Page 21 of The Huntress and Her Hound

There has to be more to this story. Does she know something about me? Is it because I work with her brother?

Nah. Before I met her in person, I might’ve been inclined to believe that. But after knowing her for more than five minutes, it’s easy to see that she’s not as squeaky clean as she pretends to be. I just want to figure out how dirty she is.

And if I can have some of her filth.

I nearly laugh at the intrusive burst of lust, the irony of what happened earlier making it a bombastic desire. Cher’s movement grabs my attention as she enters an alley, quickly taking a staircase to a lower entrance...

To a strip club.

What the hell? Why?

This woman never ceases to surprise me. I take a deep breath and follow her inside, weaving through the crowd of pervy men as soon as I step through the door. Topless dancers swirl around poles, but I pay them no attention. I need to find Cher.

Is she working here?

I picture her on stage, her legs wrapping around the pole, and I instantly grow both aroused and angry. If I catch her stripping, I’m telling Henry. I’ll rip her off the stage myself. I don’t give a shit what consequences I face for it.

“Can I get you something?” A light touch lands on my forearm, and I turn to see a woman with tits bigger than my head, her nipples covered with only tiny tassels.

“Uh, no,” I tell her, looking her only in the eyes. “I’m actually looking for someone.”

“All the fun happens in the back.” She winks at me, and then gestures to a pair of double doors.

“Of course, it does.” I get a bad taste in my mouth as I begin to wonder if I’m in the Vegas version of The Den. I give the woman a terse smile and keep working my way through the thick crowd of women and men with a shallow hunger in their expressions.

My stomach hurts at what I might find, but I force myself to keep going anyway. I hate these places. They reek of STDs and regrets. I haven’t gotten laid in a long time, but I damn sure won’t be taking someone home from here.

Unless it’s Cher.

My cock stirs and I push against the double doors, instantly met with black lights and moans.

Yep. Fucking sex club. Here we go.

I scan the faces around me, partially disturbed and partially bored. I spent way too much time watching over Elizabeth at The Den to be shell shocked by what happens in the hallways of a place like this. My sister never wandered to the darker side of the place though. She just wanted the cash to blow on purses and shoes.

“Excuse me,” a guy bumps me, a drink in his hand.

“My bad.” I step to the side as he chuckles.

“It’s crowded as fuck tonight,” he stops, facing me. “Not a lot of meat to pick from either.”

“For sure,” I say, feigning like I don’t think he’s a disgusting pig. “I’m hoping to find a dark-headed one with curvy hips.” I hate exploiting Cher like that, but I need to find her. I need to know what she’s up to in a place like this.

“Good luck. All I’ve seen are blondes.”

“Damn,” I don’t have to hide my disappointment. “Guess I’ll keep looking. Are there any more places in here they might be hiding?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, the dark room.”

My heart thuds against my ribcage. “Point me in the right direction.”

“I’m on my way there now.” He shoots me a wicked grin. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

I nod, and let him lead the way, scanning every face I pass. We slip by what looks like dressing rooms, and the moaning coming from inside is louder than the heavy bass music playing through the speakers. I swallow the vomit as I think of Cher in one of those.

The guy nods toward an opening and slips into a small hallway between rooms. I catch sight of a black painted door in front of us. He opens it, and the music increases. I ready myself for what might be on the other side.

And it’s exactly what I expect.

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