Chapter 9
Mark
I drink at a slower pace throughout the night, because damn if I’m not crazy distracted by that little black skirt.
I’m nervous she’s going to trip or get sloppy and flash the guys from college.
I know she wouldn’t be showing off the goods on purpose, but I promised to protect her, and I can’t do my job if I’m wasted.
I have a nice buzz going though. At our third stop, Colin sidles up next to me and points his beer Ava’s way.
“You realize you are not being subtle at all?”
“Is it that noticeable?”
“Yup.”
“We still don’t like each other.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
“I am.”
Colin snickers.
“You both are stubborn as fuck. Still love ya’ll. Eventually, you two will duke it out, or maybe it’ll explode in a different way.” He raises his brows in a suggestive manner, and I scoff at him.
“Just because I find her attractive doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.”
“Keep talking.”
“I’m just keeping an eye on her.”
“Yes, very protective. We’ve all noticed. So, what if one of the guys makes a pass at her?”
I grit my teeth, not thrilled at the idea.
“Then I guess they make a pass.”
“And if that pass is accepted?”
“I’ll do my best not to break any fingers.”
Colin’s chest shakes with a hearty laugh.
“Dude, you got it bad.”
“I ain’t got shit.”
“No? Then when’s the last time you had a date? Seen Mindy?”
“Haven’t been interested. Nobody’s caught my eye.”
“Wrong. I think someone has very much caught your eye, and you don’t know what to do about it.”
“You think too much.”
“You’re probably right.” Colin smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “I’m going to go dance with my bride. Oh, we’re headed to the strip joint after this.”
Ahh fuck…
???
Black lights light up these bright pink shirts like a beacon when we step inside the strip club.
Two of the floor girls automatically come up and grab Colin and Sydney’s hands to pull them toward a sectioned off area that I’m assuming Tommy called ahead for.
We all follow and take seats. The girls get our drink orders and take off with the promise of entertainment in a moment.
Ava leans over to Sydney and points at the dancer on the pole. I lean closer to hear.
“I took a pole class about five years ago. It was pretty fun! We should all sign up for one soon.”
“No shit? I never pegged you as the type.” I shut my mouth as quickly as I opened it when they turn their heads toward me, giving me the sassiest looks I’ve seen yet tonight.
“Yes, I learned quite a lot. The classes took place here, in fact. I was doing it as a surprise that I never got to surprise with because I was such a boring prude. Little did he know.”
“He was a dumbass,” I declare, watching as the fire she reserves only for me simmers behind her eyes.
“I won’t argue with you there.”
“You’re beautiful when you’re pissed,” I murmur, not even thinking before just letting it fly past my lips.
“How much have you been drinking?” she asks, quirking her brow with a snicker. Sydney’s mirroring her, looking quite amused by the whole conversation.
“Less than you.”
That shuts her up and earns me a few curious glances.
One of the waitresses comes up and hugs Ava. They whisper back and forth in each other’s ears before the waitress shakes her head excitedly and runs off to the back. I wonder what the hell that was about.
“Sydney, it’s your lucky night,” Ava exclaims as the waitress comes back with a pair of little black booty shorts and a dazzling bustier. My mouth goes dry.
“Sam said you can go on in ten. The girls left you a place to get ready in the back.”
Sydney’s eyes bug out of her head.
“Ava, what are you doing?” she asks with shocked surprise.
“Oh, just celebrating two of my besties.” Ava grins, the wild look stretching her pink lips so tight, I bet her cheeks hurt.
Holly and Jane whistle and clap as Ava stands up and tosses me her purse.
“And…showing the world what a badass I am.”
I catch her purse and perhaps her meaning. She wants to show me what a badass she is. What the fuck is this little firecracker up to? She goes on in ten. Wait a damn minute! As in… up there? In front of all these people? Wearing that little sparkly thing in her hands?
“Are you out of your mind?” I growl, catching everyone in the immediate area’s attention. Crap, didn’t mean for that. It just spilled from me.
“Nope, just going to blow all of your minds with my sweet pole skills.”
“Fuck…” I mutter under my breath as she smirks and walks off to the back.
Holly spins around, eyes full of questions and mischief.
“Did any of you know she could do this?”
“I had an idea but didn’t know if she took it all that seriously. I forgot about the pole she had installed in her room after she kicked Eric’s ass out.” Jane states nonchalantly.
I don’t think my eyes could bug out of my head any further, but naturally, I’m proven wrong. She has a pole? In her room?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special treat for you all tonight!” The DJ comes over the speaker and everyone listens.
“In honor of Colin and Sydney’s upcoming nuptials, one of our former pole students is going to put on a little show.
She took this routine to our annual Northeastern exhibit and placed second.
We had to change up the music, but it’ll fit perfectly for the routine, she assures me.
Let’s give it up for this stunning little number, Ava. ”
Everyone in our group whoops and hollers as the lights dim even more and Ava enters onto the main stage.
I am suddenly sweating bullets. The beginning beat of Ex Habit’s Who Do You Want melts and spreads seductively throughout the room, and the lights flicker over her body like quick little blips of a peep show, and I hold my breath, sitting up and leaning against the arm of my leather chair.
Each pulse of the lighting times perfectly with the opening lyrics, and I have to bite my knuckles as I wait for the lighting to stay true on her.
When the spotlight splashes over her body and her jeweled tits glitter, I might have accidentally groaned out loud, loud enough to grab Colin and Trystan’s attention.
Trystan starts laughing like he can’t wait to see how bothered I get over this, and I give him a go-fuck-yourself look that shuts him up right quick.
I put my eyes back on the beauty on stage and take in how she’s already lured the crowd, myself included, into her clutches.
There I sit, tracing my bottom lip, captivated as she undulates her body to the rhythm, tossing saucy looks our way which send the ladies into squeals each time.
When she locks eyes with me before mounting the pole and sliding down gracefully with her legs splayed, I almost blow right there in my pants.
My cock has never been this hard in my life, and I will not be able to stand for at least the next thirty minutes.
Nobody better ask me to do shit. Just fuck! Fucking fuck!
After almost two and a half minutes of torture, the song finally ends, and our section, along with a ton of the other patrons, roars in approval of her performance.
Trystan whistles and smacks me in the chest like, “Can you believe this shit?!”.
It was a solid act. It was a fricking twenty on a scale of ten.
Ava shimmies a little before bowing, absolutely delighted with herself, and damn she should be.
I am stunned speechless yet again by the mystery of who I thought Ava was, and who Ava’s showing us she really is.
I never imagined that coming out of that tight little body.
It all goes to prove the old saying, “Never Say Never”. Yup, eating my “never” right now.
“We officially have one of the hottest friends ever!” Jane roars above the clapping.
She’s not wrong.
A few minutes later, Ava comes back out, redressed in her sassy little black skirt, full of confidence.
I like the look on her. I sit with an ankle crossing over my opposite knee, and she reaches to grab her purse, which just so happens to be masking my hard dick.
My eyes pop out of my skull when it clicks that she wants her things.
I grab her hand just as her fingers latch around the purse and accidentally skim my length, but I’m too late.
Her eyes blow wide, and I dare her with mine to say something.
“I’ll hold onto this for a few more minutes, if you wouldn’t mind,” I mutter lowly. She nods, and I release her hand as she stands and blushes before me. “That was badass.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d offer to get you a drink to celebrate your performance, but…” I bite my lip as her eyes drop to my crotch. “You can have mine. I haven’t touched it yet. I’ve been distracted.”
She smirks and leans across my body to grab the drink, and I inhale her perfume, which only makes my cock that much harder.
I didn’t think that was possible. A low growl leaves my throat as she passes back by, and I notice her shiver.
She takes a sip and hums appreciatively at its taste. She’s killing me.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” I mumble, so low, I don’t even think she heard.
“Oh?” She turns her big eyes to me, and I’m so horny right now, I could die right here. I’d be happy to drown in their chocolatey depths.
“I don’t like the effect you’re having on me.”
“I guess that makes two of us,” she mumbles back, just as low, caught up in whatever the fuck this is.
I grab the drink from her hand and swallow. At least she’s admitting it too. She watches as my throat bobs and smiles mischievously.
“What?”
“I need my purse,” she purses her lips and reaches back for the object, saving me from embarrassment. When her fingers brush against me again, I inhale sharply.
“Impressive,” she whispers as she takes it away, chuckling as she goes to sit back down with the girls. Thank goodness it's dimly lit in here so I can somewhat adjust myself in the chair. Why again do I play with fire?
???
Ava