“What the fuck?” I mumble, and again, Crystal goes to stand. I guess I never let go of her wrist because she hisses for me to stop it.
I can’t tear my eyes away from her… I’ve seen hundreds of strippers in my life. But this—this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The way she moves to the music, as if it’s inside her needing to come out and her thin legs obey.
“She’s magnificent.” Rip states the obvious and I’m seriously two seconds from taking him down.
“Jesus.” He whistles as she leaps and spins like a fucking ballerina. “I call her. She’s mine,” he announces as he raises one hand like he’s in grade school.
“The fuck she is.” I glare at him. “Put your hand down, Rip.”
He puts his hand down but continues to stare and starts singing the lyrics.
“Are you kidding me?” I roar, my pulse beating so hard I feel it in my temple.
“That’s it.” The music’s still playing and the girl keeps dancing until I’m almost close enough to grab her. Touch her. To see if she’s real and make sure my mind’s not playing a sick game with me. For a split second, I’m worried all the drugs I’ve taken throughout my life are catching up with me. Is my mind conjuring up the perfect woman for me?
She stops midspin and I stare down at her face, taking in her startled expression. She’s striking, no she’s beautiful, fucking stunning. As I grit my teeth, my cock hardens and I lean forward to inhale her. Vanilla, and something else, maybe citrus… grapefruit? My eyes dip to her puffy red lips. I want to kiss those lips.
“What are you doing?” I barely register Crystal’s incredulous voice as I continue to stare down at the girl. Her skin is flawless. Like cream.
“Name?” It comes out harsh and I’m surprised that someone this delicate wouldn’t cower.
She doesn’t, though, and holds her ground, raising her face. Our eyes lock. Big blue eyes that have an almost purple tint blink at me, and I see everything. She’s unsure—even with her proud stance, this one has a vulnerability that calls to me. I smile at her, and though she seems nervous, she doesn’t look away.
I want to kick everyone out, rip off her dance shorts, and sink my mouth into her fucking honey core. Suck and lick her cunt until I replace my mouth with my cock and fuck her for days.
I bet she tastes as good as she smells. I lean closer and inhale. Yeah, I like the way she smells—
“Axel! What the hell are you doing? Are you smelling her?” Crystal’s annoying voice slaps me out of my drugged-up fog. Jesus Christ, I’m high as a kite.
“What is happening?” She sounds aggravated and the vulnerability that I thought I saw is replaced with a haughty stare.
What the fuck am I doing? I’m going to kill Rip. I tear my eyes away to focus on the room. There he sits, shaking his head at me. I scrub my hands up and down my face to get the blood flowing away from dick. Ignoring Crystal’s sanctimonious expression, I return my gaze to the girl who is half my size yet looks like she’s the Queen of England with her hands on her hips and nose sticking in the air.
“You’re not right for the Pussycat,” I state.
“What?” She looks at me then Crystal who stands staring at me with her stupid clipboard.
“Excuse us.” Crystal pats the girl’s arm and spins to grab a hold of my cut, moving us a few feet away. “What are you doing?” she hisses.
“She has a beauty mark.”
Crystal blinks at me then looks at the girl. “So?”
“So… I don’t like it,” I say, causing her eyes to narrow. Then she smiles, not even trying to hide the gleeful look on her face.
“So, let me get this straight.” She taps her long pointy nails on that damn clipboard. “You want me not to hire her because she has a beauty mark on the top right side of her lip.”
We both turn to stare at the girl.
“Christ.” This woman has affected me. It’s making me uncomfortable and I’m never uncomfortable. My eyes go up and down her body. She doesn’t fit.
“Yes,” I hiss.
“Um no. I’m the manager of the girls and talent. I have final say. Look it up in my contract.” She turns her back on me to stare at the fucking ballerina. “Anyone who can dance like her and looks like an ethereal princess is a sure thing. Sorry, Axel.”
“Crystal, I swear to God. Not today. I’ve put up with hours of—”
“I don’t want to take this up with Blade or Derrick. But…” She sighs, letting her voice drift.
This time I grab her arm to snarl in her ear. “Two minutes ago, you were thinking the same thing as me. Now, because I say no, you have to be a bitch and say yes.”