Chapter Ten
Jennifer shifted from foot to foot as they waited outside. The crisp air slapped against her bare legs, and she was starting to regret the dress her mother had picked. It was short, shorter than normal and her breasts were pushed in ways that felt like they might just pop out.
Of course, that was why Jennifer bought it. A sort of finger to everything else she owned. She had been surprised when her mother picked it out of her closet. She supposed the older woman wasn’t above using her assets to get what she wanted.
Jennifer pulled her dress, wishing she’d not tossed her coat into Candice’s car when her friend showed up. They moved forward as the line inched on. The club had been far more packed than she expected.
“Would you stop?” her friend said.
Her gaze landed on her little blonde friend, and she smiled. Candice might look like she was made to teach kindergarten, but she was not quite the sweet little darling she seemed. There were moments where she could be downright dirty. Although Jennifer had never really known her to be that way in public. For the most part, she kept those kinds of comments under wraps.
“I can’t help it,” Jennifer whined. “It’s cold, and this dress is showing far more than I’m used to.”
Candice gave a wide grin. “I’ll admit, I was a little surprised to see you’d picked it out.” She turned her twinkling eyes toward Jennifer. “Are you sure you didn’t get this and that sexy lingerie for a certain boss? Little bit of skin couldn’t hurt there.”
Jennifer’s face flamed. She wished she’d never mentioned Eric. Just the thought of him made her body heat. Was it possible to want to smack someone upside the head and then strip naked? The way he talked to her sometimes set off every sense she had. But then there were those times when it was like he was talking right through her. Jennifer didn’t know what to think about him. He was so hot and cold.
She followed again as the line moved forward. Her heart kicked up a bit as they neared the large red doors. Music thumped loudly from inside and only got louder the closer they moved.
Jennifer swallowed the nerves that had crept up on her. Not only had she never been to a place like this, she’d never even thought that something like this would be so packed. Women of all ages had turned out to see the show.
A group of women behind them giggled. One was wearing a shirt that read BRIDE in shiny pink rhinestones. The penis necklaces she wore flashed and made the shirt sparkle even more. Jennifer smiled at the young woman, who beamed happily at anyone near.
“I’m getting married!” the pretty young woman shouted. Her friends hooted in response, and she let out a small laugh.
“Congratulations,” Jennifer said.
“Here.” The woman giggled and tore off one of the many flashing necklaces around her neck. Before she or Candice could even protest, they were on. Jennifer looked down at the flashing penis she was now wearing.
“Nice,” Candice said, and smirked at Jennifer. “Looks good on you.”
Ignoring her, Jennifer turned back to the still happy bride. “Thanks,” she said with a small smile.
Candice nudged her as the people in front of them disappeared behind the red doors. A large man waited at the doors, and she swallowed. What kind of place was this if they needed bouncers?
The large tanned-skinned man looked up from the lock box he had in front of him.
“Two?” His voice was low and just as menacing as he looked.
“Um,” she stumbled over her words. “We’re here to see Tommy.”
He gave a harsh chuckle. “You and everyone else, sweetheart. Ten a head.” He stuck out his meaty hand and waited.
She looked to Candice, who nudged her again. Jennifer handed over the tickets.
“Well, he actually told us to come,” Jennifer said quietly. “Said we should mention him at the door.”
“Name,” the man said. It was clear he didn’t believe her.
“Jennifer.”
He turned and talked quietly into the walkie-talkie he held. She could hear the women farther in the line complaining about how long it was taking. Jennifer twisted her hands and just hoped that this would go quickly.
The man turned back around and set the walkie-talkie down.
“Wait,” he said firmly.
She glanced around and could see several women shooting her daggers. Maybe having a bouncer like this was a good idea after all.
Jennifer jumped when the red doors burst open, and Tommy stepped out.
“You came!” he said, and pulled her past the red tape barrier.
“I hope that’s okay,” she said, and smiled.
He looked to her left and smiled wide. “And who’s your friend?”
“This is Candice. Candice, this is Tommy.”
Her arms were crossed as she stared him up and down. “Not really the kind of dancer I was expecting.”
Jennifer felt her cheeks flame. She turned to apologize but found Tommy grinning.
“Well, I’ll just have to make sure to impress you,” he said with a wink.
Jennifer frowned when a commotion behind caught her attention.
“I’m sorry, ladies,” the large bouncer said. “That’s it for tonight.”
The bride and her friends pleaded with the bouncer.
“I’m getting married tomorrow.”
Jennifer looked down at her necklace and then to Tommy. He sighed and stepped forward.
“Sorry, Rico.” Tommy smiled warmly at the ladies. “They are with my friend.”
Rico looked at Jennifer and frowned. He had to know it was a lie. His gaze moved down to her chest where the flashing penis hung around her neck.
“I’m going over the count,” Rico said.
Tommy waved his hand and ushered the women to stand with Jennifer and Candice. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll take the heat for it.”
Rico cursed under his breath and waved a hand. “Whatever.”
Tommy walked between them and opened the red door. Jennifer let the bride and her crew push through first. Her eyes adjusted to the dark lighting. Blinding blue and red lights streaked across the room as they made their way in. She found herself staring at the stage and runway that protruded into the crowd. It wasn’t totally unexpected, and yet she found herself sweating with all the half-naked men dancing there.
She gasped as her vision was suddenly filled with brown hair and a tiara.
“I’d totally kiss you right now if I was into girls,” the bride said as she leaned back to look at Jennifer. The bride giggled. “I guess I wouldn’t be here if I swung that way.”
Jennifer grinned back. “Probably not.”
The other woman let go and stepped back. Two of her friends held out some sort of slushy red drink, a penis straw protruding from the top.
“Strawberry margarita,” one friend said, handing Candice and her the drinks.
Candice took hers, sucked on the straw and winked at Jennifer who frowned. She wasn’t a prude. It was just a straw after all. Jennifer smiled and took the drink.
“Thanks,” she said, and took a small sip off of it.
The women hooted and grinned.
Tommy stepped forward and looped an easy arm around the bride. “Now we’ve got a nice table set up for you,” he said, and pulled the women to the front section that read VIP.
Jennifer started to step forward but stopped when Candice held up a hand to her.
“Well,” Candice said, and moved closer to her. “It’s certainly been an interesting night so far.”
Jennifer turned and couldn’t help the smile that came. “What can I say? I’m an interesting girl.”
“Just what I like to hear.”
A man stepped up near her, moving his body in time to the music as he got closer and closer.
“I, uh,” she stumbled back.
“Hands off, Riley,” Tommy said firmly, and walked over to stand next to her. “She’s Eric’s.”
Her head snapped to the side. Had she really just heard him say that? Jennifer opened her mouth to say something but stopped.
“And her friend?” Riley gave a charming smile to Candice, who didn’t seem to mind much. She had to admit Riley was pretty amazing looking. Thick black hair, tanned skin, and the jaw of a god. Looking between the two men, she wasn’t at all surprised that so many women wanted to come and see them take off their clothes. Hell, a small part of her wanted to see it.
Tommy placed a hand on Candice’s waist and steered them to the side of the room.
“Find your own,” he tossed over his shoulder to Riley.
Jennifer followed with Riley close behind.
“Sweetheart, you just let me know if you need anything tonight,” Riley said, and laughed when Tommy tensed.
Candice glanced over her shoulder as they rounded the corner and ducked behind a curtain that led into a hall. “I’ll be sure to do that,” she said with a sly smile.
Jennifer shook her head. Candice might be acting the part, but she knew better. Her friend wasn’t nearly as experienced as she let on, and there was no way either of them would get much past second base.
They came to the end of the hall. To the left were stairs that she could only assume led to the stage. Tommy turned with Candice to the right, and Jennifer followed them into a large room. A few couches lined the walls. There was a mix of smells filling the air, and she nearly choked on them.
A few men, who were wearing very little, stopped to stare at them. She was starting to wonder how many women got to go into the dressing rooms.
“This is Jennifer and Candice,” Tommy said, pointing to the two of them. “Jennifer works for Eric.”
“Wow,” someone from the back said.
Riley passed by them and opened a locker to the right.
“Dead ringer, isn’t she?” he said quietly.
Jennifer frowned. Did they think she’d done this before?
“Get ready,” Tommy said to the men.
They glanced around before going back to their dressing.
She swallowed hard as several pulled off their shirts and started oiling themselves up. Jennifer turned to Candice, who was watching Tommy with a close eye.
Her face heated, and she took a long drink off the margarita in her hand. It was strong, and the buzz from it zapped her brain a little.
“Maybe we should—”
She had turned to talk with Tommy, but the words fell away as her feet slipped out from under her.
One second she was standing. The next she was landing hard on the floor.
The cold spray of her margarita landed squarely on her chest as she hit the floor. She cursed as the hard impact was sure to leave bruises.
“Shit, Jennifer,” Candice shouted.
“I’m fine.” Jennifer winced and tried to stand. The ground was too slick. Her hands were coated with oil.
Firm hands slipped under her arms and pulled her to her feet. She turned around and found the angry bouncer from before.
“Thank you, Rico,” she said quietly.
He grunted and walked to the back of the lockers. She was surprised to see he was one of the dancers. It was clear that he was all muscle, but she’d be surprised to see someone like that dance.
“Are you okay?” Tommy asked. He studied her face, and she could tell he was worried.
“Really,” she said. “I’m fine.” Looking down at her new black dress, it was clear it wasn’t fine though.
Tommy handed her a towel.
“I keep telling them we need to oil in the showers,” he said. Tommy glared around the room. Most looked away, likely worried he might actually call them out.
Riley winked at her. “It wasn’t all bad,” he said. “I’m a big fan of black lace.”
Jennifer looked down. The silhouette of her bra was clearly visible.
She frowned and covered her chest. It wasn’t going to hide much, but it was better than nothing.
Jennifer moved to the couch and sat gingerly down. It wasn’t as bad as she was expecting. She watched as Tommy talked quietly to Candice. Normally, he would have been shot down.
She was starting to think her friend might actually like him. It was an odd match considering her highly religious background, but she’d seen worse.
Riley sprayed glitter on his hulking form, and she choked on the fumes. In the back she spied an exit. With ease, she got up and slipped through the door. She just needed a few minutes to catch her breath. The whole experience was all a bit too much at once.