CHAPTER FOUR
SCARLETT
A week later I found Meg, the club’s manager, behind the counter setting up new bottles of liquor. She was a pretty lady, mid-fifties, dark brown hair. She reminded me of my mom. The tattoo on her right arm was an emblazoned ribbon that read Hell’s Lover. I thought it was appropriate since she had been one of the MC founder’s old lady. She was smart, witty, and a spitfire. None of the boys messed with her and she knew her job and got things done without asking questions. That alone deserved my respect. Turned out, she was also a good listener.
“Is he here?”
“No honey. You just missed him.”
I sighed and sat down on one of the stools. “I need a shot, Meg.”
“You got it, baby.” She put out a crystal shot glass and I waited silently as she poured deep amber liquid up to the top of the glass.
She slid the drink to me and I took a deep breath before taking the shot. The burning sensation coated my throat and dripped down to my belly. The warmth that flowed through me brought me comfort, and I asked for another one.
Five shots, and an hour later, I was feeling light as a feather and a slightly buzzed. The club was starting to get full and the music was just getting started.
“Why is it that men can’t say what’s on their minds? It’s always a game to them. Everything’s always a game.” I looked back at the girls getting ready on stage and I smirked. “Maybe I should do that instead. I can dance better than I can argue.”
Meg smiled and propped a hip on the side of the bar. “Honey, I think you’ve had a few too many. And as soon as you set foot on that stage, that man you’re talkin’ about, is gonna bring you right down from it.”
She tried to take away my glass, but I took the shot quickly. I raised my index finger up and paused. “Just one more shot Meg, please.”
She shook her head, no. “If I knew you’d be such a lightweight I wouldn’t have given you the first one.”
“What are you saying that I can’t handle this, that I can’t handle him?” My voice rose and Meg took my glass from me.
“You are most definitely not drinking anymore.” She put the glass down and looked at me. She had that mother hen look in her eye and I knew there was a speech coming.
“Honey. I’m no one to give you advice, and if I was your momma I’d probably tell you to run away as fast as possible. But I won’t. First, cause I’m not your momma, and secondly, cause I’d be hypocrite. I know the feeling. I’ve experienced that feeling and I’m gonna tell you that if you really want it, then you need to fight for it.”
A booming laugh caught my ear and I looked over to the member’s lounge. His tall frame encompassed half the booth he was sitting in. He must have come in from one of the back doors. He looked absolutely delicious in his charcoal pants, white shirt and leather jacket. He was half business, half rugged biker, and he sent my heart into a frenzy. He also pissed me off. How could he look so at ease, as if he had no concerns in the world? And he was laughing, a deep booming sound that thrilled me, and it wasn’t with Grayson or Cain, it was with...a woman. A beautiful woman.
Meg looked over and grinned. “That’s Lucy. She’s one of the dancers. She’s been here for going on three years now. I’m not gonna lie, girl has a thing for Wolf. I think he likes her well enough, but nothin’ serious. I heard they dated for a few months, back when she first started. Pretty girl. It’s a shame she couldn’t make somethin’ of herself.”
My eyes never wavered from Wolf’s cheerful expression. There were light crinkles on the corner of his eyes as he laughed, his smile shone brightly. He looked happy with her. A deep sense of urgency, and I admit, jealousy, swept through me.
I want to tell you that I was drunk, or certifiably insane, but what I did next was far from that. What I did next was an act of desperation.
Standing up, I swayed unsteadily for a second, but found my footing. I sauntered up to Derek, the club’s DJ, and told him to play something sexy. He nodded, pointing at me. Suddenly, Kiiara’s Gold started pumping through the loudspeakers and it gave me some courage for what I was about to do. I stepped onto the platform of an empty stage in my drab grey business suit and black stilettos, pretty much sticking out like a sore thumb. I stood staring at the tall piece of metal looming menacingly in front of me, and I don’t know if it was the drinks or the need for Wolf’s attention, but I was about to put my pole dancing workouts to use.
I twirled on the shiny silver pole and I heard Seth yell at someone above the rafters. “Turn on the spotlight!”
I was suddenly consumed in a bright light and I placed a hand up, shielding my eyes. Taking a step back, I slammed against the pole. I heard a few shouts and hoots that were directed at me.
I braced myself and made my way to the center of the stage. I started swaying my hips to the sultry beat of the music. Awkwardly at first, but I gained confidence little by little, and slowly started unbuttoning my jacket. I flung it and it landed somewhere on the back of the stage. My silk black shirt shined under the light and did nothing to hide the swell of my breasts as it molded to me. The music continued to move me and I ran my hands down my body. My fingers brought down the zipper of my skirt and I let it slide down my legs and pool at my feet. Gaining my courage from all the hollering I was receiving, I took down my hair from the bun it was in, bent down, shook it out, and arched my back up. That’s when I saw him. He was standing by the bar, a look of sheer horror in his eyes, but I saw something else. His look was also laced in so much heated lust that I felt it burn my skin.
I looked right at him as I started to unbutton my shirt, I let it hang open briefly on my shoulders, then shrugged it off. In one move it was crumpled on the floor. I stood there in my red laced bra and panties, completely exposed to his eyes. I didn’t care about the whistles coming from below, I only saw him. His eyes drifted up my bare legs, taking in my hips and skimming up my soft belly. His eyes lingered on my breasts and as he licked his lips, I swayed my body for him.
He caught my eyes and made a move across the room. He leaped over a chair and before he could get to me, I made my own move. I made the short run on the stage and jumped, swinging my legs and arms on the pole. Gripping it tightly with my legs, I stretched my upper body out and then dropped upside down. I slid down the pole gently, laying myself down with my back pressed on the wooden floor. I opened my legs wide, holding them up in the air and I saw dollars start floating on the stage. I arched my back, thrusting my breasts out and let my head fall back. I could see him, and his eyes never left me. He was standing at the edge of the stage, his mouth open in shock. I felt a boost of adrenaline and hugging the pole tightly with my calves I raised myself up, transitioning up the pole. I put my knees together and swung to the side managing a split midair. I let myself drop slowly to the stage floor in a burn slide. My legs spread wide open and my breasts heaving from the exertion. It was the craziest, yet most gratifying experience of my life. I was feeling giddy with excitement, and totally turned on.
His eyes were dark as he watched me. As the last few notes of the music drifted over me, I started to crawl on all fours towards him. I could see the muscles of his arms bulging as I came up to him. I made sure to sway my hips as I approached him, feeling very much like a cat in heat.
I could see his chest rise and fall as he took in puffs of air. He was seething in anger, and I was enjoying every minute of it.
I swiveled around on the floor and sat down before him. His eyes were on my thighs as I opened my legs for him. I bit my lip and slid myself down to the edge of the stage making sure to straddle his waist. He opened his arms, letting me wrap around him, and licked his lips. He was as aroused as I was and I smiled up at him. Gripping his leather jacket, I pressed myself up against him.
I leaned in and I roamed my tongue along the roughness of his five o’clock shadow, running it up his neck and tracing the edge of his ear.
“See what you made me do.” I whispered, and then pushed him back. I took in his lust filled gaze for a moment, but then jumped off the stage and slowly made my way back to the office. Not giving a flying fuck that I was half naked.