Chapter Three #2
The bikers, along with sex-stache, headed toward the back curtain, and she followed their every move. As he walked in, he glanced over his shoulder and smirked.
God, he’s sexy!
Addison stared at the curtain long after he’d left.
Eventually, she finished her burger and most of the fries.
She flipped over her phone. Still no return call from Cleo.
Maybe that was a good thing. It gave her the opportunity to back out.
Addison was still on the fence and no closer to a decision.
The bartender slapped the paper bill down in front of her and started to walk away. It was time to call it a night. But first…
“Where’s your bathroom?”
He pointed toward the heavily curtained area leading to the back. “You gotta use the one in the club. Bar’s is out of service.”
“Still, Barry?” The old man at the end of the bar whined. “For Christ’s sake, as the owner you should be on top of that shit.”
Barry slammed his hand on the counter, and spun around, scowling at the man. “You get a fucking free peep show, and your ass is complaining?”
Peep show? Addison didn’t stick around for an explanation.
She slid off her stool, grabbed her pocketbook, and crossed the bar to the curtains.
It was an odd entry, especially for a dive bar.
She slid the curtains to the side and stepped into the darkened vestibule.
It wasn’t much more than a ten-by-ten space.
The only light illuminating the counter and the woman behind it was neon fluorescents.
The girl with the bright red lipstick and plunging neckline stared back at her. Her gaze drifted down her body and her brows hiked.
“Ten dollars.”
Addison leaned forward. “Excuse me?”
“The cover charge is ten dollars.”
Addison stepped closer. “To use the bathroom? Barry said it was back here.”
The girl laughed. “No, the shitter is free. Through the door and stay to your right. Halfway down you’ll see the sign; make another right down the hallway.”
“Thanks.”
Addison grabbed the handle and was taken aback by the blasting techno music once she opened it.
It completely caught her off guard. From the entry, she hadn’t heard any semblance of music.
She walked in, squinted, and cupped her eyes.
It took her a second to adjust from the flashing lights. She blinked and finally glanced up.
What the…
“Well, this is a first,” she muttered, taking in her surroundings.
There was a smoky hue throughout the large open area.
It was a two-tiered room, and both levels circled the stage in the center of the room.
There were two dancers on opposite ends.
One was sliding upside-down on the pole.
The other was spreadeagle with only a G-string and pasties covering her nipples.
A man from the table closest to the stage leaned over, stuffing a bill into her panties.
“You need a table or sitting at the bar?” The feminine voice shouting over the music caught Addison by surprise and she turned fast, stumbling into the wall.
The woman grasped her arm, steadying her. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Addison straightened and snickered. “Sorry.”
The woman arched her brow. “Table or bar?”
“Neither. I’m here to use the bathroom.”
She sighed, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. “That lazy fuck still hasn’t gotten the bar bathroom fixed?”
“Apparently not.”
The woman smirked and pointed past her shoulder. “About four tables down, you’ll see a hallway on your right. Bathrooms are down there.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Addison turned, staying close to the wall and keeping her eyes straight forward.
Unfortunately, not everyone was paying attention to where they were going.
A large man heading straight toward her was looking in the direction of the stage.
With nowhere to go, she flattened her back against the wall and braced her hands in front of her.
“Joey!” The familiar female voice was distant but loud enough to get the man’s attention seconds before he slammed into Addison. He stopped inches from her and grabbed her shoulders. It wasn’t aggressive, but she froze under his hold.
“Well, shit. I’m sorry, honey.”
She forced a smile, wiggling out of his grip. He dropped his arms and immediately stepped around her, laughing and headed toward the woman. “I got distracted, Ava.”
It was a fair excuse. There were plenty of distractions in the club.
Addison glanced over her shoulder to see the woman, Ava, scowling at Joey and playfully slapping him on the arm as he passed. When she glanced over, Addison mouthed, “Thank you.”
The long-haired brunette winked and gestured to the hallway. Addison once again stayed close to the wall, this time with no further obstacles. She walked down the hall, eyeing the ladies bathroom at the end.
At least she wouldn’t be dodging any men in there.
Right?
****
“Dance?”
Cross ignored the bleached blonde standing between him and Oak.
It was anyone’s guess who she was talking to.
Every brother got equal attention when it came to the dancers at the club.
However, some were more eager than others.
Every once in a while, Cross would partake in the backroom entertainment, but it had been a long time.
Getting his dick sucked on a cum central couch didn’t have the same appeal as it once had.
Maybe he was getting too old for the bullshit.
He was closing in on forty in a few months.
Between the stress with the club business and everything else, he had a lot on his plate.
Occasionally, he’d indulge at the clubhouse with a woman for a night. But never anything more.
Oak stood, wrapping his hand around her waist. “I got something else in mind.”
Cross snorted, shaking his head.
“When are we heading out?” Cue asked.
They were picking up a transport of cash. It was possibly a two-day ride, but he was hoping they could do it in one. With all that had happened nine months ago, Cross wanted to be close to home base. It was a sentiment most brothers shared.
“Brother” —Gent spread out his arms— “Relax, enjoy the entertainment.”
Cue glared. “I’m not drinking ’cause I’m riding out, asshole. And it’s hot as fucking balls in here. When the hell is Barry gonna get the A/C fixed?”
It was rare that any of the members took off their cuts in public, but the vests were currently hanging on the backs of their chairs.
Cue wasn’t exaggerating. The longer they sat in there and more customers rolled in, the hotter it got.
He was tempted to go wait for Wraith in the bar.
It was ten degrees cooler with a much better view.
He’d never seen the blonde sitting at the end of the bar before.
Cross didn’t know everyone in the area, but he was familiar with most of the women.
And if they’d met, he wouldn’t have forgotten her.
Long blonde hair swept over her shoulder with the ends resting above her breasts.
No cleavage on display but a skin-tight shirt showed her shape.
C-cup, fucking perfect. He’d guess her age around twenty-five.
A little young for him, but he’d make an exception. Decision fucking made.
He turned in his chair to grab his vest and stopped when his gaze zoned in on the entrance.
More specific, the two women standing by the door.
The curvy brunette, Ava, worked for the strip club.
Cross hadn’t seen her much, and never on stage, but he had gotten a front row seat to her sassy combative tongue going head-to-head with Barry a few times. It’s fucking entertaining.
The other girl? The corner of his mouth curved.
The sweet blonde from the bar. He watched their interaction, and when Ava pointed to the right, the blonde started down the walkway.
If he had to guess, she was headed toward the bathroom.
His gaze followed her every move with his eyes locked on her ass.
Thick, round, and exactly what he liked.
Cross planted his hands on the table, preparing to stand.
He suddenly had the urge to use the bathroom.
He stood and furrowed his brows when the blonde pressed her back against the wall. Her eyes widened like a terrified animal about to get pounced. At the last second, the man stopped, grabbing her shoulders. An unfamiliar voice from the back of his mind snapped, “Get your fucking hands off her.”
The man released her, laughed, and said something to Ava. Cross watched the small exchange and shifted his eyes to the bathroom hall. He caught a quick glimpse of her blonde hair before she disappeared behind the wall.
“We going?” Cue asked.
Cross shook his head, staring across the room. “Not yet. Waiting on Wraith.”
Without another word, he walked through the club, up to the second level, and rounded the banister. He turned the corner and slowed his steps. She was standing a few feet from the door, staring.
He cleared his throat, and she immediately jerked her head. Her cheeks pinkened, and her throat bobbed. He wasn’t sure if that was for him, but he was about to find out.
He stopped a few feet away and lifted his chin to the ladies bathroom. “Occupied?”
Her mouth fell open, then closed, and she glanced over at the door. She didn’t look scared or upset. If anything, she seemed slightly amused, struggling to hide her small smile. She peeked over at him.
“You could say that.”
Fuck, she had great eyes. Light, maybe blue or green. It was hard to make out in the dim light of the hallway. The shape caught his attention. Rounder than most.
She shifted on her feet as her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Again, he wasn’t sure if he was the reason, but he was about to find out.
He leaned over, grabbed the door to the men’s bathroom, and swung it open, flattening his hand on the wood surface.
He scanned the room and angled his head to see under the stall. It was empty.
He gestured to the bathroom. “Go ahead.”
She raised her brows but made no move to take him up on the offer. He understood; using a men’s bathroom was gross enough for a woman. At a strip club? It was on another level.
She tightened her thighs, glancing over at the women’s door. Cross held back his smile as he watched the defeat set in. She slowly made her way toward him. The way he was positioned holding the door open, she’d have to walk under his arm. And I fucking like that.
She smiled and pointed. “You sure it’s clear?”
“Yeah.”
She inched closer, leaning slightly toward the opening. She glanced back over her shoulder to the hallway leading to the main floor of the club. “Any chance I can get you to stick around and watch the door for me? I’ll be quick.”
His lips twitched. “I ain’t going anywhere.”
Her teeth raked over her bottom lip, forcing him to zone in on her mouth. Plump pink lips were giving him dirty thoughts. Her mouth wrapped around his cock, sliding down her throat until her eyes welled while he grasped her hair in a fist. Fuck!
She was taller than he initially thought.
He still had about half a foot on her. She slowly walked under his arm, her shoulder grazing against his chest. It could’ve been a purposeful move.
If she was trying, it was working. Once she walked in, he let go of the door, closing it.
He rested his back against the wall and waited.
She wasn’t lying. She’d been quick. When he heard the toilet flush, he pushed off the wall but stayed near the door.
It slowly opened, and she peeked up through her lashes.
Her cheeks pinkened again. Yeah, that’s definitely for me.
Cross had seen her looking at him in the bar earlier.
Her interest was evident, and it was happily returned.
It’d been a long time since he’d taken a woman outside of the club life.
It was less complicated dealing with a woman who knew the rules and expectations.
One night and no sleepovers. His gaze scanned her face. For you, it could be a few nights.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks.”
Cross slowly nodded, remaining silent. He was curious about her next move. Most women would make an obvious play, coming on strong. Others would run away. He assumed she’d do the latter. He was wrong on both ends.
She tucked her hands in her pockets and rocked back on her heels.
“I appreciate you watching the door for me.”
The corner of his mouth curved. Oh, she was nervous. I like that.
“Yeah, you said that.”
“Right.” Her laugh was shaky and echoed through the hall. “Well, have a good night.”
It was probably the strangest encounter with a woman. Most women around him knew of the club, his affiliation, and his position. It was impressive to a lot of them. Rarely did he cross paths with a woman who wasn’t a certain type.
Cross stalked forward, expecting her to back up. She didn’t. He stopped inches from her.
“Heading home?”
She nodded.
“Where’s that?”
“Birch.”
“Where in Birch?”
She angled her head with a small smile playing on her lips. “You want me to give you my address?”
He leaned closer, and her eyes widened, but she didn’t retreat.
“Do you want to give me your address?”
God, those fucking eyes. Say yes, baby.
“Cross.”
From the corner of his eye, he could see Cue standing about five feet away, but he didn’t take his eyes off of her. She licked her bottom lip, smiling.
“I should go.”
Fuck! Realistically, Cross wouldn’t have time to act on his desires unless he took her to one of the private rooms. He was pretty certain this girl would not be down for that.
“Thanks again for watching the door for me.”
Cross slowly nodded.
She turned and walked close to the wall, passing Cue. When she was out of earshot, Cue smirked and raised his brows.
“Wraith’s pulling in now, and Cypher’s gonna meet us on the highway. Exit twelve. But we can hang out for a bit if you have other plans.”
Cross snorted, heading toward his brother.
As they reached the end of the hall, the door behind them opened.
They both watched Oak and the stripper walk out.
Cross chuckled, knowing his innocent mystery girl must have got an eyeful when she’d walked in.
But he was impressed. She may have seemed a little caught off guard but not offended in the least.
“Fuckboy.” Cue pointed to Oak. “That’s what he is.”
Cross smirked and started through the club. He looked toward the entrance, but she was already gone. He’d grab his cut and head out to the bar and get her number. He wouldn’t be visiting her tonight, but he would in the future.