His Dirty Dancer: The Halloween Honeys

by Callahan, Kelli

  “I didn’t quit.” My words were harsh once again. “I stepped down and let you run the company. I still have my seat on the board if I want to sit in it.”

  “Good, I’m glad you see it that way. So you’ll be at the charity event? I can’t wait for you to meet Ben.” She smiled and the words stung, but she didn’t even try to act like they shouldn’t.

  “Great. Yeah, I guess I don’t have a choice.” I nodded and turned back towards my computer. “I have work to do.”

  “You traded one distraction for another. Figures.” Melinda walked to the door and I heard her footsteps echoing down the hall.

  How did the girl I feel in love with turn into such a heartless… woman?

  * * *

  I never really liked strip clubs, but after Melinda’s visit, I just needed some sort of distraction. Drinking wasn’t going to be enough, even if I did sacrifice my liver for a little bit of comfort. The strip clubs in Oak Ridge were trashy as hell. Most of them were just there to lure in the college students with money to blow. The best club within driving distance was in Crown City, so I headed there once my workweek was over. I wasn’t expecting much outside of a brief moment of respite from the turmoil in my head. I parked my car and headed inside. It was classier than I expected, and the girl on the stage was very attractive. I got a beer from a scantly clad waitress and found a table.

  At least I’ll have something better than my ex-wife to think about when I go to bed tonight.

  The first couple of girls were hot enough make my balls tingle, but they didn’t do much more than that. I was mildly distracted, but I would need a few drinks before I could let my mind wander. I finished my first beer and ordered another when new music started to play. The curtains opened and a gorgeous woman started walking towards the pole. She was so hot I had to blink to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Her curves were absolutely perfect and when she did her first rotation around the pole, my dick swelled a little in my pants. She had crimson hair that looked like a wig, with a lot of glitter on her face, but I could still see a pair of soft pouty lips underneath the disguise. She did a couple of twists around the pole, and I saw her look my way. Her demeanor changed instantly.

  Wait, was that because of me? Do I look like a creep or something?

  I looked over my shoulder to make sure her sudden apprehension wasn’t aimed at someone behind me, but there was nobody there. She hesitated until the crowd was going restless and then circled the pole one more time before her hands moved to her bra. It fell to the stage and I was mesmerized by her delicious looking tits. They looked like they were sculpted to the point of perfection before they were gently placed on her amazing body. She started moving towards the crowd to collect her tips, and the wig shifted. My jaw nearly fell off my face. I knew her. I blinked a couple of times to be sure, and dug a dollar out of my pocket so I could walk up to the stage and get a better look.

  That’s Lexi Grant. She was in my Marketing class last year. Why the hell is she stripping? Her family is supposed to be loaded.

  There was no doubt that she saw me. She looked straight into my eyes when she took the dollar and headed back towards the curtain. I was confused to see a girl like her in a strip club. She was in the Mi Alpha Alpha sorority, and that one was normally reserved for legacy students or the wealthy elite. As far as I knew, she was the latter. I felt bad for watching and getting aroused by someone who used to sit in my classroom. She was certainly pretty, but I never thought of my students that way. I walked back to my table and sat down as the music started to play for another girl to walk out.

  “Would you like another drink, or are you ready for something else?” The waitress winked at me when she leaned over to pick up my empty beer bottle.

  “The girl that was just up on stage. Is she available for a lap dance?” I lifted my head and looked at the waitress.

  “I don’t think she’s on the rotation—she’s pretty new. I can ask the boss, though.” She nodded and smiled.

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  I don’t really want a lap dance from her, but I have to find out why she’s in a place like this. If this is some sort of stupid sorority hazing stunt, I’m going to have to tell the dean.

  Lexi

  My heart was beating so hard I thought it was going to burst through my chest when I went back to my dressing room. I pulled the clips out of the wig, tossed it on the counter, and collapsed into a chair. A couple of the other girls came to check on me, but I was just totally numb. I had no idea what to say or how to process what I saw. I came to Crown City to avoid seeing anyone I knew, and I didn’t even get through my first dance without seeing a pair of familiar sky blue eyes. I needed the job if I was going to stay in school, but if Professor Hill told anyone what he saw, I would be ruined. Mi Alpha Alpha? They would never look at me the same way again. I didn’t think I would get thrown out of school, but my social life would be officially over. I would probably have to just drop out due to shame if that happened.

  “Cinnamon, you’re up.” One of the girls walked in from the other side of the dressing room and motioned to me.

  “What? Up for what? I just finished.” I looked at her in confusion.

  “Lap dance. Someone requested you and the boss doesn’t like to disappoint customers, so put your wig back on.” She motioned again. “Quickly, girl. We don’t want him sitting back there all night. We need the room.”

  Fuck. What if it’s Professor Hill? Oh fuck.

  I knew I would have to give lap dances at some point if I started taking off my clothes for money, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. The boss told me that most girls didn’t get requests unless they had been there for a while, and it would be a few weeks before I got worked into the rotation. Guys just wanted someone warm on their lap with a pair of tits. I was nervous and scared, but I didn’t know any way out of it. I slowly started pinning my wig back into my hair, turmoil swirling in my stomach to the point I thought I would throw up. If it was Professor Hill, I would have to find a way to make sure he didn’t tell anyone what he saw. If it wasn’t him, I could do a quick lap dance and get a tip. I walked towards the row of curtains until I found my customer. It was him—it was my damn Marketing professor.

  I guess I don’t have a choice. Maybe he won’t bring up the fact he knows me. I can dream, right?

  “Did you want a lap dance?” I dimmed the light and faked a sweet accent when I pulled back the curtain.

  “Lexi Grant.” His tone was flat. “Care to explain yourself?”

  “Professor Hill, please.” I sighed and felt tears trying to rush out of my eyes. “I need this job. Please don’t tell anyone you saw me here.”

  “What the fuck are you doing in a place like this? You make decent grades, you’re in a sorority—your family is rich.” He looked up as I stepped into view.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I shook my head back and forth. “Do you want a lap dance or not?”

  “No. I paid for your time, so sit down and start talking.” He pointed to the seat facing him.

  I walked over and sat down, unable to even lift my head to look at Professor Hill, but I could feel his sky blue eyes locked on me. I really didn’t want to tell anyone about my family’s shame. I dreaded saying the words out loud, because that would make them real. Professor Hill had paid for my time, though, and I really didn’t have any other choice. If there was any hope of him keeping quiet about the fact one of his former students was dancing on a pole for money, I just had to be honest. I started talking and the words came out fast, along with the tears. My confession didn’t relieve any of the tension inside me. It just got worse as I sat there with my head hung in disgrace, waiting for him to pass judgment on me.

  “That’s—god damn, that’s awful.” He leaned forward and took my hand. “I’m sorry.”

  No judgment? Nothing?

  “Thank you.” I slowly lifted my head and swallowed hard. “I never thought I would end up in a place like this, b
ut I need to graduate. It’s more important than ever, now that I don’t have anything to fall back on.”

  “You’re not the first woman that had to resort to something like this to get ahead in life.” He sighed and shook his head. “It just pains me to see someone as smart as you doing this kind of shit to make money. Surely there are alternatives…”

  “Prostitution?” A nervous laugh followed my words. “Tuition is expensive. I’ve always had my father’s magic credit card when I needed something. I don’t even have a bank account, much less any money to put in it.”

  “Let me talk to the dean before you go back out on that stage—please.” Professor Hill squeezed my hand.

  “No!” I pulled away and shook my head immediately. “Please don’t tell anyone! I came all the way to Crown City because I didn’t want to see anyone I knew!”

  “I won’t mention you by name, but there have to be options for students that find themselves in this kind of situation. I know you don’t apply yourself much, but you deserve better than this. That marketing campaign you turned in for your final grade? It was brilliant. None of the other students even came close to having a fundamental understanding of what goes into a successful launch strategy like you outlined.” Professor Hill took my hand again.

  “I’ve probably heard more marketing pitches than you have.” A faint smile formed on the edge of my lips. “My father never stopped working and the only time I got to spend with him was when I stopped by the office.”

  “Please give me a chance to help you before you go out there again. Eventually, someone else will recognize you.” He squeezed my hand tighter.

  “Okay.” I swallowed hard and nodded. “I don’t work again until next weekend.”

  “Here.” He pulled out his wallet and opened it. “So your boss doesn’t think you’re a complete failure, just in case.”

  “I didn’t even earn this.” I took the hundred dollar bill he offered.

  “Hopefully it’ll be the last time anyone hands you money in this room.” Professor Hill exhaled sharply and started to stand.

  “Thank you.” I sighed and stared at the money.

  I recovered from my shock once I got back to my dressing room. If anything, Professor Hill wasn’t going to tell anyone what he saw. I had a promise of silence until he got a chance to try and fix my problem. That kept my secret safe for the moment. I didn’t believe he could do much to help me. The school catered to families that could put their name on buildings, not broke students who had to strip to pay for their next round of tuition.

  My grades were average, and they were enough to get me a degree, but they weren’t going to earn me a scholarship. I had to use his delayed response to my benefit and find a way to convince him not to utter a word to anyone. I was also going to have to talk to my boss about working more once we got done with the Mi Alpha Alpha haunted house and I had more time. If Professor Hill saw me, someone else could as well. I needed to earn as much money as possible before then.

  * * *

  A few days later

  I held my breath every day when I went to school, afraid that I was going to run into Professor Hill or find out he hadn’t kept my secret. Work started on the haunted house, which was held in a mansion that a former sorority sister owned, and I started setting up the room that I was responsible for designing. I was already stuck with the zombie dancer theme, so I did my best to make the room look like an old strip club with plastic body parts around the stage.

  A couple of the sisters didn’t have their own room, so they offered to dance in my place if I wasn’t there. They didn’t have the same moves I had, but they would be able to keep the room going if I was busy. They seemed to like the idea of being sexy zombie strippers, especially if some of the frat guys stopped by. My mind was on other things, but I did my best to teach them what they need to know in order to avoid embarrassing themselves.

  “All right, girls. I guess I should head back to the sorority house. I’ve got an assignment due for Business Law.” I sighed and reached for my purse.

  “Okay, have fun!” One of the girls waved and started the music up again so she could practice her routine.

  I walked downstairs and before I left said goodbye to the sisters that were not ready to leave yet. The evening air felt good, even if there was a slight chill. It had been a hot summer, so the breeze was nice and it wasn’t cold enough to be uncomfortable. I walked along the sidewalk enjoying the beautiful scenery in Oak Ridge when a car pulled up beside me. I expected the window to come down and reveal a frat guy looking to score, and while I normally liked a little attention, I just wasn’t in the mood. I kept my distance, but mentally prepared to gently dismiss whoever had decided to stop. To my surprise, when the window rolled down, it was Professor Hill.

  “Get in the car, let’s talk.” He leaned over and opened the passenger door.

  “Were you waiting on me?” I stepped forward apprehensively.

  “I figured it was better than stopping by the sorority house.” He motioned to me with his hand.

  I guess that would be pretty damn hard to explain.

  “Yeah, okay.” I nodded and climbed into the passenger seat.

  “I talked to the dean.” He pushed the accelerator and started driving.

  “Let me guess, I’m screwed?” I looked over at Professor Hill.

  “He was less helpful than I hoped, but I didn’t tell him who I was asking about.” He nodded solemnly.

  “I can make the money I need dancing—as long as you don’t tell anyone.” I felt my stomach knotting up as I waited on a response. “Please, I really don’t want to have to drop out.”

  “I don’t plan on telling anyone, but I might have another alternative for you to earn some money.” He put the car in park near the sorority house, but luckily far enough away that nobody would see us.

  “Really? Well, please tell me, because I wouldn’t be taking my clothes off if there was a better way.” I tilted my head inquisitively.

  “You know, you’re a very pretty girl.” Professor Hill turned in his seat. “Not just pretty, you’re hot as hell.”

  Uh, I don’t know if I like where this is going.

  “Thank you?” I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

  “The kind of girl that turns heads, even if you’re not standing on a stage taking off your clothes.” He exhaled sharply and nodded.

  “Professor Hill, if you’re about to suggest something that involves more than a lap dance—I was just kidding when I mentioned prostitution. I would never do something like that.” I shook my head quickly.

  “Please.” He scoffed and his face twisted to a scowl. “I would never suggest that sort of thing. What kind of man do you think I am?”

  “Okay, good.” I let out a pent up sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t sure.”

  “However, I have a charity event coming up for my company. I’m still an owner, so I have to show up whether I like it or not.” He sighed angrily. “I don’t want to go, but if I have to make an appearance, nothing would make me happier than showing up with a beautiful woman on my arm that makes my ex-wife burn with so much jealousy she can’t see straight.”

  Brett

  Lexi was apprehensive when I went over my plan with her. I told her about the divorce, and I took accountability for my part in the demise of my marriage. That part I could handle. If my ex-wife just wanted to end things, that was her right. I didn’t have to like it, but I understood that I could have done more to keep things exciting. I could have worked less and paid more attention to her. The part that burned me up was the way she moved on, like our marriage didn’t even deserve to be mourned. I thought she had the same regrets I had until I found out she was already dating someone else before the ink was barely dry. If she wanted to flaunt her new boyfriend in my face, then two could play that game.

  “So, I just go with you to this charity event as your date?” Lexi stared at the window for a moment and then looked back towards me. “Won’t
you get in trouble? I mean, are you allowed to date students?”

  “The rules are pretty clear, and trust me, I checked. As long as you’re not in one of my classes, it’s discouraged, but it won’t get me fired.” I nodded and shrugged.

  “Oh my god, what if my sorority sisters found out, though? They would… well,” a slight smile formed on her lips, “they would be pretty damn jealous.”

  “Jealous?” I chuckled and shook my head. “I doubt it.”

  “I’m serious. A lot of the girls at Oak Ridge have a crush on you. I won’t deny being a member of that club when I was in your class.” Her smile got a little wider.

  “It would just be a date, though.” I held up my hand apprehensively. “I’m not looking for a relationship or anything like that.”

  “Well, I wasn’t offering.” She snapped her head back quickly. “I had a crush. I got over it.”

  Just like my ex-wife. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.

  “Then you’ll do it?” I raised my eyebrows.

  “How much money are we talking about here?” Lexi tilted her head to the side.

  “Enough to get you off that stage. If you do this for me, I’ll pay your tuition for next semester.” I extended my hand. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Like, everything? That’s a lot of money.” She blinked in surprise. “Why are you teaching at Oak Ridge if you have that kind of cash laying around?”

  “I wish I could say that I have some sort of noble cause, but it’s really just something to keep me busy. I do enjoying sharing my wisdom with people who will one day run businesses of their own, but I honestly don’t know how long I’ll do it.” I shrugged and sighed. “I always planned for the future, and I invested a lot of what I made. One of those investments was in Bitcoin when it was still cheap. Now I’m going to make an investment in something else—your future.”