Epilogue
LOLA
three months later
My birthday was a day I wanted to move on from as quickly as possible. Not because I hated turning a year older, or getting dozens of messages from people I hadn’t heard in, well, a year. But because I didn’t like being the center of attention.
When I was younger, my parents always took me to this Mexican restaurant where the birthday kid always got to eat for free. To get that free meal, I’d have to wear a huge sombrero, and being serenaded by the staff while everyone in the restaurant watched.
It was uncomfortable having all those eyes on me, but I did it for my parents. When my fourteenth birthday rolled up, I begged them not to take me there anymore. Or, to take me there, but not tell the waiters that it was my birthday.
Because of all that, ever since I was able to decide where to celebrate my birthdays myself, I only ever invited a few friends to my place where we’d drink and eat pizza.
This year was supposed to be no different, but a week ago, the guys told me not to plan anything for my birthday on Saturday. The Four of Hearts were big on birthday, but I made them promise not to make a big deal out of it.
I wanted something small and simple, without too many people or a big expense, and they told me not to worry.
I was worried though, because the whole week until today, I was left in the dark. Nobody told me anything, and even Willa kept quiet.
“Give me at least one hint,” I begged her as I looked over at her in the car.
She was driving, and she had this smug grin on her lips the whole time. “Can’t.”
I sighed and looked ahead, noticing that this was the way to The Hot Spot. “Well, I know you’re taking me to the bar so you might as well tell me.”
“Ah shit!” Willa stopped in the middle of the road and reached back to grab something from her bag. “I forgot this. Put it on.”
She handed me a scarf.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes! Put it on. God, I already messed up.”
I laughed. “Was I supposed to wear this before coming here?”
“Yeah,” she muttered. She was watching me intently, waiting for me to blindfold myself.
Rolling my eyes, I lifted the scarf to my eyes and wrapped it around my head. “You know, I’d be just as surprised if you would just tell me what the surprise is."
"That’s no fun though. Alright, is it on? Can you see?”
“Nope.”
“How many fingers am I holding up?”
“I don’t know because I have a blindfold on.”
“Okay, good.” She continued to drive until we stopped only a minute later. After she turned off the car, I heard her get out and slam the door, and I was left sitting there while I heard muffled sounds coming from outside.
We definitely were outside The Hot Spot, and I knew my men were waiting inside. I just didn’t know what they were surprising me with.
After the incident with Vivian, it took them a couple of days to get back to their normal state. They were upset about the damage, but they managed to restore everything before they had their next show. I stayed with them for the whole week, mostly because they wouldn’t let me go home where I’d be alone.
They also made sure to drive me to work every morning, and to come pick me up every night. They were being overprotective, but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy that.
Watson stayed in contact with the police, and after two weeks, we got the news about Vivian being admitted into a psych ward two hours away from here. We had pressed charges against her for the arson she had committed, but since no person was harmed, she got away with a very minimal punishment.
I was okay with that. Vivian had more than enough issues already, and all she desperately needed was professional help. Still, I hoped to never see her, and to never have to go through anything like that again.
My door opened, and a large hand grabbed mine. “Happy birthday, Lola.” It was Morris.
“Hey, thanks.”
He helped me out of the car, and I heard Willa giggle as Morris lead me to what I assumed was the bar’s entrance.
“Are you also not going to tell me what’s going on?” I asked, turning my head toward him.
“Nope. It’s a surprise.”
I rolled my eyes internally. I had told my men before that I didn’t like surprises, but since it was my birthday, and I knew how much those meant to them, I didn’t want to ruin it. I did it more for them than for myself. I wanted to see them happy, and as long as they were content, I would be too.
“Alright…careful, steps.”
I managed not to trip, and since I knew the bar pretty well, I concluded that I was now standing in the middle of the floor where normally all the tables were.
There was no music coming from the speakers, and, clearly, there were no guests either. Unless they were all being extremely quiet. Seeing as this was my birthday surprise, I didn’t think that the guys would’ve let random women who didn’t even know me come to tonight’s show.
“Sit right here,” Morris instructed, helping me sit down on a chair behind me. Once I was comfortable, I heard Willa come up behind me with her heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
“Our job is done here. Don’t take off the blindfold.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, hugging me from behind with her arms wrapped around my shoulders. “Happy birthday. Enjoy this, okay?”
I patted her forearm and smiled as I leaned back against her. “I will. Thank you, Willa.”
After letting go of me, Morris once again wished me a happy birthday, then I heard them walk away. The door closed, and just as the silence was getting unbearable, a song I knew all too well started playing.
Hungry Eyes started playing, and I got immediate goosebumps. My heart started pounding in my chest, and my body warmed, just like my cheeks. “Oh boy…here we go,” I whispered, unable to hold back a laugh.
I heard footsteps coming my way, and I held my breath when one of them stopped in front of me. Instead of saying something, a soft passionate kiss was placed on my lips, immediately making me long for more.
“Happy birthday, kitten,” Bennett whispered against my lips. He lifted the blindfold, allowing me to see him.
He was smiling, and while his handsome face was one I could look at for days, I couldn’t help myself from looking down at his naked chest. “Hi,” I said quietly, unable to say anything else. I bit my bottom lip and pressed my thighs together to stop all those intense feelings from moving down to my most sensitive body part, but it was hard not to let the view I had affect me so hard.
“We hope you’ll forgive us for putting you through this. We know you don’t like surprises, but this had to be one.”
I smiled at him and placed both hands on his cheeks. “You’re forgiven,” I promised him before kissing him again.
The music continued, and when he broke the kiss to stand back up and move back, I got the perfect view of all four of them, standing there in all their glory with only their boxers on.
I took a deep breath. That was a lot to take in. It never got old seeing their muscles and tattoo-covered skin. Obviously I had to make them my screensaver, so every time I looked at my phone, I got to drool over my handsome men.
“We already established that we can’t sing, but you know we can dance. So, lean back, relax, and enjoy the show,” Leo said with his usual pretty-boy grin.
Without giving me a moment to prepare for what was to come, they started to dance for me. I had always been fascinated by how men like them could move like that. They were huge, but everything they did with their bodies was so graceful. I had to be careful not to literally drool. My mouth was open while my eyes were glued on them.
When the song ended, it changed from the sensuality of Dirty Dancing to the sexiness of Burlesque. Cher’s deep voice came from the speakers while she sang Welcome to Burlesques , and one by one, they came forward to give me lap dances.
Even if all the dancers and singers in the movie were female, the Four of Hearts knew how to make a song their own, and despite having no control over this whole situation, I enjoyed every second of their hands and bodies rubbing on me.
Once the song came to an end, Watson took me by the hand and pulled me up to stand in front of him. He made me placed my arms around his neck while he put his on my lower back, and when the next song started playing, I lost all control over my emotions.
With Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease playing, Watson slow danced with me while the other three waited their turn. Tears rolled down my cheek as he held me close, and I laughed softly as he swirled me around before handing me over to Kline. He held me to him, dancing with me the way Watson had before letting Leo and Ben do the same.
When the song ended, they all wrapped their arms around me, giving me the biggest bear hug.
My emotions were all over the place, and I wanted to tell them just how good they made me feel, and just how amazing they all were. My heart was so full.
“Are these happy tears?” Leo asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
I nodded, unable to speak. I tried to form words to tell them how much I loved them, but at times, words were simply not needed.
They knew I loved them, each one of them the same. And though I couldn’t express my gratitude and admiration for them in that moment, they understood without me telling them.
“We love you too, Lola,” Kline whispered, then he made a promise I knew they’d keep forever. “You’ll always have us right here by your side.”