James’ apartment was immaculately clean, but there wasn’t much to clutter the single, studio room. A bed was pushed against the far wall, and a dresser sat butt against it. The set up gave a surprising sense of privacy, and I glanced around as he sauntered towards the tall armoire. Awkwardness made me fidget as I stood just beyond the closed door.

Following his movements through narrowed eyes, I rubbed the tips of my fingers together as I recounted the day. James had called me to ask if I wanted to watch him box, and in my mind, I pictured him with big gloves and a mouth guard, trading weak blows with someone wearing protection pads.

Oh- how wrong I had been. He went bare knuckle against a man whose padding did nothing to lessen the impacts. At first it was hard to watch, but as the hour slowly went by I found it harder and harder to blink. Every punch he landed was precise; every pivot of his stance crisp and on point. After a while, I realized that his fighting and my pole dancing were the same- we just loved to do it, regardless of what people thought.

“Do you want a drink?” The question snapped me from my reverie, and I nodded silently as James walked to the refrigerator. “I only have water… and rum.”

“Water is fine, please.” My response was swift, and James arched his brows at me before opening the box. His silent question weighed the air between us, but I only sighed a heavy breath. “I don’t really drink, and if I do- it’s usually wine.”

“Let me get this straight. You’ve never seen another person’s blood before- you’ve rarely seen your own blood before- you don’t drink- you’re a stripper to pay for college… and you don’t frown…” Laughing at the assessment, I nodded even as heat billowed up into my cheeks. Across the room James reached into the refrigerator with his free hand, kicking the door shut with a low grunt. “Is it a stretch to say you’re also a virgin? I can’t imagine Martins… your dad- will have an easy time letting you go.”

“My dad didn’t know for two years.” Thoughtlessly I spoke out, and James barked a laugh of his own before setting his clothes on the counter. Watching him wash his hands, I licked my lips absently as the muscles of his arms and back flexed and rippled. Tensing at the sudden rush that tightened my abdomen, I shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts.

“You’re something else, you know that, Hannah?” Flattery was the way to my heart, and I covered my face with my hands with a strangled whine. Grabbing my wrists in damp palms, James leaned to grin wickedly, and my heart leaped into my throat. “Happiness and innocence aren’t mutually exclusive, it seems… you must make the other strippers insanely jealous.”

“I do?” Taking shallow, hot breaths, I pursed my lips together tightly as James nodded. Goosebumps rushed up my arms and across my chest, but I couldn’t find the desire to pull away. Creeping along my forearm, his fingers brushed my warm skin, and my eyes widened when he took a step closer to me.

“Probably. I’m going to go shower. I don’t have a television or anything, but I won’t be long…” James’ smirk deepened, and I flushed a bright red at what I knew he was going to say. “Unless you’d like to join me?”

I knew it was coming, but the straightforward proposition still dried my mouth as I hesitated to decline. Watching James stare at me expectantly, a shiver lodged between my shoulder blades and desire pooled in my abdomen. He would back off if I wanted, and I smiled at that knowledge.

“Yeah- yeah, I’ll join you.” James’ eyes widened, and I giggled at the surprise that flittered across his expression. “Innocence and happiness aren’t mutually exclusive… you said that.”

“I didn’t think you’d actually say ‘yes’…?” Confusion laded his voice, and I gasped as he wrapped his arm around my waist to pull us together. “Why did you say ‘yes’?”

“Because I like you? You treated me well at the club- you gave me $4,000 dollars, but I really liked hanging out with you. And you invited me out today to show me a part of yourself that’s really important. I-“

“Stop talking, Hannah- you’re sounding like you’re going to have sex with me because you’re grateful or feel indebted, and I know that’s not what you mean.” Cut off by a voice deepened by amusement, I clamped my mouth shut as James made a face. “Let’s just leave it at we’re both attracted to each other.”

“O- okay…” A squeak burst from my throat when James picked me up clear off the floor, and I automatically wrapped my arms and legs around his broad, hard body. My back hit the door, tearing a gasp from my lungs before he captured my lips in a searing kiss. His warm, rough tongue wrapped around mine, saturating my taste buds, and I tangled my fingers in his short, brown hair with a moan.

Pulsing heat radiated from my core, only intensifying when James ground his impressive bulge against me. My jeans were tight, restrictive, and I struggled to kick off my sneakers and free my curling toes. Dragging up my turtleneck, he broke our kiss only to trail his lips down my neck and towards my heaving chest. Fire raced in my veins, and blood roared in my ears to muffle his appreciative groan as he flung my shirt to the side.

“You have such pretty tits, Hannah…” Moaning as James mumbled against my quivering flesh, I arched into his in a silent plea he didn’t ignore. Big, strong hands squeezed and kneaded the heavy globes, and a strangle gasp escaped my dry lips. My nipples ached, hard and begging for attention even as he licked and suckled the left peak.

“My- my p- pants… take off my pants…” Sputtering slightly, I pushed down on James’ head to get my point across. His hands rubbed generously, teeth nipping and tongue swirling around my nipple while he searched for my jean fastenings. With deft, practiced movements he undid the button and yanked on the zipper, but his hands circled my waist to grip my butt hard.

Bouncing when I hit his bed, a giggle floated up from my tight chest, and I shook my head to get my hair out of my face. Grinning down at me, James grabbed the hems of my pant legs to yank with a grunt. Flopping around, I couldn’t help my laughter as I kicked my legs free.

“I knew you had abs… fuck- that’s so sexy-“ Smiling as James draped himself over me, our little moment was lost as he licked and kissed my abdomen from top to bottom. Gripping the plain, dark brown sheet underneath me, I spread my legs wide to accommodate his shoulders in wanton abandon.

“James- oh-h-h-h God!” There was no experimental lick, no nudge with his nose; James dove between my legs to spear my entrance with his tongue. White, healthy teeth scraped my folds, and I arched off the bed as he thumbed my sensitive nub with a growling groan. The sound reverberated through my body, and he reached to squeeze my breast tightly as stars swirled behind my closed eyelids.

“I- I’m… gunna- I’m gunna…” Sucking in a sharp breath, I held the hot, heavy air in my lungs while James feasted on me. His grunts and groans were loud in my ears, and I whined in the back of my throat as I came undone. Curling my toes, I tried to make myself small as the coil in my abdomen snapped to unleash a wave of pleasure through my body. His assault on my swollen, needy bead grew rougher, forcing my orgasm to stretch on until colorful spots filled my dark vision.

“Fuck- condom…” Gasping for air, I forced my eyelids apart to watch through wide eyes as James reached into his pocket for his wallet. His basketball shorts hung low, and I moaned at the tent that swung when he moved. Shirking off the fabric easily, his hands rolled the latex down his impressive length before he climbed to nestle between my quivering thighs.

James’ kiss was hot, intense, and I returned it with all of the fervor I could muster. Gripping his shoulders, my fingernails dug into his hard flesh as the smoothness of his condom brushed my weeping slit. Holding my breath, my lungs screamed for relief that didn’t come when he reached between us to ease into my channel. Our lips molded together, frozen, as I stretched to fit him.

“Oh- fuck yes!” Hissing against my teeth, James pushed himself up on powerful arms to thrust, and a gasp burst from my throat. “Ah-h-h…”

“More! Please!... Please more!” Rasping and choked, my cry spurred James into action, and I moaned as he pulled out. Thrusting deep, slow, he savored the action with closed eyes, and his face twisted in pleasure. Satisfaction ripped through me, and I squeezed my eyelids shut to focus on the feel of him.

James’ hips stuck to mine with each thrust, his sweat-laden skin kissing mine as the head of his rod teased my cervix. Our heavy, harsh pants mingled, and I pulled his lips down to mine. Dropping onto his elbows, he tangled his hands in my hair to pull taut, and his tongue danced around mine sweetly. His entire body rippled with his thrusts, and I squeezed his length in the throes of another wave of pleasure.

“Yes-s-s…! Ja-ames…” Muffled by his tongue, my moans pulled a grunt from James before he pulled back to shake his head wildly. Sweat dribbled down his nose to land on my chest, and I shuddered at the burn.

“Keep squeezing my cock, Hannah-“ Clamping down on him, I locked my thighs against his waist as he groaned a tortured sound. “Ah- fuck… just like that!”

Reaching deep inside my channel, James grunted and growled as he ducked his head to stare at the place we connected. My legs fell to hit the bed with a thump, and I trembled as he rolled his hips. I didn’t have to do anything as he emptied himself into the condom, and I focused on catching my breath until he pulled out.

“Oh- God… Th- that was… intense…” Shaking and sputtering, my declaration drew a heaving sigh from James as he sat back on his heels. The snap of the condom being peeled off echoed through the room while I stared dazedly at the ceiling, and I sluggishly lifted my arm to tuck under my head.

“No kidding…” Dropping heavily onto the bed, James gnawed on my bicep, sucking the firm flesh with an audible pop. Giggling at the sensation, I sighed before he wrapped his arm around my waist. “I still wonder if I’m in a coma in Germany and all of this is an elaborate delusion of a broken mind.”

“It’s not a delusion.” Mumbling absently, I held myself still as I thought about what just happened. James cuddled against my side in a surprisingly tender gesture, and I hummed quietly between breaths.

Mixed feelings swarmed my chest, tightening around my heart and sending an ache through my ribs. He could be considered a great partner; there was intensity, passion, and longevity. All of that ruled in his favor, and he was even hospitable when it was over.

So, why do I feel like I did something bad? The question bounced around my skull, and my lazy smile turned thin. I rubbed my fingertips together, the sweat mimicking the red stain had that been there only an hour and a half ago. We’re so different… but opposites attract, right? And I’m definitely attracted to him.

“What time do you have to go to the club?” Speaking up, James ripped me from my thoughts, and I gasped when he circled my navel with his fingertips. Frantically I tried to recall my schedule, and he shuffled to stare at my face. Even with my eyes closed I could see his intense stare, but it didn’t rile me; it wasn’t a gaze I could get lost in, or even moderately side tracked.

Sex made me think too much, and I shook my head hard to clear the thoughts.

“7:45p.m. I have to be there. Jonny said this might even be my last night if everything goes well. Last night I made almost 4 grand, so I only need to make 4 more.” Cracking my eyes open, I smiled at the consternation on James’ face, and I reached to pinch his cheek softly. “Don’t be like that, James. I can’t rely on someone else to get me through college. I have to do it myself… I have to prove to myself that I can do it.”

“You don’t belong there, Hannah.” James made no attempt to deny me; I wouldn’t let him throw that last, tiny bit at me. His words were grave, and I tinged pink at the rawness in his voice. Pulling his lips to mine, I pressed a firm kiss there only to get sidetracked by my phone chiming. Reaching blindly for the device, I pulled away when I realized it wasn’t on the bed to roll over, snatching it from the floor.

“Hey, Jonny…” My greeting came out a squeak when James squeezed my butt, and I kicked him away to clear my throat. “What’s up?”

Glaring at the man next to me as his muscles tightened in silent mirth, I pushed myself up to sit and adjusted my phone against my ear. Jonny was quiet, but that wasn’t uncommon; he got nervous on the phone, and it always took a moment to get himself together.

“Hannah, there you are. I have a proposition for you. Another pole dancer called out tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to fill in. But you won’t get paid for it. I figured since you don’t mind doing a set or two for nothing, you’d be interested.” My eyes widened at that, and I nodded stupidly as I struggled to find a response.

“Yeah- I mean- yes, of course! Can I use the double stage? I have this new move I just got down and-“

“Knock yourself out. You come in for 7:30p.m. in that case.” Hanging up abruptly, Jonny didn’t bother to say anything more, and I grinned as I let my phone slide onto the bed. Glancing at James, I giggled at him as excitement sloshed in my chest.