Page 10 of One Night with the Player

I’ll pick you up at seven.

I didn’t botherto reply. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Shiva told me about the deal she’d struck with Leo after I walked away. Twenty grand would go a long way in getting our new business idea for a line of comfortable pole fitness apparel for curvy girls off the ground. Still, I wasn’t sure I could go through with it. Seeing him last night had brought all the old feelings rushing back. Feelings I thought I’d shut down for good.

I made it all the way until five o’clock before I completely freaked out. Shiva had gone home to get cleaned up after spending the day hiking a few trails around Broken Bend with me and wasn’t picking up her phone. Usually, I’d run over to the studio where we took lessons from Miss Crimson, but it had closed at four-thirty.

On the verge of a complete panic attack, I threw on some leggings and a sports bra and headed to Club Curve. It was early enough that there wouldn’t be a crowd, and I’d be able to work off my nerves and figure out whether I wanted to go through with the date with Leo.

The manager was more than happy to let me have some time on the stage. There were only a few guys in the crowd since it was still so early. He told me I couldn’t go out there in my leggings though and made me change into one of the extra costumes they kept in the back. The bustier I chose accentuated my bust, and I paired it with some sparkly cheeky hipsters. I didn’t have my wig, but I wouldn’t let that hold me back. I needed the outlet. It was liberating not having to worry about squeezing my curves into some skinny girl’s scrap of fabric. Club Curve was all about showing love and support to full-figured women, and seeing so many men in the crowd last night had filled my heart.

Once I’d dressed, the DJ nodded for me to take my mark. “Welcome back to the stage, Miss Luscious Legend.”

A smattering of applause came from the few patrons scattered throughout the room. Once the music began, I lost myself to it.

I spun around the pole, pushing myself to the edge. A sense of calm and peacefulness drifted through me. Dancing was exactly what I needed. As the music slowed and came to an end, a few men came to the edge of the platform with cash in their hands. I didn’t dance for the tips, but I wasn’t about to turn down cold, hard cash. The first man smiled and slid a twenty into the waistband of my shorts. The next moved to tuck a five into the top of my bustier.

A hand reached out to stop him. “The lady isn’t accepting any more tips.”

I looked up to see Leo clutching the man’s hand in his grip. His jaw clenched tight, and he guided the man to step back from the stage.

“What are you doing here?” I couldn’t seem to get away from him.

“I heard you were putting on another show and didn’t want to miss it.”

I looked past him to see the waitstaff leading customers out of the club. “What’s going on, Leo? I came here to burn off some energy. I needed the outlet.”

“If you want to dance, baby, you can dance for me. Take all the time you need. The club is closed tonight for a private event.” His eyes softened, and he smoothed the hair away from my face.

I hated the way he took control of every situation. Hated how he handled me like I belonged to him. Hated that he thought he could come back after staying away for fifteen years and expect me to fall into line and feel the same way about him I had back then.

But most of all, I hated that I loved it.

I had no control over my feelings. No control over the way my body responded to his.

I had one bargaining chip left to play… my virginity. If Leo Steele wanted me, I had to make sure it was going to be for forever.

9

LEO

Olivia didn’t dance. She seduced me.

Every sway of her hips, every swing of her head, every shake of her ass added to my desperate need to claim her. I didn’t know what she wanted, but I would have given her the world if she’d agreed to be mine at that moment. The song came to an end. She’d been working hard for over a half hour already, but she could take as much time as she needed. The club was ours for the rest of the night, for as long as she needed.

Even though I’d come to town for the reunion, if we never made it there at all, it would be fine with me. I’d tried to meet up with Ethan earlier in the morning to tell him how I felt about his sister, but one of his hunting dogs had gotten in a fight and had to undergo emergency surgery.

I’d put our friendship first all those years ago, and it had cost me everything. If he truly valued my friendship, he’d have to understand.

Another song started, but Olivia walked over to the DJ stand and turned off the music.

“Have you had enough?” I got up from my seat in front of the stage. She could dance for me all night, and I’d still be eager for more.

Nodding, she headed my way. “I’m sorry. My nerves got the best of me, and I had to do something. It’s going to take me a while to get cleaned up if you still want me to go to the reunion with you.”

I put my arm around her shoulder and drew her close. “Nothing would make me happier. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”

“Are you sure?” She stared into my eyes.

“Yes.” We both knew we were talking about more than just the reunion. I’d wait for her for forever if that’s what it would take. I didn’t want her to give herself to me unless she was absolutely sure that’s what she wanted. Because once she did, there was no going back. “Are you sure you want to go with me?”

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