“This was here with the original business,” Wesley said. “There’s another more private entrance at the opposite end of the hallway where we came in. It’s now our VIP area for private dances for women wanting something more up close and personal. Women who are willing to pay for that discretion.”
“We are not promoting prostitution!” Kamaya exclaimed, her incredulous expression moving him to smile. “There will be no happy ending rooms for you and your staff! That’s not happening!”
He shook his head. “No, we are definitely not promoting prostitution and every dancer knows that they will be automatically dismissed if they ever engage in any kind of sexual activity on club premises in exchange for payment. Although what they do after they’re off the clock is not our business and we can’t control it. But there are women willing to pay well for some one-on-one attention. It’s usually that uptight business executive who has to maintain an image even when she’s here, but relishes an opportunity to get buck wild when no one is looking. You know the type. Women much like yourself.”
Paxton laughed out loud at the comment. Kamaya gave him and Wesley a narrowed gaze.
Wesley smiled. “I apologize. That was out of order, but I was only teasing. Trying to lighten the mood.”
There was a hint of amusement in Kamaya’s eyes as her gaze danced with his. She blinked it away, shifting back to serious. “Do not get us shut down by the police’s vice department because your men can’t keep their dicks in their pants. And I mean it. If that ever happens, you may come up short in more ways than one. We are building a brand and an image, and I will not see that tarnished. I don’t think you have a clue what’s at stake.”
Wesley’s stance tensed, his shoulders pulling back as he seemed to grow taller where he stood. He took a step forward, meeting her toe to toe. He stared down into her eyes. “Don’t get it twisted, Ms. Boudreaux, I am fully invested in the success of The Wet Bar. Now, I understand that the franchisor dictates the framework, the basics, but past that, I’m in charge. I’m managing and growing this business. I hire. I fire. I’ll figure out what works and what doesn’t. And I’ll dictate how to market and promote every one of my locations. I’m wagering everything I have on making this model work for every franchise that comes after this one. Since I know that you and your bosses want to see me succeed, it will be a win–win situation for all. The happy ending rooms for our female clientele will stay.”
The moment was suddenly tense, the air fraught with energy. The two stood, staring each other in the eye, falling headfirst into the look the other was giving. Each could have easily gotten lost in the other’s gaze. Kamaya suddenly realized that she was panting slightly, the air thick and warm between them. She took a step back, wishing for a cool breeze to blow her out of the reverie she’d somehow managed to trip into. She decided to change the subject, ignoring his last comment.
“We’re putting a significant amount of money into your marketing program over the next six weeks to support your grand opening. I reviewed your advertising campaign and it’s been approved but...” She paused as she gestured for Paxton to pass her a manila folder from his briefcase. “It’s my understanding that you may have worked with a dancer we think should be invited to help motivate the customers and help bring in a crowd. I’m told he was extremely popular and had quite a following. His stage name was Deuce or Deuces, but we haven’t been able to find out anything else about him.”
“Deuce?” Wesley’s face suddenly went blank, his expression unreadable.
She nodded. “He had quite a reputation,” she said, as she flipped through a number of newspaper articles. “But we haven’t been able to find any photos or videos. Seems like he peaked prior to everything being captured on the internet, but the women are still talking about him. If he’s dancing, maybe hire him to be a featured guest performer. If not, maybe he can MC or something. Either way, we think it’ll be good for business.”
“Maybe one of the other guys knows who he is?” Paxton interjected.
“Who?” Bryan questioned, having entered the room behind them. He looked from one to the other. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt but the contractor needs you to take a look at the tile in the ladies’ room.” He tossed Wesley a nod. “So, who is it you want to know about?”
“A dancer by the name of Deuce,” Paxton said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have his government name.”
“Deuce?” A slow smile pulled at the man’s thin lips. “I know Deuce. I know him really well. In fact, he’s a very good friend...”
“Well then,” Wesley interrupted. “We know who he is. I’ll reach out and see if I can’t get him to perform.”
“We need an answer by Wednesday,” Kamaya noted. “There are ads that will need to be revised before they go to press. So if you need me to speak with him, I can.”
He shook his head. “I can handle it, but if he’s not interested I’m not going to push.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be interested.” Bryan grinned.
Wesley shot his friend a look, the gesture flying over Kamaya’s head.
“Then I think we’re finished here,” she said, doing an about-face. She stole a quick glance down at her wristwatch. “I have another meeting to get to. Paxton, if you’ll please get any paperwork Wesley has for us, I’d appreciate it. I’d like to review those numbers he put together.”
Paxton dropped a tentative hand against her forearm. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “Do you have time for us to talk?”
Kamaya stepped out of his reach, pulling her arm from his grasp. “Maybe later,” she said. There was no missing the friction that shifted between them. Wesley eyed them both curiously, not missing the annoyance that had furrowed Kamaya’s brow.
She turned and extended her hand to shake his. “Congratulations, Wesley! You’ve done a great job,” she said as her palm glided like silk against his.
There was just a split second of something that Wesley was sure neither of them could explain or define. It passed like a strike of lightning between them. It was a wealth of heat and emotion that startled them both. She snatched her hand from his as he clutched his into a tight fist.
He smiled, the bend of his lush lips showcasing picture-perfect teeth. “Thank you.”
Kamaya smiled back. “How do you feel about being the public face of The Wet Bar?”
Wesley’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“Our executive board would like to personalize the image somewhat, and we believe that your enthusiasm about the business and your knowledge about the industry make you a good fit. Obviously we would compensate you accordingly, but it would mean that most marketing queries would roll through your office. Obviously The Michelle Initiative would support you as needed, but we’re willing to let this be your baby, if you agree.”
His gaze narrowed slightly. “Why?”
“This is a very public foray into the adult entertainment business. For personal reasons, the owners would like to distance themselves somewhat. This would allow them that.”
“I’d like to think about it and get back to you, if that’s okay?”
She nodded. “That’s not a problem at all. And if it will help in your decision, know that the compensation would be quite handsome.”
Paxton interjected. “For obvious reasons we would need to know before the opening.”
Wesley nodded. “I understand.”
Kamaya took a deep breath. “Paxton will give you all the details about the interview and the film crew that will be here next week, but if you have any other questions or concerns, please give me a call,” she said, as she flipped a business card through her fingers and slid it across his palm.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
And with that, Kamaya turned, almost racing from the room.
“Wow!” Bryan exclaimed. “Damn! That w
oman is gorgeous! Did you see those hips and whips?” he asked, gesturing with both hands across his chest and then his butt.
Paxton gave him a look, something protective seeming to sweep over his broad shoulders. “She’s out of your league. Besides, she’s taken.”
Bryan shrugged. “The good ones always are.”
Wesley bit down on his bottom lip, his best friend’s words echoing in his head. The good ones always are!
* * *
“Sounds like you’re going to be coming out of retirement,” Bryan teased, when the two men were finally alone. Paxton was long gone after detailing the rest of the business they needed to address, and Bryan and Wesley were now winding down for the night.
Wesley lifted his eyes to stare at his friend. “Excuse you?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Deuce!”
Wesley shook his head, a slight smirk pulling at his mouth. “That is not going to happen.”
“It will if Miss Boudreaux has something to say about it.”
“Well, she doesn’t.”
“And what if she asks to speak with him herself?”
“Then I’m giving her your telephone number, and you’re going to tell her that you’re out of the country and a trip back isn’t viable.”
Bryan laughed. “You expect me to lie?”
Wesley laughed. “Damn right!”
“Maybe you should just tell her the truth and let her know you’ve retired and are out of business.”
“I don’t make a point of telling anyone about my dancing days. How long has it been now? Hell, I don’t even know if I can dance anymore! I’m still trying to figure out how she got my stage name.”
“Clearly, the woman did her research. You know better than most that we are a small community nationwide. Ask the right woman and she can tell you who the top dancers are at Chocolate City in Atlanta, Chippendales in Vegas, Thunder Down Under, and Black Diamond in New York. And by next month, they’ll add their favorites from The Wet Bar to the list.”
“But I haven’t danced in years!”
“You were one of the best in the business. I learned my best moves from you. Hell, the best of the best learned their moves from you! Your reputation is legendary. Ask any of the guys about Deuce and they will tell you how they aspire to your notoriety.”
Wesley sat back in his seat, his hands folded together as if he were in prayer. His mind wandered as he thought about what his friend had said about his former career and his reputation in the industry.
It used to be a running joke that they called him Deuce because of what was in his pants. He was well endowed, and there had been women who’d mused he was packing at least two good feet of solid meat between his thighs. Of course, two feet was a good foot and an inch on the side of ridiculous, but he had run with it and it had paid off. On a good night Wesley had easily pulled over a thousand dollars in tips. A bad night netted him four or five hundred dollars. Had he been able, he would have danced seven nights a week. But since he couldn’t, he’d danced Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and for more private parties than he could count. He’d shaken his goods at brides celebrating their last hurrah, divorcees getting their feet re-wet and women who simply enjoyed a good time.
He had purposely avoided the more salacious aspects of the business. He had never had sex with a client or with anyone when he was working. He’d maintained a certain etiquette when performing, never, ever exposing his bare package. Over the years he had seen some things from other dancers that made his head spin and that wasn’t how he had wanted to be remembered.
But dancing had served him well. It put him through school, bought and paid for his first home and had enabled him to buy the business he was now building. He had few regrets and much appreciation for how the business had treated him. But he wasn’t interested in making a comeback. The past was best left in the past. He blew hot air past his lips, the weight of the situation bearing down on his spirit.
He suddenly thought about Kamaya Boudreaux. The woman had excited him. He had done a good job of containing his interest, and even in those few moments that had gotten tense between them, he had still found her thoroughly engaging. But he recognized that she could be a force to be reckoned with and he instinctively knew that telling her no wouldn’t be as easy as he hoped. Yet he had every intention of telling the woman no. The dancer known as Deuce would not be making an appearance at the grand opening of The Wet Bar.
Chapter 4
When Kamaya googled Wesley Walters, 442,000 search results came up. There were twenty-five LinkedIn profiles and just as many Facebook pages. After eliminating an author, an artist, a doctor, a real estate agent and a host of personalities with the name Wesley Walters, she still hadn’t found the good-looking black man who’d piqued her curiosity. She blew a soft sigh as she settled back in her upholstered chair.
It had been a good long while since any man had captured her interest the way Wesley Walters had. And because he had her attention, she found herself wanting to vet him as completely as possible. She trusted his association with Paxton because she trusted her friend, but she instinctively knew there was more to the man than even Paxton knew.
As she powered down her computer there was a knock on her office door. She looked up just as Paxton pushed the entrance open and poked his head in. “Can we talk now?” he asked, eyeing her with an air of indignation.
She returned his look with a raised eyebrow. “Do I detect a hint of attitude?”
Paxton moved into the room, closing the door behind him. He dropped down into the empty seat in front of her desk. “No, you detect a boatload of attitude. What’s your problem?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “My problem?”
“Yeah! You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder since I told you about me and Laney. What kind of shit is that? You’re supposed to be my friend. My best friend!” He tossed up his hands in frustration.
Kamaya shook her head. “You really have some nerve. You tell me you’re marrying that wildebeest and I’m suddenly supposed to change how I feel about her? Not saying anything is the best thing I could have done for you and our friendship.”
“Wildebeest? Really?”
“Really. Did you forget about her husband? Or does the fact that she has one not matter to you?”
“You know that’s only a technicality. She loves me.”
“She loves playing you and you enjoy letting her.”
“That’s low. Now you’re sounding like you’re bitter. And jealous!”
Kamaya blew a soft sigh. “Paxton, you and I go way back. And because we have a lot of history I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” She shifted forward in her seat. “Laney is a witch. You know she’s a witch. Because I’m your best friend I can tell you she’s a witch. Now, if that moose ever does get her divorce, you can marry her if you want to, but I’m not going to lie to you about how I feel about it. When it blows up, I’ll be right here to help you pick up the pieces. And then I’m going to tell you I told you so. You’re making a mistake. A big one.”
“You are so cold!”
“I’m honest. I will always keep it one hundred with you.”
He shook his head. “You know you’re breaking my heart right now, right?”
“You should have let me have some time, but no, you had to push.”
“That’s what I do.”
“Then you shouldn’t get mad when I push back.”
He paused for a moment. “So, now what?
“Now nothing. When and if you actually marry that barracuda, I will be there as your friend. I’ll be your best man or best woman or whatever, throw you a banging bachelor party and then I’ll try to talk you out of it because that’s what a true friend would do!”
“Well, can you do one more thing
for me?”
“What’s that?”
“Can you stop calling my girl names? Please? To hear you tell it she’s the star of her own animal kingdom!”
Kamaya shrugged. “Well, if the hoofs fit...”
Paxton rolled his eyes. “Really, Kamaya?”
“Tch!” She sucked her teeth, annoyance wafting over her expression. “Whatever. I promise I’ll try. Just keep her away from me until I stop feeling some kind of way.”
“I still think it’s jealousy. You were really hoping the two of us were going to hook up, weren’t you?’’
Kamaya narrowed the gaze she leveled in his direction. “Now I know you fell down and bumped your damn head!”
Paxton laughed. “You better be glad I still love you.”
“I love you, too!” She changed the subject. “So, tell me more about your friend Wesley.”
His eyes widened. “Wesley? What do you want to know?”
“What can you tell me?”
“He’s one of the good guys. He was at the top of our class in school. From a middle class working family. Put himself through school working fast food and blue collar jobs. Two and three at a time if I remember correctly. Personally, I always thought he was kind of country but it looks like he’s coming up in the world. I like him. I like him a lot. He’s not afraid to take risks even if they’re safe risks and I’ve always found him to be honest to a fault. No man should be that honest!”
“That’s it?”
“You need more?
She shrugged. “Is he married?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Gay?”
“That, I’m not sure about. Why? You interested?”
A Pleasing Temptation Page 4
