Kayla

When the aerial show is over, we slowly make our way down the hammock silks and create a circle facing the guests. We bow and the room breaks out in applause.

I look up at Atlas while I’m bowed over, his gaze is just as heavy as it was last night when he made it a point to get me to go home with him, and I feel it on every inch of my skin.

He gets what he wants. Last night that was me.

I smile and he shakes his head, nostrils flaring.

He wants me tonight too, and I’m prepared to never say no to him again.

At least until I head back to California.

How pissed will Collette be if we don’t stay for the whole event?

“Welcome, welcome,” Collette says. Speak of the devil. She steps out into the center of the spotlight, clapping her hands as she motions toward us, prompting the crowd to continue their applause. “My girls, everyone! Aren’t they spectacular?”

The applause intensifies as she looks around at us. She turns back around to face the guests. “I’m Collette Rhone, and I’m so happy you all could join me tonight. Midnight has been a dream of mine for a long time now, and I hope you’ll continue to be a part of bringing this dream to fruition. Each pop-up will be a different theme and in a different, surprise location, but I’m hoping what you experience tonight will keep you coming back for more.” She laughs, then lowers her voice into the microphone. “And if it helps you get your checkbooks out for a good cause, all the better.”

I don’t even know what charity we’re supporting tonight. I’m a shitty friend.

Collette steps over to me and takes my hand, then leads me away from the other performers. “The phenomenal Kincaid Summers, ladies and gentlemen.” She holds my arm up high. “And, you’ve been quite lucky tonight, because this talented woman has just hung up her stilettos.”

Fitting, since I’m currently barefoot.

The applause falters, and a few people boo.

I look at Atlas, whose eyebrows are furrowed.

“I know, I know. Trust me, I begged her not to quit, but Kincaid is a woman with a plan, and who am I to stand in the way of determination?” She drops my hand and motions around the room. “Look around you. Had anyone stood in the way of this woman’s determination, I wouldn’t be standing before you now.” Collette bows. “And what a loss that would be.” She looks over at me and winks. “So enjoy this evening with the fabulous Kincaid Summers, ladies and gentlemen, because she’s headed back to her hometown soon, and the city of sin may never recover.”

I shake my head. So dramatic.

She kisses each of my cheeks in turn, then begins to walk around the circle again, engaging the crowd. I may live in the spotlight, but Collette lives for the spotlight.

When Colette has made her way to the other side of the circle of performers, introducing each girl as she goes, Atlas gets up and walks toward me.

I shake my head and motion for him to sit back down.

He ignores me. Because he’s Atlas. “Why didn’t you tell me you were working here tonight?”

I fight my smile, trying not to look like such a love-struck teenager. “I wanted to surprise you.” I search his gaze for any indication that it was a good surprise, but he gives nothing away. His reaction to me earlier though was enough for me. “Go sit down.”

“You retired?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “Now go sit back down.”

“Where are you moving to?”

“Atlas, please.” I look around, but luckily, most of the people are still focused on Collette. “We can talk tonight.”

His eyes light up and he smirks in that sexy, infuriating I-get-what-I-want way of his. “So there’s going to be a tonight?”

I shake my head and roll my eyes, then press my hands against his chest and push him back to his seat. “Daytime always turns into night, Atlas. Where’d you go to school?”

He laughs, but he sits back down in his seat.

When Collette finishes talking about herself, she finally invites all of the guests to head to the dining room.

“Midnight has officially commenced,” she says as the black curtains against the far wall are drawn back. “Please allow my staff to escort you to your tables.”

I stand beside Atlas and he extends his elbow, so I link my arm through his.

A blonde chick sidles up beside him. “You’re Atlas Reynolds, right?”

He looks over at her. “Yep.”

“From Banging Cade?”

He tenses, but nods.

“I’m Brandy Blaze. Miss November.” She flashes a too-white grin. I count at least six veneers.

“It was nice to meet you, Miss November,” Atlas says, returning his attention to me.

I refrain from smirking.

As we reach the entrance to the dining room, I release his arm, and he stops abruptly.

He turns to me, one eyebrow raised. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I smile and nod toward the girl on his other arm. “The guests are dining with Playboy playmates tonight, Mr. Reynolds. I was just hired to dance for you.”

He looks at her and she smiles triumphantly, like she just won some prize.

My lips twitch, but I remain stoic. I’m pretty sure that prize was already won. Last night. Repeatedly.

He searches my gaze, frowning. “Aren’t you hungry?”

I shake my head.

Atlas runs his tongue over his teeth.

She tugs at his arm as one of the servers approaches them. She waves toward the server. “They’re blind, see? That’s how they can see where to go.” She giggles and Atlas looks back at me with wide eyes. “They can’t see, I mean, that’s why they don’t care if the lights are off, you know?”

“Have fun,” I mouth, then give him a wide grin.

His brows furrow, then his gaze drops to my lace thong, as if he’s finally just noticing my lack of clothes, and I swear I hear him whimper.

I turn around so he can get a nice, unobstructed view of my ass as I walk away. He can think of it while he’s sitting next to Bimbo Barbie.

I make my way back to the dressing room to change, and Collette steps in front of the doorway. She eyes me like she thinks I’m guilty of something. I tilt my head as I approach her.

“Kayla.”

“Collette.”

She crosses her slender arms. “Would you mind sharing your secret with the rest of the class?”

I look around, playing along. “I’ll wait until the other students get back from lunch,” I say on a laugh.

“Shame on you, Kayla Sanders. I thought we were closer than that. How could you let me go on about Atlas when you already knew him? And, honey, when I met him on the plane”—she places a hand over her chest—“had I known...”

I laugh and raise my hand. “Relax, Collette. Whatever you and Atlas did or didn’t do on the plane is not my business. You’re both...” I pause, trying to find the right words. “Super sexual.” I probably could have come up with something better than that, but it’s the truth and gets straight to the point. “I imagine Atlas was a fitting single serving friend?”

“Indeed.” She eyes me warily, as if not believing that I don’t care about the two of them hooking up.

“Collette, for real, I didn’t know him yet. We met last night.”

She smiles slowly. “What a wonderful coincidence.” She links her arm through mine and leads me away from the dressing room.

I look back over my shoulder, longing to get out of this tiny thong.

“Now, before I send you into that dark dining room to get our boy, you must tell me everything.”