Page 17 of Property of Gray

“She sign up to dance?”

“Only the friend.”

“Good.” I zoom in on Willow at the bar.

One look at her dress has me wanting to kill her. She’s got on a strapless little black dress that has cutouts in the sides and hugs every curve. I watch over Shaggy’s shoulder as she takes a shot with her friend chatting it up with the bartender. There are someregulars in the crowd, but it’s a slow night. Which is why we test the wannabes on a low-earning night.

I leave Shaggy to it and go out onto the floor. I get a beer and a table. A couple of flabby-assed whores give it their best shot. One isn’t half bad. She can at least dance and has a decent rack on her, but we’re in the business of attracting customers, not running them off. Though most men don’t care. If there’s tits, ass, and a wet hole they’ll throw money at it and fuck it.

The music changes tempo, and I see Elsie Jo looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Directly behind her is Willow. Fucking hell. What is she doing? I watch partly in horror and half mesmerized as she wraps a hand around the pole. I should put a stop to this little streak of rebellion she’s displaying, but I want to see this play out.

How far is she willing to go?

She slinks around the pole like she was born to work it. She shakes her ass, nearly hypnotizing me and every man in the joint. Her dress rides further up her thighs, teasing at the paradise that awaits between them.

The way my damn dick is reacting to her, you’d never know I’d fucked someone else not even an hour ago. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. Not even a little bit. Willow is sexy as fuck without even making any real effort. What I wouldn’t give to strip her down and have her riding me. I’d take her right here at this table, not giving a damn who sees if I could.

The second she pulls the top of her dress down, exposing her strapless bra, I’m rushing the stage and carrying her off to one of the private rooms.

“Gray,” she says my name in an annoyed huff. I put her down and straighten her dress. “I don’t need a lecture.”

“Good.”

“Can I go now? Elsie Jo is waiting for me.”

I pull out my cell and dial Shaggy. “Take Elsie Jo home.” I hang up. “She’s covered.”

“She was my ride.”

“I’ll drive you home,” I clip.

“I’m not sure I want to ride with you. You seem kind of mad.”

“That’s the smartest choice you’ve made all day.”

“I’m really not up for this tonight. We’ve got a long drive tomorrow.”

“I should spank your ass for that stunt you just pulled. You wanted my attention, now you’ve got it.”

She wraps her arms around her center. “That out there wasn’t about you. That for Elsie Jo.”

“You were stripping for her?”

“She had stage fright, and she needs the money.”

“For what?”

“None of your business.”

“You made it my business the second you stepped foot in the parking lot. I’m not asking again. Why does she need money?”

“For nursing school.”

“I’ll talk to your brother. I’m sure we can sponsor a scholarship for her or some shit.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Of course, but there’s something I want in return for not telling your brother about your little performance out there.”