NEON LIGHTS DANCED across the stage like falling stars, slow and steady. Just when they seemed as though they’d stop, they faded away and more appeared. Derek thrust and gyrated his way through the spray of hot lights. The pungent aromas of perfume, musk, and desperation hung in the air. He sank down at the edge of the stage, staring above the heads of men and women with their arms outstretched, paying him for a few visual thrills. They tucked money into his G-string or tossed bills in his direction. He picked up a few bills scattered at his feet, closed his eyes, and pressed them to his chest, dragging them slowly down his body, thrusting to the beat of the music, until he hit his package and quickened his pelvic thrusts, earning cheers from the crowd. He pushed that money into the hip strap and tossed his hair, crossing the stage in a series of seductive moves.
The beat accelerated, and Derek whipped off his shirt, twirled it around his head as he tossed it to the crowd, earning more loud whoops and hollers. He dropped down to the ground, and put one hand behind his back, hammering out a series of hip thrusts. He went up on his knees, gyrating his way across the edge of the dance floor, collecting money every inch of the hip-grinding way.
He jumped up to his feet, staring above the heads of the crowd, wishing he were at home with Talia, but knowing this was what he had to do. The music sped up again, and the lights shot over the crowd, earning more cheers. Derek often focused on a picture on the walls to make it appear as if he were checking out someone in the back of the crowd, but tonight his gaze landed on a stunning woman with gorgeous dark hair, high cheekbones, and a slim, perky nose. Even in the dusky light, he knew his girl. His careful girl, who never came to see him dance, and yet she was there, watching him with a hungry expression, while seated with her sister.
With his eyes trained on Talia, his pulse kicked up, his every move precise and seductive, perfectly orchestrated just for her. She didn’t look away, didn’t bite that lower lip. Holy fuck. She pushed to her feet and strode toward the stage like she was on a mission, her pixie of a sister hurrying after her. The possessive look in her eyes was so freaking hot as she pushed her way through the crowd, up to the edge of the stage. He spun and gyrated, his eyes never leaving hers. He was going to make her proud, and if he was lucky, hot and bothered, because just the sight of her supporting him by being there made him want to carry her off to an island and love her into oblivion.
Piper shoved a handful of money into Talia’s hands, and then Talia lifted those shaky hands toward him. Holy fuck, he was going to die. If ever there was a reason to dance, she was standing right there in front of him. The confidence she’d found gave way to pink cheeks as he slid down to his knees before her, legs spread wide, rocking his hips so close to her, she bit that sweet lower lip of hers. He’d go straight to hell for this, but he grabbed her face and kissed her hard. All the women squealed and cheered, offering to be next. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it made the whole damn night worthwhile.
Talia’s eyes went wide as saucers. She grabbed Piper’s arm and held out her hand. Piper gave her another handful of bills, and she waved them at him. Oh baby, you wanna play? He grabbed his crotch, rocking slow and purposefully. Then the music slowed, his cue that the song was almost over. He shot to his feet, moving toward the back of the stage. He pointed at Talia and mouthed, Stay put.
The song came to a crescendo, ending abruptly. Smoke filled the stage, and the crowd went wild. The end of his shift had finally arrived. He jumped off the stage, and the people parted like the Red Sea. With his eyes locked on Talia again, he hauled her into his arms, dancing to the regular music that kicked in after the last show. He was all too aware of everyone watching them, and he knew that though his show was over, the crowd expected more. Talia was beet-red, but she moved with him, and when she tried to hand the money back to Piper, he shook his head, took a step back, and glanced down, waggling his brows. Piper cheered her on as Talia’s gaze followed his and she watched his hips pulse in slow gyrations. Talia’s gaze darted around them. Yeah, it was unfair, but holy fucking hell, his girl was there, and he wanted everyone to know he was hers.
“Come on, baby,” he urged. “Show them who I belong to.”
A nervous smile lifted her lips, and the crowd went crazy as she shoved money into his G-string, and he danced just for her.
“I can’t do any more! I’m shaking too much!” she hollered over the crowd, dollars falling from her fingers.
Piper tried to catch the money as it drifted to the floor.
He’d give Piper every dollar back, but first he pulled Talia into his arms and said, “I love you, Tallie girl! You’re here, and you’re amazing! Thank you!”
Talia looked shell-shocked, elatedly shell-shocked, as people cheered her on and commented about how lucky she was. They had no clue what they were talking about. Derek knew he was the lucky one. Damn lucky.
“Dude, that was freaking hot,” Piper said.
Talia glared at Piper.
“In a very nonsexual, sister-appropriate way,” Piper quickly added.
Talia hugged her. “I’m only kidding. He’s crazy hot. Like, light-the-stage-on-fire hot, isn’t he?” She threw her arms around his neck, pride beaming in her eyes. “And he’s mine.”
“Damn right I’m yours, baby.”
Several steamy kisses later, he reluctantly went to change his clothes. When he returned, he found Talia standing alone with a big-breasted blonde who frequented the bar. She’d offered herself up on a silver platter a few times, and he’d turned her down. He didn’t like her anywhere near his sweet Talia.
He slid his arm around Talia’s waist as he came to her side and kissed her cheek. She stood rigidly beside him. “Hey, babe. Everything okay? Where’s Piper?”
The voluptuous blonde watched them with a cold expression as she finished her drink.
“She’s in the ladies’ room,” Talia said flatly.
“People have been spreading rumors about me for years,” the blonde said. “It’ll be nice to have the heat on someone else for a while.” She winked at Derek and said, “Call me when you’re ready to share.”
“Not happening,” he said, and guided Talia away from her. “What the fuck was that about?” he asked as Piper cut through the crowd.
“Nothing,” Talia said, jaw tight.
“Was that the man eater?” Piper asked.
What the . . . ? “Man eater?”
“Don’t ask.” Talia headed for the door. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
As they walked outside, he handed Piper an envelope. “Piper, this is for you. Thanks for bringing Talia out.”
She peeked into the envelope, and her eyes widened. “I don’t want your money! She brought me.”
That surprised him, but he was too worried about Talia to think too much about the fact that Talia had initiated the outing. He tucked it away to revel in later.
“It’s yours. You gave it to Talia.” Take the damn money so I can find out what’s going on. “Do you have a car here?”
“I do,” Piper said. “Talia said she was going home with you.”
Talia looked like she was ready to murder someone as they walked Piper to her car.
“Thanks, Tal. It was really great going out with you tonight.” Piper embraced her. Then she gave Derek an awkward, stiff-armed almost hug and said, “It feels weird hugging you after seeing you in a G-string, but I’ll get over it. Tal, I’ll text you tomorrow.”
As soon as Piper drove away, Talia said, “We have to talk.”
His chest constricted. He must have embarrassed her too much with that last dance. Talia pushed her hands into her coat pockets as they headed around the building toward his car.
“Tallie, I’m sorry for coming off the stage and dancing with you like that. I was just so happy to see you there. It felt like you’d finally jumped the last hurdle and you were proud of me, and not embarrassed, or . . . Hell, I don’t know what. It was just the greatest feeling, seeing you there at the front of the stage, having your hands on me, and I wanted everyone to know I was yours.”
She didn’t respond. Her eyes were trained on the pavement, shoulders rounded. He’d never seen her crawl so deep into herself. Damn it. He should have backed off, accepted what she’d given him, which was more than he’d ever expected, and not pushed it. When they came to his car, he embraced her.
“Babe, I’m really sorry. I will never, ever embarrass you again.”
“It wasn’t you.”
The bite in her tone told him otherwise.
“You need to get home so Maria can leave,” she reminded him. “We can talk on the way. I don’t want to keep her waiting.”
He ground his teeth together, knowing she was right and wishing he had a little flexibility in his schedule so he could put Talia first all the time. He opened her door, and when she was settled in her seat, he leaned in and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry we have to rush home.”
“That has nothing to do with why I’m upset. I don’t mind making concessions for your father, so please stop worrying that I do.”
“Thanks, babe, but I’ll always worry. It’s kind of what I do.”
“Well, this time you shouldn’t.”
Her voice still had an edge to it, one he knew meant she needed space. He just hoped the space she needed wasn’t from him.