He pulled back and frowned down at her. She could feel her eyes had gone wide and her cheeks were growing pale at the thoughts that were racing through her head at cyberspeed.
“What do you mean…oh, sweetheart, I meant I will be getting you off three times, not bringing anyone into the room. These rooms are ours, and no one else will step inside. In fact, before you come downstairs, put the Do Not Disturb sign out so even the maid won’t come in. This space is just for you and me.”
Her fear slowly subsided as she slipped her arms around his waist. It took her a moment to calm herself and catch her breath. They stood wrapped together like kudzu vine on an oak tree until someone pounded on his door.
“Geo? What the hell are you doing in there? You were supposed to be downstairs ten minutes ago!”
“Shit,” he said, giving her a squeeze and dropping a kiss on the top of her head before releasing her. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you downstairs in a few and then back here afterward, okay?”
She could not speak, so she just nodded and retreated to her room, pushing her connecting door nearly all the way closed. Blinking back tears she could not explain, she took several breaths for strength and courage before turning to her suitcase. She needed to change and get downstairs herself.
First though, she needed to put some emotional walls into place. She worked on that as she changed into dry panties, a nicer shirt, and a pair of brand-new jeans, and rinsed out her need-drenched panties. After closing the light-blocking curtains, she turned on the lamp by the bed, and though she was still not sure she was ready for whatever the evening might hold, left her room to head downstairs.
The evening’s event was in full swing though the main event had yet to begin. Alcohol was flowing, and the energy of a hundred excited women charged the air. Going to the bar, Sunny ordered herself a beer, which would take her to her self-imposed two-drink limit. She needed to relax, not get drunk.
Though she still wanted to go upstairs and hide in her room until it was time to go home, she drank down half the beer. It was time to break out and enjoy every minute of the trip. If nothing else, she would sit back, and look at the experience as fodder for a possible future book.
Chapter Four
Though they were supposed to stay out of sight until they took the stage, Geo could not help himself. Stepping into the doorway at the back of the ballroom where all the scheduled sessions were being held, he scanned the crowd of rowdy women, concern growing until he found Sunny. She was at a table near the back, talking to a couple of other women. Even from a dozen yards away, he could tell she was tense and fidgety as she played with her beer bottle.
He had pulled third place in the dance lineup and wondered if she would still be in the room in an hour? Or would she flee to her room, the energy of a room full of lusting women too much for her system?
Suddenly Gigi stepped in front of him, her ever-present clipboard in one hand. “You’re not supposed to be in here yet.”
“Keep an eye on Sunny for me. I think she might be upset.”
“Oh, hell, what did you do now?” Gigi said. She pushed him out into the hall and out of sight of the room when a few of the ladies turned to check him out.
“You knocked at a most inopportune time, and she might have taken things wrong.”
Gigi’s gaze narrowed as she began to frown. “I told you to keep your pants on around the women. You didn’t sleep with her, did you?” she hissed, trying not to draw more attention to them than necessary.
Geo could not help roll his eyes. “No, Gigi, I did not sleep with her.” Yet, he added silently.
“Good, because if you hurt her, I have no doubt Shey will fly out here and hurt you. And I’ll help her,” Gigi promised. “Now stay out of sight until it’s your turn. Come on, Joey. You’re up first.”
Before he could respond, she had spun on one of her high-heeled cowboy boots and stormed off. One of the other women who had started this annual get-together had been making announcements and had just introduced her as being the one in charge of this event.
Turning, Geo knew he had to get his mind off his beautiful, sweet, shy Sunflower. He needed to focus on remembering the dance routine the other guys had helped him put together over the last two weeks.
“Here, drink this,” Marcus, the dancer who had become Geo’s mentor in all things stripper, handed him a highball glass half-full of an amber liquid.
Geo raised one eyebrow in query as he sniffed at the contents.
“It’s your brand,” Marcus assured him. “Throw it back. You don’t go on for an hour, and it will leave you feeling loose, but slightly numb. With this kind of crowd that’s the only way to get through it. In the meantime, come on, let’s run through your routine one last time.”