Page 43 of Tease
“Shelby started puking all over the place after she clocked in. I only need you to do two dances before her replacement dancer can make it here.”
“You do know that I’ve never performed, right? I work out with the pole, not show off.”
Her face doesn’t change from her stone-cold stare as she waits for me to finish. “KC, you’re beautiful. Your body truly can sell itself. And you already know how to dance with a pole.” Her hands go up, pointing outside the break room. “I even talked to Carter before I came to find you. He said you could leave for the night after your two dances were finished.”
“Really? He doesn’t mind? When I walked in, it looked packed in the bar.”
“Babe, if you think the bar is packed, wait until you see upstairs. Hell, we might even be over capacity up there. And yes, he said you’re good to go home after.”
Well, that would be good for me. I dance to two songs, then go home and read a smutty book to help take my mind off of Jared… and how sexy he had looked last night.Stop it, Kailey. He showed up to the party with not one, but two women, for fuck’s sake.
I twirl my body around in a circle and give her my answer, “As long as you don’t care if I’m horrible on stage, I’ll do it.”
Melissa runs up to me and pulls me in for a quick, and awkward, hug. “Thank you, and I owe you one, love.”
Never know when I might need to call in that favor, but I’ll have it in my back pocket.
Mel looks down at my feet, which are covered with solid black flats. “You can dance barefoot, but only wear this bikini,”she points at my chest, “and lose the necklace.” She hands me a thin, solid black bikini. “Is this what Shelby was going to wear tonight?”
“Yeah, sometimes she does the crotchless bottoms, though. Figured this would work, instead, for you?” Her eyebrows raise as she starts to make her way out the door.
I nod to her and turn back to my locker. It’s time to mentally prepare myself for this. “Wait! How much time do I have to get ready?” I shout, hoping she can hear me.
Popping her head back through the doorway, Mel looks down at her fifty-thousand-dollar watch. “Fifteen minutes.” Then closes the door behind her.
Once I’m in The Lavender Room’s dressing room, I get changed into the bikini, and nerves start to wash over my body. My breathing becomes erratic, and I feel a sudden bout of lightheadedness. I look myself up and down in the giant mirror that’s surrounded by light bulbs. I can’t deny it, I do look very sexy. I pull at my thick hair, and it free falls from the ponytail. I tussle my hair a few times, spraying it with hairspray—instant volume added.
Thank goodness my toes are cute; they’ve been painted a bright neon teal polish. A simple diamond-studded belly button piercing has my stomach looking flawless. There’s lotion next to the mirror. I pick it up and read the fine print. It’s a perfume lotion with glitter mixed into it. I rub it on my body,everywhere.
“One minute, KC!” Melissa yells, while doing a double knock on the door, and continues walking down the hall.Nervousis an understatement, but I also feel a thrill of excitement humming underneath my skin. It’s just a little teasing dance; I can handle that. I will be powerful out on the stage. I’m about to own that pole for two songs. Hope the critics out there are ready for me. This right here is the perfect distraction from Jared, and it starts now.
Two dark purple velvet curtains separate, allowing me to walk out into the darkly lit room. I head straight for the stage, where there’s a tall, shiny pole right in the middle. The announcer yells my name as “Gas Pedal” by Sage the Gemini starts to play. I fix an invisible mask over my face, showing indifference. Now it’s time to sweat.
CHAPTER 34
Jared
My bike weaves in and out of traffic, and I continue to follow Beau on his bike. The faster I go, the more my mind lets go of everything, especially the images of Kailey from last night. His bike starts to slow down, turning into a very packed parking lot. There’s a line of people waiting to get in through the front doors, where two bouncers are present. We continue to drive around the building and park in its back lot. Once our helmets are off, he tells me that this is a veryexclusiveclub.
“Well, shit, you didn’t have to take me anywhere fancy, Beau.” I look at him. He’s six-foot-two, with a muscular build, and blue eyes that remind me of the ocean. His curly blonde hair is longer on top and shaved close on the sides. He could be a model in any ad campaign.
His arms spread out wide. “Jared, this is me welcoming you, not only to the team, but also to Chicago. If you’re going to be here for a while, there are things you need to know. One of them is where we are right now, The Lavender Room. But there’s also The Purple Room and The Violet Room.”
“Okay, that already sounds like a lot for me to remember.” I laugh and follow him to a dark purple door. Beau pulls out acard and scans it against a barcode reader; the door immediately unlocks and opens.
A man in a navy suit is standing on the other side; he’s buff, and he’s got about three inches on Beau and me.
“What’s up, Doug?” Beau gives the man a fist bump.
Doug scowls. “Beau, who’s the new guy?”
Beau explains to the guy who I am and fills him in on how the fights from last night went.
“Is Carter in tonight? I’d like to introduce them and get Jared squared away with a membership.”
“Yeah, he’s in his office.” Doug continues to stare me down.
We walk past him, down a long hall, and come to a room on the right. Beau knocks and is told to come in.
