He shrugged, slipping his phone away. “Wanted to stop in and see how you were doin’ with that situation I left you in the other night. Came in yesterday, but you weren’t here. Gave me the slip last night, too.” His eyes lowered to my shorts. “How’s the ache?”

“I need to get back to work.”

“Figured it was bad last night for you to stay gone. I’m thinkin’ you’re on the fuckin’ edge now.”

“How’s it for you?” I asked, tipping forward.

He wasn’t the only one still playing this game.

Jamie mouth lifted in the corner. He stared at me, not answering as seconds ticked by. He looked like he held a thousand words on his tongue, but he wasn’t giving me any.

I rocked back onto my heels. I was starting to regret even asking.

Then he smiled a little bigger and brighter, and jerked his chin, promising, “You give me the slip tonight and I will come lookin’ for you.”

My fingers lost their grip and slid down.

Tonight. Quinn’s party.

Crap.

Jamie would be there. Of course he would. It was his sister’s birthday. And it was at a strip club.

“I’m going, but only for your sister,” I informed him, tipping my chin up. “She’s sweet and I like her.”

“She thinks you’re sweet, too,” he said.

My heart warmed hearing that.

“You wearin’ those sex pants?” Jamie asked, eyebrow lifting.

Oh, my God. What was up with him and these pants?

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ll most likely be wearing this, since I’ll be leaving right from here,” I shot back. “Not sex anything. Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Ain’t disappointing me,” he said. “Know how I feel about that uniform, Legs.”

“Yeah. You shared that.”

“Also know what’s underneath,” he added with a smirk.

I scowled.

I was going to regret that game plan until the day I died.

Jamie’s phone beeped. He glanced at it and then tucked it away again, saying, “Gotta go, babe. I’ll see ya tonight.”

“Fine. Whatever,” I sighed.

There was no point in fighting it. It would just take up more time, and I had work to do.

I made for the door, expecting Jamie to open it so we could both get back to our jobs, but instead of doing that, he blocked it with his shoulder the second I reached it.

We collided, my hands flying up to his chest and pushing away, but I met resistance when he wrapped his arm around my waist and yanked me closer.

“What are you doing?” I asked, voice tight and startled, looking up at him while putting pressure on his hand at my back.

“Thought I’d get a kiss before I go,” he said casually, as if this were a normal thing between us and we shared kisses regularly.

I sucked in a breath. “What?” I whispered.

“A kiss, Legs. I want one.”

“But we don’t do that.”

“Feels like a good time to start.”

His face slowly moved in, drawing closer and closer as his gaze focused on my lips.

My heart was beating like crazy and my stomach was clenching tight, not in fear or disgust, but in anticipation.

I wanted Jamie to kiss me. I wanted to feel it again. His mouth and his need. I wanted it.

I could go back to hating him after we were finished. Immediately after we were finished.

Body trembling, I closed my eyes.

I was going to do it. I was going to kiss Jamie McCade.

“How’s that ache now?” he whispered against my ear. My eyes flashed open. That was when I heard his deep, amused chuckle.

Mother—

“You are such a jerk!” I hissed, shoving hard against his chest.

Jamie staggered backward, still laughing. Then he opened the door and flashed me one of the biggest grins I’d ever seen him wear before sauntering back out into the dining area.

And I got back to work and back to hating him immediately, as if I never even stopped.

* * *

I’d never been to a strip club before. Male or female varieties. And they were both in Dogwood Beach. So I didn’t really know what to expect of The Dollhouse.

After showing my ID to the bouncer at the door, I paid the cover and stepped inside.

The room was cast in a pink glow, keeping it dark except for the two stages. They had additional lights above them to shine down on the dancers. A bar ran the length of one wall, and in the corner on a raised platform was a DJ booth, pumping tunes into the air. Fabric hung from the ceiling and separated the back VIP area, I was guessing. There was a very large man standing guard there and only letting certain people pass. Chairs were pushed up close to the stages for prime viewing seats, and behind them there were small round tables with stools pulled up so that people could sit together.

That was where I spotted Quinn and her group.

“Tori!” She jumped up and waved me over, then pulled me into a hug when I reached the table. “Thank you so much for coming!”

I hugged her back. “Anytime, babe.”

Quinn leaned away and smiled, flashing dimples that matched her brother’s. She was wearing a black bodysuit with sleeves down to her elbows, see-through stockings, and black combat boots, had her eyeliner winged out and her hair extra spiky. She faced the other three women sitting with her and went about with introductions while keeping her hand on my back.

“Guys, this is Tori. She’s the kick-ass chick I told you about. Knows Jamie. He’s totally staking claim, but she’s not hearing that. And if she starts playing with your hair, let her. It feels amazing.”