10. Real
(Fifteen months earlier)
I loved ass and titties as much as the next red-blooded, heterosexual man. I really did. And God knew, the flesh on display at The Bleu Wave was prime—tight, oiled, and flawless. This was the premier strip club in the city. These chicks had the best bodies that money could buy. I’d had firm asses on my lap and firm titties in my face for most of the night.
And I was bored as fuck. I looked over at Targen who looked no more excited than I did. At this point, I was more interested in identifying the exotic fish swimming in the walls made of aquariums than another lap dance. But we were celebrating closing a business deal with Russell Moore, who sold us the lucrative property. It was zoned for residential use and Targen and I already had the plans for an exclusive, ultra-luxe condo project in the works.
"Real, you need something else? Whatever you want, order it and put it on my tab," Russell invited, speaking to be heard over the music, although the dampers up here did a good job.
I shook my head as I stood. "Nah, I'm good."
Walking over to the edge of the section, I peered over the frosted glass railing at the first floor. A sleek, mocha body undulated on the center stage, performing Olympic level moves with the help of the floor to ceiling pole. I watched, impressed by her flexibility but feeling nothing else. Then, a flash of orange caught my eye. It was the color of fabric that had been woven into a body-hugging, sleeveless dress wrapped around the figure of a woman who was unbelievably stacked. I blinked in amazement, my interest stirring for the first time that night as I took her in. She was extra-thick and even with her back to me, I could see the classic, coke bottle shape outlined by the dress. Her hair was pulled up into a tight, neat bun, revealing the graceful lines of her neck and I had the sudden urge to see her face. I knew instinctively that she was gorgeous. Almost without thinking, I started to walk toward the stairs. Targen was on me in a second.
"Still good?" he asked.
I nodded. "Be right back. Something caught my eye."
"Yeah, all right!"
He chuckled but went back to his seat as I made my descent. She'd been walking to the bar, and it didn't take me long to find her. The orange of her dress wasn't loud, but combined with her shape, it stood out. I walked up just as some guy was eyeballing her and sliding up toward her. I tapped his shoulder then shook my head when he looked at me.
This you? he mouthed. I nodded. Hell, he didn't know, and I didn't want to have to lay his ass out. He threw up both hands and stepped back. I eased behind her just as the bartender walked away from taking her order. She turned slightly so I could see her face in profile. Beautiful as fuck. I knew it! I needed her to turn all the way around. I opened my mouth, but she spoke first.
"You gon' get the same answer he was about to get," she said in a voice coated in southern lyricism.
I couldn't help my smile. "Oh, yeah?"
She shifted to face me. For the first time in my life, I understood why people were called stunning. I definitely felt like someone had shocked the fuck out of me as I got my first full glimpse of her. She was beautiful on some level I'd never seen. Thickly-lashed, up-tilted eyes stared up at me, set above a pretty little nose and a luscious mouth twisted into a smirk. Even in the play of the club's lights, I could see the glow of her honey-gold skin, its velvety, unblemished texture making me want to touch her everywhere with my hands and my mouth. I was close enough that I could distinguish how good she smelled. I couldn't wait to see if she tasted just as mouthwatering.
"Yeah."
The word caught my attention. I let my eyes scan her again before I smiled.
"I can promise you that your response to any other man will never be the same as your response to me, love."
Her head tilted to the side as she studied me.
"Arrogant," she said finally.
"Confident," I corrected. "Now, what did you think your response would be?"
Her lips pursed and she rolled her eyes, but I could see the smile she was hiding.
"I was going to tell you ‘No, thanks,'" she admitted.
"But now you're going to tell me your name."
The bartender returned with a bottle of water and tried to get her attention. Making sure I brushed my body against hers and enjoying the little sparks that resulted, I handed over a bill and grabbed the bottle and napkins. I gave it all to the pretty lady in front of me. She opened the water and took a few, slow sips before lowering the bottle and dragging her pink tongue across her nude-glossed bottom lip. Shit was juicy as hell, like the rest of her. Hell, I would've collected those stray drops for her.
"You sneaking a feel?" she queried.
I chuckled. "It was too obvious to be sneaking. But I can't wait to do it more openly."
Laughing, she tossed her head back and I wanted to brush my lips against the smooth column of her throat.
"You are bold!"
"Actually, I'm Real.”
She pursed her lips and looked at me skeptically. I lifted both hands to let her know I was serious.
“No lies, shorty. My name is Real. Now, tell me yours."
Light brown eyes drifted over me again as she thought about my request. Two more sips of water and she relented.
"Evanie. Nice to meet you, Real. Now, I need to get back to my co-workers."
She looked up at me, waiting for me to move. I did, but not how she was expecting. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to see if her skin felt as soft as it looked. Dragging my thumb across her exposed collarbone, I smiled as she sucked in a breath at the heat that flowed between us. And damn, her skin was like silk. I leaned forward so she could hear my whisper.
"You really need to?"
She held still before nodding once.
"We haven't even sung to the birthday girl."
I stepped back out of habit, never one to push where I wasn't wanted. But walking away from her ? —
My thoughts stopped abruptly as she curved her free hand around the side of my neck and pulled me back.
"If we happen to see each other on our way out, oh, in about... an hour, I might be persuaded to explore my response a little more," she said before flashing pretty white teeth at me in a teasing smile.
I let her walk past. Seconds later, I texted Targen to let him know I wasn't coming back to the section. Instead, I moved to where I could see her with a small group of women. Shit was totally unlike me, and I hated it. But I couldn’t help watching her as she talked and laughed and danced with them, the ease and grace of her movements so damn sexy. Exactly one hour later, I shrugged as she made no move to leave. Oh, well . I'd had enough for the night and there were plenty of women I could call to take my mind off the glowing, golden-brown beauty. It was enough that I'd actually waited on her. A couple of minutes later, I was outside, handing my ticket to the valet. Standing back, I was suddenly tired as fuck.
"You're definitely punctual, huh?" a feminine voice questioned, the sweet southern drawl unmistakable.
I looked over at her.
"Always."
"Mmm."
Her eyes traveled over me as mine did the same, appreciating everything from the softly tamed baby hair to the pretty, pearl-white polish on the toes peeking from her strappy gold stilettos.
"Well... I know this place..." she said.
I moved until I was in her space. This time, my thumb grazed her soft jawline. Our eyes tangled and her clear brown irises mesmerized me. I wanted to know what was behind that pretty gaze.
"And I'll follow you there. I got a question, though."
She raised one perfectly arched brow. "What's that?"
"Will you look at me the same in the morning if I give it up on the first night?"
She shook her head as a smile erupted on her face.
"Silly! I won't be looking at you in the morning, though, suga. I don't do sleepovers."
I didn't believe her. Not until I woke up nine hours later after the most incredible sex of my fucking life, alone, in a suite at the Westin. I was ready to tear shit down until I saw the short note that she left on the nightstand. Just a phone number and a smiley face.
But, that was enough .