Page 16 of Vex

I lean my forearms on the bar in front of her and respond calmly.

“No. Not my style to blow someone for a job. I’ve never been that desperate. I’ll never be that desperate. My mom raised me to use my brain, not my body, to earn my keep. Hard work, not on my knees, is how I keep my job. So, Kristy, who are you blowing to still be employed here?”

“You couldn’t earn your keep with that body. Maybe it’s a good thing you’ve decided to use that brain of yours to be a bartender instead of a dancer,” she replies cattily.

“Before your boob enhancement, butt lift and thigh reduction surgeries, I’m guessing yours looked like a twelve-year-old girl’s,” I say sweetly.

“Fuck you!” she screams while slamming her fists on the bar.

“I’ll leave that to all your ‘friends’ named John, thank you very much,” I say with a smirk as I walk away. I hear a screech behind me and my smirk changes into a smile.

I like most of the women who work here, including the strippers. There’s only a few I don’t. Most are just trying to earn a living, and I get that. I really like that Dreams is different from other strip clubs in that they don’t allow sex. There are private rooms for lap dances, but they’re monitored closely. The customers aren’t allowed to use their hands even during those dances. If the women choose to hook up with a customer, it’s after hours and off property. The MC doesn’t encourage or benefit from those encounters. I know a few of the women collect phone numbers and meet up with clients after the club closes. Kristy’s one of them who has chosen to make extra money by prostituting herself. The club also does random drug tests on all employees. A strung-out stripper doesn’t make them money and only causes trouble. Test positive for more than pot and say goodbye to your job here.

“Let’s go, Taja,” Vex orders as I step out from behind the bar after finishing my closing duties.

We walk silently out the door and across the lot to Vex’s bike. Out of habit, my eyes scan the nearly vacant lot looking for any sign of Rooster or his club. Seeing none, I relax and breathe easy. I don’t realize that my actions were obvious until Vex speaks.

“Someone in particular you looking for or looking to avoid, Taja?”

“No. No one at all. Just being cautious, you know. Walking out of a club at night, you can’t ever be too vigilant,” I answer without looking at him.

When we reach the bike, Vex sits sideways on the seat. He grasps my hips and pulls me between his thighs. I drop my hands to his biceps and enjoy the firm definition of them.

“People keep telling me to keep my distance from you. I get why. I know they mean well, but that’s not working for me anymore. I’m not a relationship kind of guy and you need to know that up front. But we’re going to happen, Taja. For a night, maybe a few nights. I need a hell of a lot less distance between us. I need your clothes off and my mouth touching all of you. I want to be inside you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Where’s your head at with all that?” Vex informs me in his deep, smooth voice.

I like that he’s direct and isn’t playing games. After working around him for the last few months, I’ve found there’s a lot to like about Vex. Not just his looks, but all of him. I’m attracted to Vex. Anyone born with a vagina would be. A lot born without one would be too. But am I ready for certain heartbreak? We’re worlds apart on the experience spectrum. Can I give him my virginity and not get anymore attached to him than I already am? Can we be intimate and then still work together without issues? I can’t afford to lose this job. If I do, I might cost Tessie and me our freedom. I want to say yes to him so bad, but I’m trying to think logically. My mind’s still whirling when I feel his hands tighten on my hips. Looking down, our eyes meet and hold.

“Give me your mouth, Taja.”

Without thought, I do as he asks. He pulls me tighter to his body as our mouths meld. He tastes of smooth, aged whiskey and all man. My hands instinctively slide into his hair, and I hold onto it. A simple kiss and I’m soaring. This man’s pure magic, and I want my fill. I take the initiative and deepen our connection. It does funny things to my belly when Vex groans his approval. I feel powerful and wanted. My lack of experience doesn’t seem like a bad thing when I feel the changes in his body. Vex doesn’t make me feel young and small. He makes me feel bold and alive for the first time in a long time.

After a few moments of enjoying each other, Vex gently nips my bottom lip and pulls back a bit. I slowly open my eyes to see his heated ones staring into mine.

“It’s not if, it’s when, Taja. Get your head wrapped around that. Because when it happens, I’m taking my time. I want every inch of you. I want every fucking thing you have to give, and I’ll be greedy about taking it.”

“Okay, Vex,” I whisper in agreement. At that moment, I’d have agreed to anything with him.

“Let’s get you home before I make good on that promise right here in the parking lot,” Vex says with a small grin.

I release his hair and take a step back. Vex stands up and mounts the bike. I climb on behind him and place my hands around his waist. I drop my forehead to the back of his shoulders and release a shaky breath.

It’s not long before we pull to a stop in my driveway, and I dismount the bike. Vex snakes his left arm around my waist and pulls me tight to his side. I can barely make out his features in the darkness, but I can feel his intensity.

“Mouth, Taja,” he rumbles out.

I instantly comply and things heat up instantly. I no more than place my hand against his jaw when the porch light flips on, and I hear the house door open. Before I can pull away, Tessie interrupts our moment completely.

“Hey, Taj! When you’re done making out with the hot biker dude, can I tell you how flippin’ awesome my day was?” Tessie’s voice is a loud, excited screech that most likely scared every cat in the neighborhood. I step back from Vex quickly while listening to him chuckle.

“I take it you enjoyed your day at the garage, Tessie,” Vex says to her in an amused voice.

My adorable, excited younger sister comes bounding down the steps and rushes up to the bike. She slides to a quick halt, throws both arms out wide and hollers in response, “Best day ever!”

I look at her smiling face and feel a whoosh in my belly. It’s been a long time since she was this happy about anything. Tessie needed something like this to pull her out of her funk. My gratitude to Vex and Chubs knows no bounds.

“I met all the guys, and everyone was great, but Chubs, Petey and Trigger are the freakin’ best! They showed me things I didn’t know, and Petey let me use his tools since he mostly works the front of the store now. And he has every tool imaginable! How cool is that? No one even cared that a girl wanted to work on cars. They just helped me out like I belonged there. They said I can come back tomorrow and finish up on your car. And Chubs introduced me to his girlfriend, Lucy, and they took me out to dinner. It was so cool! Lucy’s so nice and I really like her. But, Taj, seriously, you’ve never seen someone who can eat like Chubs! It was un-frickin-believable!” Tessie shouts most of this and then stops long enough to take a long, much-needed breath.

I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face, and I notice that Vex is sporting one too. Tessie’s excitement is contagious and endearing to see. I send up a silent message to Mom thanking her for placing Tessie in my life.

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