Harlow (Society Girls #7)

by Crystal Perkins

  “You leave when I come near you.”

  “Oh. Well, yeah,” he says, wincing. Just what a girl wants to see when she’s talking to the guy she likes.

  “You used to talk to me while I danced. I thought…I thought we were friends. You saw me almost naked, and now you don’t even look at me. I won’t take my clothes off just so you’ll talk to me, if that’s what you’re hoping for.” Actually, I would happily take my clothes off for him, but he doesn’t need to know that yet.

  “I don’t want you to take your clothes off.”

  I flinch back like he hit me. I may have just told him I wouldn’t, but I wasn’t expecting him to say he doesn’t want it. Crushes suck ass. A lot of ass, and not in a good way. I force myself to swallow the bitter pill he just shoved down my throat, and get to the matter at hand.

  “Owen said you were upset that some of the guys got lap dances from me.”

  He laughs, and looks to the ceiling. “I’m upset—I’ve always been upset—that any guy got a lap dance from you, Harlow.”

  “It was my job.”

  He looks at me again, and I can see him struggling with what he wants to say. I won’t apologize for doing my job, so I just wait. Squaring his shoulders a minute later, he speaks again.

  “All the time? All the time, it was just a job?”

  “Yes.”

  It was. Even if the guy was hot, there was only one guy I wanted to grind on, and he’s standing in front of me, his glasses sliding down his nose. Besides, while hot guys made dancing easier, I wasn’t going to be a cliché.

  “There was no one you ever wanted more with?”

  “Only the hot guy who liked to sketch me, but he never bought a dance.”

  “You wanted to dance for me?”

  I shouldn’t tell him, but I do. “Whenever you were there, I was only dancing for you. No one else.”

  “And when I wasn’t there?”

  “It was just a job.”

  “I wanted to pull you off that stage every night I was there.”

  “What would you have done with me if you had?” I ask, hating how my voice comes out breathless and needy.

  “Thrown my shirt over you, and held you tight.”

  “Just a job, Bodhi,” I tell him again, trying hard not to roll my eyes, as my anger overtakes my lust once again. “I would’ve loved the hug, but I didn’t need the shirt.”

  “How many men saw you naked?”

  “I always had a G-string on, so I wasn’t totally naked, but lots of men and women saw what I was showing. I won’t apologize for that, or pretend to be ashamed.”

  “I don’t want you to be ashamed. I just…”

  “What? You just what?”

  He runs his hands through his hair, and looks me in the eye. “I don’t like it, okay? I don’t like knowing so many people—people I know—have seen you naked.”

  I don’t say anything else to him, because what can I say? There’s a good chance lots of people he knows have seen me naked, and there’s not a damn thing either one of us can do about it. My past is catching up to me in a much more dangerous way, and I need to focus on that, and only that, from now on. My dancing, and how he feels about it, can’t be a priority right now. It just can’t. I walk out, to the complete silence of his disappointment, and my resolve to get over him. Somehow.

  Bodhi

  I shouldn’t have let Harlow walk out the other day. I know I was a bastard, but in my defense, I tried not to tell her, and I also tried to just stay away. And yeah, I know that defense is weaker than the tea my mother used to make me drink, but I just don’t know how to fix things, or even if I should. All of this is a mess already, and I really prefer to fly under the radar when I can.

  “Knock, knock,” Owen tells me, walking into the pool house.

  “Shouldn’t you actually knock, and you know, wait to be told to enter?”

  “Nah. I mean, it’s not like you have Harlow in here with you.”

  “What if I had someone else in here?”

  “I’d think the aliens who took me came back for you?”

  “What? Took you? Well, it would explain a lot, actually,” I tell him with a shrug.

  “Ass.”

  “You wound me so.”

  “There are a bunch of women wanting to wound you, if I’m being honest. What the fuck did you do to Harlow?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Chicks don’t cry themselves to sleep when the guy they’re crushing on is nice to them.”

  She cried? Shit. Still have to try that defense, though, even if it’s weak.

  “First of all, she’s not crushing on me. Second, she pushed me to tell her something I didn’t want to. I tried to get out of it, but she insisted.”

  “Did that sound better in your head?”

  “Which part?” I ask, still trying to stall.

  “All of it.”

  “You know my background, Owe.”

  “And you know mine.”

  “Not the same.” Not even close.

  “Is it her past, or yours, that’s the problem?”

  “Both.”

  “You fell for her when she was dancing for you. Hell, you put her in a video game, for God’s sake. And now—now—you’re judging her?”

  “I’m not judging!” I’m not. Seriously, I don’t judge. I don’t.

  Did I? Fuck yeah, I did. I still am, and we both know it, even if I hate that I’m doing it.

  “That’s not what it looks like from where I’m sitting.”

  “How would you feel if anyone you know, or could possibly meet, had seen Candi without her clothes on?”

  “It would suck,” he admits.

  “Exactly.”

  “However, if I knew it was for her job, and not because she was just flaunting her goods for the fun of it, I’d deal with it. I love her too much to let a job interfere with us.”

  “This is me, Owe. I was there when you flipped out over that guy who was after her. The model. That was her just doing her job.”

  “I was hoping you’d have forgotten about him.”

  “I had, until you brought up the job thing. So, yeah, pot and kettle here.”

  “I got past it, and so should you.”

  I want to, but I don’t know how. I’m loathe to admit it to anyone, so I just shrug again. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.”

  “Harlow’s not going to wait forever.”

  “We’re stuck here, so I have more time than I would if we were outside the grounds of this impressive building.”

  “It is pretty cool, isn’t it? Don’t tell my big brother I admitted it, but he’s pretty damn talented.”

  “He is.”

  “As for Harlow, I hear she has a date tonight, so I wouldn’t count on that extra time you think you have.”

  What? “Who does she have a date with? Reina said we can’t leave.”

  “This place is a prime date destination.”

  “She wouldn’t just let someone in to date Harlow.”

  “Maybe they’re not just here for Harlow.”

  “Who. Is. It?”

  “I’ve said enough already. You’ll figure it out, or you won’t.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. It’s much better when you have to work for it. Trust me on that.”

  I trust him, but I also want to throttle him right now. I need info if I’m going to make a plan of attack. Or sabotage. Yes, a plan of sabotage. The thought of Harlow dating someone else has me angry, hurt, and a whole host of other emotions I’d rather not look at too closely right now. I’ve never wanted to be a third wheel for anyone before, but tonight—tonight I’m going to wedge myself right in between her and this mystery guy. I don’t know how just yet, but it’s damn well going to happen.

  3

  Harlow

  “Thanks for doing this, Har. My brother just needs a little confidence boost after that bitch left him,” Ainsley tells me.

  “No problem,” I reply, adjusting
the off the shoulder neckline of my short, flowy black dress.

  “Just, um, don’t tell me if you sleep with him, okay?”

  “Do you think I’m easy because I was a stripper?”

  “What? No! You’re both single, and I didn’t want you to think I’d mind if you slept with him.”

  “Sorry. I’m obviously a little sensitive about things right now.”

  “Because of Bodhi?”

  “How’d you guess?”

  “You’ve never been embarrassed about your past before, but I’ve heard he said some things that upset you.”

  Upset? No. Gutted? Yes.

  “I don’t want to talk about him right now. Tell me more about Keir.”

  “He’s my oldest brother, a business whiz, and the best father my nephews could ever have.”

  “How old are his boys?”

  “Six and four.”

  “I bet they’re adorable.”

  “Adorable terrors, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  The intercom buzzes, and security lets me know Keir’s arrived downstairs. We decided to have dinner out by one of the pools, so that’s where I head, not expecting him to come to my apartment since this isn’t a real date. When I walk outside, I see a handsome man, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a lean, muscular build. When he sees me, he smiles, and holds out his hand.

  “You must be Harlow.”

  “And you’re Keir.”

  “Thanks for doing this for me. I haven’t dated anyone but my wife for almost a decade.”

  “First rule of dating—don’t mention an ex,” I tell him with a smile.

  “Yeah, right. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. That’s what this is, right? Practice before you throw yourself out into the world of cutthroat single soccer moms, and businesswomen who are more interested in the size of your portfolio than the size of your package.”

  He lets out a hearty laugh. “You’re scaring me before I even jump into the dating pool, but I expect you’re right.”

  “I’m an unapologetic straight-shooter, Keir.”

  “It’s refreshing, believe me,” he says, narrowing his eyes a little. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in a real date if I survive this one without emotionally scarring us both, would you?”

  “While I appreciate the offer, I’m trying to mend my own battered heart.”

  “I know you said no talking about exes, but my ears are open if you need to vent.”

  “He’s not an ex.”

  “A crush gone wrong, then?”

  “That’s about as close as we’re going to get, I guess.”

  “I’m even more intrigued. Go ahead, and spill.”

  “Nope. Tonight is all about you, and getting you ready to dive into the shark filled waters.”

  “Still not making me feel better, Harlow.”

  “Sorry. I’ll try to rein in my bad mood. Shall we see what Gavin’s students whipped up for us?”

  “Considering what I’ve seen them do at other events, I’d say we’re in for a treat no matter what we have.”

  “No doubt.”

  Faith is one of the Society mentors, and a magnificent chef, and her husband, Gavin, owns a free cooking school here in Las Vegas for underprivileged kids. He teaches them everything a fancy, expensive school would, and helps them get jobs once they’ve graduated.

  I sit down in the chair Keir holds out for me, and wait while he takes his seat. A moment later, I see his face light up, telling me our food has arrived. When I turn to look behind me, all the blood drains from my face. What the hell?

  “Bodhi?”

  “Hey, Harlow. I’ve got your dinner right here.”

  “Smells delicious,” Keir tells him, as he puts down the covered plates in front of us.

  “Oh, I’m sure it is.”

  “Why are you serving us our food?”

  “The kid who was supposed to serve has a test tonight. I was here, and available, so why wouldn’t I pitch in?”

  “Because…because…you know why,” I sputter.

  “Do I?” he asks with a smirk.

  Keir’s eyes widen, and his mouth forms an “O”. I hang my head, letting the strands of my long blond hair cover my face. This is more than a disaster, and a hot mess put together. Why? Why Karma, why? I haven’t been that bad of a girl.

  Keir tries to save me, really he does. “If you leave the plates on the side table, we’ll take care of serving ourselves.”

  “Oh no! I couldn’t do that. You just sit back, and enjoy your date. I’ll take care of the service.”

  I look up, and meet his eyes, silently pleading with him to leave us alone. When that doesn’t work, I speak the words to him. “For the love of God, just go. Please, Bodhi, just go.”

  He looks at me, and I see the resignation in his eyes, along with what looks like hurt. I know it’s not that, because he’s the one who doesn’t want me, but my eyes soften anyway. Yes, I’m still angry, and disappointed about what happened—or rather, didn’t happen—between us, but I wouldn’t intentionally set out to hurt him. This isn’t a contest to see who can cause the most pain; at least not on my side of things.

  “Of course. I’ll grab the rest of the food, and leave you be.”

  He walks away, and I let out the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. I was really trying to put him behind me, and focus on this date, even if it was a fake one. I just wanted one night of normal.

  “It looks like the crush is jealous.”

  “I’m sorry, Keir. I had no idea he’d try and hijack our date.”

  “Just makes sure he treats you right.”

  He stands up, and I reach out to place my hand on his forearm. “Where are you going?”

  “Make him work for it, but don’t be too stubborn, Harlow.”

  “You really don’t have to go.”

  “Yeah, I do. Thanks for trying to help me. I think I should probably go ahead and dive into that scary pool, and let whatever happens just happen.”

  “You can always call me if you need to talk.”

  “I might just take you up on that.”

  He walks out, and I brace myself for battle. While my heart flutters at the thought of Bodhi being jealous enough to interfere, I’m also seriously pissed off right now. He had no right to interrupt my date, and I’m going to let him know that once he shows his stupid face again.

  Bodhi

  Hare-brained schemes are not usually my thing, but I didn’t know what else to do tonight. I couldn’t stomach the thought of Harlow with another man, even if it was just dinner. My mind kept jumping ahead to her asking him up to her place, and yeah, I went a little nuts. Like bribing a teenager to let me serve her meal, nuts.

  But then I embarrassed her. I thought she’d be mad, and maybe hit me, but I didn’t think she’d be embarrassed. Seeing her like that slayed me, and made me realize just what a douche move I’d made.

  I have no claim on her. None. Right now I don’t even have a chance of claiming her. That’s my own doing, and for me to barge into the middle of something she wants is just all kinds of wrong.

  I walked away with my head down, and I’m walking back in with my head up, but no more cocky grin. I’ll drop off the other courses, and then I’m out. The guy she was with seemed cool, and I think he could treat her the way she deserves to be treated. She definitely deserves more than what I’ve given her.

  “Here you go,” I say, walking outside, but stopping short when I see that she’s alone. “Where’s your date?”

  “He left.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry, Low.”

  “I don’t think you are. And, Low?”

  “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

  “Yes.”

  She’s not saying anything else, just sitting there with one eyebrow raised, waiting for me to answer her questions. Easier said than done, because this could go very, very badly, no matter how I answer. Damned, either way, so I might as well just tell her the truth.
<
br />   “No, I am not sorry that guy left. And I’ve always wanted to call you Low.”

  “You need to make up your mind, Bo. I can’t do this back and forth.”

  “Bo?” I ask, and she shrugs. “I like it.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re not giving me an inch, are you?”

  “Not even a millimeter.”

  “Ouch!”

  “Jumping right in to talk about the pain we’ve inflicted on each other before we even have a drink?” she asks, a smile trying to tug itself free on her face, but not entirely succeeding.

  “Hurting you hurts me. I know that sounds clichéd, and cheesy, but it’s true. I’ve been a wreck the past few days.”

  “Am I supposed to feel bad for you? Because, I really don’t.”

  “No. I don’t want that.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Why were you on a date?”

  “Because Ainsley’s brother needed practice getting back into the swing of things after his wife left him.”

  “Whoa. Now I feel like an even bigger ass.”

  She just looks at me again, not disputing my assessment. The silence is awkward, but I don’t know what to say. After I talked with Owen, I had so much I wanted to tell her. Yet now that I’m in front of her, I don’t know how to say any of it.

  “You didn’t answer me,” she reminds me, softly.

  “I want you. I’ve wanted you since the moment I first saw you.”

  “Just sex, then?”

  “No. I won’t deny you were sexy on that pole, but it was your strength, and your kindness that made you irresistible to me.”

  “My past isn’t going to disappear. Most of the time, I wish it would, but then I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t have met the wonderful women and men I work with, and who’ve become my friends.”

  “Or me.”

  “Or you.”

  “I’ll never love the fact that so many people saw you with most of your clothes off, but I know it was your job. You didn’t sleep with any of the men or women you danced for.”

  “I didn’t. No mixing business and pleasure. There are too many things that could go so horribly wrong with that scenario.”

  “Are you willing to break your rule for me?”

  “I’d have to break it twice, since you were part of my old job, and now my new one as well.”