I pulled the other strap down and another shower of money washed over me. Then I turned and shimmied the top of my uniform over my bra.
There, I was practically topless. Hoots and hollers came from everywhere. It was scary but I can't lie.
It was quite a rush.
Until I felt the hand yanking me off the stage. I stared up, startled. Clay was looking down at me, looking furious. For a minute, I was actually scared by that look.
Right until the bouncer got to him.
Crap.
I watched as Clay was dragged forcibly out of the club.
I ran outside trying to tell Troy not to beat the living shit out of Clay.
I pretty much convinced him after a few choice hits.
The weird thing was, Clay didn't fight back. That wasn't like him. He just stared at me, looking deeply wounded.
Judging from the blood trickling out of his mouth, he kind of was.
"Stop it! Stop! I know him!"
Sheila had followed us out.
"Old boyfriend?"
"I'm sorry Sheila. I didn't tell him I was here."
She smiled at me sadly.
"That's okay honey. You take a few days and make sure this is what you really want."
She patted my shoulder.
"You sure got the looks for it. But if I had a guy that looked like that not wanting me to dance. I wouldn't dance."
I glanced at Clay who was staring at me. He wiped his mouth and rubbed the blood on his pants. He looked so fucked up. I knew it was because of me.
"Come on, let's get out of here."
His eyes were still dark as he took my air and propelled me towards his car.
"Wait, my bike!"
"Fuck your bike."
He ignored me, putting the car into reverse and snarling 'put your fucking seatbelt on' as he revved off into the night.
Chapter Twenty One
Clay
I followed the signs to Wright's beach. It was a camping spot I'd been to a few times with my mother. I don't know what made me drive all the way to the coast this late at night.
Probably because it was so far away.
I'd driven for an hour to get here.
That's exactly how long it took me to calm down.
I could still see all those men looking at her. Wanting to touch her. It made the bile rise in my throat.
I pulled into the parking lot and finally looked at her. We hadn't spoken a word. Not fucking one.
Nev's arms were wrapped around her as she stared straight ahead.
She was shivering. I cursed. And I'd had the top down during the entire drive.
"Don't you have anything else to put on?"
She shook her head no.
I felt rage welling up inside me again.
"Are you fucking saying that you biked to the club looking like that?"
Her mouth dropped open. She obviously had no idea the effect she had on men when she was fully dressed. Being half naked was just asking for trouble.
I jumped out of the car and popped the trunk. I had some towels in there I thought... I fished around and grabbed two towels and a sweatshirt. I handed her the sweatshirt. Wordlessly she took it and slipped it over her head.
Then I walk toward the path, glancing over my shoulder at her.
"You coming?"
I heard the car door slam and the click clack of her high heels on the pavement. When we got to the path I turned and hoisted her into my arms. She looked at me in surprise and I shrugged.
"I don't want you to twist an ankle."
We were both silent as I carried her down the steep path to the ocean. Out here the beach was wild-craggy outcroppings of rock and swirling rip tides. The moon was bright so we could see the waves. I lay the towel down and lowered her onto it. Then I spread the other towel over her legs.
That should do it.
We sat there staring at the water for a long time.
Finally we looked at each other.
Nev looked like she wanted to tell me off. But then she started laughing. I laughed too.
"I think that's the booze talking. You smell like a bar."
Slowly our laughter faded. I brushed her hair out of her face. It had come loose during the drive and cascaded over her shoulders.
She blinked up at me, her feelings shining in her eyes.
She loved me.
She fucking had to.
"What am I going to do with you Nev?"
She smiled, her eyes dipping to my lips.
"Kiss me?"
I groaned and pulled her into my lap.
"Yeah, for starters."
I kissed her softly.
"But what am I going to do after that?"
She shrugged.
"I have a few ideas."
I laughed. She was being really cute. I still had a big problem though. I could not let her work in that place. And it was 100% my fault that she'd ended up there.
Right now my body had different ideas. I slid my hand up her back, caressing her skin. It was warm under my sweatshirt. I guided her arms into the sweatshirt so I could pull her top and bra off. Then I slid everything down over her hips.
"Nev..."
I kissed her forehead softly and stood to pull my pants off. It was chilly but I didn't mind. Even though I hated it, seeing her on that stage had done things to me.
Lit me up in a way that was going to take a long, long while to cool down.
Nevada