Page 11 of Truth Be Told
The sound behind me grows quiet. They’ve obviously gone. Then a set of heavy male footsteps comes to a rest in the entryway. I look down at my thigh as I walk, already starting to undo one of the straps of my garter.
“Oh, you’re looking for Stella,” a distant woman’s voice says. That’s Tracy’s voice. She’s working behind the desk today and she must be talking to someone who just came in.
I turn at the sound of my name. At the end of the hallway, I can see that it’s him.
He’s dressed in dark jeans and a stylish black wool coat, the collar having messily ridden up his neck in defense of the cold. He’s looking at me, expressionless, and holding a dark-colored beanie hat in both of his hands. He’s much taller than I remember, but then again, I didn’t have a decent chance to get a good look at him last night. Not calmly, at least.
I realize I’m staring, so I break my gaze away, nervously darting my eyes back to my garter straps, which hang loosely in my fingers.
Tracy says carelessly, “This guy’s looking for you,” then starts collecting her things to leave.
Despite how exposed I am, he isn’t scanning me up and down the way I’m used to men doing – the way all the others do when I’m on stage, as if I’m a piece of meat. I wore this same outfit last night, and even though he watched me dance, it felt like he was watchingmemore than he was watching my body. He hasn’t yet watched me with the eyes of a client, and the way he’s looking at me now tells me he never will.
“Give me a minute,” I say, and retreat into the locker room, where I rush to get changed.
“What’s up?” Lorelei asks, sensing my rush. She’s almost completely dressed, so she must have finished her shift early tonight.
“Nothing,” I answer. I toss my heels into the bottom of the locker, under his hanging coat, where they land with a bang. Then I peel off my stockings and replace them with my skinny jeans, a long sleeve top, and a cozy pair of Uggs, then zip my own coat up to my chin. I reach for his, scooping it off the hook.
“What–” Lorelei doesn’t take her eyes off what’s in my hand. I knew I wouldn’t be able to slip past her. She points toward the door. “Is he…?”
“He is.” I nod. “Please don’t embarrass me, Lorelei.”
Her laugh comes close to a snort. “Like I would ever embarrass you.” She’s holding herself back, trying to contain her excitement. “You head out. I’ll stay here until you guys are gone.”
“We’re not going anywhere. I’m just giving this back to him.” I swing my purse over my shoulder. “And you can come out, just, you know. Keep it together. Don’t let him know you smelled his fabric.”And that I did, too.
She throws up a peace sign. “I’ve got it. No secrets. I won’t say a word.” Then, as I’m about to leave, she says, “Hey, Stell. Be sure to thank the guy for saving your life.” Her tone is still teasing, and I’m not sure if she realizes how much truth there is to that.
With a smile, I say, “See you tomorrow.” Then I take a breath before stepping out into the hall.
He’s still standing where I left him. His stubble is now trimmed, and because of that I can see more of his face. I didn’t have the composure to realize it as much as I do now, but he’s strikingly handsome; his jaw is strong and chiseled, and his piercing blue eyes could hold within them an entire world.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey.” His voice is deep and throaty. Sexy, to match that smell of his. I try to hold back a smirk.
“You have a coat,” I say.
Wow. That was stupid.
I shake my head. “I mean, I’m glad you have a coat, since you left this one with me.” I hold it up, then offer it to him.
He takes it from me, letting it slump down the side of his leg with the weight of his arm.
Lorelei touches my shoulder as she walks by. I didn’t even hear her behind me. “Bye, Stella.” When she’s passed him, she points to his back and mouths to me, “Oh, my God.”
“Bye,” I respond, trying not to laugh.
When I return my attention to where it was, his eyes connect with mine. Waves of hormones stream through my veins, practically igniting them. He opens his mouth to say something, but Tanya appears, interrupting him.
“Are you closing up tonight, Stella?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Not tonight.” I’ll take that as her hint to get the hell out of here so she can get it done.
He’s no longer appearing as though he’s on the edge of words. Whatever it was that he was about to say, he’s now stuffed it away. My heart sinks. I want to know what was on his mind. I want to know that part of him. Lorelei was right; this is a mystery.Heis a mystery.
Not only does he now appear quiet, he also looks lonely. That figures. A lot of guys who come to these kinds of clubs all by themselves are.
