Bash nods at the man and presses his hand against my lower back to usher me in.

Wow.

I don’t know what I was expecting the inside of this place to look like, but it wasn’t this. Plush, luxurious leather couches line the walls, and a small stage with a pole stands in the center of the room. Bash closes the door behind him and directs me to take a seat.

He settles in next to me and presses a kiss to my temple. “Don’t look so angry, Coach. Just relax, and you’ll have a great time.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” I scan the room to ensure we’re alone. “This isn’t exactly my scene, Bash…”

He grins at me, the same cocky one that I used to hate so much that now stirs something low and warm in my belly. “No shit, Coach. I never would’ve guessed.”

I swat his shoulder. “Ha, ha. Very funny.”

“Is this your first time at a strip club?”

“Of course, it is, Bash. Come on.”

He shakes his head and reclines back. “It’s a valid question, Coach. A lot of women come to strip clubs.”

“‘A lot.’” I use air quotes. “Maybe the women you associate with.”

His eyes widen, and he presses his hands over his chest. “Ouch, Coach. That one stung a little bit.”

I roll my eyes at him. “You know what I mean, Bash.”

“No.” He shakes his head, and something that looks an awful lot like actual hurt crosses his face. That vulnerability I’ve caught glimpses of during our intimate time together. “I don’t. Explain it to me—”

A knock at the door stops what would have undoubtedly turned into a very uncomfortable situation or even an argument like the ones we’ve managed to avoid lately, and a beautiful redhead with tits bigger than my head enters with a tray stacked high with bottles of water and what looks like mixers.

Bash holds up a hand to me. “I know what you’re going to say, Coach, and no worries. No alcohol tonight.”

“Good. You are really starting to worry me…”

He frowns and leans in. “You worry too much.” He kisses me again as the woman sets down her tray. “Relax is the word of the day. Just let go.”

A beautiful blonde waltzes in wearing sky-high heels and basically nothing else. The tiny G-string covering her pussy can’t really be called clothing. Her perfectly high, round breasts have me crossing my arms over my own chest.

Bash glances at me and chuckles low.

The waitress disappears and shuts the door behind her, and the blonde moves over to us and leans forward, dangling her breasts practically in my face. “I’m Lila. What’s your name?”

I can’t get the words out.

Should I even be using my real name?

Sweat breaks out on my palms, and I brush them against my leggings.

Bash wraps his arm around me and squeezes. “You can call her ‘Coach.’”

My mouth falls open, and I elbow him in the chest, but he just laughs.

Lila grins and runs her long-nailed finger slowly down my arm. “Well, Coach, is this your first time here?”

I nod.

Do I look like someone who frequents trashy strip clubs?

Bash leans forward and waggles his eyebrows. “It’s her first time ever at a strip club.”