King
The pounding of the sensual beat seemed to resonate in my chest as I eyed the room and tried to keep my eyes off the stage. When I was offered a chance to work at the trashy strip club, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I had to find work where I could, even if it was working under the likes of Jarren Rossi. That weasel got on my nerves but I seemed to intimidate him enough that he let me be.
It was my first night at Diamond Castle, and I could already tell that this would be a draining job. I’d already thrown out three people by seven o’clock, and half the staff were coming and hitting on me. In fact, one was doing it right now.
“I’m Felicity,” she purred, placing a hand on my arm. She reminded me of a cat with her nails as sharp as claws and her screeching voice. “Can I interest you in some fun in the back?”
I didn’t even bother answering, standing stoically and doing my job. No way would I risk getting fired when I was so desperate for money. She eventually sauntered off, probably spreading word of the new bouncer who wouldn’t speak to her. Good. Maybe that would ward off the next one.
It appeared I wasn’t so lucky, though. An hour later, and four more girls had propositioned me. It wasn’t hard to ignore them and keep focused on my job. I wanted them all to get the message that I wasn’t the type to be swayed so easily. Maybe then everyone would leave me alone, and I could get on with things in peace.
For the tenth time that minute, my eyes flickered onto the stage and back away from it.
You’re not here to drool over the dancers, I reminded myself to little avail. Though I was determined that none of the girls could get to me, there was a sweet piece on stage that might be able to do it if she really wanted to.
Fuck, she was half naked, with a little white thing that covered barely anything, swinging her ass to some ridiculous tune while a crowd of men ogled her. No, she wasn’t the girl for me. But a little fun? I wouldn’t say no to that.
Sick of fighting the urge, I let my eyes rake over and drill holes into her. I could tell she noticed, too, swaying a little deeper, turning a little slower, and dancing a little sexier. I’d made eye contact with her twice, and each time her eyes would skitter away and a small smile would creep up on her lips.
She finished her routine with one last pose, her ass on full display to the crowd as her audience cheered. I felt sorry for the other two girls with her, neither able to compete with her, as she drew the eyes of every man in the crowd. They seemed to know it too.
As the girls exited the stage, I snapped out of my stupor and returned to monitoring the crowd. Rossi had said the last guy had been so useless that I could just stand there looking angry and do a better job. That wasn’t how I worked, though.
I watched as a man walked in through the front doors, different from the rest of the crowd. He was in a suit, a fucking expensive one by the looks of it, and had two men trailing him. He was refined and distinguished. I wondered what a guy like that was doing in a place like this. He disappeared into Rossi’s office, and I was immediately on guard, reminding myself to keep an eye on him.
My mind returned to the platinum blonde goddess from before. I’d been watching her from the moment I’d set foot in the place, and she never slowed down for a minute, even if she seemed like it. The men responded to her, too, way more than the other girls. I knew Rossi used her to his advantage, knowing she brought in business and kept it there. I could see him leering at her from time to time, and I knew she noticed too from the look of revulsion on her face every time he looked at her.
At that moment, Rossi came out of his office with the businessman following close behind. After pointing him to one of the back rooms, Rossi headed on back stage. He returned a few minutes later with the blonde angel, who headed off in the same direction as the businessman. I supposed she was everyone’s type.
“King,” Rossi said as he made his way past, running a hand through his thinning hair. “How’s it been?”
“Fine. You all right?”
“Yeah. Just– Just keep an eye out.” With those parting words, he marched off back to his office.
A little while later, the business man left again, seemingly with nothing interesting having happened. No sooner had he left, that I heard a husky voice from beside me.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
I almost smiled at her tone. Yes, she would be like all the other girls tonight, but I wouldn’t give any sign that I’d actually say yes to her.
Christy. The name fit her—simple, but strangely sexy. Or maybe that was just her.
No, I wouldn’t do it. But, apparently, my actions were beyond my control when she pressed herself completely up against me, and I felt myself harden in less than an instant.
Fuck, she was sexy.
If it wasn’t for Rossi taking her away then and there, I wasn’t sure what I would have done. Probably dragged her off caveman-style to the nearest room and fucked her like an animal. She’d probably thrive off it, too—thrive off my hands coming down hard on her ass, my cock pressing so deep into her mouth, she’d be choking on it, or so deep in her ass that she’d be screaming for it.
Shit, this really wasn’t work appropriate.
No, I’d settle for keeping an eye on her for the rest of the night. That was what Rossi had asked for anyway.
It was easy enough. One thing I’d learned was that Christy could definitely take care of herself. She slipped in and out of the crowd, granting smiles freely and flirting in a way that softened the blow when she left an instant later. Most guys either didn’t notice, or didn’t care, that she was giving them a complete brush off.
Only one guy didn’t seem to get the message—a shabby and overeager kid, who didn’t even look old enough to be in the club. He was drunk too. What a combination.
He’d saddled himself up behind her, arms locked around her waist.
“Dance for me,” he said, or screamed, considering I could hear him from where I was.
I watched steadily, seeing how Christy would handle it. The rule was no touching, according to the dancers, but Rossi had implied that things were a little more lenient, depending on the girl. I wouldn’t interrupt unless Christy needed me.
“Sorry, babe. You know the rules—hands off.”
I’d wandered a bit closer without being too conspicuous. I’d been warned not to make a scene if anything happened, unless it was completely unavoidable.
“You know you want to, Christy. Come on, I know how you girls are.”
The drunken man’s hands rubbed all over her, but Christy wasn’t panicking or struggling.
I spotted Rossi a few feet away and called him over.
“That kid’s feeling Christy up. You want me to step in?”
“Christy? Jesus, now. She’ll probably cut you open for trying to help her. Besides, look at her. She doesn’t mind. He tips well, so she should be grateful, if anything. Don’t interfere.”
Rossi walked off, but I wasn’t satisfied with his response. The fact that he was encouraging it left a sour taste in my mouth.
There was no way any girl would want to put up with that pawing. He might have had a point though, as Christy really did seem to be okay.
The kid spun Christy around in his arms, and that’s when I got a good look at her face. She was pissed and completely unable to get out of the hold he’d put her in.
‘She doesn’t mind’, my ass.
Fuck Rossi. There was no way I was letting this punk do anything under my watch.
“Is there a problem here?” I said as soon as I got close enough.
The kid’s eyes flickered up to mine, and the goofy drunken look dropped from his face.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” he slurred.
“Would you mind letting go of her, then? Club rules, you know?”
The kid looked back and forth between Christy and me, seeming to weigh his options.
“Nah, I don’t think I will. You can go now.”
I almost laughed out loud at the kid’s confidence.
“Christy?” I asked.
“Please get him off me,” she said calmly, though a little mechanically.
At her words, I grabbed the boy’s collar in both hands and pulled him away from Christy. He put up a feeble fight for a minute, struggling against my grip, but realized only a few seconds later that I had no intention of letting go.
At this point, I still hadn’t created much of a scene and planned on keeping it that way.
“Now, are you going to let me escort you out like a man and avoid a scene, or are you going to act like a boy and start something?”
I could almost read every thought going through his mind until he nodded stiffly, and I loosened my grip.
Grabbing him by the upper arm instead, I escorted him out of the club, Christy following close behind.
“Don’t come back here,” I said when we got outside. “I have a great memory for faces, and I won’t forget you.”
“You can’t do that. This is a strip club! She’s a slut, what do you–”
I took a step forward with a growl and raised my fist, taking no enjoyment from the way he immediately cowered beneath me. Damn it, if only he had kept talking, so I would have had reason enough to beat the shit out of him. Maybe then he’d learn a valuable lesson. Since he didn’t, I’d have to settle for his cowardice.
“Okay, okay. I won’t come back, I swear.”
“Good,” I bit out. “Leave.”
He all but sprinted away from the building, leaving me and a very silent Christy behind.
“Come on,” I said to her, leading her back inside and into one of the back rooms for some quiet.
I met Rossi’s angry eyes on the walk in and nearly groaned, though not with regret. I’d do it again, if I had to.