Being surrounded by a bunch of dancers day in and day out didn’t sound all that fun. Eye-catching for sure, but no doubt boring as hell.
****
Shree flipped the page of the medical textbook laid out on top of the treadmill ledge so she could study while she walked. Thank heavens she knew how to multitask.
Studying and working out at the same time took practice, and she’d mastered how to get the most out of the hours she was awake in a day. Four years working nights would pay off within the next few months. She’d worked hard toward becoming a nurse, and the bountiful amounts of money had definitely helped.
The move to Vancouver hadn’t been just to dance at the Vixen Club. She loved dancing and the people she encountered for the most part, but she didn’t want to be fifty years old and still be a Burlesque dancer. She had about five months left of school, and had secured a spot at Simon Fraser University for the chance to work with one of the most renowned surgeons in Canada.
Her dreams were so close to coming true. Not bad for a thirty-two-year-old woman who decided her career path late and was putting herself through school.
Tonight would be the first time she performed at this club. Normally, butterflies in her stomach were minor flutters, but she could barely keep down the early dinner she had a couple hours ago.
After wiping her brow, she hit the incline button on the treadmill to get a better burn. There was no time to worry about nerves or anything but getting in the zone for tonight. She’d have to forget about studying for the next fifteen minutes. Silently thanking the club owner for having the accommodating workout area in the building, she let her mind drift as she kept pace.
The last forty-five minutes had been a blessing. She’d squeezed a lot of study time in and her workout had been bliss. She chuckled. Most people would think her crazy for enjoying workouts. But if there was no enjoyment in it, then why bother?
It was a mantra she lived by.
Humming, she picked up her pace and tried recalling different medications, temperatures, and syringe types in her mind. Deep in study mode, her eyes flew open as a dinging sound filled the room.
She glanced to the right.
Men came in all shapes and sizes with various builds, physiques, and widths, and she understood that. But this man, whom she was sure could barely fit through the doorway, was one unlike anything she’d ever seen before.
Tall, at least six-six. Herculean shoulders, biceps that the short sleeves of his white t-shirt had no hope of getting over, and hard thighs that were easy to determine even beneath the sweats he wore, which probably got their workout from just carrying this man around every day. Hell, even her long arms wouldn’t be able to get around his midsection.
Damn if she didn’t want to try, though.
But it was her most favorite feature on a man that captured her attention completely.
His head—bald, tanned—she had a weakness for his kind. To her there was a wildness, a stronger soul to a man who kept things clean and crisp.
His attention zoomed in on her as the door shut behind him.
The amber hue of his eyes reminded her of fine cognac—clear, luminous, and golden like honey.
It was the alcoholic drink she was most partial to. Oh yes, she could get drunk on him for sure. She was going to hell from lusting after this stranger. There was no time in her life for tangling with the opposite sex.
No matter how damn sexy and sinful he was.
“Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was in here,” he rasped, his voice gravelly and rough.
“Oh, umm.” Her feet nearly stumbled over each other as she turned back and hit the off button. Her workout was done for the day, as was her studying. Her focus was shot now.
How was a woman to concentrate on anything with Mr. Hot Hulk around?
“I’m just finishing up. The room will be yours in a second.” She grabbed up her belongings from the treadmill and crossed to the table on the other side of the room.
“Don’t leave on my account. Hell, the room is big enough for twenty people.”
Shree laughed and curled a towel around the back of her neck. She turned and hooked her duffel over her shoulder. “I was done anyway. I have to get ready for tonight.”
He nodded and suddenly bent over.
Shree gasped when he touched the floor with his palms. Rarely had she ever seen a man even close to his size do that. She frowned, noticing he kept one leg bent a bit. A man of his obvious athletic ability had no doubt injured it at some point or another, and it seemed as if it hindered him some.
Not your business.
“You’re the star of the show, I hear.”
She blinked. “Pardon?”
He straightened, lifted his arms high, and twisted at the waist. His muscles bulged with every movement, drawing her gaze. Sweat broke out on her upper lip that had nothing to do with her working out.
He needs to stop moving like that in front of me.
Afraid she’d do something stupid—like faint just so he could administer some mouth-to-mouth life-saving techniques—she strode to the door. “Never mind. I’ll see you later.”
“At least let me introduce myself, especially since I’ll be keeping an eye on you for a while.”
She spun fast. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Sorry, that came out wrong. I mean I’m the security around here for now. Charlie hired me to be a bouncer. I hear things have been a little out of hand with the…tourists…lately.”
Shree stared at him, mind turning. Charlie had mentioned a few problems, harassing men who Shree didn’t think would affect her too much. She’d mentioned added security at the club who would also be like personal protection for her.
This man would be the one watching over her? Staring at her while she was on stage? Showing her to her door every night? Accompanying her nearly everywhere she went?
She never dated men at the clubs she worked in. Never. It was her number one rule. She couldn’t be tempted by him or she might break her rule. He was everything she was attracted to.
If only she’d adhered to that rule when she’d became involved with Brian…
Peeling her tongue off the roof of her dry mouth and pushing aside the past from her thoughts, she shook her head. “I doubt I’ll need a personal bodyguard, but thank you.”
“You really don’t have a choice, Midnight.” He grabbed a dumbbell in his right hand, sat down on a bench, and worked the metal bar up and down. She stared at his forearms, captivated by the veins rolling under his skin with each rep.
“Well, umm, you know my name. What’s yours?” Shree leaned against the wall beside the door, arms crossed over her chest.
He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Charlie’s told me a lot about you.”
“So should I just call you Charlie’s Confidant then?” She hated that he had the upper hand. Amazing looks aside, the need to be on equal footing with anyone was something she preferred.
He continued his reps and ignored her.
Not even sweating. She suspected he was already close to fifty by now. His muscles rippled, not an ounce of fat anywhere.
She appreciated his determined concentration. She lost herself a lot when working out. Keeping fit wasn’t just important to her job, but also her health as a whole. She ate well and appreciated the body and metabolism God gave her.
“Name’s Gavin Bennett. Should I call you Midnight or Shree?”
“I prefer Shree.”
He gazed up at her and switched the dumbbell to his other arm. Honey eyes stared back at her.
She straightened and adjusted the strap on her shoulder, heart racing. His gaze darkened to a rich cognac again. It seemed as if he could see right into her soul, hitting her deep in the center, scorching and awakening the nerve endings along her body. Her skin tingled, cheeks heated, and her fingers twitched.
“I like Shree better,” he murmured, voice husky.
Her breath lodged in her throat. Her given name on his li
ps…the seductive effect he had on her wasn’t fair. She wasn’t prepared for this. School and work took up most of her time. Dating wasn’t really an option. Not after the mistakes she’d made.
She had to remain focused. Nothing could deter her from her path. A hot stud—sexy, exotic, sinful, gorgeous, and super-charged testosterone oozed from him—distracting her just wouldn’t do.
Drawing in a deep breath, she pulled on the doorknob and shrugged as nonchalantly as possible. “That works. Have a great workout. See you around.”
Shree strode down the hall, walking as fast as she could to the back door. Exiting the building, she turned left and around the side, then climbed the stairs to her temporary home. Distance and time away from that man—that’s what she needed.
She had a show to prepare for. He could watch over her however he wanted to. It didn’t mean she had to like it. Nor did she have to acknowledge his presence.
Unfortunately, she suspected ignoring Gavin wasn’t going to be an easy task.
Chapter Two
Gavin watched the packed crowd.
How this many people could cram into one room baffled him. He hated crowds. In his opinion, more than twenty people in a room created chaos. The hundred fifty-plus people around him now made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
Between the music, his leg, and getting bumped into in the last two hours, he was ready to call it a night.
Thankfully, the ladies on stage had been worth some of his trouble.
Quite amazing, really. Fun skits, eccentric dances, acrobatic routines—he’d never seen anything quite like the burlesque excitement this club offered. And he’d never admit it out loud, but the women knew what they were doing, and not a naked body in sight. Although, a few times, it had come close.
They were all talented, gorgeous, and put on a very entertaining show. Their legion of fans in here tonight was testament to that. What surprised him most were the couples and large groups of men and women that came in. As he wandered through the room every fifteen minutes or so, he caught the snippets of conversations. He’d thought there’d be a bunch of haggard-looking old geezers and young college studs who’d come to ogle the girls. But packs of girlfriends, maybe friends from work, and even a couple older single ladies had ventured in for the entertainment.
Charlie definitely had a great thing here. He’d make sure it stayed that way.
The side door opening caught his eye.
One waitress—Carla, he thought her name was—had come and gone through that entrance numerous times already tonight. She should be bussing tables.
He’d keep an eye on her. There was something about her—the shaking of her hands, her eyeing the room nervously, or the fact she glared at the stage whenever one of the girls came on. She was definitely worth watching.
Strains of a familiar song spread over the room.
Gavin leaned back against the wall to the right of the stage. The main event was about to happen. Cat growls and birds’ high-pitched chirps filled the air. The lights dimmed.
He smiled inside, pleased with a little G‘n’R to enjoy while he worked. His gaze roamed around the room again before focusing on the stage. Midnight definitely knew what music to choose.
She was a sight to behold, and sexy as hell in her tight cheetah-print leotard. Snug in all the right places with high, red stilettos that graced her feet and made her legs look incredibly long. Her black hair hung to her waist in waves, brushing her backside as she turned and danced in time to the music.
How her tits stayed inside the leotard he had no idea, but he’d love to find out.
Damn, that body was hotter than a blowtorch bending metal.
She moved with ease and grace, but she commanded attention and confidence oozed from every move she made. Every toss of her hair, every gyration and time her ass shifted, Gavin wanted to rush the stage and carry her away.
He admired her spunk and sass. It was a bit of a contradiction to what he’d seen in the gym earlier, but he loved the contrast. Small bits of shyness during the day, an exotic hell-raiser and tease at night.
He wouldn’t mind having a show all to himself.
His dick shifted behind the zipper of his jeans.
Aren’t you supposed to be working?
Gavin ignored the voice in his head, gaze locked on stage.
He watched, salivating, as she grabbed a zipper on the front he hadn’t noticed before.
She wasn’t…
He stood up straight, fists clenched as the silver slid down, opening the leotard. She turned her back to the room, ass shaking to the beat, and pulled her arms out.
Arms crossed over her chest, she swiveled back, her legs spreading out at the sides.
Good God almighty. He was going to hell. She was his one-way ticket there.
Maneuvering into the perfect splits showed her flexibility. His heart raced. His cock fought against its confinement.
Gavin started toward the center of the stage. The catcalls and whistles echoed through his head. She knew exactly what she was doing to the crowd.
Welcome to the jungle indeed.
A jungle cat was on the prowl.
Hair over her one shoulder, arms straight out in front of her, she slithered along the floor, a sinful grin on her lips as she mouthed the words. Her voluptuous set of tits were barely contained behind the cheetah bra she wore.
Hunger. Power. Come and get me. It was all clear in her eyes.
A young buck started toward the side of the stage. Gavin dropped a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. After a small shake of his head and firm hold, the kid settled back in his seat.
Gavin quickly scanned the crowd in the front, then looked up again.
Midnight sat, legs spread, hands delving into her hair as the bass pounded. She beamed at the crowd then eased onto her back.
Damnation. How fuckable she looked lying there. Feet flat on the floor, her hips pumping in time to the music.
Gavin’s heart stopped as her head swung his way and she focused on him. Her smoky eyes still held the power and hunger he saw before, but the more she moved, the more she seemed to lose herself in the music.
Desire and heat drilled to his gut, and every nerve tightened. Overwhelming need to jump up there, slide between those spectacular thighs, and give her what they both wanted nearly shook him off his feet.
The last beats of the song filled his ears. She turned her head, breaking their connection. He was amazed as she pushed off with her feet, planted her hands, and did a backflip to her feet.
A sex-kitten and a fucking gymnast, too.
As the song ended, she cupped her tits, offering them to the room, then stalked off the stage.
His jaw clenched. Jealousy speared through him. Red spots clouded his vision. He leaned against the stage, his leg throbbing and his dick aching.
Son-of-a-bitch.
Potent and so damn sinful, she’d knocked him on his ass.
His knee begged him to sit, but he couldn’t give in. He wouldn’t show any weakness in front of anyone. If someone saw the new bouncer had issues, then he’d have no credibility.
Taking a deep breath, he adjusted the front of his pants and made his way toward Charlie sitting at the bar.
Before he crossed the room, two bulky guys stood and challenged him. Neither looked ready to move anytime soon.
“Excuse me,” Gavin instructed.
Neither man moved.
“Don’t make me ask you again, fellas.”
“Our boss wants to talk to you.” Bulky Number One passed him a white piece of paper and snarled, “Be there tomorrow morning. Seven.”
Bulky Number Two glared at him, then followed his buddy toward the door.
Gavin looked at the paper. Just an address. It seemed familiar, but it had been years since he’d been through town with Sean.
He parked on a stool beside Charlie.
“What was that about?” she demanded.
Handing her the slip of paper, h
e caught the bartender, Adam’s, attention and pointed at the water tap behind the bar. His head spun from Shree’s performance, so the last thing he needed was alcohol.
“Apparently, their boss wants to see me. I take it those were a couple of Hagen’s goons?” He nodded his head at Adam in thanks when he placed a glass in front of him. He took a sip of his water.
“Yeah,” Charlie sighed. “At least nothing was broken tonight. And no one hurt.” She leaned her head into her hands, elbows on the bar.
Gavin’s heart went out to her. Nothing like working hard at making a living while someone schemed to snatch away the achievements. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Buck up, little one. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt either,” she mumbled.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You just worry about money, the dancers, and everything else.”
She shuffled forward off her stool and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Gavin gave her a squeeze then pulled back and brushed a kiss across her forehead. A movement at his peripheral vision caught his attention.
Shree came to a halt beside them, now dressed in loose blue sweats and a zippered hoodie. Her gaze narrowed and traveled between them, then back up to look him in the eye. Her eyes dulled. A quick flash of disappointment shifted through them before it cleared, and she attempted a smile. “I just wanted to tell you I’m heading out, Charlie.”
So, she obviously didn’t like to see him with his arms around another woman. Okay, so she didn’t know the other woman was like a little sister to him. Still, he couldn’t help but like the streak of jealousy shining in her eyes.
“You were amazing tonight, Shree,” their boss gushed.
“Thank you.” Her gaze moved from him to Charlie again. “Well, goodnight.”
Gavin stood and caught her arm as she moved past. “Hang on a minute.”
She glanced at his hand then up at him. “What?”
“You’re not going out there alone, remember?”
“Shree, please take Gavin with you. He’s here to keep you safe as well,” Charlie instructed.
Guarding Midnight Page 2
