The Shy Girl and the Stripper (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Cooper McKenzie

  “No, you will not take a taxi because I don’t want to have to explain to Gigi why I came back from the airport without you,” Geo said. He worked to soften his tone, and his body language, even as he shifted between her and the open driveway behind his truck, cutting off any escape route. He forced himself to step back, putting two feet of empty space between them.

  He watched as she closed her eyes and a shiver went through her entire body. Then, slowly, slowly she relaxed. He tried to keep his expression neutral when she finally opened her eyes. She looked him up and down, then looked back toward the airport, then back to him again. Finally, the lovely woman with the long, strawberry-blonde hair took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then released it in a whoosh. Her entire body seemed to relax as she nodded.

  “All right. But don’t touch me again.”

  Geo nodded. Though he was not happy with her demand, he would accept her terms. For now. He decided to take it a step further, and not speak unless spoken to. Carefully stepping around her, he opened the passenger door before stepping out of her way. Once she tossed her briefcase onto the bench seat and climbed in, he closed the door, then went around the truck and took his place behind the wheel.

  When she tried to offer him money for the parking fee, he turned his head and just looked at her. There was no way he was going to ask her for money when he knew she was struggling. It took a few seconds before she shrugged and put her wallet away. Then she folded her hands in her lap, and laced her fingers together. Geo paid, and they were off. He drove like every other Texan, fast and aggressive.

  He heard soft gasps and squeaks as he maneuvered through traffic, but she said not a word of complaint or criticism. By the time they reached the hotel, and he pulled into valet parking, his cock had finally relaxed enough that he could think with his big head instead of the one behind his zipper.

  “Thank you,” she said softly just before he turned off the engine, “and I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m sorry I came on too strong. I would like a chance, if we can manage it, to spend some time with you, get to know you beyond what I’ve read on Facebook and your website and what Gigi’s told me,” he said, fighting down a groan that came from his cock slamming back to rigid attention. “Because from what I know about you so far, I think we will fit together like puzzle pieces, both in bed and out.”

  Chapter Two

  “You’ve read about me?” She looked at him with those beautiful blue, blue eyes.

  Before he could answer, one bellman opened her door while another opened his. By the time he had dealt with the paperwork necessary to leave his car with the valet for the next four days, she and her little suitcase had disappeared. He wanted to head to the lobby to track her down, but his sister blocked his path as soon as he entered the hotel. It was like she was waiting for him.

  “Did you have any troubles?” Gigi asked, only half-aware of him as she nodded and smiled and waved at women coming down the hall.

  “No, except she doesn’t want me touching her again,” he said with a smirk. “She feels the connection, but it scared the socks off of her.”

  He was unprepared when Gigi slugged him. “Didn’t I tell you to keep your hands to yourself? Sunny Carlyle is not one of those chickies who hang out at bars and pick up men. Nor is she a buckle bunny like the ones you used to play with at the rodeo. Leave her the fuck alone, or I’ll be calling Mama.”

  While he wanted to smack his older sister back, he knew she was right. His lovely Sunflower was a special creature, and at the moment he was not sure how he was going to get past his relatives, her friends, and the walls her shyness had built around her in order to woo and win her. But he had the next four and a half days to figure it out, and he was determined to win her heart, mind, and body. And once Geo Hartland set his mind to something, he always got his way.

  Before he could escape Gigi, she looked at him with a critical eye. “You need to change and meet Kate in the ballroom. She wants to walk through your duties.”

  Geo sighed. “Smile, don’t go commando during sessions, and be nice to the ladies. What else is there?”

  “Oh, I’m sure there’s something,” Gigi said with a giggle. She had been reciting rules to him since he had agreed to step in for one of the dancers two weeks ago.

  He was not an exotic dancer, or cover model like the other men at the conference. He was a rancher whose crazy sister was the best-selling author in charge of organizing this weekend for authors and readers to get together and have some fun. Though he enjoyed reading, he had never made time for it, until she told him about Shey’s friend who had just published her sixth book. She then gave him Sunny Carlyle’s first book.

  After the first paragraph, he was hooked. He had stayed up all night reading, unable to stop until he reached the end. After a couple hours of sleep, he went into his office and spent the afternoon searching for every scrap of information he could on Sunny Carlyle. He even bought himself a computer tablet that day, which he then filled with every one of her books. Since that time six months ago, he had read those books over and over. With each read, he identified so closely with the heroes. He would end up stroking off to the sex scenes. He imagined himself as the hero with Sunny as the woman he was falling in love with.

  “But, I have something I need to do,” he said.

  “Later. Kate is waiting for you. And don’t forget to change your shirt,” Gigi said. She gave him the narrow-eye stare that she had perfected when they were children and she wanted him to give in to her will. Though he was six inches taller and fifty pounds heavier, they both knew she could whip his ass if it came to a fight, mainly because he had been taught not to hurt a woman. Gigi, on the other hand, had learned to fight dirty.

  “Yeah, okay. But if I can’t find her later, you’re going to have one pissed-off male host on your hands,” he grumbled.

  He headed to the lobby and the elevator closest to his room. He was surprised to see that Sunny was still at the registration desk talking to the clerk. He waited nearby, trying not to look too conspicuous, though several other ladies looked at him and giggled as they scurried past.

  He watched as Sunny finished up, then nodded as the desk clerk instructed her on the easiest way to get to her room. From the looks of it, she was in the same area of the hotel as he was, and he could only hope and pray that they were on the same floor.

  Before he could join her, a group of women surrounded her, and he watched his uber-shy little Sunflower transform in a heartbeat. He was probably the only one who saw how uncomfortable she was as she smiled, shook hands, and accepted hugs from women who were obvious fans. Finally, she excused herself and headed to the elevator. The same elevator he needed to use to get to his room.

  He waited until the doors opened, and she stepped inside before crossing the lobby, stepping inside just before the doors slid closed. Noting the button was already lit for the fourth floor, he leaned against the back wall, and once again studied the woman he was determined would be his. She was leaning into the corner, her eyes closed and looking exhausted though it was only the middle of the afternoon.

  “Are you all right?” he asked in a voice soft and gentle.

  * * * *

  Sunny kept her eyes closed for another two seconds before opening them. Lifting her head from where it rested on the wall, she looked at the man who had her feeling so discombobulated that she was not sure she would ever find her equilibrium again. He sounded both sincere and concerned in his query.

  Taking a breath, she forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just a bit overwhelmed already. Shey was supposed to be here to run interference, so I don’t… Never mind. I’m fine. Thanks.”

  Geo’s beautiful brown eyes seemed to glow, and she felt his life force reaching across the small box to wrap around her. Of course, her body responded in a manner that was entirely inappropriate since they had met less than an hour before.

  “Do you want me to play bodyguard? Or I can ask G
igi to find someone, if you want.”

  Touched at his offer, Sunny smiled and shook her head. “No, thanks, I just have to work on building the walls a little higher and thicker.”

  “You put up a good front back there. None of those ladies knew you were faking your pleasure and were actually freaking out,” Geo said. He pushed out of the corner she was leaning into, took a step, and cut the distance between them by half.

  Sunny turned her head, not wanting him to see how much she appreciated his words. Though tempted to throw herself into his arms, and let his energy wrap around her again, instead, she behaved, got off the elevator, and went to her room. She wondered if she could hide there until Sunday when it was time to return to the airport and her flight home. No, that would never do. Gigi would no doubt track her down and be hurt if she did not make regular appearances at the meetings.

  When the elevator dinged for her floor, she grabbed her luggage and stepped toward the front of the compartment. As soon as the doors slid open, she walked out, needing a breath of air that was not scented with whatever the cologne was Geo wore. Not that it was a bad scent, just intoxicating. She had noticed it back at the airport, then again in the truck, and she fought the urge to get up close and personal just so she could breathe him in.

  It did not surprise her when he followed her out of the elevator. After all, he had not pushed a floor button, and there were only five floors in the building. Looking at the signs on the wall with arrows pointing to the various blocks for room numbers, Sunny headed down the appropriate corridor. Geo followed, not saying a word. As a way of distracting herself, she read each door until she reached her own. Instead of going to his room, he stopped and leaned against the wall, watching her.

  Nervous under his intense scrutiny, she fumbled with her key card. It took several tries before the little green light glowed, indicating the door was unlocked. Needing to say something, she turned her head. “I guess I’ll see you later, then.”

  A flutter of excited warmth flittered through her when he smiled, looking every inch an assured, healthy, dominant male. “You will indeed, sweet Sunflower. Possibly sooner than you think.”

  She did not understand what he meant, and was not sure she wanted to know. Instead of questioning him further, she grabbed her suitcase and entered her room. Closing and locking the door, she rolled her suitcase past the alcove and into the main part of the room. Then she focused on settling in, and not contemplating where Geo’s room was, and what he was doing.

  After unpacking and arranging things the way she liked them when she traveled, she flopped on the bed, with her computer and her cellphone. After letting both Shey and Gigi, know she had arrived at the hotel, was in her room, and was fine, she turned her attention to her computer.

  Taking a deep breath, she connected to the Internet and became Sunny Carlyle, outgoing, sassy, snark-spewing author. It was a façade that, until now, she thought had fooled her readers. She only hoped she was able to maintain that persona for the next four days until she climbed back on the airplane for home. Pretending to be someone she wasn’t was exhausting, and by the time she shut down the computer, she wondered if it was too early to go to the bar and get a drink.

  She headed to the bathroom to check her makeup when a brisk knock broke the silence. She frowned because it did not sound like someone was knocking on the hall door. She froze, wondering if one of the ghosts the hotel was famous for was letting her know she was not alone.

  After a moment, the knock sounded again. She identified it as coming from the door that connected her room to the one next door.

  “Who is it?” she called.

  “Geo,” came the muffled answer.

  After dealing with the chain, she unlocked and opened her door, only a little afraid of who, or what, might be on the other side.

  “Howdy, neighbor.” Geo filled the doorway.

  “Uh, hi,” she responded, her body shocking her when it shifted into I-want-sex-now mode.

  He wore a T-shirt without sleeves, and when she read the front, she could not help but smile at the wording, This hot body sponsored by Gigi Hart.

  “Cute shirt,” she said with a grin.

  He looked down and shrugged. “It’s for the convention. You ready to go down?”

  “Down?”

  He smiled like only an indulgent dominant man could. “Registration and cocktails in the ballroom start in about five minutes. I have to go down and be there to greet the lovely ladies as they check in.”

  “Oh, yeah, is it that time already? I kind of got caught up in something.” Turning to her briefcase, she pulled out the small purse she had brought with her to carry whatever she might collect. After making sure she had her room key, wallet, and a handful of bookmarks for her latest release, she turned back. “Oh, do you think I should change?”

  “What you have on is fine. After I’m done with my duties as host for this session, we can go get dinner, and you can tell me all I need to know about Sunflower Carlyle, the woman behind Sunny Carlyle the author.”

  Pulling the door to his room almost closed, he ushered her into the hall. Once there, he slid his hands into his pockets as they walked side by side to the elevator.

  * * * *

  For the next two hours, Geo smiled and greeted the conference attendees, giving and receiving hugs, getting his picture taken, and even serving the spiked punch cocktail the hotel had mixed up special. But no matter where he was, or what he was doing, he had one eye on Sunny. Though she smiled and talked, seeming to be having a good time meeting more than a few fans, he could see she was tense. Too tense. This was supposed to be a weekend of laughter, and some mildly inappropriate fun. She needed to relax.

  “Thanks, guys.” Gigi joined the four men once the room began to empty as they huddled in one corner talking about who got phone numbers, room numbers, and how many times their asses got pinched. “Go get something to eat. Be back here at seven thirty, and we’ll set up for the dance review.”

  As the others walked away, Gigi stepped in front of him, stopping him. “Sunny went to the garden to be alone for a bit. Whatever you did this afternoon, fix it. I want her to have a good time this weekend. Though she doesn’t know it, she is one of the stars of this event, and I want her to come back again next year.”

  “I already did fix it. Now I’m going to take her to dinner and try to fix it even better.”

  Gigi nodded. “Just remember there are two hundred other women here, and during the sessions, they all get your attention.”

  Geo smiled. “Yes, ma’am, but understand this. After hours, I will be devoting myself to one very special lady, in the hopes that she will accept more than a reader-to-author relationship between us.”

  Gigi’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed several times. Without another word, Geo stepped around his sister and strode out of the ballroom. He had a woman’s heart to win and only a short time to do it.

  He passed through the hotel, a polite smile on his face, smiling at women as they called to him, but he never stopped moving until he reached the entrance to the garden. Once he pushed through the door, he stopped and scanned the quiet courtyard. As expected, Sunny was sitting on one of the wooden rocking chairs, moving slowly back and forth, her eyes closed and her expression not welcoming.

  He approached, moving slowly, steadily, as if approaching a skittish colt and not a beautiful, successful woman. She did not seem to hear him, so he settled in the chair beside her without a word. It was obvious she needed a few minutes of peace and he did not want to disturb her.

  “Hello, Geo,” she said softly. She had not opened her eyes, but sounded so certain of his identity.

  “How did you know it was me?”

  “I felt you. You have a very distinctive energy.” She finally opened her eyes and tilted her head to look in his direction.

  “Oh? What do you mean?”

  “Never mind. I’m hungry. Are you free for dinner?”

  He nodded and glanc
ed at his watch. “I have about two hours before I need to be back for the show.”

  “The strip show?” she asked with a smirky smile.

  “Male dance review,” he corrected. “The hotel would never allow us to have a strip show. That would be undignified.”

  “Semantics,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Just like you are a cover model, and exotic dancer this weekend and not a stripper.”

  Without telling her how wrong she was, Geo followed her out of the garden, through the lobby, and out the front door. There were a dozen restaurants within walking distance, but he had decided on a special little hole in the wall few people knew about that was three blocks away would be perfect for their first meal together. It had an outdoor patio and, even if the restaurant were busy, at least they would be alone and could talk.

  He waited until they were out of sight of the hotel before taking her hand in his. Their hands fit together perfectly. For a moment, he felt like he had back in high school, finding discreet ways to touch his then girlfriend without anyone seeing them. “Actually I wasn’t supposed to work this event. I’m a last-minute fill-in for the guy whose wife decided to have her baby a month early.”

  “So, how did you…oh never mind. Gigi wrangled you into being a host just like Shey convinced me I absolutely had to be here no matter how uncomfortable I’m feeling,” Sunny said.

  “Blackmailed is more like it on my part. But now that I’m here and met you I’m glad I said yes. I just wish I could spend every moment with you. Maybe you’d be willing to stay on for a few days afterward?”

  She began shaking her head before he finished speaking. “I can’t. My plane ticket is carved in stone. I have an appointment Monday morning I cannot miss. I have to go back Sunday afternoon. And who knows,” she said, tilting her head to look at him through a fall of bangs, “after you get to know me, you might decide you don’t like me as much as you think you do now.”