Page 212 of Hateful Games

A secret door clicks open behind us and in walks two of the male strippers we saw dancing during the first performance. Their cut upper bodies naked and glistening. It was specified on the terms and conditions as part of the VIP treatment that we can hang out with them. I think I see mild disappointment shadow Iris’s eyes when Chris doesn’t walk in. Their chemistry fell more toward friends who flirt zone.

“Hello, I’m Aiden,” introduces the blond one.

I wave my hand and do the same, followed by Bianca and Iris.

“And you are?” I ask the second guy, a broody one with closely cropped hair.

“Ross.”

Huh. Did not expect that. He gives more of a Brad or Damon vibes.

“Where are you ladies from?” asks Aiden, joining us at the bar along with his friend. Or colleague. I don’t know.

“India.”

Their brows shoot up in shock. “That’s quite far.”

“Well, we’re flattered if you came all this way to see us,” says Ross.

“You should be,” I tease, earning a small smile.

“What are we having?” asks Aiden, slapping his palms on the counter. “And is there something we’re celebrating?”

“How do you know?” Iris asks, bewildered.

“Wild guess,” answers Aiden.

Bianca clears her throat and with mischief darkening her gaze, reveals, “It’s our best friend’s belated bachelorette.”

I wave my ring finger with the diamond ring that I’m stuck wearing unless I want to draw blood when Bianca points at me.

“Congratulations!” Aiden grins, raising one impressed eyebrow after staring at the ring. “Husband looks loaded.”

“Something like that.”

“She deserves a lap dance or a strip tease, if any one of you would be kind and willing,” flirtatiously purrs Bianca. “I mean, we’ve come all this way.”

“Yes, please!” yells an excited Iris.

Ross and Aiden exchange a look before turning seductive eyes on us. “Your wish is our command.”

It all happens so fast that I don’t get a chance to protest. Suddenly, the lights are being dimmed and I’m being seated on a chair, directly in front of the stage. Iris and Bianca flagging my sides.

Slow and sensual music filters in through the speakers and I stare with bated breath at the two beasts. Their friendly energy now evaporated into something darker. A liquor shot is passed into my hands and desperately needing liquid courage, I gulp it down.

I’ve never blushed as hard as I do right now.

But slowly, as they remove their jeans, I fall into a groove. Mesmerized. I’m hooting and cheering at the men, along with my girls. The song shifts to something more upbeat and sexier. Next thing we know, the three of us are onstage.

They follow the unspoken rule of no touching, which I’m grateful for.

Yet somehow, Iris is being dared to put money into Aiden’s G-string. I think it was Bianca. Iris rises up to the challenge and without batting an eye, completes it.

“Woo!” I cheer. “Ever the perfectionist.”

“Who’s up for a lap dance?” suggests Ross.

Aiden issues his own filthy request, “And a body shot?”

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