StripperwithSpice by Afton Locke Read Free Book Online Page B

back at me.
    “But you’re so much younger.”
    He shrugs as if thirteen years is nothing. “I’ve wanted you
since I met you. During the photo shoot, I didn’t have to pick you up. I chose
to.”
    “You did?”
    The confusion in my mind morphs into something sweeter.
Something enticing. It’s as if today is the first day of spring after a long,
hard winter. Surely I’m dreaming this.
    “I couldn’t even look at you after the shoot. And when you
put your mouth on my neck in there just now, I almost lost control and kissed
the hell out of you onstage.”
    Giddy laughs spill out of me until I cover my mouth. I’m
determined to make a fool out of myself, aren’t I?
    He looks around as if it finally dawned on him someone could
be watching us the whole time. “This is a good job I count on every year. I
don’t want to blow it by breaking the rules.”
    I find a more comfortable position against the door. “What
are the rules, exactly?”
    “We have to be careful not to do anything to offend the
women. Teasing is what it’s all about. Kissing and making passes are
off-limits.”
    I take in this new information and process it. “When I first
got here, I was afraid it would be one big orgy.”
    He shakes his head. “If it was, decent, upstanding women
like you wouldn’t come. A lot of these women are married with kids. This
weekend gives them a chance to cut loose a little without going too far.”
    “That makes sense.” But where does that leave us?
    While I frown, deep in thought, he takes my hand, patiently
stroking his thumb along my palm. That simple movement shuts off my thought
processes, so I pull my hand away.
    “Okay, Carlos, you just said you want me. I’m very
flattered, but there are a lot of attractive single women here. Besides, you
probably have a girlfriend.”
    Or even a wife? Please tell me I didn’t just rub myself all
over a married man.
    He shakes his head. “No. I only want you and I don’t have a
girlfriend right now.”
    “So what is it about me?” I ask. “We don’t exactly have a
lot in common.”
    He puts his arm around me and smiles. “You like to analyze
everything, don’t you?”
    “It’s my job,” I reply with a grin.
    “Really? What do you do?”
    “I’m a financial analyst at a company called Trendler
Trust.”
    “Sounds impressive,” he replies. “Do you like it?”
    My mouth opens and closes again. Why is this such a
difficult question for me?
    “It pays the bills.”
    Softer than butterfly feet, the fingers of his other hand
trace my cheek. “I’m not sure what draws me to you, Janice, but it’s strong. You’ve
been through something recently.”
    A wall slams down with a bang inside my head. “How did you
know?”
    He shrugs, drawing me closer to the side of his warm, strong
body. The feeling I had during the photo shoot drifts over me again.
    “I felt so safe when you lifted me in your arms during the
shoot,” I blurt out.
    “You are safe. Whatever you went through, it’s all right
now.”
    Boy, do I feel ridiculous. A much younger guy is making me
feel dependent on him. Granted, he probably makes as much or more money right
now than I do. For a moment, I let myself close my eyes and revel in the feel
of this mysterious—and now caring—man next to me. I like it. What I like even
more is how he communicates understanding without words and doesn’t ask me a
bunch of nosy questions.
    He finally drops his arm. “I’d better get back to work
before they fire me. I’ll see you around?”
    “Sure.”
    See you around. What does that mean? Is he blowing me
off? We seem to share something pretty genuine. Okay, so maybe I am his
favorite woman this weekend, but tomorrow is Sunday. Come Monday, I’m sure
he’ll forget I ever existed.
    But I’ll never forget him. He gave me a gift I didn’t expect
when I signed up for this event. It’ll have to be enough.

Chapter Four
     
    After returning to my room, I stand in front of the mirror
and stare at