Cringe

Chapter 1 #2

“Time for the piece de resistance!” I grabbed the skirt, took it off the hanger and then carefully slid it over my shoes, then stood up to get it all the way on.

One look in my full-length mirror had me stunned.

I. Looked. Good.

Squealing like a teenager, I reached for my hair towel and finished drying my hair. As I walked back to the bathroom, I felt the difference in my walk.

“Those bitches at work can eat my ass.” I tossed the small towel aside and reached for my mousse.

Working it through my curls, I finger-styled my hair, then moved on to my makeup. I’d tried watching YouTube tutorials on how to do flawless faces, and no matter what I tried, I just couldn’t do it.

I added my mascara, then a bit of eyeliner to give a pop of color. As I glanced at my makeup caddy, the bright whore-red lipstick I bought all but jumped into my hands.

“Can’t stop now, Noami.” Lining my lips, I filled them in and blew a kiss at the mirror. “That’s right. All the hoes are mine tonight.”

I danced my way over to the computer and killed the music, did a quick bend and snap, gave Raven a pet and walked out to my car prepared for anything.

Living in Port Stella and commuting to Triton Falls for work had been the best decision of my life. Sure, I worked at a porn place taking orders. But the pay and benefits couldn’t be beat.

Not to mention the sexy as hell owner who treated all his employees like family.

I gave myself a wink in the rearview mirror as I cruised through the streets toward the bridge that connected our city to Triton Falls.

My navigation told me how to get there, which I knew how to get to the other city since that’s where I worked. I only needed to know how to get to the club.

Traffic had thinned since I left work, which made me happy. I hated driving in gridlock. Not that anyone liked it.

Mike had church. What church met on a Friday night?

As he entered my mind, I felt my core clench again.

Maybe I needed to ask him for a night to remember?

A nervous giggle filled the car as I snorted. “As if he’d look at someone like you.”

Stop that.

“No self-sabotage, Noami.” I scolded myself as I cruised across the bridge. “Tonight you are a sex goddess, and men will fall at your feet!”

Feeling behind my steering wheel, I found the volume paddle and cranked the music up. I danced in my seat, following my navigation downtown.

As I pulled up to the club, an overwhelming feeling of dread filled me. There were so many people in line, including my co-workers.

A light knock on my window startled me, and I saw an older man in a valet vest. “Would you like valet service?”

My head bobbed up and down like one of those silly bobblehead dolls. Pressing my lips together, I felt my pocket to assure myself my license and credit card were still tucked safely inside, and then I opened the door and took his hand as he helped me out.

He handed me a ticket and pointed at the ginormous guy standing at the door.

I tried to swallow and force my mouth to rehydrate as I walked over to him. “Do I need to get in line?”

He held up a finger and tilted his head slightly and gave a nod. “ID please.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, handing it to him while trying to stop myself from shaking.

He pushed it into something that resembled a printer and handed it back to me. “Have a good night, ma’am.”

My stomach pitched as he stepped to the side and motioned for me to enter.

“Th-thank you.” I put my license up and entered the bright lights of the club.

The pictures didn’t do this place justice! It felt so much more vibrant in person. I made my way around the club’s perimeter, checking everything out. There were people of all shapes and sizes dancing.

See, you were being silly thinking you’d stand out.

I made my way to the bar, and a young woman came over. “What’ll it be?”

“A cosmopolitan, please.”

“Coming right up.” She gave me a nod.

I lifted my hip onto the bar stool and people-watched while waiting for my drink. Bodies bounced and swayed to the beat.

One drink to get me loose, then I’ll try dancing to see what happens.

“Here ya go.” She set the fancy glass beside me. “Fifteen.”

I reached into my pocket and handed her my credit card. She disappeared and came right back, handing it back.

“Have fun.” She gave me a little salute and asked the next person what they wanted.

Lifting my drink, I took a sip and savored the taste. People walking by me made eye contact and smiled.

This is so awesome!

The music thumped, and the lyrics made my cheeks heat up. The artist talked about licking her neck, back, pussy, and crack.

I wonder what that feels like.

Taking another drink, I noticed some guy motioning someone over. I looked around me and then locked eyes with him.

He nodded and waved me over.

Oh, hell yeah!

I drained my drink, set the glass down, and made my way over.

He gave me a wink and danced up to me, rubbing our bodies together. My head swam a teeny bit from the alcohol and excitement, then he wrapped an arm around me as we danced.

I went from his arm to another’s, and the dancing got dirtier. Before I knew it, I was the meat in this hot as hell sandwich.

No names. No talking. Just vibin’.

When the song faded into another, someone else stepped in.

My stomach flipped and flopped as I danced with these incredibly hot men and for the first time in my life, I felt seen.

No more wallflower here.

After the second song, I went and got another drink. As I relaxed, a completely different hottie appeared at my side. “Put it on my tab, Grace.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, beautiful.” He offered his hand. “I’m Roland.”

“Noami.”

Grace came back with my drink and gave him a fresh drink as well, then flitted off to help someone else.

He held his glass up, and I clinked mine against his. “Cheers.”

As I took my first sip, I tried to be sneaky as I looked him over. He appeared to be at least over six feet tall. The top two buttons of his dress shirt were undone, and he had no stains on it, showing a patch of chest hair. And he had nice teeth.

What the fuck, Noami? He’s not a horse!

“Are you a beaver?” He licked his lips.

What. The. Fuck.

“Um, excuse me?” I took a step back.

“I only ask because daaaaaaaaaam.” He winked at me.

Oh shit. Abort. Abort. Abort!

“Okay, well I am going to go over …”

“Wait, Naomi.” Roland grabbed my arm. “I’ve been dying to use that pick-up line, and I thought you might see the humor in it.”

A nervous giggle came out, and I relaxed.

Maybe he’s nervous too?

“Would you like to sit down and finish our drinks?” Hope filled his face, and I didn’t want to be a bitch. After all, he bought me a drink.

“Sure.”

The smile he gave me felt magnetic, and I let him lead me to a table. He set his drink down and pulled out my chair.

“Where do you work?” He asked taking the seat beside me.

Good question. Do I tell a stranger I work at the porn place?

I took another drink and smiled. “In an office doing data entry. You?”

“Nice. What is it you do?”

“I fill in when operators need a break, mostly I work in the mailroom processing orders.” I took a huge drink. “You?”

“Have you heard of York, Graves, and Barron?” He smirked as he took a drink.

“Of course.”

“I’m doing an internship with York, Graves, and Barron.” He took a drink and motioned to a server to bring us another round.

“Um, how old are you?” I felt my stomach churn.

He threw his head back, laughing. “I’m older than I look.”

“Sooooooo …” I pressed my lips together.

Please don’t be under twenty-one.

“I promise I’m legal.” He took my hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a tender kiss on my knuckles. “You look worried. I’m twenty-seven.”

“Whew.” I giggled.

The server appeared and dropped off two fresh drinks.

“Your lips are so kissable.” He scooted closer.

“I’ve … never been told that before.” Picking up the new cosmo, I downed it.

“Would you like to dance?”

Oh. My. God. Someone who is handsome and young just asked me. ME. To dance.

“I’d love to.”

He stood up quickly and held out his hand. “Let’s get our groove on!”

I placed my hand in his and laughed as he pulled me out onto the dance floor. The temperature felt as if it had risen ten degrees, and all the surrounding bodies looked like they had a sheen on them.

How did I miss that before?

Roland placed his hands on my hips, pulled me close and moved us to the music. The room felt like it was spinning, and I closed my eyes.

All the songs had dirty lyrics. The really dirty kind that made you want to head for confession.

I could feel his tubesteak rubbing against my belly, and if he held me any tighter, I was sure I’d know his religion.

He spun me around and pressed me back against him. His large hands spanned across my midsection, and I felt his hot breath on the shell of my ear.

“You feel so good.” He panted. “Makes me want to worship your body.”

Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod. He wants me.

I pressed my ass back against him and lifted my arms to stroke his neck. He pumped his hips against me and it felt like we were fucking with clothes on!

This is why you came out tonight.

“Wanna get a drink?” he nuzzled my neck.

Nodding, he danced us over to a table and got a server’s attention. “A cosmo for the lady and I’ll take a whisky.”

She gave him a thumb up and walked off.

“At the risk of sounding forward.” He leaned over and cupped my face. “You smell delicious.”

Play coy. Be cute.

“I bet you’d like a taste.” I shook my hair back.

His thumb traced my lips. “Hell yeah. I want you sitting on my face.”

“Oh.” I pulled back. “I … I …”

He pulled me closer. “I wanna drown in your soak city.”

“Are … you … telling me …”

“Baby, I am a vagitarian, and I want to dive in your muff.” He licked his lips, and the server brought our drinks over.

“You, uh, wanna get out of here?” I bit my lip, hoping I looked sexy.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Where you wanna go?”

“Is your place close?” I took a drink and felt that quiver in my quim, excited for what we were planning.

“My, uh, my roomie is home.” He cringed. “What about your place?”

Take a stranger home? Bitch, you were gonna go to his place.