I step off the lounge, crossing the balcony to stand opposite him. “Did you now?”
“Youdodance at a club.”
My head drops as I laugh easily, attempting to hide the unfamiliar blush that fills my cheeks. “Told you.”
I chew on my lip and spin the bangles around my wrist, trying to muster up the courage to ask for more. “What was I doing?”
“Talking to a table full of guys with stars in their eyes.”
I bark out a laugh. “It was probably just a reflection from the sequins.”
When I feel brave enough, I lift my head to look at him again. He’s already staring in my direction with a gentle smile and glowing eyes.
“It’s not gonna make this awkward now, is it?” I ask.
“Why would it be awkward?”
“I guess it depends on how much or how little clothing you saw me in.”
He grins over at me. “I saw you have another tattoo.”
“Did ya get a good look?” I waggle my eyebrows, trying to tease him, but his eyes turn dark, making me squirm on the spot.
“Good enough. It’s cute, by the way.”
“My arse or my tattoo?”
“Both.”
Damn, I kinda wish I saw him tonight. I would love to have the image of him laying his eyes on me in the club for the first time seared into my memory. I’ll just have to use my imagination, because the way he’s looking at me now has my body overheating and needy in a way that only a date with my new vibrator will fix.
“How did you get into it?”
I shake off the naughty thoughts, then prop my elbow on the railing and rest my chin on my palm. “By accident. Was sent to the wrong place for an interview. The owner was nice, told me what the pay was, and I realised I could make a lot more compared to doing overnight shifts at servos and motels.”
“Does Aurora know?”
“Yep. She was raised in the clubs. Not on the floor—she didn’t see anything like that. She’s been in the dressing rooms on occasion, but at most places I’ve danced, all the women helped out with babysitting when we could. When Presley lived with us, we used to practise together at home. Aurora loved watching.”
“It’s a pretty interesting life the two of you have led.”
I take a deep breath, welcoming the ease of his presence. “Yeah,” I say on a breathy chuckle. “I worked behind the bar long before I started on the pole, and the tips were good, but I knew dancing would earn me more. I was determined to learn quickly, and that’s how Presley and I became friends. She taught me everything she knew.”
Westley gasps with a hand to his chest. “Did you just volunteer personal information?”
I laugh with a playful roll of my eyes. “Told you I’m trying to get better at opening up.”
“How long have you been dancing?”
“Around eight years.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
Do I? At first, I just did what I thought was necessary. Royal was good at finding me places that could accommodate Aurora,but it wasn’t a life that invited connections past surface level. But I knew what I was signing up for. I knew what my life had to be after that day when everything changed.
I wonder who I’d be if I got out before Aurora was born. Would I be more daring and open if it were just myself to worry about? The clawing anxiety whenever I think of my past pulls at my throat, taunting me.You can’t expect to hide forever. They found you once; they could do it again. They could take her. And then she’ll know. She’ll know. You took her first.
I take a breath, looking over at Westley and letting his face ground me back in the present. “Yeah. I do enjoy it. I enjoy what it does for the women I dance with, for me as a woman.”
