South Row (11 page)

South makes a short run on the horse, leaps onto the pole and spins, and spins, and spins like she’s a rock star until she is safely on the ground.
Wow…just, wow.

Now, it isn’t strip club etiquette to applaud a dancer, but my stupid ass does just that, with a standing ovation. Thank God for my friends who would not leave me hanging. They stand also and applaud her. Soon, the entire club is breaking out into cheers and applause, money raining on the stage.

I walk determinedly up to the stage, pulling out my wallet. When I am near South, she meets my eyes. She is breathing hard and I wonder if it is just from the routine, because her eyes are glazed and she won’t stop staring at me with those enchanting blues. My cock is aching to be deep inside her.

I crook my finger, calling her to me, when really all I want to do is drag her by her pretty booted feet to the edge of the stage, and open her up so I can ease that scrap of material away and see her pretty pussy. South crawls on all fours over to me and it is like sensory overload. I am about to explode any minute; she is so fucking
beautiful, so fucking hot.
My redheaded Goddess
.

Pulling out a few bills, uncertain and uncaring of the quantity, I hold it out to her. She makes no move toward taking it and I’m glad she doesn’t. I caress her face with it and her eyes flutter closed. Trailing the bills down her neck to the swells of her breasts, I see her shiver. The flush of arousal is creeping up her neck and it is taking everything in me to not take her like an animal right here on stage. I tuck the money into her sorry excuse for a bra – not that I am complaining – then lightly brush my fingertips over the tops of her breasts. She shivers at my touch and I know I heard her moan.
Fuck
.

Before I can reach for her – to do God knows what the throbbing in my pants wants me to do – the lights go out and the curtains start to draw. But even in the dark I see those lust-filled blue eyes
staring back at me. Calling me.

Exhilarated. That’s how I feel right now. Blood is pumping through my veins and butterflies threaten to carry me away. I have never, ever, performed with such
…abandon, such ferocity. I laid it all out on the stage tonight and felt on top of the world; but what made me feel super charged, so turned on I’m surprised I didn’t glow like fluorescent bulbs, is Collin.

When I saw him approach me, the tingles began in my core. I was riveted to where I knelt. He pinned me with his all-seeing eyes, and in them I saw every single sexual intent he possessed for me. I wanted to be pissed at him. I tried to tell myself that he didn’t see me that way, but with his eyes darkening the way they did, I couldn’t help my reaction to him.

My nipples tightened and my breasts strained toward him. Moisture coated my panties when he crooked his fingers at me and I crawled, ensnared, toward him. He took those bills from his wallet and as he caressed the paper along my cheek, down my collarbone and over the swells of my breasts, my breathing became choppier, my panties got wetter and I couldn’t stop the moan that whispered from my lips. I was done for. Thank God for the lights going out and the curtains being drawn. That snapped me right out of my haze.

Rising on seriously shaky legs, I snatch up the rest of my money then escape to the safety of the dressing room. I can’t even stare at the money right now. As I look at myself in the mirror, I see someone flushed, with her pupils dilated and her nipples sticking out through her bra.

A few ladies stop by congratulating me on my performance and I barely give them a smile in thanks. My wits are thoroughly scattered.

“Jesus, South!” Lulu exclaims as she plops herself down next to me. “Chica, that was some performance! And who was that guy? He looked like he wanted to eat you on stage!” I want to answer her, but the realization that Collin may have wanted me that much is frying my brain cells.

“Honey?” Lulu calls. “Baby girl?”

Turning to her, I swallow. “Lulu, I want to say I’m not affected, but that guy has me all kinds of turned on right now.”

Lulu throws her head back and laughs a belly-clutching laugh. I try to scowl or glare at her, but it is funny. I find myself chuckling and it eases the tension in my body and loosens all the parts of me that was wound tight.

“Shit, South,
I
was fuckin’ turned on watching both of you,” she comments, laughing. Her face turns serious as she says, “Look, babe, I know we have this policy that we don’t date the patrons; but girl, there’s always an exception to the rule.” She taps my nose and smiles at me.

With that, she leaves me to my
feelings, which have become scattered again. Deciding not to give Collin anymore thought, I set about counting my money, removing my makeup and changing my clothes. As I take my bag up to leave, my phone vibrates and I take it out. It's a text.

I’m outside.

A broad grin spreads across my face and I quickly drop my phone in my bag. Putting on my game face, I tell the girls goodnight and step out into the hallway where I am met by Fletcher Colfax holding a large bouquet of red roses.

Fletcher is the multi-millionaire we hosted that private party for on Monday. He was real sweet, a gentleman. He was a little bit too interested in the girls when he was here, but sweet nonetheless.

Fletcher is an older guy, probably mid-forties. He’s got strong Nordic features, from his blonde hair to his icy blue eyes, to his tall, muscular stature. He reminds me of a Viking. I do find him very attractive, but he just doesn’t push my hot buttons the way a certain someone does.

“Hey, Mr. Colfax,” I greet him with a smile.

“I must say that was a treat. I quite enjoyed that performance, Miss Sunshine,” he tells me in a deep voice that I bet has literally melted panties. Mine are still present and accounted for, though.

“Thank you, Mr. Colfax.”

“I told you, call me Fletcher,” he insists.

Smiling in resignation, I nod. “Okay, Fletcher.” Ugh, his name tastes weird in my mouth; like how I imagine semen must taste. Yes,
imagine
.
I’ve never even gone down on a guy to even know what semen would taste like, but I bet it doesn’t taste like milk!

“These are for you.” He hands me the beautiful bouquet and I take it warily.

As I said before, I don’t like accepting flowers. It seems too personal; but Fletcher has never hit on me, so that clears my conscience right up.

“You have real talent, Sunshine. As always, it was a pleasure watching you. Have a wonderful night,” he says, turning and walking in the direction of the club.

See? Sweet.

I walk around to Trace’s office and knock. He buzzes me in and when he sees me, he jumps
from his desk and hugs me. Um…weird.

“South, wow,” he breathes. “That was…shit that was fucking incredible!”

“Um, thanks?” Trace is not one for the touchy-feely, unless he’s trying to get touchy-feely.

“I know I don’t go for the mushy stuff and I’m hard on you girls when you perform, but, South, you blew everyone away up there.”

Pride swells in my chest.

“Thank you, Trace. That means a lot coming from you.”

“Good.” He eases me away from him and gives me a stern look. “Never speak of this again.”

In spite of his look, I laugh. I love it when Trace goes all
I’m the boss
on everyone. He tries to be this autocratic guy when, really, he’s just a big softie…who wants to get in my panties.

“Get outta here, beautiful,” he bids, smacking my ass.

I glare at him, masking the smile tugging at my lips and leave. Clutching my jacket around my middle, I step out into the cool night air at the back of the club. I spot Collin first. He is gloriously sexy from head to toe in fitted blue jeans and a white button down with an eagle in the back and the sleeves rolled up. Wyatt has the group in an animated conversation, but Collin looks miles away.

What could he be thinking about? Is he thinking that he made a mistake once again? If he is, I am so going to crush his balls and send him back to his stupid blonde fiancée. Why do guys like that always go for blondes? Redheads have more personality anyway.
Yeah, but blondes have more fun
, my snarky inner voice says. Oh, shut up.

Connor sees me first and rushes over to me, sweeping me into his arms and spinning me. I laugh and bang on his shoulders to put me down and he does.

“South, that was amazing in there. Out of all the times I’ve come here and seen you, tonight has gotta be my favorite,” he praises.

Wyatt and Johann join in, congratulating me with hugs. You would think I got my degree or a Nobel Peace Prize or something. Yes, I can see it now:
Girl with amazing body and sultry moves, brings peace to the Middle East, and causes more balls to drop than New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Collin is the last to step forward. I can’t read his expression, and I don’t want to. Squaring my shoulders, I give him a tight smile and an even tighter nod then turn ba
ck to the guys. I can see his eyebrows pinching together, wondering why I’m giving him the cold shoulder, but I’m not in the least bit done.

I keep checking my phone as I stand with the guys, laughing, not paying
a lick of attention to Collin…even though my body is hyperaware of his presence. My tummy is doing somersaults with him this close. So close, yet so far away. I have to keep him at a distance if this is going to work any at all.

Just like I expected him to, Collin steps closer.

“South,” he calls softly, a gentle caress of my name.

All my synapses go firing and I want to melt into his arms, but I
remain solid as a rock. Stiffly, I turn to him then look beyond him. Game…on.

“Luke!” I squeal, shoving past Collin to leap into his arms.

He spins me around and I pull out all the stops and giggle. Yes, giggle, like a schoolgirl. Hey, I’ve gotta sell this performance.

“Make sure you’re front, center and crying and inconsolable at my funeral when Collin kills me, Tiger,” Luke whispers.

I stifle a laugh and then tilt my head to face him.

“You got it.” I wink at him.

He kisses me and for a moment I’m a little grossed out because it feels like kissing my brother, though I’ve never had one, unless you count Connor, which would be equally – if not more – gross.

“Sell it, Tiger,” Luke whispers against my lips.

And I do.

I fake whimper and clutch Luke tighter, sinking my body into him. When he sets me down and pulls away from my lips, he grabs Fletcher’s bouquet from me and hands me his own. They are a beautiful arrangement of red roses with a single white rose tucked in the midst of them. He really put some thought into this.

When we turn to face the guys, everyone’s mouth is hanging off its hinges in shock…except Collin, who is steaming. I can almost see the puffs of steam leaving his ears and nose, the anger radiating from his body in waves. He looks about ready to kill somebody.

“Oh, shit, he didn’t,” I hear Wyatt murmur, still as a statue.

Johann lets loose a string of Spanish words that I’m sure are curse words and shoots a nervous glance at Collin before refocusing on Luke and I. Connor runs a hand over his face, then through his hair, but otherwise, remains quiet.

Until…

“Luke, what the fuck, man?” Connor accuses.

All we hear is a growl before Collin moves toward both of us. The guys break out in surprised shouts and jump into action, pulling him back and barely containing him like a raging bull. I feel like a deer in headlights as I grab on to Luke’s hand, squeezing hard, waiting for Collin to steamroll
er us.

They finally restrain him and calm him down enough to talk to rationally. When he stares at me, all I see is hurt. Well, welcome to the club, buddy!

Without taking his eyes off me or passing a glance at Luke, Collin barks, “Talk!”

“Collin, I don’t know what the big deal is,” Luke begins.

Big mistake.

Collin shakes from his friends and charges for Luke.

“Remember, front and center, Tiger,” Luke leans in and whispers.

Frightened, I turn to face him. He gives me a smile and releases my hand, stepping further into Collin’s angry line of sight.

“No!” I scream long and loud, as Collin makes contact with Luke and they fall to the ground with a sickening thud.

Luke told me, warned me, about this. That Collin would react this way; but seeing the horror unfold in front of me is unreal. I mean, Luke is supposed to be one of his closest friends! I stand frozen in place as Collin and Luke struggle, but Wyatt and Connor finally pull them apart, with Johann and Connor holding off a very enraged Collin and Wyatt stepping in front of a…smiling Luke? Huh? I seriously don’t think that this is the time or the place for happy things like smiles…or rainbows. On the bright side: No punches were thrown or received.

Wyatt, the sanest of the five I believe, turns to Luke and demands, “Start explaining, Lucy –” I snort, masking a laugh, at his nickname – “because this…” He gestures to me then to Collin and back to Luke before continuing, “Does not look good, bro.”

“And, for the love of God and the ten virgins He has waiting for you in Heaven, please don’t piss him off,” Connor begs Luke.

He shrugs noncommittally and straightens his shoulders. “Seems like anything I say will get him riled up.”

“You damn right!” Collin snarls.

Luke ignores him and continues, “So, maybe he should tell us all what the problem is, because it’s quite obvious that South here and I are dating…” Collin growls menacingly. “And he has a problem with it; even though he should be happy that I’ve finally bitten the proverbial bullet and he’s getting married to the supposed love of his life.”

He says “love of his life” on a disgusted eye roll. What is Luke’s problem with this chick?
The same problem you should probably have with the bitch who’ll take your man.
Right. She’s evil. Grr, I hate her.

I know that it is part of the plan to remind Collin of his commitment to the blonde babe, but it still stings. Besides, this can all backfire on us. He could really be in love with this girl and is only reacting the way he has been to me because he hasn’t seen me in a decade. Um…I’ll take “I really, really hope this plan works” for 300, Alex.

Everyone stares at Collin, except Connor who is shaking his head and looking at the ground. With the spotlight turned on him, Collin’s anger subsides, leaving only slow heaving breaths. He shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot and refuses to meet mine, Luke’s or anybody else’s gaze. He is nervous. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is not yet known.

“Yeah, no offence Collin, but why should it matter if both of them date?” Wyatt asks, confused.

Collin sighs and chuckles mirthlessly. What he says next, takes my breath aw
ay.