Until you see it for yourself, it’s easy to dismiss pole dancing and say it’s not a real sport. Within five seconds, it’s obvious how much discipline, athleticism, strength, and grace it takes to perform. Somehow Swan makes it appear effortless.

“She’s amazing,” I say.

Trinity nods. “We need to step up our yoga game.” She ended up in Wrath’s lap, but she’s close enough that we can talk without too many people overhearing us.

“Are you kidding? I’d land on my head if I attempted any of that.”

Wrath’s wrapped around Trinity like an anaconda with his head buried against her shoulder—doing God only knows what that makes Trinity’s eyes roll back in her head.

She’s gone. I end up turning in Rock’s lap to face the stage completely.

“Careful,” Rock groans.

Oops.

I wiggle in his lap again and he grips my hips to stop me.

One of his arms bands around my chest and he gently grips my jaw, turning me to face the room, where not everyone who’s hooking up has bothered to find some privacy. His lips brush against my ear. “This isn’t your lawyer party. I don’t need the privacy of an office upstairs or a closet. No one would think twice if I fucked you right here. Right now,” he rasps.

His hand squeezes my hip, then slowly moves down over my leg. “There are three items between your pussy and my cock. It would be so easy to move them out of my way. When I say careful, I mean it.”

“Uhh.” A delightful shiver electrifies my skin and steals my words. I’m practically panting with excitement when he releases me.

He brushes my hair to the side and places a kiss at the base of my neck. “That’s not the reaction I expected from you, Hope.”

I turn, catching him off guard and brush my lips against his. “It’s hot, because I trust you. You’d never fuck me in public. You’re too much of a caveman to expose your woman that way.”

His eyes widen. Along with surprise, I find humor and heat in their steel gray depths. His gaze flicks over the crowded room then back to me. This time desire burns in his eyes. “Normally that’s true.” His low-spoken words reach every part of me. “But even cavemen sometimes have the urge to publicly claim their women.”

I have no intention of fucking Hope out in the open, but it’s always fun to tease her. Maybe I am feeling territorial after watching Loco salivate over my wife for the last hour. The fact that she’s oblivious to his interest soothes the beast in me that wants to impale her on my cock in front of everyone.

The lights in the club brighten a fraction as Swan finishes her routine and exits the stage. A wave of rowdy whistles and cheering fills the room. I wouldn’t have expected such a favorable reaction to a performance that was more artistic than naked. Not from this crowd. Z made a good call.

Loco leans in. “Talented lady you got there, Rock. She gonna work the room?”

I’m not sure what Swan’s plans are for the night other than dancing on the stage. When the brothers sat down for church to discuss the party, I’d been given the impression the VIP rooms were a “no fly zone” for Swan during this event.

Searching the crowd, I locate Dex and signal him to bring Swan to the table.

Briefly I wonder if anyone bothered to tell Malik to search our guests for weapons tonight.

I glance over at Wrath, who’s still busy molesting his wife, and reach over to tap his arm. He flicks his gaze my way before lifting his head and raising an eyebrow. It takes him less than five seconds to assess the situation and gently transition Trinity from his lap to the seat next to him. He places his elbows on the table and leans forward. To anyone else he looks casual. I know he’s ready to pounce if anyone gets out of control.

Hope pushes out of my lap before I have a chance to stop her and brushes past Loco—who uses the opportunity to stare at her ass—to get to Swan. She throws her arms around her. “That was so amazing. I know I’ve watched you practice before but, wow!” she gushes.

Wrath nudges Trinity in their direction and she joins the girls.

“Not quite what I had in mind,” Loco says. “But the view sure is pretty.”

Wrath’s irritated growl reaches me and I cut him a look that I hope he reads as calm the hell down.

Dex moves past the girls and addresses me. “Did you need me, Prez?”

“Loco wanted to compliment Swan’s performance.”

His gaze slides to Loco and they shake hands. “Swan,” he says without turning around.

She appears at his side and Loco doesn’t wait to be introduced. He pulls the kissing-the-back-of-her-hand move he did with Hope and then yanks her into his lap.

Dex narrows his eyes and pulls out a chair, dropping into it and making it clear he’s not going anywhere.