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Exhaling, I untied the robe, letting it slide off my arms, and draped it over a chair in the sitting area. I slipped my fingertips under the front of the white rhinestone, embroidered flowers and glittery thong, ensuring everything was in place. The matching bra top covered the bottom half of my breasts, allowing the top half to spill out just enough, but not reveal my nipples until I was ready. The white, lace up, open toe-platform ankle boots were something I’d not dared worn in years. But for me, it was like riding a bike. Seven-inch heels? Easy, I told myself when I laced them up. I was five-feet-ten on a normal day but always felt tiny when escorting the girls around the club when they wore platforms.
“You look sexy.” He offered a nod of approval. “Turn.”
Arms to the side, I rotated a slow circle.
“What did Jen think?”
“She said the same. And also, that I looked like a giant.” Giggling, I took a few steps closer. “Thanks for letting her come down tonight to support me.”
“Let her?” He scoffed, arching a brow. “My wife does whatever she wants here, and she insisted.” He stood, striding to the front of his desk, and perched on the edge. “Where’s the rest of your outfit?”
“It’s in my bag.” I pointed over my shoulder. “Do you want me to go get it?”
“No, it’ll be a nice surprise.”
“Is everything in place?” I asked, slightly nervous but ready to end Dante.
He nodded just as the door opened, and Tyler waltzed in, closing it behind him. “Damn, you look awesome.”
Head tilted, I beamed, “Thank you!”
“Everything should be ready,” Tyler continued. “There’s extra guards up here for the kids, and those guys look exhausted already.” He laughed. “Mila’s staying up with them tonight, too.”
“Does she want to come down and watch?” I asked.
He snorted. “She loves you girls to death, but it’s not her scene in the least… yet.”
“Understood.” I turned to Ian. “Do you need anything else from me before I go put on my rosary and play little miss innocent?”
He shook his head, shifting his gaze to Tyler. “Will you escort her down?” He picked up his phone off his desk, then shifted his attention to me. “It’s time to test your audience. Tonight, you only tell the girls that I’m allowing you to try something new since you haven’t danced in a long time. And while it’s true that I was reluctant to do this, you make sure they understand that you bugged me until I finally gave in to you.”
I nodded. “They shouldn’t ask too many questions because they’re used to a few surprises around here, but if anybody raises a question, I’ll be sure to let you know. Luke has my gun and phone just so you guys know,” I glanced back and forth between them, “I won’t have protection if something goes down other than combat.”
“We won’t let it get to that,” Tyler replied.
“And tonight,” Ian interjected, “you’re not Luke’s girlfriend, and you’re not my assistant. So, make sure you and him keep your hands off each other while you’re in this building. Even if it’s in private. Until we locate the threat and neutralize it, we don’t know who’s placing bugs, or cameras, in this building beyond this floor. So, we need to be extra careful about our words and actions. I already told Luke, so he understands.”
“I walked through with a detector already,” Tyler interjected, “but that doesn’t mean someone won’t come in with one.”
“Got it.” I sashayed to the door in character, taking my robe off the chair on the way. Tyler took it from me, holding it out so I could slip into it. I pulled it tight around me, ready to get this over with.
“Keep an eye on her and I’ll be down in a bit.”
“Got it,” Tyler said, opening the door for me.
LUKE
Ian told me to keep my hands off Jade tonight. While we remained mostly professional at work, we did have a habit of sneaking off together or stealing a touch in public. And it was no longer a secret that we were dating. Especially when she’d sit next to me at the owner’s booth. Ever since our friends found out about our relationship, we’d done nothing to hide it. But we hid it for so long that I hoped it’d come as second nature tonight. Keeping my hands off her was becoming more and more difficult.
She wasn’t headlining tonight. Ian didn’t want it to be obvious, so he slipped her set in between Giovanna and Amber. I made several rounds before waltzing behind the bar, making my own drink. Aurora sped over.
“Everything okay?”
“Just checking to make sure you have everything you need.”
“I know you better than that.” She pushed her hip into my side playfully with a snicker.
“I’m crowd watching tonight,” I replied, hoping she’d not ask follow-up questions.
