by Ann Stewart
“If that’s what it takes to spend time with you, then I’ll be more than happy to lend you my services.” Oliver’s eyes run over the length of my body. It’s not until his eyes practically bulge from their sockets that I notice the amount of cleavage I’m sporting. I pull my robe tighter as he comments, “Nice robe.”
Before heading into another eye roll, I grab him by the hand and lead him to my bedroom. “Fine. You can help pick out my outfit and hang out while I get ready.” I point to my closet. “Have at it.”
Oliver rubs his palms together as he heads into my walk-in closet. “Hmmmm, this could be interesting.”
“How so?” I quirk an eyebrow.
“Well, I can either make you wear something that would make a hooker blush or I can dress you up like Mother Theresa. Oooohhh do you have anything that’s lime green? You know, the color of Slimer from the Ghostbusters?”
“First of all, this is my closet we’re talking about. I wouldn’t have anything in there that I would have a problem wearing. Secondly, I have no problem showing a little skin. I might meet my future husband tonight.” I tease him from the doorway as he pushes aside hangers in search for the perfect outfit. We all know that’s a lie. Future husband? Ha! What man would want to take on all of my baggage, not to mention the love child growing inside of me?
“Do I get to pick what goes underneath too?” he questions, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
“In your dreams, buddy!” I laugh before turning around and heading to the bathroom to apply my makeup and brush out my hair.
Oliver yells from the closet, still trying to make small talk. “So, what does this ladies night exactly consist of? Are you going to sit around eating chocolate, braiding each other’s hair, and practice making out with each other?”
I’m going to ignore the last part of the question. “I’m not sure exactly. Trevor gave me a flyer and I thought I could support him and show Janice a good time.”
“Ah ha! I think I found the perfect outfit.” Oliver’s yelp of triumph reminds me of a gladiator who’s just won his battle. I can imagine him thumping his fists against his chest while making a celebratory lap around my closet. I actually giggle at the thought.
I look at Oliver’s reflection in the mirror and see him dangling a little red dress from the hanger resting on his pointer finger. Of course he’d pick the sluttiest dress. I’ve only worn it once before. It was one of Cole’s favorites, which is why I never wore it again. It stops a few inches above my knees and covers just enough to avoid getting arrested for indecent exposure. The halter dress hugs my curves showing ample skin in both the front and the back. I swallow my nerves as I eye the dress.
I knew I’d regret my decision but I did give him free reign.
I go back to brushing blush across the apples of my cheeks, trying to remain unbothered. “What made you pick that dress?”
“Well…I haven’t seen you wear anything like this before. My imagination only goes so far,” his low voice rumbles. Oliver pushes forward, pressing his front against my back. The dress dangles next to us as he watches me in the mirror.
I turn, pushing against him as I take it from his hands and place the hanger on the towel rack close by. “Well, I guess you just guaranteed this to be a very interesting night.” Oliver’s face drops as he considers the situation. I hear him mutter “shit” as I turn back around and begin applying my eyeliner.
Of course, my teasing doesn’t halt his efforts. In fact, he’s still entirely too close and it’s making me nervous. Oliver continues to watch me closely through our reflection in the mirror when I question, “Having fun yet?”
“I told you, anything to spend more time with you,” he answers, eyes running slowly along the nape of my neck, his breath against my shoulder blades.
I need to kill his buzz, and quick, or my interesting night is going to start sooner than I thought.
“Oliver, I know for a fact you could have any girl you want, why are you wasting your time?”
Lightly, he brushes my hair off my right shoulder and breathes me in. “I’m never wasteful, Elyssa. Especially not where you’re concerned.” His lips tilt up, green eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “You can’t deny that we look pretty damn good together. Just imagine what our kids would look like.” His cockiness shows in his sexy smirk.
I take a minute and consider what Oliver is saying. He’s right; I can’t deny we would make a cute couple. But, the reality is, the reflection is just that…a glimpse into what could be. Nothing more.
“That’s precisely the problem. You need to stop focusing on an illusion. Autumn, or that girl from finance, or even the girl from the movie theater…take your pick. Any of those girls would die for your attention.”
His eyes narrow as they look away. “Obviously not any girl.”
Oliver catches me looking and tugs gently against my shoulders, turning me around to face him. I gasp as he lifts me, placing me on the counter before taking my head between his masculine hands.
“If I could, I’d kiss you right now and show you exactly how not a waste of time this is.” His breath sweeps across my lips as he lowers his face closer to mine.
My body is urging me to give in; to give him a chance. “But you can’t,” I breathe back. Reaching up I place both of my hands on top of his which are now resting on each of my cheeks.
“No…I guess I can’t.” He steps back, shaking his head as I discreetly calm my desires.
I nod my head. Shortly, the awkwardness of the situation is replaced with small talk about his short time in Vegas. I ask him if he misses California yet, in which he tells me he hasn’t had a chance with traveling back and forth every weekend. For some reason I find this odd that he would be traveling so much after just moving here, but then again, we are talking about Oliver here.
Jumping off the counter, I push against his chest, inching him out the door. “You need to get out so I can get dressed.
“Don’t girls get dressed in locker rooms together? Why do I need to leave?” And, he’s back.
“Cause the girls in my locker room don’t have a penis. Now get out!” I laugh. It doesn’t take long to get my dress on and finish the final touches with lip gloss.
“Comfortable?” I tease and walk to him, lying comfortably on my bed flipping through a photo album.
Oliver sets it down; his expression turning from one of amusement to a burning need in a split second. “God, you are beautiful.” I blush and toy with my hair nervously.
“It’s the outfit,” I joke with a little twirl. I actually love this dress, but my last torrid memory while wearing said dress is of Cole and his grabby hands. He was drunk, but when wasn’t he? He never knew how to take his time, especially when he was wasted.
“You’re definitely not going to have a hard time meeting your future husband tonight.” He continues to survey me, thoroughly. A bit of sadness washes over his face when his eyes make contact with mine. Oliver approaches me and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close. His brows furrow. “But, could you do me a favor?”
My breathing feels shallow as his arms tighten around me. “What’s that?”
“Try not to elope or fall in love with any potential husbands tonight, please,” he pleads, voice sincere as he caresses my cheek.
Definitely a promise I can keep. I press my palms against his chest and push myself away, creating the needed distance between us. “Promise,” I mutter as I step farther away. He’s trying to cross the boundaries I set; problem is I’m not sure where those lines are anymore. Another problem, I think he knows it.
~~~~~
“TAKE IT OFF!” Autumn yells at the top of her lungs and then whistles with both fingers in her mouth. “This was the best idea you’ve ever had!” Autumn yells over the roar of women surrounding us. “And here I thought you were still waiting for Prince Charming to come galloping up on his white horse and whisk you away. No…instead you surprise me with this?!”
I know I must be blu
shing from head to toe listening to Autumn continue to yell and whistle while three muscular men take the makeshift stage in front of us. Fuck me sideways; what did I get myself into.
The surprise she’s referring to is our introduction to Ladies Night. You know, the one I recommended based on an eight by eleven flyer that my soon to be ex-friend Trevor gave me. Never once did he mention that tonight would include naked men gyrating across a stage or hip thrusts two inches from my face. All I wanted was to have a little fun, get Janice mind numbingly drunk so she could forget dipshit Kevin, and maybe as an added bonus get Autumn wasted enough for her to face plant on the sidewalk. Is that so much to ask?
Instead, I’m sitting between Autumn who’s practically clawing her way on stage and Janice who has an ear to ear smile plastered on her wide, bright-eyed face.
“We can leave if you want to,” I lean over and yell into Janice’s ear.
“Why would I want to leave? This is exactly what I needed. Kevin who?” she giggles.
When her body stiffens, I’m confused. That is, until I track her eyes and see Trevor come into view. Dressed in painted on leather pants, his torso is bare except for the numerous tattoos that adorn his muscular physique. I never knew he had so many and when I think back, he’s always been covered up when we’ve been together. He immediately recognizes us and strides over.
Pul-ease Lord, don’t let this be awkward…please, please, please.
“You came!” Trevor smiles as he approaches barely acknowledging my company. Leaning down he lifts me into a bear hug. His muscles tighten around my body. Both Autumn and Janice stare at me in shock with their mouths practically touching the sticky floor. I’m sure it’s completely normal to be in the arms of a stripper.
I take the opportunity and whisper in his ear, “Why didn’t you tell me you were a stripper?”
He leans in and whispers back, “You never asked. Besides, I thought you’d figure it out. The picture of the half naked man on the flyer I gave you wasn’t obvious enough?”
Feeling a little sheepish, “I thought he was a model or something.”
Trevor lowers me and looks between Janice and Autumn, now openly staring at him. “Introduce me to your friends.”
I look to Janice whose eyes are focused on Trevor’s chest, more specifically his nipples. Which are pierced, by the way. The things you don’t know about your friends.
I wave between the three of them as I make my introductions. Both Janice and Autumn are mute; they just stare and smile widely at him. They are utterly drunk on his pheromones, not to mention the four lemon drops they’ve already had.
“Please tell me you’re not dating this one,” Autumn leans in and nudges me with her elbow.
“No way! He’s practically my brother-in-law by marriage.” I can see the appeal now. Although Trevor is most definitely an asshat when it comes to the normal social formalities, he’s way easy on the eyes. If he could only keep his mouth shut and his shirt off, I’m sure he’ll make a woman happy one of these days.
Autumn sits up, adjusting her breasts as she stands and places a hand on Trevor’s bicep. “Game on.”
I roll my eyes and turn to Janice to find her sipping slowly on her drink, eyes never wavering on Trevor. Eyes that are thoroughly examining every inch of his glistening body, from the tribal tattoos spanning both of his shoulders to the intricate artwork bridging his biceps. Janice is in complete awe.
“Earth to Janice.” I wave my hands in front of her. “Are you okay?”
“He’s beautiful, Ely.” I giggle as she coos in his direction. As Autumn continues to flip her hair, lick her lips, and make every attempt at touching Trevor’s torso, Janice starts to slink back against her seat.
“What’s wrong?” I look over at Trevor who surprisingly seems uncomfortable as Autumn claws him like a scratching post. Or unsurprisingly, if you really think about it.
“Why are guys like that never interested in girls like me?”
“Guys like what? Strippers?” I jest.
“No, guys who look like they could throw you over their shoulder and go all sexy caveman on your ass.”
I turn to look at Janice and her melancholy is visible. And depressing. Instantly, a bright light bulb goes off and I have the best idea of the century. Standing, I pull Trevor off to the side and ask for a favor. “Hey, can you take Janice and show her a good time?”
“Which one’s Janice? The ginger or the virgin?”
“Nice way to classify my friends, asshole,” I smile to make sure he knows I’m kidding.
“I thought it was classier than saying the one who’s on the verge of humping my leg or the one who looks scared of my penis.” Like I was saying…as long as he keeps his mouth shut.
Well, shit. Might as well speak his language. “The one that looks scared of your penis.”
He looks at Janice and seems to be making a calculated decision before muttering, “You owe me.” I nod as he turns away and pulls Janice up by her hand. Trevor throws Janice over his shoulder and smacks her ass as he calls over his shoulder, “We’ll be back!”
“There’s a little caveman to make you forget, Janice,” I whisper, watching as Trevor disappears with my friend.
“What the fuck?” Autumn slumps next to me, watching Trevor head towards the back area with Janice. “Since when is meek a turn on?”
“Good evening, ladies.” Just when you think the night can’t get any more interesting, a curve ball in the form of twins saunters over. Practically identical, both of their bodies symmetrically perfect: chiseled jaws, light brown hair, hazel eyes, full lips, and abs I could wash my clothes on. This place is practically a meat market. Beautiful men as far as the eye can see.
Autumn gives a little wave with her hands and stakes her claim. “These are mine!” She stands and takes both of them by their elbows, leading them off to the back room.
And then there was one.
I can’t even drink alcohol to get myself through this sad situation I’ve placed myself in. Instead, I get to sit awkwardly in a sea of gyrating hips, grabby hands, and stimulated libidos and sip on my yummy, tasteless water. I tilt my head looking to the ceiling when something brushes my shoulder.
Another fine specimen of male decides to occupy Janice’s seat. I get we’re technically at a strip club, but seriously…how many hot as fuck men can you put under one roof before you have to call the fire department.
Silently scrutinizing the men mimicking construction workers as they leave the stage, he interrupts his own thoughts with a low rumble. “You know, men who work in construction aren’t usually that clean cut,” my newcomer leans over, sparking a conversation.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just saying, if you’re going to use costumes or props you have to make them at least a little realistic. Construction workers usually have back crack and belch a lot. They definitely don’t wear thongs.”
I giggle and turn towards Mr. Perceptive. “So, what do you usually dress up as?”
“A business man, of course.” As the words leave his mouth, I finally notice the loose tie around his neck, black trousers and bare feet. Fuck. Me. The same features of Alex.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen guys around my office dressed like that. Normally, they have shirts on and they most definitely wear shoes.” Wouldn’t life be so much more fun if that weren’t the case? “So, what’s your story…business man by day, stripper by night?”
“No, more like college student by day, male entertainer by night. Don’t objectify me,” he teases. Reaching out his hand, Mr. Perceptive makes introductions. “Jackson.”
“Elyssa.” I take his hand in mine. I must admit, even though it doesn’t make an ounce of difference, he has the straightest, whitest teeth I’ve ever seen. His smile is absolutely one of his many fine qualities, which also includes his clean cut, slightly ruffled, black hair and his dark brown puppy dog eyes. Not to mention his impeccable body. These men must do crunches all day long.
&
nbsp; “So Elyssa, what brings you here tonight?”
“Trying to make my friend forget about her dipshit ex-boyfriend,” I respond without thinking.
“Well, since I don’t see her around it looks like your job here is done,” he chuckles and continues to make small talk. It’s nice to have someone to chat with while Janice and Autumn enjoy themselves.
“So, college student by day, huh?” He nods. “What are you studying?”
Jackson and I continue to talk for what feels like hours, but in reality probably around forty-five minutes. I find out that he’s currently getting a degree in marketing at UNLV. He’s been in Vegas since high school and lives with his brother. I’m enjoying his company immensely, but feel guilty for occupying his time when he could be rubbing on some woman’s lap earning himself several twenty dollar bills.
Just when Jackson turns the focus on me, I notice over his shoulder two people exiting out of a backroom; one of them definitely not being someone that I would imagine at ladies night. And he’s not alone. Alex, along with Sandy, are laughing and talking into each other’s ears. I must look as if someone just killed my dog because Jackson’s voice breaks my stare with words of concern.
“Hey Elyssa, you okay?” he frowns.
“Uh…yah. Sorry what were you saying?” I’m desperately trying hard to ignore the fact that no less than twenty-five feet away is the love of my life standing next to his ex-mistress. Instead of reacting on the urge to jump over the bar and pummel Sandy’s cougar ass, I fight the pregnancy hormones and keep myself planted next to Jackson.
Focus on Jackson, Elyssa. He’s cute. He’s giving you attention. Just focus on Jackson.
I smile and continue to answer questions about my work and my degree. Every so often I glance over his shoulder, taking a peek at Alex. God, why does he have to be so beautiful? Even in front of a perfect male specimen, Alex captures my sole attention. Dressed casually in a pair of dark jeans, fitted black sweater that accentuates his biceps and chest, he leans against the bar like he owns the place. I brush the back of my hand against my mouth just to make sure I’m not salivating while my mouth hangs open.
