My set was coming up and I had to shake off the remnants of this day and pour it all out on the dance floor. One thing I did get from my mother was her dancing. I could dance like a siren on that stage. I made bank and waiting on the customers as a waitress, eh, I did okay.
A lot of girls here also had personal rooms upstairs where they performed sexual acts for money if they wanted to. I had a room, but it was for lap dances only. I didn’t get into all that extra shit. Like I said, I wasn’t going to put out like my mother did. I made that deal with Coach when he took over this joint. No sex. Of any kind. We shook hands and even though he tried to change my mind a few times, I was adamant.
I can say that about Coach. He was a wily, slick kinda guy but when you shook his hand, a deal was made.
I had some principles. I could show restraint when I had to.
Not that I showed it earlier. How dare Gavin make me sit by him at his mother’s funeral? Friends? I didn’t think so. His mother was horrible to me. Close to her? Don’t know what reality he was living in but that wasn’t going to fly with me. Once he was out of Dayton, his mother was a complete bitch to me. When she got on the city council? Psh. She acted like she was the Queen of fucking England.
Mother was right though. He grew up to have one hot, sexy-ass body. A foot taller than my five foot six frame. He had bricks for shoulders. I couldn’t tell about his arms since they were in a suit, but his chocolate gaze had been warm and happy. Until I brushed him off, then they turned confused. What did he have to be confused for?
Ugh. Get over that old news.
“You ready, Beauty?”
“Yeah.”
My set was mostly a solo act until the end. We all had a few sets before the ending. Then we all came out and did one heart thumping routine that made the men greedy for more. Which helped the girls if they took the men upstairs or for future lap dances, etc.
Another thing about this place, the girls stuck close to each other. Never really any stingy ass bitches came through this place and if they did they were usually booted pretty quickly. Sometimes we did skits together and then we did our solo acts.
And tonight, I had a new routine. I practiced the past few days and I knew this would bring in the money for me. I didn’t have any personal requests for the night, so after I could either just finish the night waiting on guests or I could go home. But anywhere was better than going home, so I usually stayed until the end. Either waitressing or bartending.
The song I took a few days to learn to dance to was Ride by Ciara featuring Ludacris. I actually learned the dance routine from the song, incorporated it with a few of my own moves and I was excited to try it out on the crowd. The outfit was perfect and the heels I choose were two inches higher than I usually used, so the black stilettos were sky high, making my legs look longer than their normally short frame. I had to add taking off my clothes but that was easy once I learned the dance. The slow motion voice at the beginning we edited out but when Ludacris came on, was when I used the poles.
Most of the girls were pretty good on the poles. When I was introduced to one, one of the older girls had taken me to a class. That shit was a real workout, but it was fun. So was the dancing.
I didn’t care if I took off my clothes, but I liked dancing once I learned how to so many years ago. It was a release all in its own. I loved the class so much I’ve been taking it since I was seventeen and then a few years ago the owner asked if I wanted to teach a class or two a few times a month. I honestly loved doing it and wished I could just open my own little pole dancing studio. That took money though and if I wanted out of this town, having my own studio would be secondary to leaving this one horse town. That was priority. I hated it here.
I was fixing my outfit—skimpy as it may be—when I heard Coach’s voice come out on the mic.
“ALRIGHT, BOYS, YOUNG GENTS AND MEN, YOU’VE BEEN DYING FOR HER ALL NIGHT, AND SHE’S ABOUT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. WELCOME THE ONE…THE ONLY…BLACK BEAUTY!”
The song’s beat came on and I let the music take over. I let the audience fade away and moved to the rhythm of the music like the sex goddess I’ve become.
Then halfway through the song, I made the mistake at actually looking out towards the crowd. And there he was.
Good.
It’ll show him I wasn’t the same girl he thought I was. Reality was going to knock him on his ass.
To show him I wasn’t scared about being on this stage, I looked right at him while I improvised and walked down the steps to the lap seats. I’ve never stepped off the stage while I danced up there. Never. And the crowd went wild at my decision.
Something about Gavin looking at me, half naked and sweaty made me bold.
The men in the front, hell, all the men began screaming in excitement. They knew not to touch except for putting bills in the hips of the cheeky lace panties I was famous for. I didn’t wear thongs if I didn’t have to. Hated the feeling of something up the crack of my ass that I’d have to pull out later. Yuck.
I choose the best looking out of the front selection—no one beat Gavin but still—the guy was just in front of Gavin, who looked at me with sharp daggers of fury.
When the chorus came on, I turned, backed up onto this unsuspecting man’s lap and gave him a small taste of what I could give him while looking back and straight into Gavin’s burning stare. It was dim in the room, but I could see the rage and shock in his eyes as he watched me dance on this man’s lap. After the man placed a few tens in my strap, he tried tapping his hand on my bottom.
That had made Gavin stand straighter and he moved a few feet towards me, but I didn’t need his help in any way what so ever.
The men in this place knew there was no touching and I got off, turned and shook my finger in his face like he was a naughty boy, before I sashayed back up the stage, finishing the last pole routine before dropping it to the floor, popping my hips and ass to the last words before finishing with a flourish, ripping the bikini top off and towards the curtain as I threw my head back, bowing my back so the mostly naked flesh of my ass was there for all to see.
Then I slowly and seductively twirled around, standing up in one fluid motion before bowing at my performance. The money girl swept up the money and clothes with her hands before meeting me at the back curtain.
The crowd was hooting and hollering. I was sweating and my heart was thumping so hard in my chest. I felt exhilarated and nervous because I had a feeling Gavin wouldn’t just leave it at seeing me up there naked before numerous men without saying something. We might have grown apart when he lived here, but he was very protective of me back then. I guess it came from his father, the man he idolized and wanted to be when he grew up. I guess that was the rage part of his expression. I’m sure he hated seeing me up there.
“Here, Beauty. You looked so damn hot out there. And getting off the stage like that. You’ve never done that before. Made those men go nuts. Like literally busting nuts. Awesome job, sista’!”
“Thanks, Pinkie.”
Pinkie was the new girl. She waited for the customers and picked up the cash for each dancer. I didn’t know her first name, just like I didn’t know most of the girl’s first names. We went largely by our stage names.
I went to the back and changed.
“You gonna wait the rest of the night? There was a few men that would probably pay for some more. You were on fire tonight. Something good must have happened to you today, girl!”
“Not really. I just felt…provoked.”
“Girl, you should get provoked more often because I’m straight as an arrow but damn. That shit made my pussy wet as all get out. Sexy, hot and bold. Damn, you were bold. By the way, one of those hot asses couldn’t take his eyes off of you.”
“What hot ass?”
I said trying to ignore the fact that I knew exactly who she was talking about. I didn’t want to think about it. I should stay and make a little more money, but it was late and I didn’t feel like dealing with the shitstorm that I knew was going to find me soon enough.
“Girl. The sexual tension was like radiation. It was so fucking hot, my panties are singed.”
Oh, good lord. I went to my locker and she followed me, knowing I would say something. I began changing into leggings, a tank and was slipping my feet through my flip-flops when I finally answered.
“That hot ass can just radiate himself away from me.”
“Beauty, he tried getting back here to see you. When Coach refused, the guy threatened him. But then you know Coach. Nothing intimidates him.”
“Good. I’m gonna get out of here.”
“What? I’m surprised you’re not going to stay. You usually always stay.”
“Well, not tonight. Later, Tricks.”
“Bye, girl!”
I headed out the back towards my Mustang. I wasn’t ready to go home just yet. Hell, I hated going home but there wasn’t much else to do. Besides, I made enough tonight with the dance that it made up for my lack of tips filling drinks.
Maybe I’ll go to Baytown and hit up IHOP, get some nourishment. No one would follow me there and no one knew me there unless they frequented Gentleman’s Fancy. I didn’t often come across customers out in the real world—outside of Dayton—but when I did it was awkward. Especially if they had a bitch on their hip. A lot of the men were single though. I made sure to avoid them at any and all costs.
I opened my car and threw in my bag.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“AH!” I jumped around, my hands up and ready to defend myself.
Gavin jerked back his hands raised in supplication. “Whoa there, killer. Calm down.”
Gavin.
“Ugh. You’re lucky I didn’t drop you where you stand.”
“Unlikely, honey. Now what the fuck are you doing dancing?”
“You mean stripping?”
“I was trying to be gentle.”
“Nonya.”
“Yeah, it is. Now answer my damn question, Evony.”
“I don’t have to answer jack. You don’t know me, Gavin. So why don’t you just leave?”
“Sorry, but I just can’t do that.”
“Well, I’m leaving. It’s been a long fucking day and I haven’t gotten enough damn sleep and I have a class tomorrow before work.”
“At least you’re going to school. Why don’t you just use the money I’ve given you? I thought you’d be out of this town by now or at least doing something…less exotic.”
“Why can’t you just say stripping? And what? Money you’ve given me? What money have you ever given me?”
“Are you serious?”
I gestured with my hands and widened my eyes in irritation before opening the car door and shoving myself inside. I slammed it close, locked it, turned the ignition and rolled down the window.
I said, “I don’t know what reality you live in, Gavin. But here is the real world. This isn’t some fairy tale. Go back home. Where ever you ran off to.”
“I didn’t run away. I had no choice.”
“I don’t want to hear it. You ran when shit got too real and I have nothing more to say to you so I’d appreciate it if you left me alone.”
“It that what your tattoo means? ‘You’re only a memory’? ‘Broken promises can’t break you’?”
“Well, somebody who knows the language. Figures it would be you. Now just leave me the hell alone, Gavin Winters.”
“Tu n'as aucune idée.”
I have no idea?
“Bye, Gavin. Maybe I’ll see you in another life. But stay out of this one.”
Then with a grace and dignity I didn’t feel I pulled away instead of kicking up gravel and hitting him in his hot, sexy face.
And it was a sexy face. God he looked so good up close. His eyes blazing. His body looked like a puffed up angry rooster. And I should not be reacting to him, but I was. I hated it. Heat burned low in my gut as it did between my thighs. That motherfucker knew French too. His deep, dark voice traveled over my senses and made everything tingly.
That son of a bitch.
Now I had to go home. I was ready to just fall the fuck asleep. This day sucked ass. Except for the dance. That was awesome. I was sure I was going to bust my ass in those heels and the height was finally starting to burn my damn legs. I was so going to feel it in the morning.
I was turning into the trailer park when I saw something huge in my tail lights.
Ugh. Some stupid-ass redneck in his stupid-ass big monster truck. If he thought I was going to move any faster, he had another thing coming. Douchebag.
I drove slow through the dirt road and parked at the white trailer thinking this jackoff was going to pass me to another trailer, but nope. I didn’t see tail lights passing to the last trailers in the lot. I looked around and saw it parked right next to me.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Who was this creep? I grabbed my bag and got out of the car. Giving the truck a death stare. I hope they withered and melted on the spot.
I turned to head into the trailer when the person shut off the loud racket and stepped from of truck. I didn’t bother looking to see who it was. Probably some jerk-off following me home front Gentleman’s Fancy. It wouldn’t be the first time but either way I put my hand in my purse and around my can of mace. I was on the second step when I was grabbed from behind and tossed fireman style over a very strong shoulder.
“Hey, who the—
“Shut the hell up, Evony.”
My body instantly relaxed knowing it was just Gavin but then I let out a feral growl.
“Put me the hell down.”
A loud crack whipped through the air and then heat burn up my spine. That fucker just smacked my ass. He was so dead. I was about to spew out some venom when he spoke.
“Wanna wake up your mama and the neighbors?”
“Please, my mother is probably looking out her fucking window and I don’t give a shit what these people think about me.”
He walked over to the blue trailer and turned his head and of course, there she was. Shuffling the curtains back in place as if she didn’t want us knowing she was looking outside.
“You better have grabbed my bag, jackass. I don’t need her stealing my money.”
SMACK!
That son of a bitch smacked my ass. Again!
“HEY!”
“Shut it, will ya?”
“Oh, don’t want anyone to see you with the town whore? That’s okay. I’ll keep quiet.”
He let out a growl of his own and opened the door, bending to get us inside and then slammed it shut, locking it before walking back towards his old room, where he deposited me, none too gently on his bed.
I scrambled off when he said, “I suggest you stay exactly where you are, Evony Ann Summers before I paddle that ass cherry red.”
“Ha. Like you’d dare.”
“I’m tempted.”
I rolled my eyes because I knew he was everything that was all good and true. I met men like him every single fucking day in Gentlemen’s Fancy. Men too good to be true, but then you get them to get down and dirty and they are just like any other animal. Rut, thrust and bang. It’s over. Not that I knew from experience but the things the girls gossip about made me cringe.
Gavin looked like he should have a wife and two point five children with a white picket fence and a dog. He probably did wherever he lived.
“Look. You’re not my dad, brother, husband or lover so you don’t have any right. So I’ll just be leaving now.”
“Dammit. Would you just sit still and let me think? Fuck, girl.”
“Hmm…no. I don’t think so.”
I’d say he was like a brother to me, but let me be honest, I hadn’t really had a thought since seeing him earlier today that was sisterly. I did my best to block him out but hell if I wasn’t tempted to see all that hot sexy man flesh nekkid before me like a buffet. He’d be the first man I saw truly naked but still. That fantasy was alive. It shouldn’t be but he made me react in such a strong, almost violent way.
“That’s not what your eyes are saying.”
“Ha. My eyes don’t make the decision for me, Gavin.”
“What does? Your vagina?”
My hand flew out without a thought and smacked him straight across the face. And I didn’t even feel guilty about it. That was fucked up. I didn’t start crying because I learned young enough there was no point to it and looking at him now, I could see the contrite look on his face at having said that to me.
I took a few steps back and breathed deep. “Don’t worry about it, Gavin. But no, only my mind.”
“So no boyfriend then?”
“Uh, no.”
“That’s it?”
Rolling my eyes, I shrugged my shoulders. “What else is there to say?”
He stood up, shaking his head. “There is so much more to say, Evony. What are you doing in that place? Why are you acting like this? Why didn’t you use the money I sent you to go to college?”
“It’s none of your business what I do with my life and I never received jack shit from you. I’m not going to explain myself to you. Now, I’d like to go home and clean the day away from me, if you don’t mind.”
“Maybe I do mind.”
I walked right back up to him and poked him hard in the chest with my fingers. “Yeah? How are you going to stop me, huh?”
“Like this.”
His hands cupped my neck and he brought his mouth to mine in one hard crushing kiss.
Sweet Jesus this kiss was punishing and perfect. And the only thought I had running in my mind was, don’t stop.