Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 614(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 614(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
“But the owner’s paying for your time, isn’t he?”
The owner was more than one “he.” It was a bunch of them. She wasn’t quite sure whose name graced the club’s deed anymore. Not since the Deadly Demons became the new owners. She couldn’t imagine the MC had some sort of official corporation or LLC.
She could be wrong, but she tried to not ask too many questions once they came in after forcing the previous owner out.
Even so, why was this dancer so curious about her? She had noticed his interest earlier during the last group dance, despite hanging toward the back of the crowd and purposely not drawing attention to herself.
She knew a dancer’s interest usually wasn’t genuine and she also wanted the Peckers crew to concentrate on the paying customers.
“Of course I’m getting paid. I don’t work for free. Anyway, who couldn’t use the extra pay? Isn’t that why you do this? Or is this your full-time job?”
“Just doing it for a little extra scratch.”
She tipped her head and considered what he said. “More than a little. I saw how much money was thrown on stage during your solo dances. I also saw the amount of money protruding from your,” she wasn’t sure what to call what the male strippers wore, but whatever it was emphasized the tool they were blessed with, “underwear when you were working the floor. You were a hit out there. You made a killing.”
He shrugged his broad, nicely-defined shoulders and a hint of a smile could be seen on his full lips. “Yeah, who knew women liked redheads with freckles.”
Since he had done it to her, she didn’t feel bad raking her gaze down his body. “Don’t act like you didn’t know it was due to more than your hair color and those sexy freckles.”
The slight curl at the corners of his lips turned into a full-blown grin. “I didn’t. Tonight was my first night dancing.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No way.” She never would’ve guessed he only started stripping. He’d been damn good and, because of that, it was definitely more than his looks that drew the women.
His eyebrows raised. “I’m not lying. I was desperate for a little cash so I needed an easy side gig. I figured I’d give it a shot. Since you’re around this almost daily, do you think my success had to do with my dancing?”
Was he being serious or pulling her leg? “Do you really need that confirmation?” She glanced at how the sleeves of his T-shirt stretched tightly around his bulging biceps. “You work out for a reason other than only your health. Your moves are as smooth as well-greased ball-bearings. But, of course, you knew that, too.” She took a couple of steps closer to him and jutted out her hand. “I’m MJ, by the way.”
“MJ,” he repeated in a murmur while taking her hand and giving it a firm shake. His fingers were long and warm, his grip strong. “Danny.”
She grinned. “Hmm. I thought your name was Blaze.”
Danny chuckled. “Right.”
“The nickname Blaze might be a bit cheesy, but it fits you.”
“Because you think I’m cheesy?”
“Again, you don’t need confirmation from me on why the name Blaze fits you.”
His red hair and beard, along with his smoking hot body, were only two things that had caught her attention. He truly did have the natural ability to dance. Some of her own dancers really had to work at it, while it came naturally to some of the others. Even so, it was hard to believe tonight was his first time on stage. But since he seemed to only be performing for extra cash, she wondered what he normally did for a living.
He threw the strap of his duffel bag over his shoulder. “I’ll get out of your hair and let you close up.”
As he moved closer to the dressing room door, she said, “By the way, Danny, that was really sweet of you.”
He paused, barely a couple of feet away. “What was?”
“The way you kept approaching the women with hardly any cash. Unlike the rest of your crew.” She had taken notice. It stood out to her even more because the other dancers were focusing on the women with the most money in hand. Mel understood why they would, but every woman in that room had purchased a ticket to attend, so to get a little extra attention could make their night.
Finn shrugged. “I’m new at this. Maybe I’m doing it wrong.”
“No, you’re not. You made those women’s night even more special by getting them involved.”
If Mel let the Peckers come back for a few more shows, those women might also return. Whether Danny realized it or not, what he did was good public relations for both the outfit he danced for, as well as the club.
She continued, “Listen, I know what it’s like to have your friends ask you to go out with them when you’re flat broke and have to scrounge to even pay for your own meal. On one hand you’re glad you were included, on the other, you also wish you hadn’t been. It can be embarrassing, even stressful. You made tonight worthwhile for those ladies. Even if they only had a single dollar in their hand, you made them feel like they had a fistful of cash.”