Page 22 of Poles Apart
“Of course. Maybe Ivy can join in later. It’s never too early to start dancing.”
The remainder of the lesson passed without any further interruptions, and both he and Abby were exhausted by the end of it, having chosen to work on hip-hop this week. Dom missed Jacob being there, though, even if this was only Abby’s third lesson.
He said goodbye to them and promised to see Abby again the following week. He rolled his eyes when he asked if Jacob would be bringing her the next time and tried not to seem too obvious when he probed her for information. He shouldn’t be getting involved but couldn’t seem to help himself. Dom needed to get home, though. He had his night out to prepare for, and while he wasn’t actively looking to hook up, he wouldn’t say no if it were offered.
Fast forward a few hours and he was in Heaven. Not literally. It was the name of the new club that had opened up in Chester. He was pleasantly buzzed after having had a few beers at a local bar, then after the shots Hayden had bought, he was well on his way to being drunk. He was leaning against the bar, Seb and Hayden were out on the floor dancing, and he was waiting to be served.
“Hi.” A smooth voice, right by his ear, startled him out of his thoughts.
Dom turned and looked up to see a good-looking man standing next to him. He towered over Dom’s 5’4” and was even taller than Seb and Hayden. He had black, slicked-back hair, hazel eyes and a smirk on his unshaven face. A small gold hoop hung from his ear, and a gold chain adorned his very hairy chest. His clothes were clearly expensive, and his aftershave was overpowering. The guy was trying too hard, but Dom was at a loss to know who he was.
“Hello,” Dom replied. “Do I know you?” He gave his signature smile, all teeth and flirty eyes thrown in for good measure.
“You don’t, but I think we could help each other out.” Dom almost choked on this guy’s cologne. Had he bathed in it? He fought back a sneeze and managed to step back a little, catching a clean breath as he did so.
“Sorry,” the guy said. “That was very presumptuous of me. My name is Toby Devlin. I own Heaven.”
Ah, Dom had been hoping to meet up with him but hadn’t realised what a sleaze ball he’d be.
“Hi, a pleasure to meet you.” Dom held his hand out, and Toby took it, pumping it up and down. As he released his hand, Dom had the urge to wipe it on his trousers. The guy’s hand was clammy and warm, and he fought to keep the disgust from his face.
“The pleasure is all mine.” Toby leered at him. “I know who you are, though. You’re Dominic Tyler, internationally acclaimed pole dancer. I have a proposition for you. One I hope you’ll consider.”
Dom was intrigued to see what the guy was offering, but he certainly hoped it wasn’t sex. He did not want that with this guy.
“I’m all ears,” Dom replied. “What are you proposing?”
“As you know, this is a new club, but it isn’t known as a gay club or even a gay-friendly club. I want to try and attract a more inclusive, diverse clientele. My husband, Owen, knows of your success and saw you come in earlier. He suggested I come over and speak to you.
“Would you be interested in doing a set for us? Pole or straightforward dancing, we don’t mind either. We’d like to try and maybe have one night where the more rainbow-inclined people might be happy to visit us.”
Toby moved closer to Dom, his hand stroking up his bare arm. “We want to make you an offer you can’t refuse, and honestly, I think this arrangement could be beneficial to us both. Is that something you could beopento?” Toby bent and whispered the last comment in his ear.
Dom bristled at the statement. Was he suggesting what he thought? He’d be more than happy to dance at the club, but anything else, singly or with him and his husband? Dom was notopento that at all. No way, no how!
Dom pointedly moved his arm from under Toby’s and looked up into his face. “I’d be more than happy to come and dance at the club. I’m always happy to share my craft, and I think a gay-friendly night would be good for business. There’s not many places around where we can be safe, especially in a club.”
Dom paused to think carefully about his next words. He didn’t want to upset the man. After all, this could be a good thing for him. “Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick—no pun intended—but I’m not in the habit of sharing or being shared. So, if your insinuation was that we get together, either you and me, or you, me and Owen, that wouldn’t be something I’d be interested in. I like to keep things professional.”
He watched as a brief flicker of irritation crossed Toby’s face, and Dom thought maybe he had got it wrong, but that sly smirk appeared again. Dom continued. “I’m happy to give you my number so we can keep in touch to arrange a set or two at the club, but that’s all it’s going to be.”
Toby appeared to be suitably put out. “Please accept my apologies, Dom. I’m disappointed in myself that you even thought that was what I meant.” The look on his face, though, left Dom in no doubt that was what he’d meant. Toby signalled to the barman. “Next round of drinks on me.” He turned back to Dom. “I’ll be in touch.”
As Toby walked away, Dom swore he felt a hand graze his arse, but he couldn’t be sure. He took the tray of drinks from the barman and walked back to the dancefloor. He motioned to his friends, and they stepped off the floor, taking the drinks from the tray as they reached him.
“Well, that was an interesting turn of events,” Dom said to them both, and he went on to explain about his run-in with Toby.
“Sounds like a fucking creep if you ask me,” said Hayden. “You should stay away from the sleaze.”
Seb nodded in agreement as he sipped his drink through the straw.
“I’m happy to dance here, but there’s no way I’m joining in with him and Owen. I’m not that desperate.”
He sipped at his drink and looked around him. Yeah, it’d be great to be performing again, even if it was only for a night.
Later, as they danced, he could sense eyes on him and wasn’t surprised to see Toby with another man, who he assumed was his husband, nestled against him. Toby raised his glass in salute, and Dom couldn’t help but feel a little dirty. He acknowledged him with a wave and turned back to his friends. Urgh, he was going to need a shower before bed.
Chapter Twelve
