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“Guess you’ll never know.” I’m furious as I grab my bag from underneath the bar and sling it over my shoulder.
I’m so out of here.
“Wait,” Damien says just before I reach the door.
I take a deep breath. “What?” I ask as I turn to face him.
He stands from his seat. “Are you and Eddie a thing?” His voice is strained, like he’s in absolute pain.
“No,” I whisper to put him out of his misery.
“Good.”
“Good? That’s all you’re going to give me?”
“Oh, I’m more than willing to give you whatever you want. I’m also willing to take my jeans back.” He steps closer.
“Figures I’d choose a guy like you to lose my mind with.”
“What do you mean?”
I shrug, passing by him to get another drink. I pull down the glass I was drinking from and pour more whiskey into both our empty glasses.
“I see you watching me when I dance,” he says, breaking me from my thoughts.
“Everyone watches you guys when you’re on stage. It’s the biggest pull to this club.”
“I hope not.”
“Why?”
“My brothers and I only plan on dancing for a while, and then we will fade into the background and become owners and no longer perform.”
“Why would you do that?” I attempt to keep the sadness out of my voice. The thought of not seeing Damien up on stage, slowly peeling his shirt off, while we look at each other from across the room makes me depressed. I won’t admit it to him, but it’s kind of become the highlight of my day.
Damien smiles as if he can read my thoughts. “One of the main reasons we bought the club is so we can stop dancing. Having women paw at you every night is exhausting.”
I huff out a breath not really believing him.
“Ben was the only one of us who really loved the attention.”
“Clara told me he was a bit of a player before she met him.”
“A bit?” Damien cracks a grin.
“I’ve seen the way Ben is with Clara. I have a hard time picturing Ben as a player.”
“What can I say, Ben changed when he met Clara. But Axel hated the attention the most. Women pawing at him made him feel gross and used. The only reason he danced is because there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise you, after this club is established, Axel will never step foot on the stage again.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t mind dancing.”
“I bet.”
Damien rolls his eyes. “Like Axel, I see dancing as a means to an end. Not an end to being objectified, but to make sure we have a good future. I’ve always been a bottom of the line type guy, and now we have a thriving business, and our future is set. What about you?”
“Well, you know I’m going to school for graphic design.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“I do. Two brothers, Trace and Slade. They’re overseas. They both joined the Marines as soon as they graduated. As for me, I decided to move here to start college.”
“Just now starting college? How old are you?”
I suck in a deep breath. “Yeah, I was sort of a wild child and never really did much after high school. I’m twenty-seven. It’s silly to think I can finish school now.”
“I don’t think it’s silly at all. I’m proud of you.”
My cheeks heat up. I don’t think I’ve ever really had anyone say they’re proud of me before. “Thank you.”
“What about your parents?”
“They passed away when I was in middle school. My brothers took care of me for a while. But once I graduated, they were both in the military and well, I just kind of went crazy.” I laugh a little even though I know it’s not funny.
Damien and I chat a bit longer about life growing up, and how him and his brothers got started in the business. Before I know it, the cleaning crew is coming in through the front doors.
“Oh, what time is it?” I yawn as Damien grabs his phone out of his pants.
“It’s almost four a.m.”
“I have to get going.” I scramble around the bar and head toward the backdoor.
“See you tonight.”
Oh he definitely will. And more importantly I’ll get to see him tonight...dancing.
6
Damien
I wait until I hear Shayne’s car pull out of the parking lot before getting up. When I looked at the clock, I was surprised at how long we talked.
Yes, I swore the past few days I wouldn’t be pulled in by her. But, I don’t know, there’s just something about her I can’t stop thinking about. I can’t stay away.
And believe me, I’ve tried.
Is it bad I’m beginning to like her? Like really really like her. After talking to her tonight, I can see she’s loyal and funny.
I head to my SUV, wanting more than anything to just get home and stop thinking about Shayne.
