CHAPTER TWELVE

Chloe sighed and headed in. It was way out of character for Roxi to encourage any of her girls to date the clientele. It was usually grounds for immediate dismissal. Either she was really impressed with Derek or Chloe had just gotten way to pathetic or both. Either way, she thought as she dropped her lighter off with Callie, she had no interest in dating this guy or any of them for that matter.

“Is he in there?” She asked Mike as she passed by.

“Yep and the big guy in a bad mood is in place,” he said, jerking his head in Jake’s direction. “What track can I play for you tonight?”

“Let’s go with three again,” she said.

“You got it,” he told her with a wink.

Chloe took a couple of deep breaths to stave off the last minute nerves that had crept up and settled deep within her chest, and she slipped in through the curtain. Derek was in his spot looking calm and gorgeous. He smiled at her, and she automatically smiled back. Damn it, Chloe! Too familiar!

“Are you ready?” she asked him.

“I thought we would try something else tonight,” he said.

Shit! Trying to hide her extreme annoyance, but at the same time wanting him to know she was not happy she said, “I thought we got this straight last time. I dance, you watch, that’s the extent of our relationship.”

He smiled indulgently and said, “We’re very clear on that, Chloe. But, after tonight I won’t be your client anymore, and therefore we will not any longer have a “professional relationship” to maintain.” He looked at the unassuming silver Rolex on his arm and said, “In two hours you’re just a woman, and I’m just a man who would really like to take you out to dinner. If you consent to that, we’ll call it even on the dance, and you can leave and get ready right now.”

Chloe cocked an eyebrow and said, “And if I don’t “consent” to that?”

“Then it will be up to you whether or not you would like to dance tonight. Your tip is in its usual spot.”

Chloe’s eyes shot over to the candle holder where Derek always left her money under. She saw the pile of hundred dollar bills. He was really willing to walk out of here and leave that money if she said she wouldn’t go out with him and that she didn’t want to dance. What the hell was this guy’s deal? She suddenly had a thought. Maybe her curiosity about him was what was making him so interesting and keeping her up at night. Maybe she was going about it all wrong. Maybe she should have dinner with this guy in a public place and just get it out of both of their systems.

“Where would this dinner take place?” she asked.

He looked amused, but he had the good sense not to smile as he said, “Anywhere you would like. Although if you’ll allow me, I did have a place in mind.”

The wheels in her head were spinning so fast that she could barely keep up with them. What the hell was she doing here? She didn’t date, least of all men who came into the club. Had her hormones completely taken over her good sense? In the next instant, she was sure they had as she heard herself say, “Okay, one dinner but then you’re no longer a client of this establishment.”

Another smile; another missed beat of her heart. “Well worth it,” he said. “I’ll have a car sent to you in two hours. You’re not afraid to fly are you?”

“I have my own car,” she said, “and what does flying have to do with it?”

“There’s a seafood restaurant just off the coast of Maine that I love, and I was hoping you would like it too. But we’ll have to take the helicopter in order to make our reservations.”

“You made reservations at a restaurant that we have to fly to get to before you even asked me if I would go?” She asked raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

“I did.” He said. “But please believe me when I tell you that it wasn’t arrogance it was hope.”

This guy was killing her, and the worst part was she was actually considering this helicopter ride with him. Seriously, what the hell had gotten into her?

“Will there be other people on this helicopter?” She asked.

“A pilot and a co-pilot. The co-pilot is female if that helps.”

Once again, before she could stop herself, she said, “Okay, I’ll go. But I’m letting Roxi know that I’m going with you and you can have your car pick me up here. If I’m not back in one piece before the night is over, you’ll have Roxi to deal with.”

With his lips still quirked up on the edges he feigned a shudder and said, “That’s even too awful to consider. You’ll be back in the same lovely condition I found you in,” he said. He stood up and said, “I’ll see you soon.”

Chloe stood next to the unused pole and watched him go. What the fuck was she thinking?