Matt grasped my hand as we walked up Pearl Street after leaving the restaurant.
If he was in a haste to get inside me, he showed no indication. His gaze wandered over the shops. He occasionally grinned down at me. Holy height difference. It’s a good thing I like tall males.
I noticed people staring at us. Oh . . . We clearly appeared to be a couple. A good- looking pair, I hoped. I felt overshadowed by the elegant man on my side.
Matt stopped.
I followed his eyes to a neon sign at an alley’s entrance. It said DYNAMITE on it.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he grumbled.
“Ha. Wow.” I shook my head.
His eyes were riveted on the bright orange lettering. What was he thinking, looking so melancholy? “Mm. Let’s go in.”
“Wait, what?
” I laughed.
Matt tugged me down the alley and I traipsed after him, struggling on my heels. I’d never been inside a strip joint before. This was about to become interesting.
“You’re insane,” I remarked as he paid our cover charge.
He smirked down at me. Uh- oh. I recognized that sneer.
One hundred percent problem.
The club was unexpectedly busy. I couldn’t concentrate because of the music. The lighting was harsh, with red and yellow accents. A beaded curtain hung in front of some booths, and there were red velvet chairs positioned beside a stage.
Three topless girls were strutting along the stage, floating approaching men with money. Everyone I saw had a drink.
I stood on my tiptoes and whispered into Matt’s ear. “I guess we probably have to buy drinks.”
Matt looked at the girls, then down at me.
“Now this is seedy as fuck,” he murmured back.
“I’m pleased you agree! It truly is. What are we doing here? ”
“Having some fun,” he said. He took out his money and made his way to the stage. He’d piqued the interest of a lovely dancer with chin-length blond hair. They leaned together to converse momentarily, and I observed Matt slip the woman a bill. She grinned as her eyes enlarged. What the hell did he just give me?
Matt made his way back to me and took my hand. We followed the blond stripper down a hall toward the back of the club. When we entered a medium-sized room with mirrors on every wall, the atmosphere changed dramatically. A couple ottomans, a black velvet couch, a plain armless chair, and a table were present. I moved in closer to Matt.
“Hello, hon,” the stripper said. “I’m Kelly. Don’t worry, darlings.”
Darlings? The girl appeared to be about twenty-five years old. She was lovely, though, and quite calm for someone dressed in a G-string and stilettos.
“Your boyfriend mentioned you two wanted to have some fun,” she replied, glancing between Matt and me thoughtfully.
Boyfriend? I locked my gaze on Matt. My glare vanished as soon as I locked eyes with him. Oh . . . no. That famished, absorbed expression that made me want to please him was there. My heart beat twice as fast. I gave a slight smile.
“Yeah,” I admitted quietly.
Matt gripped my hand before creeping over to lean against a wall and observe us. He couldn’t even sit, which was typical. Restless . . . controlling. Intoxicating.
“Sit,” he said, indicating toward the chair. He told the stripper, “Give her a lap dance.”
I sagged onto the chair. I was acutely aware that Matt was staring at me, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. I could see I was beet red.
The stripper straddled me and started dancing. She completely ignored Matt. She smirked at me, ran her tongue along her lips, and pressed her breasts into my thighs as she ground her ass.
With a start, I realized I was getting wet.
I wasn’t particularly into girls, so what happened?
Matt had to be it. Matt is staring at me, relishing my misery. It’s probably getting difficult.
“Sit,” he said, indicating to the chair. “Give her a lap dance,” he told the stripper.
I sagged onto the chair. I was painfully aware that Matt was staring at me, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. I knew I was beet red.
The stripper straddled me and proceeded to dance. She ignored Matt. She winked at me, ran her tongue along her lips, and pressed her breasts against my thighs.
I then noticed I was getting soaked.
I wasn’t into girls at all, so what happened?
It had to be Matt. Matt is staring at me, relishing my misery. It’s probably becoming difficult.
Repeated that last bit