Page 38 of Choices

"Thanks, Ben!"

"Heya sexy mama. Here for book club? I hear Santiago's about to go on. What can I get you ladies?" Oh God, he makes it sound like a strip show.

Which is actually a brilliant idea. I'll have to chat with the boys about that later.

Sarah and Courtney can't restrain their excitement at the VIP treatment we're getting. We order our drinks and I go to pay but Ben waves me off with a frown.

"You trying to get me fired? What do you think Matty would say if I charged his ladies?"

I laugh and thank him before putting a 100 in his tip cup.

We giggle as we sip our drinks and head through the back and down towards the stairs. Two big burly bouncers guarding the hallway simply nod at us as we pass.

"God, did you see the biceps on that one?" Sarah whispers, not so very quietly.

I can't help but laugh. I feel lighter than I have in a while.

Finally, Sarah grabs my arms to stop me. "What are we doing here, Hannah? Is this where you drug us and sell our body parts on the black market?"

I laugh. "No. We're here to watch hot, sweaty men pummel the crap out of each other." I say, opening the last door with a flourish.

Sure enough, Santiago's in the ring, already slick with sweat, shirtless, in just his athletic shorts and barefoot. Black tattoos cover copper-colored skin. God, just looking at him makes my ovaries ache.He moves with such grace and confidence, I know he's just toying with his opponent.

"Ladies," Matty says smoothly, as he greets us. "We have a table reserved for you over here, with an excellent view of the ring. And Patrick here, will be your designated server. Ask for anything you want, all on the house."

I tip up and give Matty a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, baby," I whisper.

I turn to gauge Sarah and Courtney's reactions. Their mouths both hang open, eyes wide, as they take in the scene and suddenly I'm less confident that this was a good idea.

Do I push them out and forget the whole thing? Or feign confidence and sit?

"Holy shit, I think I just got pregnant," Courtney whispers. And I laugh. Okay. This was a good idea.

I guide them to the table, getting strange looks from the other men watching. But I don't mind. I know Matty and Santiago would never let anyone bother us.

"Holy fuck balls. Is this what you were talking about? Book Club?"

I shrug, a little proud of myself. "I figured, us moms are married, not dead. What's the harm in going to a weekly 'book club' and leaving our kids with their dads or a sitter, and getting a show?"

"Holy shit, you're a genius."

"Yeah? You think other moms would want in on this?"

"Fuck yeah, it's like Magic Mike...meets fight club."

I laugh as my eyes catch Santi's inthe middle of the ring. He grins, winks at me, and gets to work beating the shit out of his opponent easily.

With a right, left, right combo that is so fast it's blurry, Santiago's opponent goes down and doesn't move again.

Santiago's done with his opponent, though, and hops the ropes before the ref is even done counting down.

With a confidence that I swear is new to Santiago, he strides over, grins down at me, grips the back of my chair, and lowers his hips to mine, grinding on my lap.

Fuck, that's hot.

I can't help but blush. This gorgeous man, more than ten years younger than me and 1000x out of my league is half naked, sweaty, and grinding on me like a fucking male stripper.

I can't help but laugh and run my hands up his sweaty chest.

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