by Jamie Knight
“I know. I’m not the bastard I first came across as. I’m one of the good guys. Promise.”
She reached over and placed a hand on top of mine. “I know you are. You’ve already shown that. I’m glad we have this chance to get to know one another better.” She kept her hand on top of mine, and I more than liked the feel of it there and the way the warmth of her body seeped into my skin.
Now it was my turn to find out more about her. “Tell me your story. How did you end up working at The Bachelor?”
“Nothing much to tell,” Alyssa said with a shrug. “Tale as old as time. Closet druggy mom kicks the kid out for not toeing the line and for turning into a surly and sassy teenager.”
“She kicked you out for back talking?”
“You’ve obviously never dealt with a hormonal teenager. Plus, she had her own issues with pills and booze. She couldn’t handle me. I did what I wanted when I wanted. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“Is that how you got into stripping?”
“Sort of. I went into foster care but moved around because I was a demon. When I heard what strippers could make, I marched into The Bachelor. Johnny didn’t fall for my bullshit and said not until I was eighteen. But he gave me a job. For two years, I picked up glasses and wiped down tables. He and his wife Phyllis took me under their wing. Phyllis was a dancer. She trained at the New York school of ballet, but an injury ended her career. I’d taken dance classes growing up, but she taught me how to move my body seductively. Turns out I was a natural.” She laughed softly. “The first night I danced in front of people, I was hooked.”
“You could do anything you wanted. You’re driven and intelligent. Why keep stripping?”
“I enjoy what I do. When I’m on stage, I’m in control. I don’t want people to think I’m a victim or oppressed. I’m neither. I have ambitions. Working as a stripper, you have to know how to sell your personal brand if you want to make money. The girls at The Bachelor are all businesswomen, which is something lots of people don’t get or understand. One day I will own my own club. You know, I was prepared for you to fall flat on your face so I could take over.”
“Thanks,” I said and laughed.
“I was afraid you would ruin everything we’d worked for by taking away the club’s character. For some of the girls, the club is all they have. Losing their income would have been devastating. But I was wrong about you. You’re pretty great.”
“You’re pretty great, too,” I said.
“Just wait,” she replied with a wink.
For the rest of the evening, we ate, chatted, and laughed. After the plates had been cleared, I sat beside her and placed my hand on her thigh. “I’ve enjoyed being here with you.”
She turned her head until her face was inches away from mine.
“Me too,” she breathed. “Tonight has been more fun than I could have imagined.”
I nuzzled my lips against her neck, savoring the taste of her skin and the way she shivered. Her lips parted, and unable to resist, I pressed my mouth to hers.
Our first kiss was slow and tentative as we explored and tasted each other.
She parted her thighs slightly, and I inched my hand higher. My breath caught in my throat when I reached the apex of her thighs. She wasn’t wearing any panties. My dick hardened so fast, it almost burst from my trousers.
“Dirty girl,” I murmured.
Alyssa moaned softly and pressed against my hand. Arousal soaked her pussy, and desire for her left me vibrating.
I eased my fingers between her folds and pinched her slick and swollen clit.
“Yes,” she whispered, breaking our kiss. She leaned her head against the back of the booth.
“I want to feel you come on my fingers,” I murmured against her ear.
“Then, don’t stop.”
Reaching over, she cupped her hand around my cock and squeezed. She then opened her legs wider. I took the hint and slid two fingers into her pussy. Her inner walls clamped down, and she whimpered.
I was going to fucking lose it. I slammed my fingers in and out and watched her chest rise and fall.
She removed her hand from my dick and gripped the edge of the table. Beneath the tablecloth, her hips gyrated, and her body pressed against mine. I slammed my fingers deeper and harder. A lone tear trickled down her cheek, and her inner muscles spasmed, holding my fingers hostage. To stop herself from crying out, she rolled her lips between her teeth.
Her juices coated the back of my hand, and it was all I could do not to get down on my knees and suck and lick her dry.
Her shoulders sagged, and her eyes fluttered open. She gazed at me as the aftershocks raced around her body. With our eyes locked on one another, I removed my fingers from between her legs and lifted them to my lips, sucking them one by one.
“Fucking delicious. I’m going to take you home and screw you till you scream my name.”
She laughed. The deep and throaty sound filled with lust. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Eight - Alyssa
I’d done many things in my life that I had regretted but having a man finger fuck me in a restaurant wasn’t one of them.
My entire body buzzed and pulsed. So far, the night had been the stuff of dreams, and it still wasn’t over.
I couldn’t wait to get Shane in my bed. To see him naked. To see his dick hard and dripping for me.
My work colleagues rarely came to my house. It was my sacred space away from the club. The only people who had ever been to my place from work were Johnny, Phyllis, Candy, and Rachel when they helped me move in.
When we got back to my house, I couldn’t get the key in the lock because I was shaking so much. After a few failed attempts, Shane took the key and said, “Let me.”
The tension between us smoldered, and if we didn’t get naked soon, we would ignite.
Not bothering to wait until we got to the bedroom, we kissed one another in the hallway with reckless, vicious abandon. Neither of us was holding back. Then, taking his hand, I led him upstairs.
“Shit,” he bit out.
“What is it?” I asked, confused.
“I don’t have a condom.” He tore his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t think this would happen tonight.”
“It’s okay,” I assured. “I’m on the pill.”
Relief filled his face. “Then what’s stopping us?”
“Nothing.” I pushed him onto a chair in front of my dressing table. “Why have you never asked for a lap dance from me?” I placed my hands on his shoulders and looked deep into his heavy-lidded eyes.
“Because I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself.”
I positioned my legs on either side of his. “I know you watch me when I’m dancing. I know you come out of your office to see me.”
“When it comes to you, I can’t resist. Do you want to know what I do after I watch you dance?”
“Tell me.”
“I go to my office, watch the security footage of you dancing and jerk off. When I go home, I think about you and jerk off. Everything about you turns me on. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone in my life.”
I closed my eyes at the desire I heard in his voice.
“You feel the same way, don’t you?” he asked.
I swallowed hard and nodded. “I don’t date. I go to work. I come home and go about my life. But ever since the night we met, all I can think about is being with you.”
Shane leaned back. “Dance for me.”
I grinned. “Remember, no touching. If you do, it’s over.”
“I can’t promise anything. You’re fucking irresistible.”
I asked Alexa to play my favorite playlist, and a few seconds later, a slow seductive beat filled the room. I stood in front of him, swaying my hips in time to the music. Just like I’d asked, Shane kept his hands to himself. The outline of his hard dick was visible through his pants. Arousal coated my thighs. It would be so easy
to slide on top of him and slam myself up and down, but I held back. The wait would be worth it.
I brought my hands to my back and turned around, so I faced away from him. I unzipped my dress and let it fall to the floor. I could tell he’d been surprised at dinner when he realized I wasn’t wearing any panties, and I hadn’t bothered to put a bra on.
Turning around, I placed my hand on the back of the chair on either side of his head. Every time I moved, my hard nipples brushed against his chest, turning both of us on.
“You’re fucking killing me, Alyssa. I’m done waiting, and I’m done playing games.” He stood and walked me backward and then pushed me onto the bed. “Open your legs. Let me see the tight pussy I’m about to fuck.” The command in his voice left no room for questions. Thrilled by his dirty words, I spread my legs and used my fingers to open myself wider.
“Fucking perfect.” He tore off his clothes. My eyes widened.
Shane was a chiseled, muscular masterpiece. My gaze wandered to his cock. He was thick and wide with a delicious, flared head.
I’d been soaked before, but now I was dripping. Pre-come seeped from the tip of his cock, and I licked my lips in anticipation. I couldn’t wait to taste him, to suck him deep.
He pressed his hands on my knees and spread my legs wider. “Place your feet on my shoulders.”
I did as he asked, and he buried his face between my thighs. My back arched off the bed, and my eyes rolled to the back of my head.
Reaching down, I tore my fingers through his hair. Shane sucked my clit into his mouth, and my second orgasm of the night crashed over me.
I dug my fingernails into his scalp and pleaded for more, more, more. He sucked harder, leaving me a sobbing, writhing mass of emotions. When he had taken all I had, he kissed his way up the center of my body and pressed his lips to mine. Needing him inside of me, I wrapped my legs around his waist and held him tight.
I couldn’t—wouldn’t—wait any longer.
“Please. Now. I can’t wait. I need you to fuck me.”
He growled in response.
I curled my fingers around his cock and guided him to my entrance. I was so turned on that I took all of him easily. When he was fully seated, we both groaned.
Balancing on his hands, Shane fucked me without care. I dug my fingernails into his back.
“Harder,” I demanded.
He reared back and slammed into me. Another orgasm coiled low in my stomach, seeking escape.
“Let me feel you come,” I whispered.
He reared back and slammed inside again and again and again. His strokes were punishing and demanding, and I met every single one.
I tightened around him, and when I came, I screamed his name. This climax was more powerful than the previous two. Shane’s body tensed, and it was like time stood still.
“I’m going to come,” he rasped. On a shattering groan, he pummeled my pussy, his hot cum shooting inside of me.
We had crossed the line from boss and employee to lovers. If the girls at work found out, they would crucify me. But I wasn’t sure how I would hide my feelings about him.
Chapter Nine - Alyssa
For the past two months, Shane and I had been secretly dating and sneaking around. I loved him more than I thought possible, but I kept that information to myself. He didn’t need to know how deep my feelings ran.
I wanted to spend every waking moment with him. When I danced, I danced for Shane and only him. He kept his distance and watched me from the shadows as he always had. He wasn’t a jealous man and never once asked me to stop dancing. He understood it was my job and nothing more.
He also understood that the more I danced, the more I earned.
The usual Friday night crowd was in, and a few bachelor and corporate parties were booked later. Candy came into the locker room wearing her day clothes of yoga pants, Birkenstocks, and a baggy T-shirt. Something was wrong because she wasn’t her usual chatty self.
I set down my lipstick and turned to face her. “What’s up?”
She shrugged but didn’t meet my eyes. “Nothing. What makes you think anything is up?”
“Because usually when you come into work, you’re full of chatter, but tonight you’re super quiet. If you don’t want to tell me, it’s okay.”
She wrung her fingers around and around. “Promise you won’t get mad.”
My stomach fell to my toes, but I kept my composure. “I can’t promise that until you tell me, but I’ll do my best.”
“Noah asked me to spy on you.”
“Spy on me?” I repeated as if not understanding what she’d said.
She rolled her lips between her teeth and nodded. “He thinks that something is going on between you and Shane. He’s heard the gossip.”
My nostrils flared. “What did you say to him?”
“I said I wouldn’t do that. I’m not a nark.” She crouched down in front of me and grasped my hands with hers. “Please be honest, Alyssa. Are you screwing Shane? I think you are, but I’m not sure. You’re my friend, and I want to protect you, but I can’t if I don’t know.”
I blew out a long slow breath. “You can’t tell anyone, Candy. You can’t. I won’t lie to you. I love him.” Saying the words out loud lifted a hundred-pound weight off my shoulders.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her eyes widened.
“I couldn’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get anyone involved. The less you knew, the better. Some of the newer girls would accuse me of sleeping with the boss to make sure I kept the top spot of the night.”
“I understand,” she said. “I’m a little hurt that you didn’t trust me, but I will never betray your confidence. Jack, Liam, and Noah are suspicious. I don’t want you to get hurt. Please tell me you’re being careful. You know how some of these men are. They promise you the sun, the moon, and the stars, but in the end, you’re left with nothing but dust.”
“He cares for me. I know he does. I don’t know if he loves me. What I do know is, we can’t keep our hands off one another. Shane’s a good man. He won’t hurt me.”
She flung her arms around me and held me tight. “I hope so. Because if he hurts you, he’ll have me to deal with.”
I laughed and hugged her back. “Thanks, Candy. I’m sorry for keeping this a secret.”
She let go of me and stood. “Come on, we have some money to make and asses to shake.”
When I stood, dizziness washed over me, and I had to sit down. Sweat beaded my forehead, and nausea welled up inside. I reached for the glass of water on my dressing table and took a sip, but it made me want to vomit.
“You okay?” Candy asked. “You’ve gone as pale as a ghost.”
I clutched my stomach. “There’s no way I can dance. If I do, I’ll hurl. It must have been the tuna sandwich at lunch.”
She placed a hand against my forehead. “You do feel a little hot. Why don’t you go home? I’ll take over your shift.”
I nodded. “I owe you big time. Not just for this, but for everything. A night on the sofa in front of Netflix is exactly what I need.”
On the way out, I stopped by the office. Shane grinned when he saw me, but then concern filled his eyes. He came out from behind his desk.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I’m going to take the night off. I’m not feeling the greatest. I think I need a good night’s sleep.”
He curled his hands around my biceps. “Do you want me to drive you home and stay with you?”
“No, you stay. The corporate guests are going to want to schmooze with you.”
He brushed his lips across my forehead. “I’ll stop by later to check up on you.”
I cupped my palm around his cheek. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I feel the same.”
That was as close as we’d ever gotten to honestly admitting how we felt about one another. Maybe one day we would say the L-word, but today w
as not that day.
***
When I got home, I made myself a cup of black tea, but when I took a sip, I projectile vomited all over the kitchen. What the fuck was wrong with me? I sat down and thought back.
When was the last time I’d had a period? I’d never been regular, even on the pill. But I hadn’t had one since I started sleeping with Shane. I hadn’t thought about it, since I relied on my birth control, but it wasn’t always effective.
I clasped a hand over my mouth.
There was no way.
No fucking way.
I couldn’t be.
I just couldn’t.
But I needed to know for sure. I made a quick dash to the pharmacy and bought five different tests. When I got home, I sat in the bathroom, not entirely sure if I wanted to take one, never mind five.
But rather than drive myself crazy wondering, I used every test. The minutes seemed to pass like hours, and then one by one, they all turned positive.
I was pregnant.
I was exactly the type of woman Shane detested. I placed my hand on my stomach and cried. Without a doubt, I wanted the baby growing in my belly. And without a doubt, I knew Shane wouldn’t.
I buried my face in my hands and sobbed.
Chapter Ten - Shane
The evening was at an end. I scrubbed my hands over my face and yawned. It had just passed four in the morning, and the club had finally emptied. I wanted to check on Alyssa, but my partners had called an emergency meeting.
We sat at a high-top table by the bar. Liam shot back some whiskey and glared at me. “Want to tell us what’s going on between you and our star performer?”
I scoffed and crossed my arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come on,” he spat. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. We’ve all heard the rumors. You’re fucking her, and by fucking her, you could fuck up our profits. Alyssa’s the top draw.”
