Shadows Of A Wolf Moon(51)

He opened the front door of the Triple X and stepped inside. He cringed as the scent of cigarette and cigar smoke curled around him. The cool air was escaping out the front door, making the odor of sweat and body odor overwhelming.

“Hey sweetheart, you looking for a lap dance?” A tall brunette ran her hand across his bicep and up to his neck.

He grabbed her hand and scowled. “I’m not interested.”

Irritation flashed across her eyes before she recovered and pasted on a sultry smile. “Well, there are other things I can do for you. For the right price, of course.”

He took a step back. Was this something all the girls did? Was this part of the service? Had Catty done this?

He shook his head and walked away. The brunette called him a dick under her breath.

The music changed from an upbeat fast pop song to a slow seductive song. He scanned the crowd, looking at every blonde in skimpy clothes and trying to find the one stripper he needed to see. Some of the girls barely looked legal, while others looked like zombies with no life left in them at all.

Spying an empty seat next to the stage, he eased onto the bar stool and ordered a beer from a waitress. He glanced at the redhead dancing on the stage, but she didn’t hold his attention for long.

His gaze scanned the crowd, but he didn’t see Catty. Maybe she’d already left for the night.

The waitress appeared with his beer and he handed her some cash before turning his attention back to the stage.

His nostrils flared. Electricity seemed to skid across his skin.

Catty.

He could smell her, but he couldn’t see her. He turned away from the stage, looking into the crowd for her familiar face.

“Want to stick something in?”

His body heated at the smooth sound of her voice behind him. He slowly turned back to the stage.

His mouth dropped.

Catty was on stage in front of him on her knees. Dressed in a red lacy bra and panties, she hooked her thumb in the side of her underwear and tugged. His body tightened and heated. Her scent washed over him and all he could think about was taking her right here, right now, on the stage.

She smiled as she watched him fumble with his cash. He gave up and stuck the whole damn wad in her thong.

“It’s okay, Lucien. I’ll give your money back after I get off work.” She smirked and stood.

He might have been embarrassed, but he was too busy trying to keep his erection under control.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her as she grabbed the pole and swung around. Wrapping her legs around the steel, she climbed up. Her toned legs corded under the movement, and when she was high enough she held on with her arms while stretching her legs out perpendicular to the floor.

The men applauded and whistled.

All he could think about was how her legs could feel around his back as he pounded himself inside her body, their bodies slick with sweat.

She let her gaze wander over to him as she maneuvered her body around the pole. She circled the pole in a graceful movement and slid down.

Keeping her eyes on him, she wandered over to an older man and offered her hip to him. He slipped a five-dollar bill inside and whispered something to her. She smiled but said nothing. Some younger guys called out to her, but she stayed away. As he watched her work, he noticed she didn’t target the guys with a lot of money and attention. She usually danced for the quieter guys or older men.

Did she find them, in a way, safer than the younger men?

She knelt before him, careful not to touch him. He could see the desire in her eyes. He wanted to reach out and brush the hair out of her eyes. But he knew the rules and didn’t want to get her in trouble at work. He certainly didn’t want to get kicked out.

“What time do you get off?” he whispered.

“When we close.”

“I’ll wait for you and walk you home.”

Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second. “Don’t do that.” Her music ended and the next girl was walking up on stage. She hurried and stepped out onto the floor.

He stood and made his way over to her. “Why not?”

She looked around, her face pale. “I’ll get in trouble if I leave with a customer.”

Somehow, after what he’d seen tonight, he truly doubted that. “Okay. I’ll wait outside for you, then.”

“No.” She lowered her voice as an older woman with a clipboard and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth walked by.

“Catty, it’s too dangerous to walk home by yourself at two in the morning.”

“I’ve been doing it ever since I moved here.” She arched her eyebrow.

“And I’m here now, so you don’t have to anymore.”

“And how long is that, Lucien? You’re here on business. You don’t plan on staying.” She looked away.