Chapter Two

DRAVEN

“Right.” I nod, choking back the disappointment I so willingly set myself up for. “Thanks.”

Taking the drink in hand, I begin to sip the burning liquid. Savoring the flavor of failure before heading out into the rain. I watch Bartlett as his eyes trail behind me toward the guys in the back corner booth. A minute or two passes as I focus on finishing my drink. When I am done, not only am I feeling a bit better, but a bit braver.

“There wouldn’t happen to be a strip joint anywhere in town, would there?” I ask, handing him back his tumbler.

His hand freezes just before taking the glass. Swallowing thickly, he shrugs. “Yes, there is.”

A nearly inaudible growl sounds from somewhere in the room and I turn around, confused, scanning the place for pets.

Nope, no dogs anywhere.

I catch the stare of the man in the back booth. He’s still glaring at me, and I have to resist the urge to flip him off. Rolling my eyes, I spin back around to face Bartlett.

“Could you tell me where it is? I need to find a job as soon as possible and I don’t have a phone – so no GPS.”

“Uh-yeah. I could but-um, I don’t think that’s the right crowd for a classy gal like yourself.” He studies me carefully, tapping his fingers on the bar as if fighting with the urge to change his mind.

This is good! You know you want to help me! Come on, just say yes!

I shrug, “You have to start somewhere, right? A girls got to do what a girls got to do, even if it means dancing for chips.” Then, getting up from the barstool I wave a quick goodbye. “Sorry for the misunderstanding, if you’ll just point me in the direction of the strip club I’ll be on my way.”

He sighs again, lowering his head. “It’s just past the docks, then about half a mile west,” he says, and I nod.

Taking my first step toward the exit, I turn around and ram right into Mister Ponytail from the corner table. My hands push against his massive chest, and I shiver at the heat coming off of him.

Holy mother…

“Excuse me,” I say in a whisper, trying to step around him. But he doesn’t let me, grabbing my arm to hold me in place.

Sparks.

freezes on his hand, a moan of pleasure tickles at the back of

there either,” he says with a smirk. My eyes lift toward his. His voice is deep and rich with arrogance. “You don’t have what

his hand off my elbow, I say sweetly, “Oh really? How would

me with disapproval then punching one fist lightly into his

stirp

of course he does. Don’t

retort, crossing my

do. This stupid motherfucker should too. Not to mention that God just so happened to bless me with a fat round ass and a killer rack, thank you very much, so

He feels bad about this, I can tell. So, I lay it on him.

Truth be told, I knew you wouldn’t hire me if I told you I was female. But I

where Mister Ponytail still stands. I can feel the heat of the prick up against my back and strangely

Dre! No unhealthy crushes

go back where you came from, Draven,” Mister Ponytail hisses in

I whisper, shaking off the tingles I felt with his use of my name and wiping my pitiful, fruitless, tears in the

the table – a tall well-built male with pale blond hair asks. Walking up to take part in

at him. “I-I just can’t. I was lucky to get out when I did.” And that was

are you running from?” The third guy, a chocolate skinned

blocking my path to the great outdoors. They have me trapped and I am beginning to

meatheads.

can’t hurt. “My stepfather.” And his son

light with fire. The chiseled muscles of his well-shaven jaw clenching. “Stepfather?” He chuckles.

to know a damn thing about my mother. “She’s dead.

But they don’t move.

did I stash

“Let

shakes his head just barely. I hear Bartlett sigh in exasperation behind me and I tense for

his name, huh? Domonic. Figures that even his name is

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