your story. I’m intrigued by you.”
My lungs were having a hard time holding onto air, and it took all my inner strength to remain standing.
“I’ll pick you up at your place. Say seven? I have your address.” He went back to his paperwork, and on wobbly legs, I left the office.
***
For what seemed like the hundredth time, I checked my appearance. I wasn’t sure where we were going for dinner or what I should wear, so I settled on a classic little black dress.
I wore my hair and soft waves and had made a special visit to my hairdresser to touch up the roots. My makeup was light and subtle. When I wasn’t working, I always went for a more natural look. Like I’d told Shane, I was Red Velvet in the club, but I was Alyssa Holden outside it.
I’d chosen a pair of strappy sandals that made my legs look long and lean, and if things went any further than dinner, I had a surprise beneath my dress.
He said he’d be here at seven—that was five minutes from now. I kind of wished I had a Xanax to calm my anxiety, but I wouldn’t even take an Advil. My mom was a pill popper with a pill for every ill.
To the outside world, she was June Cleaver, but inside the four walls of our house, she was Satan’s bride.
The doorbell rang. I sucked in a breath and pressed my hands against my stomach. I pasted a smile on my face when I answered the door. Shane stood there looking and smelling like heaven. I loved that he hadn’t shaved because the shadow on his jaw made him look sexy and rugged.
He wore a blue button-down shirt and a pair of navy slacks.
“You look phenomenal,” he said, taking me in from head to toe and back again.
Goosebumps at his evident appreciation dotted my skin. Men telling me I looked good was nothing new, but the words meant something more coming from him.
“And you look really nice, too,” I said, suddenly feeling shy. I didn’t have a shy bone in my body, but Shane made me nervous and coquettish. He made me feel like a person and not a sex object.
“Nice house.”
“Thanks. I bought it last year.”
He grinned. “I never pictured you as living in suburbia.”
I returned his grin. “White picket fence and apple pie, that’s me.”
He laughed. The kind of laugh that came from his soul. The deep sound left me feeling like a giggly schoolgirl going on a date with her crush.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I’ll grab my purse.”
He followed me inside, and when I turned around, my face pressed against his chest. I inhaled the clean scent of his cologne and ached to lick the tip of my tongue down the center of his body.
“We could go to dinner,” he said, “or stay in and eat one another.”
I laughed and stepped away. “It’s not going to be that easy. If you want me, you have to work to get me.”
Shane tipped his fingers under my chin and lifted my head. “You’re already mine, Alyssa, and you know it.”
Chapter Seven - Shane
On the way to the restaurant, I couldn’t stop glancing over at her. I wanted her in a bad, bad way.
Alyssa glowed with life. She was by far the sexiest woman I’d ever met. Everything about her left my heart pounding and my dick throbbing. If any of my partners discovered I’d asked her out, they would rip me a new one. I would do the same thing if I found they’d overstepped the line with any employee.
I hadn’t meant to ask her out. The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d told me to fuck off, but she hadn’t. Alyssa wanted me as much as I wanted her. We had undeniable chemistry, and that was something I wanted to investigate. I was playing with fire, but the risk of getting burned was worth it.
We pulled up in front of my favorite Italian restaurant, Soros. Inside, Rafik, the owner, kissed my cheeks and greeted me with enthusiasm.
“So good to see you, Shane. I thought you’d forgotten about us.”
“Never,” I said, pumping his hand up and down. “Been busy.” I nodded towards Alyssa and introduced her.
Rafik kissed her chee
ks and welcomed her like an old friend. “Is this your first time at my restaurant?”
She nodded. “I’m looking forward to eating here. I’ve read wonderful things.”
“You won’t be disappointed. Come,” he said, gesturing for us to follow. “I have the booth you requested. Private and away from prying eyes.”
After we were seated and Rafik had moved on to greet other guests, I said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve pre-ordered wine and tonight’s specials. The scallop risotto will make you think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Good thing I’m not allergic to seafood,” she smiled to show she didn’t mind that I’d already chosen what we were having for dinner.
I poured us each a glass of Chablis and clinked my glass against hers. “Here’s to a good night.”
“You’re quite popular around here, aren’t you?”
“I went to school with Rafik’s daughter. She’s an old friend.”
Alyssa took a sip of wine, then smiled. “Old friend or old girlfriend?
“Jealous?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
“Maybe.”
“We kissed, but there was zero chemistry, so we decided we were better off as friends.”
“Good.” She ran her fingertips around the rim of her glass. “Tell me why you hate strippers as much as you do? I want to hear about your preconceived ideas.”
I grimaced. “I should never have said that, and once again, I’m sorry I did.”
She shook her head. “We all say things we don’t mean sometimes, but I’m curious. Why do you dislike the profession?”
I took a large sip of wine and held it in my mouth to give myself a few seconds to decide if I would tell her. I decided I would.
“It’s like this. My father left my mom for a woman he’d met at a strip joint. Missy got pregnant, stole my dad, and left us broke.”
Her lips twisted, and she nodded. “I guess that explains it. You do know that while that does happen, it’s not all that common. Riding off into the sunset with a knight in shining armor isn’t what I want. Like at all. I hope you understand that.”
