Lights strobe all around us breaking up the darkness with flashes of light as we make our way to the area reserved for our party. The tables are along the rear wall allotting us as much privacy as possible. Grit, the name of the club is a fitting one. There’s nothing fancy about this place, the decor runs more toward dark, dirty and seedy. It reminds me of a club I went to in London when we visited there last year. Places like Grit, are my favorite to visit. We can come and unwind after a show without causing a riot. I’m not sure if the patrons aren’t wrestling fans or if they just don’t give a fuck, but either way, I’m grateful for a night to chill with my friends.

Sinking down into one of the chairs, I tip it back to balance on two legs and lean against the wall. My narrowed eyes glide over the bodies on the dance floor seeking out one in particular. The strobes make the dancers’ movements look more interesting than they are, except for the platinum blonde dancing by herself in the corner. In this case, the lights are a detriment to her natural beauty and grace. I should know, I’ve watched her enough times that I can practically predict what she’ll do next.

She prefers to dance alone, completely immersing herself in the music. Blocking out everything else, dancing is a natural function for her body, like breathing. It’s part of who she is, and she never looks freer or more relaxed than when she’s letting loose on the dance floor. No matter how much she tries to blend in with the crowd, I always manage to find her. She couldn’t hide from me if she tried. My body’s so in tune with hers; we vibrate on the same frequency or some such thing because I’m always cognizant of where she is - even when I try not to be.

Now that I know she takes belly dancing lessons, I can see the influence it has in her movements. Her hips roll and undulate like rippling waves on the ocean. The oscillating motion is hypnotic to observe and has me imagining what she’d look like riding my cock.

The waitress comes to take our order and I begin to relax. We’ve been here for ten minutes so far and no one has wandered over to ask for an autograph or to take a picture with us.

“So why here tonight? I kinda figured we'd be out celebrating after the night you just had.” Wyatt props his feet up on the small table between us and sits back with his arms behind his head and a puzzled look on his face.

“Guess I'm just in the mood to chill.” I try to sound genuine.

“Yeah right, and my dick at rest isn't twelve inches long,” Wyatt blurts out.

“I'm sorry. What did you say?” I turn back to face him, trying to process what he just said.

“I figure if you're telling lies I can too.”

“Lies?”

“Well if you can say that guess I just wanna chill bullshit, then I can tell a few lies too.”

“Twelve inches huh?” I ask sarcastically.

“At rest.” He winks and shoots down the rest of his drink. “You don't even wanna know what the beast tops out at awake and ready to play.” He grabs his crotch and stands up. “Seriously bud, just go over and hang with her…ya pussy.” Wyatt walks off and disappears into the crowd of patrons near the bar.

The moment he's gone I'm up and heading in her direction. My eyes lock on her heart shaped ass as every step propels me closer. The black jersey material of her dress hugs her curves like race car tires hug the asphalt at high speeds. Sliding behind her, my hands land on her hips, fingers closing around them. “It’s just me,” I soothe when she jerks with surprise. Her head turns over her left shoulder to make sure it really is me. I wink and squeeze her hips reassuringly. “Relax and have fun. I just want to dance with you.”

She nods and faces forward once more, resuming her sexy as fuck dancing as if I’m not even there. If I thought she looked good from my seat at the table, then seeing this display of rhythm up close and personal is a fucking mind-blowing treat.

Pressing my chest to her back, I edge closer. She’s twisted her hair up on top of her head and her long, elegant neck is exposed; she’s never looked more tempting. If things come full circle, then it’s only fitting our night should end where we began - with my lips on her body. Lowering my face, I breathe in the scent of her perfume and the salty sweat beading along the nape of her neck. It’s an intoxicating combination and I can’t stop myself from sucking the moisture from her golden skin. Her heated flesh smolders under my tongue and lips. Blowing on it, I soothe the area, before sucking the tender patch between my lips again. She moans, sinking her fingernails into the skin on the back of my wrists.

“Come back to the hotel with me,” I urge, spinning her around in my arms. Her hands land on my chest, palms rubbing over my pecs as her large green eyes lock onto mine seeking answers only she has. There’s an emotional tug of war going on behind those expressive irises as she battles with herself. Should she or shouldn’t she say yes? I know what answer she wants to give, but will she let herself take a chance? Or will she toe the line?

Caressing the back of my fingers down her cheek, I reassure, “It’s okay to say no. I’m not going anywhere, Lilah. I think we both know it would only be a no for now.”

Her pink tongue peeks out to lick her lips before she presses them together. “Let’s go.”

My eyes grow wide with surprise. I didn’t expect to hear those words. “Are you sure?”

She smiles. “I am.”

I catch her hand and raise it, pressing my lips to the smooth skin. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

* * *

Once we’re inside her room, my hands are on her, roaming along the subtle curves of her hips and around to squeeze her round cheeks in my palms. Capturing her lips with mine, I swallow the moan she exhales as my fingertips trace a teasing line down the middle of her ass. Her fingers rise to grip my hair as our tongues rub and twist, both of us ravenous for more. She grinds her pussy on my thigh while my fingers pluck at the tie on her dress. Once the bow comes undone the material peels open like the wrapping on a much-anticipated present. Tearing my lips from hers, I lose my breath when I realize the small tie was all that kept her clothed. Spreading both sides wide open, I groan as my gaze drinks her in. She’s wearing a sheer black bra with matching panties and thigh high stockings. Fuck me. Stockings are one of my weaknesses. The lacy bands around her thighs accentuate the lean muscles in her legs. I can’t wait to peel them off. “You’re fucking perfect.” I shake my head, caught in the wonderment of her unveiling.

Cupping her tits in my hands, my thumbs flick over her taut nipples. She trembles and grips the top of my shoulders with her fingertips, nails digging in. My lips begin a downward journey from her neck to her collarbone and all the way into the snug dark V between her tits.

Thump, thump, thump.

My head raises as someone pounds on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No.” Her voice is a husky whisper.

“Good. Where was I?” I flash a quick grin and lower my face to the pillow like softness of her tits once again.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“What the fuck?” I growl. “I’ll get rid of whoever it is.” Her hands draw the two sides of her dress closed, covering her naked perfection. My teeth grind together in anger as I stalk the handful of steps to the door. Tugging it open, I bark “what?”

“Jesse, my man,” Keith, Lilah’s ex-boyfriend calls out with a grin. He holds his hand out and my good manners take over. Before I know it, I’m shaking this bastard’s hand instead of kicking his ass for interrupting us.

“This is a surprise,” I state with obvious sarcasm, which Keith doesn’t seem to pick up on.

“Yeah, it’s great, right?” He steps through the door and my head swings around to make sure Lilah is decent once more.

“Lilah, look who’s here,” I call out and she steps around the corner from where the two queen beds are. Her eyes bulge with surprise and I’m instantly certain she knew nothing about Keith’s late-night visit.

“Keith? What are you doing here?” She smiles hesitantly, walking toward him.

Dropping his duffle bag, he pulls her into his arms. “I missed you and since we haven’t had a chance to talk, I thought I’d take a couple days off and surprise you.”

My fingers clench, fisting at the sight of his hands on her. Jealousy assails me, and I don’t know what to do with this still foreign emotion, although I should be getting used to it by now.

“Wow. I’m definitely surprised.” She leans back in the circle of his arms while the daggers I glare at him go unnoticed. He’s too busy drooling over her.

Does this guy have a death wish?

“Lilah, can I talk to you for a minute?” I jerk my head toward the door letting her know to follow me out of the hotel room. Their voices are muffled as I move down the hallway placing some distance between me and Keith. Lilah joins me seconds later. “I’m sorry,” she blurts out, panicked. “I had no idea he was coming.”

Catching her hand with mine, I rub my thumb over her soft skin. “I know you didn’t. But what are you planning on doing now that he’s here?”

“Well, there’s not much I can do tonight. He’s going to crash with me in the extra bed and tomorrow we’ll have to figure out the rest.”

“The hell he is.”

“What?”

“He’s not staying in your room with you.”

She tugs her hand free from my hold and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why not?”

“Because he’s not.”

“Jesse, you need to do better than that.”

“Lilah, he’s a guy who wants you and he’s not staying in your room.”

“Isn’t that my decision to make, not yours?”

“Well, considering I just had my mouth on your tits, I like to think I have a stake in what happens.”

“Just because you had your mouth ‘on my tits’ as you so eloquently put it, doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do. They’re not your tits, they’re mine.”

I can feel my pulse hammering in my temples. I drag a deep breath in my lungs and remind myself to calm down. I’m acting like a Neanderthal and she’s responding accordingly. “Lilah,” I begin more calmly. “Would it be okay with you if Keith roomed with me instead? While I know you’re an adult and can make your own decisions, it would give me peace of mind to know that he’s not climbing into your bed in the middle of the night.”

She giggles. “Are you for real? He’s not going to slip into my bed when I’m asleep. He respects me too much to do that.”

“Sure he does.”

“Would you sneak into my bed?”

“You better fucking believe it. I wouldn’t do anything you wouldn't want me to, but I’d sure as hell make the most of it.”

“Okay, if it makes you feel better you can have him stay with you. But you need to understand that I don’t want anything from Keith, aside from friendship. I’m going to take advantage of his impromptu visit to tell him my decision about moving to North Carolina.”

“And what’s your answer going to be?” I step closer and tug her into my arms. My chest squeezes nervously. I’m confident in what she’s about to say, but there’s still a small chance she might surprise me.

“I’m gonna tell him we’re great friends and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

“What changed your mind? Last time we talked about him, you weren’t sure.”

“Let’s just say I’m interested in someone else.”

“He must be pretty special.”

“Meh, he’s okay. He’s hot as fuck so there’s that.”

“You think he’s hot?” I grin knowingly.

“I do. I also think he’s a little too cocky and arrogant, but I can work on teaching him some humility. I’m a patient person.”

“How do you plan on doing that? Haven’t you heard the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’?”

“I’m pretty persuasive when I want to be.”

“You won’t hear any argument from me. I’m pretty sure you could get me to do just about anything you wanted.”