I’d never in my life seen skin as creamy as that of the woman who owned the stage at The Grill. With the glistening moisturizer that must had covered her entire body, it looked as if she were wearing a layer of silk. The way her hips curved, her silhouette held that beautiful pear shape – not skinny, but perfect, with enough flesh on each hip for a comfortable hold. And those muscles on her thighs and arms – I could only imagine the different ways in which she could wrap herself around me.

What the fuck was I doing? She was a stripper, and I was already thinking about being balls deep inside her. I felt my sack contract at the thought of her warmth around me, and my cock pulsed for the fourth time since she’d walked out on that stage. My jeans were beginning to run out of room. Each time she moved, gripping that pole, spreading her perfect legs in a way that still hid her wet core, a surge of pure testosterone flew through me. I wanted to mount her, claim her, and mark her all at the same time. But first, I had to find out where she’d gotten those light marks on her legs. They appeared as faint scars, barely visible, making her absolutely stunning. I imagined trailing my lips over every single white spot on her body as she writhed underneath me.

For the love of God, how long can I sit here before I explode?

Those colorful gems on her breasts and pussy didn’t leave much to the imagination, and I fought the urge to jump up on that stage and cover her up. I didn’t want another man seeing her. Especially in a place like this, where every second douchebag was probably jerking off while watching her.

Yet I myself couldn’t keep my eyes away. This was not an establishment I came to willingly, but it was the halfway point between my ranch and New York – one where I’d agreed to meet my temporary employers and hire them at the same time. The deal worked out great. I’d done them a favor, and they would do one for me. In truth, the only reason I agreed to the deal was because I owed a life debt that needed to be paid off and was here as a favor to a friend. And if it happened that I got something out of our arrangement, well, that was a bonus. Except that now, looking at this beautiful woman, all I wanted to do was to break the deal I struck to babysit some spoiled brat, and get to know that dancing temptress.

Seeing her perky tits when she flipped upside down on that pole – God help me. There was no way I’d walk out of this joint straight and without a phone number at least. I was a gentleman by nature and pick-up lines or one-night stands weren’t my thing, but I had my limits like any other man, and this gem-covered beauty would be mine. She was the perfection I’d dreamed about while in the military. She was the muse in my thoughts I didn’t know about, and the adrenaline in my veins I needed to survive the missions. I might not have known it at the time, but she was the reason I was alive. And why was I feeling like a fucking fifteen-year-old seeing his friend’s hot mother bend over in her mini and figure out she was going commando? Well, the truth was that I didn’t know the answers to those questions, but as long as I got to see her again, I didn’t really care. I was ready to succumb to anything she’d ask of me.

I inhaled the smell of her freshness that was still drifting around me. She must have washed her hair only hours before I saw her. The bounce of her dirty-blonde curls released an aroma that drove me crazy. I wondered whether she’d used it all over her body, and couldn’t wait to smell and lick each curve and nook of her skin to discover so for myself. During the few minutes we spoke, the sass, wit, and confidence of that woman captivated me. I couldn’t take my eyes away from her mouth for two reasons. First, I was still hard for her, and my cock kept pressing against the zipper like it wanted to jump right out and into her perfect round hole rimmed with luscious lips. Second, if I looked down at the robe she was wearing and imagined what was underneath it, my jeans would rip, or get soaked at the least.

Standing here now, waiting for her to come back like she’d promised so that I could watch her drive away safely, felt like an eternity. And my bladder was beginning to misbehave. When she came out, the first thing I’d do was get her name. There was no way in hell I’d let her leave without knowing who she was and when I could see her again. Although our initial conversation didn’t sound the way I’d practiced before she came out the side door, it felt so natural; like we’d known each other for years, not seconds. I still couldn’t believe I could talk to a woman so candidly – ever. Especially one I was so devastatingly attracted to.

I looked down at my watch. The minutes standing here felt like hours. The text that came in canceling my appointment was a blessing. It meant I could postpone the business I came here to do and concentrate on her. While I’d need to reschedule the meeting, I couldn’t help but gloat that I’d get a chance to know the spray-tanned beauty. Part of me felt guilty. Should I have insisted on the meeting anyway? Would it have changed anything? This trip was taking longer than I’d expected, keeping me away from my horses, but the people I was supposed to be meeting came highly recommended. They needed my help, and I needed theirs.

“Just get her out of the city for a while,” they’d said. “She needs a calmer lifestyle and a change of scenery. And no fucking around.”

Well, she would have to wait until we scheduled another meeting.

Shifting from one foot to another, I couldn’t wait any longer. Hopefully, if my bedazzled girl came out early, she’d wait for me. As I stood in the stall, pissing for what seemed like hours, I regretted drinking all that water. But how could I have not? Looking at her move her body up and down that pole, all I could think about was her slickness sliding along my length. My mouth had felt like the middle of a desert. Shit, even remembering those thoughts forced my dick to stand at full mast, making it nearly impossible to piss.

I shook off the last drops, washed my hands, and went back out to the bar.

My first priority when she returned – right after I got her name, of course – would be to get her out of this dirty hole of a strip club. There was no way she’d let me drive her home, she was too smart for that, which made me wonder what the hell was she doing here in the first place. The bodyguard had said she was from New York. Didn’t they have better establishments than this in her home city? She didn’t look like someone who should be stripping for cash; in fact, the bodyguard said she was dancing tonight for free – that’s why they let her in. Well, maybe that was one of the reasons. I couldn’t imagine that any woman more beautiful worked here – or anywhere in the entire state – so having her up on that stage was a bonus for this place. And while she definitely looked like a professional, at least she’d confirmed this wasn’t her job.

I lowered my gaze to my watch again. It had been too long. Had she ditched me?

“You wanna beer, honey? Or maybe something more?” a raven-haired waitress in a bustier asked me while stroking the side of my arm. Chills of disgust flew through me. Hooking up in a place like this was definitely not my style. And honestly, I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to think about another woman ever again.

Of course I wouldn’t verbalize all that to her, and so I replied, “Not tonight. Have you seen that girl who danced last? She went backstage to change, and it’s been a while.”

“The one with the gems?” Her brow rose in a funny way, as if this was a question she’d already answered more than once tonight.

“Yes.” My eyes flew open.

“Emma. Her name is Emma.”

“Emma.” The moment I said her name, something odd happened in my chest. The profound pounding and a light-hearted sensation were new to me. I’d never experienced lust of such height. I mean, I’d gotten hot for women before – it was only natural that I would – but Emma. God, Emma just took over my entire being with her presence, and if I didn’t see her soon, I’d go insane. “Where is she?”

“She left.”

What? The waitress was lying – she had to be. There was no way that Emma could have dismissed the connection we’d had so easily. Was she safe? I quickly ran out the front door. There was no sign of a struggle or commotion. Why would she have disappeared so quickly? It couldn’t have been me, could it? Was I too forward? Too strong? Dealing with city women who had a mind of their own wasn’t my thing – but Emma… If I ever got a chance to see her again, I would never let her go.

When I returned, I asked the same waitress, “Do you have Emma’s last name?”

“Sorry, hun, I don’t.”

“An address, or a license plate at least? Anything?”

She shook her head sideways.

“Fuck,” I swore under my breath, running my fingers through my hair, already imagining spending the rest of my life looking for the one that got away. “I’m sorry. She said she’d come back…”

Was I fucking stuttering? What the hell was that about? How could I have let myself be affected by a woman to a point of desperation? There was no reason to even hope now, was there? I’d better forget about her – think of Emma as a dream. A dream that would never come true.