Page 40 of Best Served Cold

NOAH

Nerves tickled at my stomach. I wiped my sweaty hands on my jeans and looked at the nondescript building in front of me. Nothing about it screamed male strip club, but according to Google, that’s exactly what it was.

Crimson Club.

I had no fucking clue why I was here. I’d overheard River and Zane talking about an event at the club tonight while we were on break. Normally I would have just eavesdropped and tucked the information away, but then I’d heard them mention it was an LGBT feature night and they expected most of the audience to be men.

This would be one of the only times I could see Zane dance without standing out and drawing attention to myself.

Should I go in? I could just get back in my truck, drive to a bar or another club, and spend my night relaxing and not creeping on my coworkers.

Things had been weird at work, but not in the way I thought they’d be. Zane wasn’t acting any differently toward me, but he’d definitely toned down the arguing and spent most of his time ignoring me.

That bothered me, even though I’d already decided to do the same to him. Maybe it was because he’d done it first? Or maybe I’d gotten used to his barbs and insults.

I shouldn’t be here, I knew that, but I couldn’t make myself leave.

One drink, one dance to quell my curiosity, then I’d slip away and finally be able to stop thinking about Zane stripping.

Becca’d made me watch the first Magic Mike movie with her back when she was in high school while our parents had been at a church event. We hadn’t been allowed to watch non-Christian movies or TV shows, so we snuck them in when we were alone. We’d come up with a system where we alternated picks when we had the chance, and that had been one of hers.

The movie was entertaining enough, but since I wasn’t their target audience, I’d spent most of it studying the dance sequences and not ogling the hot actors like my sister.

Now that I knew Zane was a stripper, my stupid brain was fixated on it and I kept getting random flashes of Zane dancing in the same style as the actors in the movie.

The only way to stop obsessing over this was to see him dance in person so my brain could stop wondering about it and torturing me with the visuals.

Pulling in a deep breath, I headed across the parking lot and into the club, my steps far surer than I felt.

A jacked-up guy dressed in black stood between the outside and inside doors. “Ten bucks cover tonight,” he said, looking me up and down in a way that indicated he was assessing if I’d be a threat or not.

I gave him some cash.

“Enjoy.” He pulled the inner door open for me.

The scent of baby powder and something sweet filtered through the doorway, as did a slowed-down version of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

What I saw when I stepped into the club wasn’t what I was expecting. Based on the outside, I’d figured the inside would be just as unassuming and bland, and maybe even a little rundown.

The place was modern and classy with tons of seating choices, an area off to the side with what looked like curtained-off booths, and a huge bar along the back.

Some of the tables had poles built into them, and the various lights and lasers flashing around the stage created a sensual atmosphere that was somehow not overwhelming.

A lithe guy with blond hair was currently flipping around on a pole set into the center of the stage while the mostly male audience watched in rapt fascination. A good number of people were singing along to the iconic song, bringing the energy even higher.

I came to a stop near the corner of the bar and stared at the stage in wonder. I’d never seen a male pole dancer before. The precision and athleticism of his routine was breathtaking.

“First time?”

I jumped and whirled to my left. A guy with perfect hair and a brilliant smile was leaning against the bar, his mesh shirt clinging to his strong body.

“How’d you guess?” Inching closer, I kept my gaze on the bartender and not on the guy dancing.

“You have the same look I did the first time I saw this place in action.”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came here tonight, but this…wasn’t it.”

He smiled knowingly. “Can I get you something to drink?”

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