Page 6 of Hearts Storm

“Look,” I grouse, pulling up my jeans. “I’m not denying I didn’t feel something. But I’m here to make money, not hook up with customers. You know the rules. Besides, it was probably just a fluke.”

Mia and Ari exchange a look that I don’t care for one bit.

“What?” I grumble, pulling my hair up into a messy bun.

“Nothing,” Mia quips, her smirk proving otherwise.

“Spill it,” I growl.

Ari stands, stretching her arms over her head. “We’re just saying... If your pussy happens to smash into one of them—or both—we wouldn’t judge.”

“Speak for yourself,” Mia laughs. “I’d judge the hell out of her. Enviously.”

I throw a makeup wipe at her and snatch my shirt from my duffle. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” Ari concedes, heading back out to the floor. “But you know we’re right.”

“Sure you don’t wanna stay?” Mia asks. “Betcha they’re still out there.”

Stuffing my cash into my bag, I grab my jacket off the hook by the back door. “Nah. If the vibes they were giving off were real, then maybe they’ll be back.”

After exchanging a round of hugs with my besties, I push out the back door and into the employee parking lot.

I’m still kind of freaking out as I climb the stairs to my apartment. Almost regretting the fact that I didn’t go back out on stage after the heated interaction with Hot & Smirky. I am, however, more than a little disappointed that Dark & Broody didn’t come up to the stage too.

I drop my bag on the kitchen counter and head straight for the bathroom, peeling off my clothes as I go.

By the time I step into the shower, the water is nice and hot, washing away the sweat and glitter along with the lingering scent of cheap cologne and cigarette smoke.

But it doesn’t wash away the memory of them.

Dark & Broody with his sharp green eyes and a jaw that could cut glass. The way he watched me like he wanted to consume me whole.

Hot & Smirky with his easy confidence and that voice—God, that voice—even now, just the thought sends shivers down my spine.

Pressing my palms against the tile, I hang my head, water pounding against the back of my neck. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

The strip club gig wasn’t exactly part of my original life plan. But when you grow up in a trailer park in Pagosa Springs with an alcoholic for a father and a mom who’d rather chase her next high than pay attention to her daughters, you learn pretty quick that life doesn’t just hand shit over. You have to take it.

And I took it.

The money from dancing is putting me through EMT school and will eventually get me through firefighter training. Every dollar I make on that stage is another step toward a real career. One where I could save lives—instead of just entertaining people who want to forget theirs for a few hours.

It’s not glamorous, but it pays the bills and then some. The last thing I ever want to do is go back to living paycheck to paycheck.

I shut off the shower, dry myself off and head into my room to climb into bed, sheets cool against my skin as I slip between them.

Just as I go to set my alarm on my phone, it buzzes in my hand.

ARI

So... about tomorrow night

MIA

We’re thinking Club Karma for our night off this week. You in?

ARI