Page 95 of GAF Factor

“Um…one question. How do I get out of the car without flashing everyone my girly bits?”

Jane nodded. “Yep, I’d like to know that, too.”

“I’ll block you,” IKE said, shoving open his door.

Well, that didn’t make me feel too much better. Just because he was blocking me didn’t mean there wasn’t someone out there with a camera just waiting for the money shot of some unfortunate girl’s private parts. And that girl would be me. Yes, I knew how unrealistic that was, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Hell, if I was a celebrity, you could guarantee it would happen.

The door swung open and the January chill hit me like a freight train. “Holy shit.” My skin instantly pebbled. There was no way I was going to survive the walk to the club. “You know, I think we should forget this whole thing with Shawn and go home.”

He reached in and grabbed my wrist, practically yanking me out of the car. “You know we need this.”

I stood on wobbly feet, tugging—what little bit of my dress there was—down as much as possible. I felt so exposed out here. And not just because of the cold, though that wasn’t making this any better.

“I swear to God, if I freeze to death, I will come back to haunt you.”

“I can guarantee you won’t freeze tonight,” IKE grinned.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” I muttered under my breath.

The coat I was wearing did little to cut the bitterly cold air. There was no way I could wear my regular coat, so IKE insisted I get a new one, along with this ridiculous dress and shoes. My ankles wobbled with every step I took. There was no way I was going to make it to the club like this.

“You’re lucky there’s no ice on the ground,” I muttered.

“Just keep it together.”

“You keep it together,” I retorted. Okay, not the best comeback, but it was all I had. I started to really shiver as weapproached the back of the line. There was no way I’d survive out here this long.

“IKE—”

He slipped a hundred dollar bill into my hand and raised his eyebrow at me. “Um…what am I supposed to do with this?”

“Use it to get us in.”

“Oh. Right.”

How the hell was I supposed to do that? Be seductive. I could do that. I could seduce the pants off this man. I flung my hair over my shoulder, giving myself a neck spasm in the process, then tried my best to look sexy as I walked. I nearly fell twice as my ankle rolled, but I made it to the front of the line with the guys and Jane in tow.

Grinning at the bouncer, I held out my hand for him. “Got room for four more?”

He looked at me, then at IKE, IRIS, and Jane. “Nope.”

Okay, I must have done that wrong. I stepped forward and held out my hand again, willing him to take it, but the damn man wouldn’t lift his hand. I didn’t know what to do, and IKE was counting on me, so I sidled up to him and ran my hand up his chest. I could tuck it…where the hell was I supposed to tuck money on a man?

“Are you sure you can’t let us in?” I batted my eyelashes at him, then tucked the money down the top of his shirt.

His brows slanted together as he stepped back. “Did you just tuck money into my shirt?”

“Um…I?—”

But before I could explain myself, IKE was in front of me, staring the man down. That was all it took. He looked at the man. Looked! And then we were in the door. I didn’t get it. I was in a sexy dress. I passed him money, granted not in the usual way, and I got no reaction. Nothing.

Jane snorted out a laugh once we got inside. “Did you really stuff money down his shirt like a dancer?”

“I panicked, okay?” I shook off the embarrassment as we headed inside. With every step, the music got louder, making me wish I was anywhere other than here. Now I remembered why I hated this place so much. Everywhere I looked, bodies were crammed into each other. Sweaty people touching each other…ick. It was so gross.

“Let’s head to the bar,” IKE said in my ear. “Stay close.”

He didn’t have to worry about that. I didn’t want to go anywhere without him. I nodded and held his hand as he led me through the club toward the bar. It was pretty crowded where we were and someone shoved into me, spilling a drink down my leg. I slipped, but IKE caught me, his eyes focused on the man who had bumped into me.

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