Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
His gaze briefly shifts to the stage, then back to me.
“The pole work,” I clarify. “Seems insulting she has to crawl around on the stage after performing such complicated moves.”
He tilts his head. “Not a lot of people recognize the skill it takes.”
“People or male customers?” I arch a brow.
His lips quirk. “Good point.” He glances at the stage again. “She was a finalist in last year’s national pole fitness championships.”
“Wow.” I blink a few times. I had no idea pole fitness championships were even a thing. “That must be a big draw for your club.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know how many of our customers keep up on the world of pole fitness.”
The dancer has moved on to removing what’s left of her minuscule red lace outfit, which seems depressing and banal after the earlier part of her performance.
“She should be in the Olympics, not showing her tits and bits to greasy strangers,” I say.
Dex bites the inside of his cheek, like he’s trying not to agree with me. Or trying not to laugh. I can’t tell.
“Have I mentioned how happy I am to see you?” he says instead.
I curl my fingers in his shirt, tugging him closer. “Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”
He kisses my cheek, lingering for a moment. “I am.”
Even though his attention is mostly focused on me, every few seconds, he turns his head to scan the room, checking out the crowd.
“Do you need to get back to work?” I ask. After all, I did ambush him, and I understand he has responsibilities.
“I should check on a few things.” He squeezes my hip. “Are you okay here? You can sit in my office if this is too much.”
Except for the bartender and the waitresses coming and going, the bar area is empty. Most of the customers are focused on the stage or enjoying visits from the dancers working the room.
“I’ll be fine here.” I pick up my lemonade and take a sip.
He nods, then leans over and slaps his palm against the bar top. “Willow!” he calls out.
The blonde bartender whips her head around and hurries over to us with an eager-to-please smile on her face.
Geez. Do all the girls ask how high when my man tells them to jump?
“What’s up, Dex?” she asks in a how-may-I-help-you voice.
My, my, look how friendly and chipper she is now.
He curls his arm around my shoulders, affectionately pulling me to his side. “This is my girlfriend, Emily.”
My heart stutters. He’s introducing me to the people in his life as his girlfriend. I’m so lost in the childish pleasure of the official title that I miss the rest of their exchange.
Dex rubs his hand over my back and whispers in my ear, “You’re sure you’re okay here?”
“I think so.”
He chuckles. “I’ll check in with you in a bit. Just let me make my rounds.”
“I’m fine,” I say with more confidence. I don’t want him worrying about me when he’s supposed to be working.
He nods once then strides into the middle of the room. He stops and talks to another man large enough to crack a skull or two. A woman in an almost see-through silver two-piece…swimsuit? Bra and panties? I’m not sure what to call what she’s wearing, but the look is completed by six-inch silver platform boots that hug her calves and end below her knees. Maybe her costume is supposed to be sexy alien hunter or something.
“How long have you and Dex known each other?” Willow asks me.
“Huh?” I tear my gaze away from astronaut girl talking to my man and meet Willow’s amused face.
“Guurrrl, if you’re going to be with him, you better get used to that.” She nods at the girl still yammering at Dex.
“I’m…I’m not worried about it,” I say with a whole lot less confidence than I intended. “I know it’s his job.”
“Mmmhmm.” She gives me a skeptical side-eye. “They’re always up in his business.”
I reach down and gather my fuck-off attitude. “I’m only worried about it if he’s up in theirs.”
She snorts and ducks her head, resting her forehead on the bar for a second, her thin shoulders shaking with laughter. “If only you knew how ridiculous that concern is.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“Dex doesn’t date strippers, or muffler bunnies, or…anyone that we know of.”
Muffler bunny? Never mind, I can figure that one out on my own.
“Date? Or fuck?” I lift my eyebrows. “Because they’re not one and the same.”
She nods once. “I don’t keep track of his dick.” She spears me with an icy look. “I’ve never ridden it either, in case you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t, but thanks, I guess.” I thought Dex said I’d like Willow. Why is she being such a megabitch?
She’s still studying me in a bug under a microscope way I don’t care for. “You showing up here unannounced, kinda says you don’t trust him,” she says.