Bonus Chapter 1- Dominico
My gaze is irresistibly drawn to her as she gracefully spins around the pole, her body a fluid extension of the music that pulses through the club.
With a breath-taking flourish, she descends toward the floor, her thighs taut with strength just moments before she lands, halting her fall with precision mere feet from the ground.
A hushed awe envelops the entire club, as patrons—both men and women—find themselves captivated by her performance.
Ryder had often mentioned that she was the crowd's favourite, but after five years of her dazzling routines in his various clubs, I had never had the chance to witness her artistry until now. And now, I sit entranced.
Her hands grip the floor, perfectly aligned, as she balances delicately on them.
In an astonishing display of flexibility and poise, her legs gracefully split mid-air, drawing gasps and applause from the crowd as she hangs in that suspended moment, a living sculpture of beauty and strength.
The scrappy piece of lingerie barely hid her from the crowd and I curse.
I loathe the way men gaze lingeringly at what I hold dear, their eyes trailing after it with a possessive hunger. Yet, she finds joy in her part-time job here, a passion that lights up her face, so I choose to keep my thoughts to myself.
Reese playfully waves her legs in the air, showcasing her balance and strength, before expertly tumbling out of the handstand and starts grinding provocatively against the pole. Earning some whistles from the crowd.
I feel a jolt of tension at the sound, causing her to smile knowingly down at me.
My hands instinctively start moving, almost as if they have a mind of their own, and her gaze sharpens with intrigue.
In a swift gesture, I sign my desire, inviting her to take that bold step with me tonight.
Reese bites the inside of her cheek, her eyes widening as the meaning of my words sinks in.
A chuckle escapes my lips, but it fades quickly when I catch the spark of mischief dancing in her eyes.
With agonizing slowness, she saunters towards me, a confident sway in her hips. The men around us hoot and call for her attention, but she remains blissfully indifferent, focused only on me. My gaze remains fixed on her as she circles me, her presence enveloping the space between us.
She runs her delicate ring finger—where her engagement ring glistens proudly—across my shoulders, sending a delicious shiver down my spine.
"What are you doing?" I breathe out, surprise lacing my tone as she gracefully swings herself over my lap, our connection tinged with an exhilarating tension, so she is straddling me.
"Why wait until later?" She giggles as her lips brush my ear. I lean back with my hands behind my head as she starts rolling her hips into me. She continues circling her hips against my crotch. Her mouth parts slightly the only sign that she is getting off on this shit.
For a fleeting moment, it almost appears as if she might turn away, slipping into the shadows of the club.
But then, she makes a deliberate shift, her body flowing gracefully as one long, elegant leg glides lightly against mine.
The contact sends an exhilarating jolt through my entire being, heightening my senses.
"Go on, Angel!" calls out one of the other girls, her voice slicing through the charged atmosphere as the music transitions to a new, rhythmic track, promising the spark of something extraordinary.
In that instant, I realize that this little minx had planned the moment, her cheeky sideways glance at her friend revealing the delicious mischief behind it all.
Knowing the rules, I keep my hands clenching the seat to stop myself from grabbing her and taking her right there in front of everyone for teasing me. Deep down I know she would probably enjoy the attention through.
She sways gently on my lap, her movements fluid and captivating. As if drawn by an invisible force, she leans her head against my shoulder, her hair brushing softly against my skin. Her hands glide down the front of her body, tracing delicate patterns that send a rush of warmth through me.
"Careful," I murmur, my voice low and edged with a playful warning as I sense her enthusiasm beginning to escalate. She freezes momentarily at the sound, her eyes widening in surprise before a sheepish smile spreads across her face, illuminating her features with a charming innocence.
Suddenly, the music abruptly halts, and Reese glances around, her expression one of astonishment as she realizes just how lost in the moment she had become.
The vibrant energy of the room contrasts sharply with the stillness that follows, leaving both of us breathless and enveloped in an electric atmosphere.
"Let's give a big round of applause for Angel!" The MC exclaims, his voice brimming with excitement. "Wow, can that woman dance! I wish she would shake her ass on me like that" The crowd erupts in cheers and agreements.
A ripple of laughter echoes around the room, drawing my attention away from the stage, where the MC tosses me a knowing glance after queuing the next track.
I shoot a glare back, trying to convey my frustration as the upbeat music fills the air.
Reese, still perched on my lap, chuckles as she finally slides off, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
She brushes a stray strand of hair behind her ear and leans closer.
"My shift ends in just a few minutes," she says, a grin spreading across her face. "Then we can head out, okay?"
"Don't take too long to get ready, Reeses Pieces," I mutter with a teasing grin, watching her roll her eyes at my playful nickname. She responds with a mischievous middle finger before strutting away, her hips swaying deliberately, catching the light in an alluring way.
I finish off my scotch, the warmth of the whiskey lingering in my chest, and make my way to the employee lounge that connects the two dressing rooms of the club.
It's a modest space, cluttered with mismatched furniture and the faint smell of stale beer, but the perks of being the boss's nephew mean I can lounge here in relative comfort.
As I sink into the worn sofa, one of the bartenders—Asher—spots me.
He's a towering figure at 6'4", with the kind of chiseled features that Reese loves to tease about; she calls it the classic American 'pretty boy' look.
He's not just a pretty face though; he brings in a decent amount of cash for the club and dabbles in the less-than-legal side of things too, dealing in small quantities of drugs and running a few arm deliveries.
Nothing too drastic, but still profitable.
"Hey, Don," he greets, a friendly nod accompanying his words. "Want me to grab you a coffee while you wait for Reese?"
"No, it's alright. She shouldn't be long. We'll head back to the house after," I reply, leaning back and closing my eyes for a moment in the comfortable silence. "Will I see you later at the house?"
"Of course, I'll be there. You know me; I wouldn't miss a chance to hang out," he says with a grin before turning back to his work.
Just then, Reese appears in the doorway, a playful frown adorning her face. She's thrown on one of my oversized shirts, which hangs loosely over her slender frame, paired with casual joggers that emphasize her lightheartedness.
"I want coffee!" she pouts, crossing her arms dramatically as she plants herself in the entrance.
"We can grab some on our way back to the house. Mama and Babbo are already there, waiting for us to go for breakfast," I assert, my tone leaving little room for negotiation.
"And what if I don't want coffee from anywhere else?" she challenges, a sparkle of mischief dancing in her eyes, which makes it hard to keep my composure.
"Don't be a pain, Reese," I groan, finally pushing myself to my feet.
She responds with her best innocent expression, her wide eyes and playful smile tugging at my heart strings as she wraps her arms around my torso, the warmth of her body against mine grounding me.
I lean down, capturing her lips with my own in a soft kiss that lingers just a moment too long.
"Hey," she murmurs against my lips when we finally pull apart, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.
In response, I gently kiss her brow, savoring the familiarity of the gesture, before straightening up and placing my hand firmly on the small of her back.
Asher lingers in the background, and she waves at him, her carefree spirit shining through.
I can't help but feel a mix of affection and urgency as I start to guide her toward my car parked out back, eager to escape into our own little world for a while.
— — —
"Hey there, little man," I beam at my nephew, who is currently wailing in his mother's arms like a tiny tempest. Mama and Babbo both look weary, their eyes heavy with fatigue, and she gladly extends Xavior towards me.
Reese, my darling fiancé, is standing beside me, his brow furrowed as he watches the scene unfold. I can't help but stifle a laugh; he remains unsure of how to handle the ruckus that comes with a crying baby.
With a gentle touch, I cradle Xavior in my arms, swaying him softly as I try to soothe the little soul. Poor guy must be having a rough time; he's teething and his mamma and papà are away in Sicily, leaving him a bit lost.
"It's okay, little man, Uncle Nico is here now," I coo softly, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. I know it must hurt, and I want nothing more than to comfort him. My hands move to the side, retrieving his pacifier and carefully easing it into his mouth.
Slowly, his wails diminish to pitiful whimpers, yet I glance up to see Mama's eyes shimmer with tears, a sign of all that worry and love she holds.
"Mama, Babbo, maybe you should take a break," I suggest gently. "Reese and I can take care of Xavior." Mama hesitates for a moment, exchanging uncertain glances with Babbo, who simply looks relieved at the prospect of a break.
"I still can't believe that Vince stepped down but I respect the fuck out of him for doing it for Alexa and his son. I think it's only just sunk in what he did" Reese admits leaning on my shoulder.
"Me either, Reese's Pieces," I venture, a grin spreading across my face.
"How about we head over to Demi's? Little man loves a car ride, and you'll get your coffee and waffles.
It's a win-win situation." As soon as the words leave my mouth, Reese unleashes a squeal that feels like it could shatter my eardrums, her excitement palpable and infectious.
I can't help but chuckle, glancing over at Xavior, whose wide eyes dart around the room, clearly startled by Reese's enthusiastic outburst. The surprise registered on his small face is almost comical.
Reese quickly notices his reaction and softly whispers an apology, her demeanor instantly shifting to one of warmth as she gently scoops him up into her arms. He beams up at her, his giggles bubbling forth as she engages him with playful coos and gentle smiles.
In that moment, an overwhelming sense of comfort washes over me. I know we are going to be just fine...