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“God, really?” Cindy whines. “I thought we were gonna learn to strip.” She reaches for her empty glass.
That snaps Eve out of it. “Oh my God.” She glides out of his arms and shoos him away. He laughs and walks down the hallway.
“Okay, let’s do it! Make it nasty, Antionette.” She winks at me.
“Um, I’ll do my best.” I stretch, feeling the adrenaline rush at the thought of dancing.
“So, we don’t have a pole, but I’ll show you guys some simple moves.” I bite my lip. “I mean, simple like—”
Charlie laughs. “Just get on with it. David’s on his way over to pick us up.”
“Nooo, not yet.” Eve frowns.
I laugh. “Okay, follow me.” I put my hands on my knees and sway as I throw my head back and let the music take over. Closing my eyes, I see him: tall, dark, and dangerous. His full lips and sapphire eyes make me instinctively rise up on my toes. And then I’m gone, no longer teaching, letting the music take over as I dance for him.
“She lost me. I can’t do that.” Cindy’s voice is like a bucket of ice water and I stop, almost sad that she’s ruined my daydream of Axel looking at me the way Blade looks at Eve.
“Sorry.” I turn and catch my breath. Eve and Charlie stare at me like I’m a magnificent piece of art while Cindy flops down on the couch with Doug.
“I think I pulled a muscle.” She reaches for my glass and starts drinking.
“I had no idea you’re like a real—” Eve waves her hand as if she’s looking for the word.
“Ballerina?” Charlie helps.
“Yes.” She gestures at Charlie.
“Antoinette.” I jump, my hand going to my chest as I spin toward Blade who stands in the doorway.
“I want to talk to you.” His green eyes are like lasers, and I look at the others for help.
“Jason, leave her alone.” Eve loops her arm with mine. In an instant, I’m cold. I don’t like this. Blade is the president. What he says goes.
“Angel, this doesn’t concern you.” He pins his eyes on me. “Antoinette?” He motions for me to follow him into the kitchen.
“Great. I wanted her to teach me some more—” The doorbell rings.
“That’s David.” Charlie grabs Eve’s arm and drags her toward the door. I watch them laugh and whisper as I look over at the kitchen. Perfect, I guess I’m on my own with Blade.
“I’ll be right back,” I hiss at Doug and Cindy who stop laughing to look at me.
I guess they’re not concerned, so I assume I’m safe. It’s times like this when the reality of living with a real live biker slaps me in the face. Granted he’s a fucking hot biker, but he’s still a biker.
I walk into the kitchen that’s all cherrywood with stainless-steel appliances. The view alone must have cost him a fortune.
Blade leans against the counter. He’s tall and handsome if you like blond Greek gods. I definitely can tell David is his cousin.
“So. Where are you from?”
As my mind races and I search for something to say, I blink at him. There’s no way I can tell him the truth, so I stay mute.
David, Charlie, and Eve pass by on their way to the living area, their voices breaking the silence. “Nothing? You’re from nowhere?” he sneers.
“New York,” I automatically respond.
He nods and waits for more while I stand there, saying nothing. His eyes take in my appearance, stopping to focus on my feet, which are always in first position.
“Look, I’m gonna be honest. Axel is my brother. I’ve known him for twenty years. Nothing would make me happier than for him to find someone. But a ballerina with no past who wanders into his strip club makes me pause. You understand?”
God, he makes me sound way more interesting than I am—also way more ominous.
“I’m a dancer who needed cash since my shitty ex-friend slash roommate fucked me over. I heard that exotic dancers make a lot of money and I needed cash fast, simple as that.” I raise my head, my eyes challenging him to say I’m lying. He doesn’t.
He doesn’t say anything. Only nods and picks up his phone and starts texting. I’m assuming that’s my cue to leave, and I have to fight the urge not to curtsey.
What is wrong with me? It has to be the margaritas. I turn and start toward the loud voices, knowing that all this is truly happening. It’s not a movie. I’m getting in deep, but the thought of getting out is not an option because I want Axel badly.AXELI’m back. Unfortunately, not in my room fucking Antoinette. No, I’m standing with a bottle of Jack Daniels looking at a bunch of monitors, listening to Frosty drone on and on.
I take a swig, hoping it’ll help. Blade woke me at 5:00 a.m. to inform me the security system at Edge’s club, the Dolly, was taken out last night. My clothes were still on and a burned-out cigarette was in my hand.
