“You keep working hard there, Grace,” I quip from my position. I’m hanging upside down, my legs wrapped intricately around the pole, my arms positioned in a pose above my head keeping me steady.
“Babe, it’s hard work watching you ladies.” She takes a bite of the snacks that were brought over with the champagne. “Ria, how have you twisted yourself up like that?” Hearing her put her glass down, I catch her eye, and she brings her phone up and snaps a few photos of me. “You look fucking hot.”
Spinning, I flip off the pole and lean seductively against it. “You think I’m hot, Grace?”
“Not new information, Ria.” She stalks toward me, seduction laced in her movements.
“Okay, girls, if I didn’t know that Grace loves her vitamin D, I’d be rooting for you two,” Lily shouts from across the room, and Jade wolf whistles.
“Right, girls, show me what you’ve got. Last chance before we go out on that stage,” our instructor calls as she claps her hands. All our heads spin to look at her.
“I thought it was a private lesson we signed up for?” Lily stutters and actually looks scared as she throws the instructor a desperate glance.
“Ha, I love doing that every time.” She barks out a laugh. “No, ladies, you’re dancing for yourselves tonight. Don’t panic. But you…” She points at me and I jump. “I’d love to spend more time with you. You have the flexibility and strength that is needed for this. You sure you haven’t done it before?”
“Nope, never, but I do yoga every day.” I shrug.
“Well, you should add this to your routine.” She winks and I actually think I might.
“Teacher’s pet,” Grace whispers before she sways back to her champagne.
Chapter 6
Leo
“What are the girls up to tonight?” Beck questions as we enter the reception to the high roller room that I’ve booked for tonight. He’s one of Jade’s oldest friends and has formed an amazing bond with Hunter.
“I heard something about a club and dancing but I’m not sure. Trixie and Lily have been pretty tight-lipped,” Marcus answers him while he brushes his hands through his hair, checking himself out in the mirrors surrounding us.
After Papa Stone showed us all up in the desert, we cleaned up and are now ready to hit the tables.
“Babe, you look stunning.” Kai bats his eyelashes at him.
“Fuck off,” he scoffs.
“Stop flirting with me, Diaz. You’re spoken for.”
“Are they always like this?” Noah frowns next to me. He needs this trip. His life is pure mayhem with his twin girls taking front and center of his whole life. He’s a single dad, and to see how hard he works to make sure those little angels are never without love or all the glitter, sparkles, and unicorns any six-year-old girl needs, is fucking beautiful. I’ve often had video meetings with him forgetting to take off the fairy tiara they made him wear that day while they roleplayed some ridiculous scenario that only a little kid’s mind can create. He’s truly the best dad but he’s on all the time. The man never relaxes and never takes time for himself.
“This is actually quite tame. Just wait until this one gets involved too.” Hunter claps me on the shoulder.
“I’m actually quite upset that he is flirting with Diaz. I won't lie.” I sigh. “He was just telling me how much he likes my eyes.” I pout.
“For fuck’s sake.” Noah laughs before turning to grin at me. “I’ve missed you, man.”
“Right back at you.”
“Why did I agree to this?” Thomas shakes his head as he signs the paperwork and collects our chips for the night. “I should have just left you boys to it.” He hands out our designated chips, and I see Beck shyly place his in his suit pocket. He doesn’t earn the type of money that means you can play at these tables. His job as a firefighter is the most demanding out of all of us but wrongly underpaid in comparison. I know that he nearly refused to come to this part of the bachelor party because he didn’t want the handouts. But Thomas told Hunter he was footing the bill for the lot and told Beck in no uncertain terms that he was to be here as one of Hunter’s closest friends.
“You love it really, Papa Stone.” I shoot him a wink, and he rolls his eyes at me, but he can’t hide his grin.
“We winning big or what, gentlemen?” Deacon barks as he stalks toward the bodyguards manning the ornate doors to the high roller room. To anyone else they would be imposing, but Deacon stands at six foot five and has an aura about him that you just don’t mess with.
“You heard the man.” Kai charges on ahead. “Let’s do this.”
The top-shelf scotch is flowing, and I’ve lost count of the amount we’ve thrown back. And it seems like Beck is on a winning streak as his chips have stacked up all evening while ours have depleted rapidly. The smile he’s now sporting is infectious as he sways slightly on his stool. I think we’re getting to our quota and will soon be asked to leave. The bouncers are giving us all that look that I know well.
We’ve hit our limit.
