Stripped Bounty by Dorothy F. Shaw Read Free Book Online Page B

her with praise or compliments. Women wanted to feel that admiration, even if they didn’t need it. They all deserved it.
    Speaking of admiration, she’d seen Badger standing beside the head of the stage during her set. He’d watched her the whole time. She wasn’t surprised, because the behavior wasn’t new. It’d become something that went on whenever he was on shift now.
    He watched. She danced.
    And she did it knowing his eyes were on her the whole time.
    Although Rosie had grown accustomed to his gaze on her, she had no clue why he watched her. But she’d be a liar if she said she didn’t like it. She did. Badger’s eyes on her were as good as if he was touching her…his gaze was that penetrating. And she’d begun to crave the feel of his stare on her body. Because of that, she’d also be a liar if she said she didn’t sometimes, if not all the time, dance just for him now.
    In the beginning, Rosie felt like she had something to prove to him—to show him she was different, especially after realizing the reason he didn’t like her was likely because she was a stripper. So completely unfair. She wasn’t just a stripper. Rosie was so much more than that.
    And at that moment, she was a stripper who’d just… Made. It. Rain!
    Rosie turned to gather the rest of her money off the stage. Her eyes went wide at what lay before her. The stage was covered, absolutely coated in various bills. Movement to her right caught her attention, and suddenly Badger was on the stage.
    With her.
    Oh God.
    Quickly, she scanned the floor of the stage, locating the bra top of her costume. As she grabbed it, desperate to cover her body in front of him—which made absolutely not one bit of sense—she felt her cloak cover her shoulders.
    “Givin’ you a hand.”
    A shiver ran down her spine at the low rumble of his voice at her ear. Cursing her body, she glanced over her shoulder at him. His offer to help, as well as cover her with her cloak, both shocked and touched her, but also confused her. Rosie nodded. “Thanks.”
    He jerked his chin once and then set to gathering her money. Rosie quickly fastened her top, and instead used the cloak to pile money into. When they’d finally gotten it all, Badger gathered up the cloak, took her by the back of the arm and escorted her off the stage.
    The deejay announced the next dancer just as Badger rounded the corner of the hall, his fingers still wrapped tight around her upper arm. Maybe he was worried someone would try and grab her money? His strides were so long in comparison to hers…for every step he took, Rosie took three in order to keep up. Was he rushing? Was he annoyed?
    She glanced at his profile. Eyes straight ahead, lips pressed in a hard line, jaw set firm, so much so that a muscle ticked in his cheek. Jesus Christ she still couldn’t read this scary, beautiful man. But she wanted to.
    Especially because in a matter of a few minutes he’d successfully knocked her off her high “look at me and how kickass I am” horse. She felt her face get hot as foolishness settled like a rock in her stomach. Rosie went to move into the dressing room, but Badger kept hold of her and continued down the hall. She faltered but caught her footing, thank God. “Hey, uhhmm…where we going?”
    “Office.”
    Shit. He practically growled the word at her. No way she’d done anything wrong. No reason for him to be so harsh in his tone to her, either. So, fine. Whatever. Maybe her ego had gotten a little bigger than necessary. There was no reason to be such a dick to her. And frankly, she’d had it with him. Rosie scowled, ready to lay into him. “Why? Did I—”
    “Too much cash. It’ll be safer in the office.”
    What? Safer? Oookay , that was unexpected. She frowned. “Oh… Uhmm.” It was pretty damn smart of him, actually. Rosie hadn’t even thought about it. “Thanks.”
    Badger stayed silent as he stepped into the office. Pulling her with him, he shut the door. After letting