Sugar

by Seressia Glass

  “How are things going with you and Siobhan?” Nadia asked after he’d ordered a beer from a server.

  “The quality-assurance testing on the delivery portal went well,” he answered, then proceeded to bring her up to speed on the enhancements to the café’s website and social media platforms. “We’re ready to implement the soft launch test for your preferred customers, unless you’d rather save it until after the holiday.”

  She arched a brow. “I have no doubt that things will go smoothly, but you know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  He accepted his beer and paid the server, then took a sip before giving Nadia a level glance. “Don’t you get updates every Tuesday?”

  “Touché.” She gave him an unrepentant grin. “Maybe I want to hear it from your point of view.”

  “Is there money riding on my answer?”

  “She told you about that, huh?” Nadia’s expression was one of thoughtful surprise. “Hmm, maybe she thinks more of you than she lets on.”

  He kept his expression neutral but inside he cheered that information. “She invited me to her show, right? That must mean she likes me.”

  “It does. I actually didn’t think she would. Invite you here, I mean.” Nadia paused, as if choosing her words carefully. “Siobhan’s cautious when it comes to relationships, no matter what type they are.”

  “I can appreciate that.” He did. He had his reasons for wanting to be cautious as well, reasons he had no intention of discussing with Nadia when he hadn’t shared them with Siobhan yet. In fact, other than their talk about siblings, neither he nor Siobhan had shared much information about their personal histories. They were still at the early stages of their relationship, so early he wasn’t sure it could be defined as a relationship.

  “I like her. She seems to like me. We get along well. I plan to keep seeing her. That’s where we are right now.”

  She leaned back against the professor, who seemed content to let her do all the talking. If Charlie had Siobhan sitting on his lap the way Nadia sat on Kane’s, he wouldn’t be talking either. “That’s all I’m going to get, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Pretty much.” He gestured toward the stage. “How long has she been doing burlesque?”

  “It’s been about two years, maybe a little bit longer. It’s important to her. She loves to dance.”

  He filed away that information. “She wanted me to experience what it’s like for her. I guess some people have issues with their partners doing burlesque?”

  “Siobhan hasn’t had that issue since she’s never invited someone she’s involved with to her shows.” Nadia leaned forward. “You need to be prepared. The Crimson Bay Bombshells have a large and devoted following. They do a meet and greet after the shows, selling merchandise and posing for pictures and stuff like that. Sugar has fans and it’s important to her and the troupe to interact with their fans after the shows.”

  He tilted his beer up before answering. “So you’re warning me to not cramp her style and go all Neanderthal if guys start slobbering all over her pasties?”

  “Something like that.” She snorted. “Sugar can take care of herself in that regard. It’s why you don’t see frat boys clamoring for her autograph and pictures in the café. I’m just saying that if you want to be with her, you need to be cool.”

  “I can do that.” He wasn’t the jealous type, and he certainly wasn’t going to throw a possessive tantrum in the club. If Siobhan chose someone else, he’d try to convince her to change her mind, but he’d eventually respect her decision. If Siobhan wanted his help fending off overzealous admirers, he’d crack a few heads. Happily.

  “One more thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  Nadia smiled. “Siobhan is my best friend, the sister I never had. If you hurt her, I will go Sweeney Todd on your ass.”

  “Understood.”

  The house lights fell and the emcee took the stage to thunderous applause. “Welcome guys and gals to the best night of your week. Are you ready?” The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. “All right then. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Crimson Bay Bombshells!”

  Charlie wasn’t sure what he expected from a burlesque show but apparently there was more to it than beautiful women stripping. This was more like an old-time vaudeville show with some risqué comedy sketches mixed in with the variety of female dancers. The rowdy crowd showered whistles and applause on the performers, making the atmosphere party-like.

  The master of ceremonies took the stage again. “Now here to satisfy your sweet tooth, ladies and gentlemen, give a big round of applause to Sugar Malloy!”

  The crowd burst into applause as a spotlight hit the stage, highlighting Siobhan. If he’d thought of her as a blonde bombshell before, she was now elevated to goddess status. A heavy electronic bass beat pounded from the speakers as the lights rose enough to show her dressed as the most provocative ringmaster he’d ever seen.

  She wore a tiny black top hat with netting atop her blonde pin curls. Her blue eyes were a smoky mystery, her lips painted a smoldering fuck-me red. A black satin tuxedo coat with tails and white cuffs hugged her breasts and waist, framing the bright red corset and matching hot pants she wore beneath. Fishnet stockings and black stilettos called attention to her gorgeous legs. A red bow tie and matching gloves completed the ensemble.

  Sugar tossed a beguiling smile to the crowd as they applauded, then began to lip-sync to a song by Garbage about being queer. She teased, she tantalized, she tortured as she worked the stage, removing her hat, twirling as she stripped off the bow tie before shimmying out of the coat. Next came the gloves, each removal timed perfectly to the music, leaving her in all red from the bra to the corset to the panties and garter belt.

  The ensemble reminded him of the first time he’d gone to her house, when she’d greeted him in that glorious see-through nightie. He knew it was a coincidence and not an outfit she’d chosen for him, but it still felt like she’d worn it for him. That she danced for him, stripped for him, revealed herself for him.

  Desire rode him as he watched, mesmerized, caught, his blood heating and his cock hardening. He gripped his beer, forgetting about her friends seated around him, the other onlookers cheering and whistling their approval. His thoughts, his whole world centered on the woman slowly revealing herself onstage.

  By the time she’d stripped to the final reveal—heart-shaped pasties and a scarlet G-string—he was burning with lust, desire clawing its way through his gut. From the enthusiastic appreciation of the crowd, he wasn’t the only one.

  More performers took to the stage but he only paid limited attention, his thoughts filled with memories of Siobhan and sex. Having her writhe beneath him as he slammed into her. The way her breasts bounced as she rode him like a jockey gunning for the Triple Crown. Discovering that they both preferred each other covered in honey more than chocolate or whipped cream. Her taste, her scent, the silk of her skin, and the sounds she made were an intoxicating cocktail more powerful than any energy drink.

  She had one more performance with several other ladies doing a group dance to “Fat Bottomed Girls” that brought the crowd to their feet. He joined them in their appreciation, clapping and whistling loudly.

  “So what did you think?” Nadia asked him as the house lights rose and he returned to his seat.

  “I think I’m extremely lucky. She’s amazing.” He stretched his legs out, hoping to ease the ache in his cock. Popping wood was probably a common occurrence for guys attending these shows. The thought set his teeth on edge. Ogling his woman was one thing. Strangers actively lusting after her was another.

  This was why Siobhan had invited him, he realized. Performing with the burlesque troupe was obviously a large part of her life, one she wasn’t prepared to relinquish. If he wanted what he had with Siobhan to develop into something more, he’d have to make peace with the idea that while Siobhan might belong to him, Sugar Malloy belonged to everyone.

  Of course, she
didn’t belong to him yet. Not officially. Two weeks of screwing like bunnies did not a relationship make. But he was greedy and he wanted to be selfish for a change. He wanted to have Siobhan, and he didn’t want to share her. He wanted her to want only him, the same as he only craved her. He knew he had miles to go before he could convince her of that.

  No time like the present to start, though. “Can we go backstage?” he asked.

  “Not much room back there,” Nadia answered, settling herself onto Kane’s lap. “The troupe usually does their meet and greet on the stage. Should be another fifteen minutes or so.”

  He ordered a bottle of water to cover his two-drink minimum and settled in to wait for Siobhan to appear. If this was a test, he had every intention of passing it.

  * * *

  Siobhan hummed with excess energy as she finished changing into street clothes appropriate for Sugar Malloy: a black pencil skirt that buttoned up the back, sheer black stockings with back seams, a rose-colored off-the-shoulder top with a matching silk flower in her hair. A dab of ruby-red lip stain and she was ready.

  “Ready to meet our adoring fans?” Lola Fontaine asked as she surveyed her own reflection in the makeup mirror. The head of the Crimson Bay Bombshells did a spot-on Josephine Baker homage that brought the house down every time. Her street clothes consisted of a tangerine-colored sheath dress topped by a black lace cincher and a silk tiger lily clip in her hair, and she looked as stunningly beautiful as usual. “We had a great crowd out there tonight.”

  “We sure did.” Siobhan matched the dark-haired woman’s grin. “Let’s do this.”

  They made their way out of the cramped changing area and back to the stage, trusting the troupe’s apprentices and stagehands to safeguard their costumes. The troupe had grown since Siobhan had joined nearly three years earlier. Now the Crimson Bay Bombshells had two sketch comics, six dancers, and three apprentices, as well as Max, the show’s master of ceremonies.

  All of them were younger than Siobhan, but most of the time she didn’t think about it or let it bother her. Besides, they were a motley crew of misfits who banded together as their own creative family. Everyone accepted everyone, or they answered to Lola, who could out-mamma Siobhan in a heartbeat.

  A crowd waited for them as usual, a mixture of men and women wanting selfies, autographs, and answers to a host of questions both personal and professional. Siobhan glanced through the crowd, trying not to appear too eager. She knew Audie and Vanessa had headed out for their club, but she wondered if the others had stayed. She wondered if Charlie was sitting out there, waiting for her. He had said he would come, but she hadn’t heard from him since he’d sent a “good luck” text about an hour before the show began.

  What if he had attended the show, but left? What if he couldn’t handle the sometimes over-friendly fans of the troupe? What if he was too jealous, too possessive, to date a burlesque dancer?

  She shook her head. If those what-ifs proved true, it meant that Charlie wasn’t the guy she’d thought him to be. Better to head things off now than get more involved with him. However, if he was out there, if he had stayed . . . she had to decide what that meant for her. For them.

  Setting those thoughts aside, she joined Lola and the other performers posing for pictures with their fans, signing some of the color stills and T-shirts they sold at their merchandise table. She also spent a fair amount of time deflecting any fishing questions about her sexual orientation or marital status while Max, who was six foot three and pushing two-twenty on a good day, kept the inebriated frat boys from getting too handsy.

  “Ooh,” Lola cooed, “looks like we have a new one tonight. He’s hot. Sure hope he’s not a stalker.”

  “Who?” Siobhan glanced out into the dimly lit audience, her gaze crashing into Charlie’s. He sat at one of the front tables. Curiously, Nadia and Kane and the rest of their friends also still manned their spots. Jas and Tracy usually headed to Down Below as soon as the show was over, taking Rosie and Oscar with them.

  Suddenly that didn’t matter any longer. Her chest tightened the longer her gaze tangled with Charlie’s. He wasn’t smiling, and what called to her in that moment wasn’t laughter. Promise shone in his eyes, the certainty that what burned between them was real, was hers for the taking.

  Heat gathered low in her belly, her temperature rising, her breath shortened. She was grateful for the padded bra that concealed her tightened nipples, the dim lighting that hid her blush. Her idea of convincing Charlie to go dancing with her seemed ridiculous in light of the need that gripped her. Two weeks. Two weeks, and her body was already tuned to his, trained to respond to his, even from across the room.

  “Sugar?” Amy’s voice intruded on her thoughts, her tone indicating that she’d called Siobhan’s name more than once. “Are you okay, sweetie?”

  “I-I’m fine,” she managed to say, trying to find her nonchalant distance instead of this weak-kneed, trembling state.

  “That guy’s got some serious staring mojo going on,” Lola observed, her protective instinct rising. “He hasn’t stopped looking at you this entire time. Do you know him or do we need to get Max to run interference for you?”

  “No, you don’t need to send Max over,” Siobhan finally answered, her head clearing. “His name is Charlie.”

  Taking a deep breath, she said the words that changed everything. “He’s mine.”

  ELEVEN

  As if he’d heard her, Charlie rose to his feet, Nadia and Kane following. Siobhan watched him approach the stage, her mouth watering at the way he moved, the casual confidence he exuded.

  Beside her Lola chuckled, a sexy, delighted purr of sound. “’Bout damn time,” the dark-skinned beauty laughed. “And from the looks of things, he is well worth the wait. Damn!”

  “Simmer down, Lola,” Siobhan said, half-teasing, half-serious. “Don’t make me get Max after you.”

  “Girl, please.” Lola snorted. “You’ve been trying to get Max after me since you joined the troupe. He’s only interested in friendship, and I’m not about to ruin our business by indulging in some temporary pleasure.”

  Siobhan shook her head. Lola was a smart businesswoman, augmenting the troupe’s performances with merchandise, including calendars and appearances at vintage car shows and other events. Why she couldn’t see how much Max wanted to be with her dumbfounded Siobhan. If she had a guy who looked at her that way, she’d—

  “Ladies.” Charlie stopped short of them, but though he nodded at Lola, he kept his gaze on Siobhan. “It was my first time seeing a burlesque troupe perform live, and I hope it won’t be my last. Amazing show all around.”

  “Thank you,” Lola said, then cleared her throat. Charlie’s smile deepened, but it wasn’t until Lola blatantly elbowed her in the side that Siobhan realized she needed to do introductions.

  “Charlie, this is Lola Fontaine, the head of Crimson Bay Bombshells,” Siobhan said by way of introduction. “Lola, this is Charlie O’Halloran. He runs O’Halloran Business Solutions and the café is one of their clients.”

  “Yes, it is.” Some of the heat left Charlie’s eyes. He turned to Lola. “Speaking of business, one of the reasons I attended tonight’s performance is because of a concept I have to advertise the café’s launch of a delivery service. May I ask if the troupe is available for photo shoots and advertisement opportunities? I think it would be an excellent idea for the café to advertise their new service with photos of the troupe with classic cars or Vespas, perhaps a couple of old school bikes with baskets filled with café goodies.”

  Siobhan flushed as Lola gave her a look that clearly said, What is this? “Maybe we should talk about business some other time,” Siobhan said, sure that her ears matched the color of her lipstick. “This is hardly the place.”

  “There’s never a bad time to discuss business and this seems like a purr-fect opportunity to me,” Lola said, easily slipping into sex-kitten mode. “Of course the troupe is available for public appearances and if there�
�s a request for a particular performer, I’m sure we can make that happen. Perhaps Mr. O’Halloran should buy me a drink so that we can continue this discussion?”

  Lola glanced at Siobhan. “Unless there’s something else you need to do?”

  Charlie faced Siobhan, question and challenge in his eyes. “What other reason besides business could I be here for?”

  Siobhan parted her lips, but couldn’t spit out the words. What the hell was wrong with her? Everyone standing with her already knew that she and Charlie were together. Why couldn’t she say it out loud?

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Nadia took that moment to step in. “Just announce that you’re seeing each other and get it over with!”

  Charlie responded before Siobhan could. “This is getting awkward,” he said, pulling out his wallet. He opened it, extracted a business card, then handed it to Lola. “Here’s my contact information. Please give me a call sometime next week to discuss the modeling proposal. I’ll get a budget from my clients and we’ll go from there.”

  He nodded to everyone as he returned his wallet to his pocket. “Good night.”

  It was as if her feet were nailed to the floor. Stupid, stupid, why was she being so stupid about this? She’d already claimed Charlie to Lola. Why couldn’t she say it in front of everybody?

  “Siobhan,” Nadia hissed as they watched Charlie head for the entrance, “surely you’re not going to let him leave like that? What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Nadia’s words galvanized her. Siobhan hopped off the stage as quickly as her skirt would allow, then rushed after him. “Charlie, wait!”

  He stopped, turned, his expression distant yet polite. “Yes?”

  She didn’t think. When it came to Charlie, thinking only incited her to screw things up. She acted instead, grabbing the front of his shirt and kissing him with everything she had.

  To her dismay, Charlie gripped her upper arms but otherwise remained still. “Please, Charlie,” she whispered against his mouth. “Please kiss me back.”