Tiny Dancer(Divine Creek Ranch 13)(60)

They helped her down on the other side, and she breathlessly said, “Did you see?”

Noting the excited sparkle in her eyes, Ben said, “See what, sugar?”

From her position between them, she said, “You can’t see her from here. Shoot!”

Quinten craned his head and asked, “Can’t see who?”

“There’s a belly dancer on the dance floor right now! And oh my God she’s good!”

All the customers at the bar left their seats en masse to gather around the dance floor to watch, so Ben took the opportunity to reach for the ladder against the wall in his office and open it for her so she could see over the crowd. She gestured for him to come up with her, and he watched for a minute and then looked at Camilla.

Camilla nodded enthusiastically and said, “Holy shit, right? I have to meet her!”

Quinten poked him in the leg. “I wanna see.”

Ben batted his hand away. “Just a minute. Dave’s playing the long version of the song. You’ll get to see.”

Ben watched as the dance floor gradually cleared for the unknown woman. She wore her dark hair in gypsy-wild curls, and her features were disguised by a mask. All the men and most of the women were riveted as they watched her dance. She had on a traditional belly dancing costume which revealed her curves and her dark olive skin to great advantage.

Ben looked over the crowded club and saw Cody, Heath, and Spencer sitting at their table. Presley Ann was yacking up a storm in their midst, and they sat mesmerized by the woman on the dance floor. As the rhythm reached a peak and then climbed to an even greater crescendo, she seemed to become one with the music, gyrating, twisting, and shaking her hips. Her hair flew in a great dark wave around her as she seemed to lose herself in the erotic flow of the song.

All three men sat there with their mouths slightly ajar, not hearing a word Presley Ann said, never taking their eyes from the dancer. The skirt of her costume consisted of numerous red and orange silky scarves which revealed her legs in brief glimpses as she moved. Her top was of the same colors and showed off her assets to maximum effect, going by the lustful gazes she drew from many of the men.

Camilla looked at him with concern in her eyes at the same time he turned to her, and she said, “I have no idea who she is or if there’s someone here with her.”

“Don’t worry, sugar.”

He climbed down from the ladder and signed to Rogelio as Quinten climbed up with Camilla. Rogelio nodded and smoothly made his way through the crowd. Mike needed to stay at the door, but Rogelio might need help. Ben caught Eli Wolf’s eye, and the former bouncer nodded in understanding at the sign. He was glad he’d learned American Sign Language while in college because it came in handy at times. This was their fail-safe for when the club was busy and there were women who might need a little protecting. Rachel, Eli’s wife, stayed with Grace and the others, and Eli made his way with his former coworker to the edge of the dance floor.

“Wow! She’s really something, huh, baby?” Quinten said. “Can you do that?”

“Bet I could learn! I have to meet her! I could really use her skills in the dance classes we’re planning.”

Quinten and Camilla watched raptly as the dancer finished her song and the people in the nightclub cheered wildly for her. Even though he was on ground level, Ben noticed when Cody, Heath, and Spencer stood up and clapped for her as they made their way toward her. Ben smiled, wondering if the belly dancer had any inkling of their interest in her.

The dance floor filled again, and Rogelio and Eli moved in to intercept her in case any of the men gave her unwanted attention. She went straight to a masked dark-haired man on the edge of the dance floor and smiled at several people who complimented her talent.

The crowd returned to the bar for refills on their drinks, and Quinten hurriedly put the ladder away as they got busy again. The three of them were at it fast and furious for several minutes when Ethan came up to the bar to check in.

Ethan looked amused as he leaned close and said, “You, Quinten, and Camilla must be working things out all right if you let her onto the dance floor without complaint.”

“I knew you and the other men were watching over her. Camilla wanted to talk to that belly dancer. Know where she is?”

Ethan shook his head. “Grace invited her and her companion to our table. She excused herself to use the restroom and when Grace went to check on her she was gone. Her date is gone too.”

Ben hated to disappoint Camilla, who had sidled over to them. “Did she mention her name?”

Ethan shook his head. “No, she didn’t say much of anything before she did her disappearing act. Sorry, Camilla.”