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.
awareness passes through me with his touch. My gaze freezes on his hand, a moan of pleasure tickles at the back of my throat.
he says with a smirk. My eyes lift toward his. His voice is deep and rich with arrogance. “You
his hand off my elbow, I say sweetly,
one fist
owns a stirp club? This
of course he does. Don’t
then,” I retort, crossing my arms
I’m not ugly. I’m actually pretty damn hot. I consider myself a ten – hell yeah I do. This stupid motherfucker should too. Not to mention that God just so happened to bless me with a fat round ass and
He feels bad about this,
lie on the application. Truth be told, I knew you wouldn’t hire me if I told you I was female. But I needed to get out of there! I was desperate.” Then, I pause, allowing the tears that threatened to spill over moments ago, to
upward and behind me to where Mister Ponytail still stands. I can feel the heat of the prick up against my back
no Dre! No
where you came from, Draven,” Mister Ponytail hisses in
I whisper, shaking off the tingles I felt with his use of my name
male with pale blond hair asks. Walking
was lucky to get
third guy, a chocolate skinned
of them are now effectively blocking my path to the great outdoors. They have me
muscle bound meatheads. None of
truth can’t hurt. “My stepfather.” And his son
of his well-shaven jaw clenching. “Stepfather?” He chuckles. “How old
to know a damn thing about my mother. “She’s dead. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’ll be
But they don’t move.
where did I
Bartlett reasons. “Let the poor
barely. I hear Bartlett sigh in exasperation behind me and I tense for whatever might
that’s his name, huh? Domonic. Figures that
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