Friday night
SIENNA FLOWER had only been at the Electric Tunnel for an hour when one of the younger exotic dancers, Sydney Luv, knocked on her dressing room door.
“Too many bachelor parties to count, every private room is filled, and the front of the club is lined with couples having drinks and watching the dancers,” Sydney reported to Sienna. “And I’m totally nervous to go onstage right before you tonight!” She wiped her brow, pretended to be faint, and then jumped up and down as if she’d just won the lottery.
Sienna smiled, patted her shoulder, and took in Sydney’s big hazel eyes brimming with excitement, her wavy auburn locks bouncing all around, and her sweet freckled nose. She nodded toward the quintessential all-American beauty, the complete opposite of herself. “You’ll be fabulous, Luv Bug. Plus, Petal is going to be there with you. She wouldn’t have asked you to join her if she didn’t believe in you, honey.”
“I know,” Sydney admitted before her eyes went wide. “But still…before you, Sienna Flower. That’s the most sought-after slot! Dancing right before your act made Petal a star!” She continued to prance around the dressing room.
Sydney was twitchy with nerves, excitement stealing her breath, forcing her to push her words out rapid-fire. Her enthusiasm was contagious, making Sienna feel warm and bubbly to know she was part of that.
“Aw, sweetie, just have fun! Only everything good is coming your way.” She leaned over to give the girl a quick hug, just as Petal popped into the dressing room to grab Sydney.
Before making her way out to the club, she surveyed her look for the evening. Tonight she had decided to wear a hot-pink lace thong and matching bra covered by a sheer light-pink baby-doll shirt, her blonde hair pulled up in a messy side ponytail, silver sparkle eyeliner to bring her baby blues to life, and five-inch-high strappy silver platforms to top it all off.
As usual she was ready early, so Sienna went to hang out by the side of the stage where she could watch her friends perform their first act together. She was a big fan of the idea of the two of them doing a duo, hoping that Petal’s new popularity would give Sydney a boost. Although Petal’s initial impetus had come from going on just before Sienna, her star was now shining brightly on its own.
She settled near the club’s back door stage entrance with Petey, an oversized young man who had recently moved up from bouncer to being in charge of security. She was chatting with him, automatically flashing her smile at a few patrons who spotted her in that out-of-the-way corner…when she saw him.
Tonight her new fan was sitting close to the front at a table for two, alone as usual, his big frame consuming the large leather chair he occupied.
Just past the stage, deep red and purple leather club chairs were tucked around mahogany cocktail tables in the area they referred to “the pit” in the club. Most men looked small in the oversized chairs, but this man was broad-shouldered and muscular, and barely fit in the chair.
Somehow he took masculinity to a higher level, even in the über-masculine decor. He was so dark with black hair, deep brown eyes, and olive skin. His persona screamed danger, but Sienna didn’t believe it. The man was as sleek a predator as a tiger at the zoo, yet she wanted to reach out and pet him with no regard for his bite or claws.
Standing there near the back door, Sienna had a fantasy of him sitting in one of the deep purple leather booths in the VIP area, resting his arms against the plush, midnight-blue velvet along the back wall, his legs stretched out in front of him, assessing her with those dark, brooding eyes while she did a lap dance for him.
Lap dance? Where the hell did that thought come from? She never thought about giving lap dances.
Sienna quickly yanked herself back to reality and curiously watched Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome as he took a sip of his drink.
Is he going to look up at me?
Not fully knowing what possessed her, she turned and whispered to Petey, “Radio up to Ash that I’m going down front so I can see the girls’ act from there. Tell him not to worry.” She ignored Petey’s raised eyebrows and pushed off the wall. As she turned to walk away, Petey frowned while speaking quietly into his earpiece.
Ash is going to have the fit of all fits. Asher tended to be a bit overprotective of her, more a big brother at times than a business partner.
Giving Petey’s huge shoulder an affectionate pat, Sienna slipped out a little farther into the club with only thirty minutes left until she had to be onstage herself, even though she never did this on a Friday. She took a deep breath, taking in all the smells surrounding her. Sweat, alcohol, lingering secondhand smoke, and a mixture of cologne—scents that meant nothing alone, but when mixed together formed a unique scent that she’d come to identify as home.