Electrified

by Rachel Blaufeld

  Many critics thought the adult entertainment world was rife with violence and altogether dirty and shameful in its pursuits. Sienna knew this to be largely untrue, other than the few lousy sons of bitches in the business.

  She had lived in a world of violence and dirty gestures shrouded as holy. The life surrounding the club might not have been holy or wholesome, but it was liberating and satisfying, which was why there were so many couples who came to the club. There was a purpose in pleasure for them.

  For the most part, the bachelor parties got wild and a little crazy, but never out of hand. They were really not the way the movies portrayed them. Mostly the “batching” guys were out to have a good time, bank away fantasies for later, drink too much, and have a great night out with their friends.

  After being immersed in this world for more than half a decade, it was only natural that a piece of her yearned for some kind of intimacy. The pleasuring kind. The only thing was, she couldn’t have it. Her brain, her logical side, told her that opening herself up to any kind of relationship in order to have intimacy was risky.

  Her body was on a separate mission to feel something, to touch and be touched. It was a deadly mission, yet she couldn’t stop herself.

  TO KEEP her mind busy and avoid cleaning her place for the second time in two days, Sienna texted Sydney and Petal and invited them over for coffee. A morning with the girls was a good way to steer her mind away from her lunch date with Carson.

  Do I tell them about the date?

  Throwing back on her cardigan from her adventure at Asher’s the day before, Sienna shoved her feet in soft slippers and padded out to the kitchen. She knew the girls would come in similar outfits. They relished their time to be casual and comfy after working late hours with all the makeup and uncomfortable outfits.

  While waiting, Sienna baked a small banana loaf for the three of them. As she was pulling the loaf from the oven, her phone pinged with a text. Her first thought was that maybe one of her friends changed her mind, which made her nervous at the prospect of having to occupy herself for a few hours. To be left alone with her warring thoughts seemed torturous.

  Then panic ran through her…maybe Carson was canceling? While that would be the best thing for both of them, the thought plagued her every fiber and assaulted her soul.

  She grabbed the phone and peeked. It was neither.

  Mike: What’s the plan? You know what I mean.

  Sienna: Late lunch. 2 p.m. Bella’s near Canyon Coffee. Didn’t tell Ash.

  Mike: OK. I feel you but you’ll have to tell him soon.

  Sienna: No. This is going to be it after this lunch.

  Mike: I’ll be outside your place at 1:30.

  He didn’t respond to her mention of this being the last time. Does he think this is going to be an ongoing thing?

  Sienna didn’t bother to argue with the arrangement. Mike was going to tail her again, and Carson knew she had someone watching. Maybe it would be a big turnoff. With that thought, her doorbell rang and in walked her friends. Thank you, God.

  Sydney, sporting doggie print pajamas and her auburn hair knotted in a bun on top of her head as though she just rolled out of bed, went straight for the coffeepot. Petal plopped down in the big blue and white damask floral armchair, her jet black hair fanning out around her, the color rich and seductive, a complete contrast to the softness of the chair Sienna chose for her living space. All three of them were chatting at once, the smell of banana and coffee permeating the room, a feeling of easiness in the air. It was times like this that made Sienna feel she’d survive in this life…forever.

  A few friends were all she needed. She had a warm and cozy house with nice furniture, and at the moment it was filled with smiles and laughter. She never had that once in her old life.

  As she grabbed a coffee with Sydney and brought the banana bread over to the coffee table, the girls were giggling about the bachelor party the night before. The group of young gentlemen had taken a private room for three hours, and couldn’t stop throwing cash the girls’ way. Asher had plenty of security on the private rooms, so fortunately nothing went wrong like it did with Natalie a few weeks back.

  There was nothing more than heavy touching, but the money was worth it to Sydney and Petal. Both of them grew up with the bare minimum, and now they supported themselves, plus were able to save for the future, thanks to Sienna. Nobody could take that away from them.

  Sienna listened and laughed as they told stories of the guys with tented pants watching them dance and move as if it was their last breath before tying the knot. The tented pants were a little inside joke between the three of them. Privately discussing which ones were bigger than others was a bad weekly habit. Apparently, last night’s bachelor partiers were fairly well-endowed, and Sydney was fascinated. She was newer than Sienna and Petal, so it figured. Petal threw her whole body backward into her chair in a fit of laughter as Sydney demonstrated with her hands how high one guy’s pants were raised.

  Sienna was only half listening when Petal abruptly asked, “Sienna, where’d you go, honey? You were off in space while I almost choked to death from my own laughter.”

  Busted, Sienna thought. She was really thinking about Carson and couldn’t imagine he was small in the pants. Oh. My. God.

  No way was she going to cop to that, so she said, “I have a lunch date today. I really don’t even know what to make of it.”

  “What?” the girls cried out in unison.

  Sienna looked at the two of them. Petal had her knees curled up in the huge armchair with a pillow squished over the side and her head resting on the top of it. Sydney was lying on the floor with her head propped up on her hands, her coffee cup in front of her. If this wasn’t safe enough, Sienna didn’t know what was, so she went out on a limb.

  “Yeah, a date. There’s been this guy coming to the club on the weekends, and he sent his number back to me. Since Billy was too new to know better, he brought it back to me. I guess I kinda liked him from afar and was curious these last few weeks, so I texted him. Oh my God, that’s so embarrassing when I say it out loud. I texted him. I must look so needy.” She buried her face deep in her hands, afraid to look up, but when she did she saw their softening expressions.

  “No way,” Sydney said. “It’s adorable, you liked him enough to text him. This guy is one lucky dude with all the men who are dying to get a text from you!”

  Petal chimed in, “Even better, he gets to know you, the real you. Not just the gorgeous Sienna Flower all men dream about, but you, the sweetest person on earth.” She pulled up to her knees in the chair and looked straight at Sienna, driving the point home.

  She shook her head and chuckled. “Chill out, ladies. We had one cup of coffee yesterday and planned for this late lunch today. He doesn’t live here, just visits, which is good. I don’t think this is the smartest idea, but I just sort of like him, so I want to have this date.”

  “You’re crazy. If you like him, go after him.” Sydney grinned at her, then popped another piece of banana bread into her mouth.

  Petal got up to refill her coffee, and patted Sienna’s shoulder as she passed her. “You deserve a life. I know you had it rough and don’t like to talk about it, Sie, but you’re kind and loving. You deserve everything good and sweet, baby.”

  “Ugh, you two are killing me. It’s only lunch. That’s it. No more. Just to get the guy out of my head.” Noticing the dreamy look in both Sydney and Petal’s eyes, she knew they were no longer listening to her. She was saying this more for her own benefit.

  Before she could say anything more, the girls had Sienna in the shower with a cleansing mask on her face, and were rummaging through her closet to pick out an outfit for lunch.

  “I was just going to wear jeans and a ball cap. You know I don’t like going out all exposed,” Sienna protested.

  “No way, girlie.”

  “Agreed. No way,” Sydney said with a nod to Petal.

  THE HOURS passed quickly with the mini-ma
keover. By one thirty, Sienna was buffed, polished, lightly made up with makeup, and had soft waves cascading through her hair. She was wearing skinny jeans, an untucked white blouse with the sleeves rolled up, and knee-high brown boots. Wearing no jewelry except hoop earrings, Sienna pulled her dark purple suede blazer over her blouse and walked out with Petal and Sydney still in their pajamas.

  When Sierra walked outside, Mike was already waiting. He lifted a hand in greeting, then smirked as he looked over from his car. She was certain he was glad he missed the estrogen-filled coffee klatch. Sienna kissed both her friends, then hopped into her car and pulled out with Mike following close behind.

  Her heart was racing on the drive over to Bella’s. Coffee was one thing; lunch was another. Yesterday Sienna wore her uniform for going out in public—nondescript clothes, hat, and glasses. Today she was dressed up in what Sydney and Petal pulled together for her, with her hair down and her face made up like she was an ordinary woman.

  She felt exposed.

  Sienna didn’t do “ordinary woman.” She was either made up like the adult dancer she was, or she went incognito in the ball cap. This was a whole new look. She didn’t dress like this in her old life either, and at the moment, she had absolutely no idea how to act in her current getup.

  Not to mention that she was going on a lunch date, which aside from the coffee she had with Carson yesterday, was also a first. The newness of everything had every nerve in her body tingling.

  Sienna parked and got out of her car, then gave a quick nod to Mike before walking over to the restaurant. She usually got takeout from Bella’s for Asher and herself during the week. Dining in was definitely new to Sienna. No wonder she felt like her heart was going to jump right through her chest…how many firsts could a woman take in one day?

  Carson was waiting for her in the little lobby. Sienna had to lower her gaze upon seeing him; he looked that good. Today he was wearing dark jeans, not tight or baggy, but just right for him, a cream-colored henley with the sleeves pushed up, and the same brown motorcycle boots peeked out from his jeans. His whole tattoo was exposed since his sleeves were rolled up so far. It was a series of ancient symbols along his forearm, such a contradiction to the serious PI she knew him to be.

  In a move that took her breath away, he reached out and softly lifted her chin so they were eye to eye. “Hi.” The look he gave her was so warm, yet sizzling with promise, she couldn’t even answer back. When she didn’t respond, he said, “I already told them we were going to need a table for two. I was just waiting for you to come in so we could be seated together. Do you want to sit near the window or toward the back of the restaurant?”

  Finally pulling herself together, Sienna breathed out, “The window actually sounds nice.”

  “I see you have eyes on you again today. I just thought he’d prefer for you to be near the window. Wasn’t sure what you would want.”

  “Well, yes,” she said, both pleased by Carson’s thoughtfulness, and at the same time taken aback by it. “I think it’s better for me to be in his sight line, but I’ve never dined in here and the window space looks nice, so that works. By the way, that’s Mike. He’s the head bouncer at the club. He’s also a friend and a bit overprotective of me.”

  “Okay, no worries. A window table it is.”

  With that, Carson led her into the restaurant with his hand lightly resting on her lower back. Unlike the day before, she didn’t flinch at his touch. Instead she wanted to sink back into it and take more.

  Sienna didn’t understand how a man could be so strong, yet so gentle at the same time. She barely had any experience with men; the men she’d known before were either sheep or wolves, and Carson didn’t seem to fit neatly into either category.

  As they arrived at the table, Sienna felt lonely and naked when Carson had to take his hand away, then mentally chided herself for her weakness. I survived twenty-eight years without a hand on my back; I can handle lunch in my seat like a big girl.

  She took in the candles burning softly on the tables, the tiny flickers casting shadows around the room, the various rows of wine bottles lining the walls, and caught the scent of aromatic herbs drifting through the air. It was the most perfect setting for a first date.

  Once they were seated, Carson said, “You look stunning. I mean, at the Tunnel everyone knows you’re gorgeous, but this right now…you’re a natural beauty.”

  The breath whooshed out of her. “Thank you.”

  “How was work last night?” he asked, looking nowhere else but straight at her. He gave her his full attention just like when he was at the Tunnel, as though nothing were more important to him than she was.

  She stole one more quick look up at his eyes before looking at her place setting and studying the napkin. He couldn’t know how she wanted to forget last night happened. That damn guy with the cowboy hat. “It was pretty good, we had a lot of bachelor parties. None of them got out of hand, though.” She felt her nose twitch a little with the white lie.

  Carson noticed. “Really? I bet you it was more exciting, by the way you’re looking.”

  “Really, it wasn’t. There was this one guy who rushed the stage when I was dancing, but Mike threw him out. After he was gone, the night went smoothly.” She lifted her eyes to meet his.

  He frowned. “Does that happen often? I haven’t seen anything like that when I’ve been there. Seems like Asher runs a tight ship.”

  She shook her head, and reached out to toy with the menu in front of her. “It rarely happens, and almost never to me. If there’s a problem, it’s usually in the VIP rooms, but Asher’s, I mean our team is top-notch, so it doesn’t go on too much.”

  “Hmm,” Carson said with a teasing smile. “Now I wish I didn’t listen to you and had been there to rescue you.”

  Sienna let out a laugh, her cheeks flushed, and she caught a tiny fluttering in her chest. “They had it covered, and here I am in one piece.”

  Although she really didn’t want to discuss the situation at the club, it was better than small talk about their lives growing up. That was a topic she wanted to avoid, not wanting to lie about her past any more than she already had.

  “Did you have a nice evening?” she asked. “Did you hang out on the Strip?”

  “I did. Played some blackjack, indulged in some pretty good scotch, and smoked a cigar with my favorite bartender.” He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders like a happy-go-lucky kid. “What’s a guy to do?”

  She chuckled before becoming more serious. “I couldn’t say. I don’t go to the Strip much. To be honest, I’ve never been there all made up. With the billboard, I just attract too much unwanted attention. But sometimes I think I want to check it out, just as someone else. So I guess I should thank you for meeting me out this way again.”

  “I imagine going anywhere in this town is a crush for you, so I’m feeling damn lucky to be with you here right now.” Carson moved forward in his seat, his gaze directly on Sienna’s face, and winked.

  She blushed and looked away, knowing she needed to turn the whole atmosphere down a notch before she climbed across the table, especially since she had no idea what she would do once she got over there.

  “I get takeout from this place a lot, but like I said, I’ve never eaten in before, so this is a treat. Asher will be jealous. He loves it here.”

  “You two are tight. Is he that tight with all of you at the club? Should I be nervous?” Carson’s eyes were unsure as he asked this, as though he was actually worried about competition for her affection.

  Sienna shook her head and laughed. “No, no. Ash is my family out here. Well, my family, neighbor, and business partner. Thank God we have a high tolerance for each other. We seem to always be together, but it’s nothing intimate.”

  “Partner?” Carson’s brows pinched together. “What do you mean? Do you guys have a business together?”

  Sienna realized she’d put her mouth in her foot a tiny bit. She really needed dating lessons.


  “Yes, we own the club. Actually, I own half the Tunnel with Asher now.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed. I didn’t realize.” He sat back and assessed her, a half smile on his face. “You’re one smart lady. Do you ever want to give up dancing to run the business full-time?”

  She frowned.

  As soon as it was out, he said, “Shit. I didn’t mean it that way. Of course, you’re smart whether you own the club and dance or not. Your dancing is gorgeous. For selfish reasons, I don’t want you to stop. I like watching, but I wouldn’t be offended if I were the only man you were performing for.” He ran his hand over his face, up over his forehead and back down his hair, stopping at his neck, resting his head in his own palm with his eyes boring down on her.

  She knew he was only half joking, but she had to explain and set him straight.

  “No, I couldn’t stop. Not now, it’s part of the club and me. Sienna Flower is so synonymous with the Electric Tunnel. I don’t mean it in a bragging way, I just couldn’t do that to Ash. We grew that club together with his management and my dancing. So, now he keeps up his side and I dance, which gives the other dancers a chance to learn. And to earn a slot near mine.” She took a much-needed sip of the water the busboy had just placed in front of her.

  Carson took the hint and picked up his menu, but kept his eyes trained on her. “You really have a good handle on it, I’m even more impressed. I could tell you were the real deal, though. Brains, beauty, and the most beautiful smile.”

  Sienna didn’t know what to make of all this. She didn’t know how to accept the compliment, so she changed the subject while picking up her menu. “You already know I eat, which you find so ‘real,’ so I’ll say this…I love the food here.” She looked down at her menu, but Carson didn’t. He remained exclusively focused on her.

  “The way you keep it real is so refreshing, Sienna. I can’t imagine ever getting bored with you. So, what do you like here?”