“Missed everyone. We ain’t over a walkway.” Adam looked out as far as possible to get a glimpse under the overhang of the balcony. “Good thing it ain’t more crowded.”
Both guys turned to look at me. In that moment, I realized that the problem wasn’t William, it was that I was drunk. Champagne can really sneak up on a girl.
“What?” I asked, looping my arms underneath William’s so I could put my fists on my hips. “Someone moved that railing—that wasn’t my fault!”
They continued to stare.
“I’m drunk so it didn’t count as a failing?”
Adam blinked. William’s lips were curling upward slowly, as if he couldn’t believe a person like me existed.
“Okay, okay—you got me--it was the drink's fault. Seriously, William, what do they put in that beverage?”
Laughing, William straightened me up, and made a show of gently leaning me against the banister. He removed his hands, palms up in the air, as if stacking a card house and worrying that it might fall over.
“Oh, give over. What about this dance off?” I asked, waving my hand away. “Also, someone stole my drink. I need another.”
Adam finally broke, clutching his chest and laughing. “Are all California’s this ass-crazy?”
I shrugged. “I’m not crazy, I’m fun. Pity you Texan’s can’t tell the difference.”
When I looked back at William, his face had closed down again. All blank. Staring. Even slightly hostile. The man had worse moods than a woman in the height of PMS!
“Okay, I’m going to…” I gave a weird body point in the general direction of the section’s exit, as if I was revving up to head that way. When William didn't let on he knew what I was relaying, I started that way. I figured I might hit the bathroom, have a glass of water, then catch a cab.
Adam was still laughing as I walked away.
I stood on a very high precipice, looking down. It was jagged and rocky and extremely dangerous. It was the stairs. I was looking down at my early death
I looked across the expanse of the world and saw a few guys from our area standing at the railing, watching my progress. William and Adam probably made up two of those, though I couldn’t be sure because beer goggles tended to be near-sighted. Or was it far-sighted.
“I’m not good at math,” I muttered drunkenly, shrugging. I needed a seeing-eye dog.
“Problem?”
It was the gruff bouncer from the first roped hurdle into the VIP area. He was just cresting the stairs, his muscles bulging through his black t-shirt. Being that he was in his forties, that was an achievement.
“Well,” I began, clutching the railing in case I slid down, then rolled, then tumbled, then split my head open, “heels, steep steps—wow, that was hard to say—and drunk, which I am not, of course, is a terrible combination.”
“You’re not drunk at all, no. That’s obvious,” he said in dead pan.
“Exactly. So, kind sir, it has come clear to me. I wondered, in the most sincere sort of way, if you would be so kind as to help me down the stairs?”
“What do I get out of it?”
“Well, your face intact, for a start.” I curled a fist and mock growled at him.
Come morning, I would be embarrassed I did that.
His head whipped back as if I had struck him. He started laughing. “Feisty one, huh? C’mon.”
He held out his arm and I clutched it. Wobbly, but managing.
“How you gonna get back up?” he asked economically.
“Easy.”
“How?”
“Don’t know yet.”
He shook his head. “You should slow down or you won’t make the night.”
“Don’t I know it! Definitely. Gonna make an ass of myself on the dance floor first. Look for me!”
We reached the bottom and I headed off into the crowd.
Deep into the crowd. I was way more messed up than I thought I was.
A Madonna classic re-mastered came on. I danced like it was going out of style. Probably threw too much hip at it. Probably rubbed my body too much. Definitely threw one too many stripper moves in the mix. Obviously didn’t care. I was going for it!
Men came and went. Some more persistent than others. All turned away, of course. I was too drunk to make solid decisions and I didn’t have my girls to give me the yay or nay. Plus, new city; must be good.
“FOCUS!”
I just yelled that at myself. Embarrassing. I looked around at the bobbing, blurry faces. Nobody noticed.
Time to head away. Beer time. I felt more sober. Hopefully everyone else felt more drunk.
Man, I was sweaty. Dancing gets the heart rate up.
I made it to the stairs, dancing all the way. There was no one going up.
Precarious predicament.
*Giggle*
I saw the bouncer that escorted me down a moment ago at the top of the stairs. Like he was a bus about to miss my stop, I waved at him with both hands. He might have looked at me funny, but it was hard to say because there were two of him.
“Well, that sucks.” I took a big breath and put my foot on the first step. I could definitely make it. All I had to do was keep my focus the whole time.
“No issues.”
I moved toward the railing. I probably looked the fool. It was another thing I would care about tomorrow.
“Hold up. Hold on there, I’m comin’.”
The bouncer to the rescue!
He reached me in a bound and stuck out his arm. I loved Texas!
“I was nearly going to chance my life to the railing,” I gasped, winded from all the dancing.
He chuckled. “I saw that. You should wear smaller shoes.”
“And you shouldn’t mother me. You’re no good at it.”
He shook his head. “I come down to help you and see what I get?”
“Abuse. I am some bitch, aren’t I?”
“You got that right. Here, I’ll walk you to the back. You with the Chamberlin booth?”
“I don’t know who that is. Adam, Candace, Apollo, Ty, Brad...he has a girlfriend. Shame.”
The bouncer patted my hand. I noticed he had a wedding ring. Good. He wouldn’t hit on me. And if he did, I had a great excuse to jump ship without hurting his feelings.
We got to our area and Adam, William and Ty were looking at me from the railing. The bouncer nodded to them, smiled at me, and headed off with a “Ma’am.”
I walked in nearly a straight line to Adam and friends. “Hey boys. Nice guy, that guy. Didn’t have to brave the stairs alone. Now, where were we? Oh yes, that’s right, rules. Or am I too drunk?”
William held out my refreshed drink. It was a beer. How did he know I wanted to switch?
“Telepathy.”
That sounded too loud.
I shrugged. Everyone was staring at me.
“What is this, a wax museum?” I turned to William. “Thanks for paying attention. That’s awesome. Hug!”
Without thinking anything besides gratitude, I stepped up and hugged him, sliding my arms around his neck and pressing in close before backing off again.
Focus. Don’t make an ass of yourself.
“My God you smell good,” I muttered, his presence eating away at my focus.
Adam had a grin on his face, and stupid William had that blank look again. I looked around for Boobie McGee but she and her friend had been replaced with other blond girls a little better looking.
“Still ugly.”
Ty asked, “How did you get that bouncer under your thumb? That guy is a dick to everyone!”
“Oh now,” I said, “You just have to know how to talk to people, Ty. Seriously guys, am I the only drunk one here? What was in those drinks?”
“No, Candace is pretty tore up, too. She is down dancing, or using the restroom, or God knows what.” Ty looked at the dance floor as he said it.
“I have enough booze in me to make a spectacle of you on the dance floor,” William chimed in.
&
nbsp; I just shook my head. “Does anyone have rope? Because I need to tie my hand behind my back to get some competition around here!”
Adam and Ty broke down laughing. William just shook his head and looked me over.
“Rules,” William said to Adam, still looking at me.
The heat of that gaze made my limbs tingly, vibrating down, headed to one part of my body. My dreams flashed through my mind and I involuntarily leaned toward him.
Was it just my imagination, or did he lean in toward me, too?
Before I could reach a hand to his gorgeous pecks, Adam stepped up and said, “Okay, let’s have some rules. But why you can’t just go dance is beyond me.”
“Rules are important for cheaters. This one,” I gestured toward William, “will probably find some hot chick to dance with that has moves and helps him win. Ain’t no guy helpin’ me out. Guys can’t dance for shit!”
“Did you really just get trailer trash on me?” William said with a smirk.
I shrugged, nonplussed.
Adam continued, “Right. Dance off. Here’s the rules: one, you’ll dance by yourselves, but can dance alongside someone else—without touching. Two, no taking off clothes.” He looked pointedly at me when he said that. Sexiness must have a slight edge. Luckily I knew how to exploit that talent of mine while still clothed.
“Three, you’ll each take turns dancing. Two songs a’piece of my choosing. I ain’t judging so I’ll be fair. Watching the other person is up to you since I can’t imagine you’ll use each other’s moves.
“After the songs are done for each, you’ll dance the same song, but not together. After that you dance the next song together. That should give the judges enough to work off of for a final decision.”
“Jesus, should someone be writing these down?” Ty asked, his air pen braced over his palm.
Adam continued. “Four, you will not get people to cheer for you, or try to create a circle of dancers for yourself.” That one confused me a little but I let it go. “And five, don’t hurt yourself.”
“Oh well, William, you should probably just get out now,” I said.
Ty smirked.
A moment of clarity made me realize that this all sounded a little stupid. At least, these rules were stupid. If I wasn’t so competitive I would have just said forget it, grabbed Apollo, and ripped his shirt off. Well, I would have tried, anyway.
Lightning bolt. “Has this been done before? I mean, for reals?”
All eyes on me. Including those of the guys and girls at the booth, currently crowding around.
“Oh yes,” Adam responded. “I must admit, usually it’s a couple a’ girls…or more. But this is doable. I am confident in my man Willie.”
“Wha? Your man? What happened to impartial judging? Or ref’ing? Or whatever you are doing?”
Adam shrugged. “Let’s get this goin’.” He signaled someone behind me.
William and I were still squaring off, bodies pointed at one another. Shadows were playing across his face, his eyes on fire. His mouth curled up in a half smile as he imperceptibly looked down my body.
I felt a rush of air inflate my lungs. My auxiliary sexual power turned on, revving at his sexual scrutiny. Begging for a green light. Begging to jump on him.
I stepped up with a slinky saunter, putting my desire on display. We were inches apart when I looked up into his eyes and slowly ran my palm up his chest, lingering for a fraction of a second on his deliciously defined peck. I intended to rub my palm back down, more for my own benefit than his, but Adam laid a big paw on my shoulder and turned me away.
“Rule six, don’t try to seduce the opponent for an edge.” Adam gave a pointed look at William, then back to me.
Oh my God! Was William playing me? I think he might have been playing me! How did he do that when it was my idea? Was it my idea?
I am too drunk for this inner conversation.
I backed up, giving Adam my best petulant child glare. I looked back at William with a “you’re going down” look, but stuttered in my intent when I connected with his eyes. They were still smoldering, immediately turning my insides to spaghetti. I wanted to step closer. To give in to it. To let him do whatever he wanted.
My God, he was good. He was playing me like a violin.
Focus!
I had seen hotter. I couldn’t recall when, but I was sure I had seen hotter. Must resist. I can beat this!
I stuffed my sex-starved thoughts to the back of my brain and took a business woman stance. Into his still heated gaze, I yawned.
A shot was put into my hand by Brad. William was armed as well. Everyone did a big cheers, and drank ‘em down. It was show time!
“I did not need that,” I said to nobody. Adam laughed at me.
If I kept drinking, soon the whole bar would be laughing at me.
Adam, Ty, Candace, William and I headed down to the dance floor. Everyone else gathered around the railing. This was sooo weird. Weird, but in the bag. A dude beat me on the dance floor? Not a chance.
Chapter Thirteen
I got to the top of the stairs as Adam, Candace and Ty started down. I hesitated. It was still just as steep.
“Here.” William stepped up and gave me his arm.
“Oh thank God. I didn’t want to try my luck.”
“Why wear such high shoes if you can’t navigate stairs?”
“Fashion takes no prisoners,” I said, wobbling slightly when my heel caught a step.
“What would you do if you had to do this alone?” William asked, clutching onto my arm as I pitched forward.
“Bouncer.”
I was only capable of one word answers. Walking on flat ground in bare feet would have been too much for me with William this close.
“Ah yes, that’s right. You can charm even the meanest of us.”
“Us?” I asked, relieved to see the bottom so close.
“Men.”
“That’s easy. Any vagina can do that.”
“Ri-ight,” William said, drawing out the word as we hit the ground floor.
I turned to face him with a laugh on my lips. “That word make you nervous? Vagina? Does the word vagina make you nervous?”
William was looking at my mouth. He shook his head slowly. When his eyes met mine the world ceased to exist. All I could see where those deep, clear blue eyes, pulling me in and eating me alive.
“Y’all gonna do this or what?”
William blinked then started. He looked around us then back at me, his brow scrunching at our proximity. Before I could get embarrassed, a sexy smile lit up his face. “She was breaking rule six.”
“Ha!” I yelled with a grin, flushed and horny and crazy and probably needing to pull the emergency brake. Instead, I flicked my hair, handed Candace my beer, and walked toward the dance floor. “I’ll go first.”
I hadn’t even moved a hip before some douche-bag was trying to grind up on me. Without the patience I had earlier, I gave him a mighty shove. The guy nearly got air as he fell away. I waited two seconds for the tail-end of the current song to finish and a new song to begin. It was Brittany Spears.
Cake walk.
I started moving to the music. Slow at first, then getting more into it. My h*ps popped one way, my shoulders rolling another. I turned, I twisted, I gyrated, I rocked, I even threw in a Thriller move from Michael Jackson as a crowd pleaser.
As I loosened up, I threw out some hip hop moves, saving the more serious pole dancing moves for the next dance. You had to leave some surprises.
The only problem was the “open for business” sign that all the single boys saw. No sooner did I push one away then another jogged up. And I say “jogged” because I had yet to find one guy that could dance. It was damned irritating. Tools, too, the lot of them.
When the song finished I pushed off the latest yahoo and wound my way back to the others. I wiped a fresh sheen of sweat from my forehead and gave a low bow. Next I walked right in front of William, a challenge in my eyes. I must h
ave made an impression. Must have.
“Think you can do better?” I asked with a satisfied smirk.
He saw my smirk and raised me an eye twinkle. He leaned toward me and whispered, “Piece of cake.”
Too cool for school, eh? Pa-lease.
The next song started. It was one I didn’t recognize. We were supposed to wait for Adam to pick the songs, but no one cared that much.
William walked into the crowd, throwing up a fist to the guys at our booth. They started cheering, echoing down to the dance floor. William’s smile grew to one of jubilance. He started off with the cabbage patch of all things. Then to the Sprinkler. The problem was...I’d just found the one guy in this whole bar with rhythm…and he was my competition.
Crap!
Still, he was a dude. And I was a rock star.
He did what I’d done, which was have fun with it, but manly somehow. He did the MC Hammer, some Running Man, then some freaking Esher! All done perfectly. He was large and in charge, and hot as hell.
I swear my groin was dancing with him it was throbbing so hard. I wanted to go out and join him; push up against him and grind until the cows came home. Or he took me home.
The women on the dance floor had the same idea. They were treating him like the men treated me. He treated them nearly the same as I treated the men, which was to remove them. He was a little gentler, though.
“This is how he gets all his wo...I mean, dates,” Adam said next to me.
“What’s that?” I yelled over the music.
“Willie—how he gets his dates. All he has to do is show up on the dance floor and he has ten women ready to throw their underwear at him.”
“Ah. Nice.”
Adam shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
Please don’t.
When the song ended William did a bow, mimicking mine, to the cheering fans. With a smug grin, he came to stand in front of me. I took a nonchalant stance.
“You’re hot,” I said to him, “but not as hot as me.”
Time to sex it up!
This time I faced William before I started to move. My eyes hit his and held. I started very slowly. Rolling my shoulders, then my hips, while running my hands along my body. I bent at the waist, looking away while my hands explored my br**sts, then back as I neared my groin. I writhed and moved, showing off all the things a woman did best—sensual, sexual, sultry! Not too in your face, though. Not yet.
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